Acts Series: Bible Studies
by Rev Dr Iain Greenshields
In this series, we are studying the Acts of the Apostles – written by Luke to a friend in order to help him understand the growth of the church after the Ascension of Jesus. Each week a chapter will be chosen as we systematically work our way through the gospel. The Minister will take a section of that chapter to preach on, but over 5 of the 7 days in that week you will have the opportunity to read that chapter for yourselves as we explore together. If you have any questions as you study, please do not hesitate to either email the Minister or contact him by phone - he will be delighted to help.
Week 5
Here we continue to see the growth and development of the young church as it gets beyond the borders of Israel and reaches out into the Roman empire and beyond. The two main characters are Peter and Paul as they lay down the roots of the new churches.
Day 1 Read Acts chapters 11 and 12
We are beginning to see the influence of the message of the Gospel well beyond the gates of Jerusalem and the borders of Israel. We are also seeing the spread of the Gospel outwith the Jewish Faith and into the Gentile world. Peter has to explain his actions to the leaders in Jerusalem – notice that when the Gospel was proclaimed to the Gentiles it was accompanied by the Holy Spirit. This spread of the Gospel was not without its cost too – James is killed, but Peter is delivered. Who can understand the mystery of what God permits to happen. I love verse 24 of chapter 12 because it gets everything into perspective!
Day 2 Read Acts 11:1-18
Remember how Peter had a powerful encounter with Cornelius and the Gospel was received by the Gentiles? Human beings cannot help themselves – Peter is criticised, and this evidences one of the great failings in all churches: we rush to judgement and criticism rather than reflect with the Spirit. Credit to the people who heard Peter because they were eventually persuaded and began to praise God for the great thing He had done – what a powerful verse 18 is, as it commands the heart of the Gospel.
Day 3 Read Acts 11:19-30
Notice that it was unnamed believers who were responsible for the spread of the Gospel in Syria and not any of the “stars” among the disciples.
Notice what it says about how this great movement of God worked – see v21.
This is what we need to pray for and not to be trying in our own power to accomplish the will of God.
Barnabas was sent to Syria by the Jerusalem Church –
- How is he described? [see v24]
Is that how you would like to be described? – good, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith?
There is an aspiration worthy of prayer and commitment!
Day 4 Read Acts 12:1-19
James, like so many, pays for his faith with his life. How often we saw Peter, James and John together with Jesus in the Gospels. James loses his life early on and John lives on, possibly into his nineties - what a different outcome for these brothers who were among the first to follow Jesus.
Notice the reason for Herod arresting Peter and what a wonderful story of God foiling the worst intentions of men. I just love how this pans out – the church is having a prayer meeting to pray for Peter, and yet when he stands on their doorstep they cannot believe their answer to prayer!!
Day 5 Read Acts 12:20-25
Herod, like so many people who are dazzled by power, truly believed his own publicity. He engendered fear and demanded that people pay homage to him – see what the people said in verse 22.
- How do you think Herod received this adulation?
Look at the outcome! Verse 23 is a positive reminder that the powers of any age will die away, but that the Gospel will continue to advance and grow until it accomplishes its end.
This is a powerful passage that reminds us that God is orchestrating the advancement of the Kingdom.