Bible Study--Thessalonians

 

A1 Scriptures

B1 But concerning brotherly love you don't need that I write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another. Indeed, you do this toward all the brothers who are in Macedonia, but we plead with you, brothers, to increase more and more. And be eager to be quiet, mind your own business, and to work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you may live honestly towards outsiders and that you may be financially dependent on no one. (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12, WEL) 

B2 "But concerning brotherly love, I do not have need to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another, for indeed you are practicing it toward all the brothers in all of Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to progress even more, and to aspire to live a quiet life, and to attend to your own business, and to work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you may live decently toward those outside, and may have need of nothing." (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12, LEB)

A2 Outline

B1 Brotherly love

C1 Taught by God

C2 They are doing this

C3 They are encouraged to have more love

B2 Brotherly work

C1 Be quiet

C2 Be in your own business

C3 Be working with your hands

C4 So you can live honestly towards outsiders

C5 So you can live financially dependent on no one

A3 Notes

B1 Brotherly love

C1 The Greek word is philadelphía and means the love, concern, loyalty that would be found in brothers and sisters.

C2 See Romans 12:10 and Hebrews 13:10.

C3 Doing so is following the rule/command of Jesus Christ in John 13:34.

B2 Taught by God

C1 God is a teacher, if we are willing to learn.

C2 Jesus spent most of His ministry teaching.

C3 Consider

D1 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it shall be given to him. " (James 1:5, EMTV)

D2 "For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; " (Proverbs 2:6, NKJV)

D3 "Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. " (Matthew 9:35, NKJV)

C4 Most of what we need to know, God has already placed it in a book--the Bible. For Christians the teaching is in the New Testament mainly with principles and examples from the Old Testament. So we need to read and study the Bible every day.

B3 "...you do...increase..."

C1 We do this by being aware and acting upon our brothers.

C2 Taking the high road of assuming the best but also being aware of deceit.

C3 We need to take pity on our fellow believers but not to such a degree as to overlook most or everything they do or say.

B4 Quiet life

C1 The opposite of a quiet life is one who stirs up trouble.

C2 We should strive to be at peace with everyone as much as in possible.

C3 It is not a hysterical life full of go, go, go.

C3 Compare 2 Thessalonians 3:11

B5 Work

C1 It is thought that since the nearness of Christ's Second Coming there was no need to work.

C2 The Apostle tells them God wants them working and to be found quietly busy.

C3 Consider Paul's example. "...and because he was of the same trade, he remained with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade." (Acts 18:3, EMTV)

B6 Live decently (honestly--KJV)

C1 The same word is used "Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelries and drinking bouts, not in orgies and debaucheries, not in strife and jealousy." (Romans 13:13, EMTV). "Let us conduct ourselves properly, as people who live in the light of day—no orgies or drunkenness, no immorality or indecency, no fighting or jealousy. " (Romans 13:13, GNB92)

C2 Living honestly, decently, etc. is contrasted to living doing/practicing

D1 Orgies

D2 Drunkenness

D3 Immorality

D4 Indecency

D5 Fighting (includes bullying and all types of abusive behavior to others including verbal abuses)

D6 Jealousy (this word means zeal, which in this case would be zeal for yourself instead of others and anger)

C3 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envies, murders, drinking bouts, revelries, and the like; which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. " (Galatians 5:19-21, EMTV)

C4 "...for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal, and walking according to human principles? " (1 Corinthians 3:3, EMTV)

C5 These things are the opposite of the love that God is and wants us to do.

C6 Contrast the above to God's way of living. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control—against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23, EMTV)

B7 Outside This is those who are not Christians, so outside the church (the people of God, not a building).

B8 Need of nothing

C1 This has the idea of working for your/our needs instead of living on handouts.

C2 Some people cannot work because of health or other reasons. This passage does not speak about them. It speaks to those who can work but won't.

C3 Compare "I did not charge you a thing when I preached the Good News of God to you; I humbled myself in order to make you important. Was that wrong of me? While I was working among you, I was paid by other churches. I was robbing them, so to speak, in order to help you. And during the time I was with you I did not bother you for help when I needed money; the believers who came from Macedonia brought me everything I needed. As in the past, so in the future: I will never be a burden to you!" (2 Corinthians 11:7-9, (GNB92)

B9 The basic ideas of this passage deal with God's rules for dealing with the brethren and those who are not Christians.

The Gospel goes to the Gentiles

 

A1 Theme--God sees all men as sinners in need of salvation.


 

A2 Objectives

B1 Explain the significance of the conversion of Cornelius and his household.

B2 Provide an argument for the ending of the prohibition of unclean foods.

A3 Scriptures

B1 Acts 10:1-48--Cornelius

B2 Mark 7:14-23--What really defiles a person

B3 1 Timothy 4:1-5--The great apostasy

B4 Romans 14:1-3--The law of liberty

B5 Leviticus 11--The list of clean and unclean

B6 Leviticus 20:25-26--A reason for distinguishing between clean and unclean

A4 Notes

B1 Acts 10:1-48

C1 Outline

D1 Background information Acts 10:1-8

E1 Who is Cornelius?

E2 What happened to Cornelius?

E3 What was the action of what happened to Cornelius?

D2 Peter's vision Acts 10:9-23

D3 Peter at Cornelius's house Acts 10:24-33

D4 Peter's sermon Acts 10:34-43

D5 Holy Spirit given Acts 10:44-48

C2 Personal

D1 Cornelius

E1 Centurion--a soldier leader of 100 men. A Roman Legion had around 6,000 men which were divided into ten cohorts of 600 men which is turn were divided into 3 maniples of 200 men each. Each maniple was then divided into two groups of 100 men and lead by a centurion. Some have that the legion of 6,000 men were divided into 10 cohorts of 600 men each. Each cohort was divided into 6 centuries of 100 men each.

E2 Italian Band--a band had 400 to 600 men most probably from Italy

E3 Roman

E4 Gentile

E5 Devout man who feared God (The term "fear of God" had the idea of fearing or being afraid of God in the sense of God is the Judge and all have to give account of him/herself before His Judgment Seat).

E6 Caesarea

F1 The home of the Roman Procurator Acts 23:23-26, etc.

F2 Commentary note from Mark Dunagan's Commentary as in The Word Bible software:

"Caesarea" "A garrison city named after Augustus Caesar, the administrative capital of the province of Judea, boasting a splendid harbor built by Herod the Great" (Stott pp. 184-185). "Caesarea was the usual residence for the Roman governor of Judea and consequently a garrison of troops was regularly found there" (Reese p. 379). The city was predominately a city occupied by Gentiles, housed some 3000 troops, and was located some 30 miles N of Joppa and 65 miles from Jerusalem. "Cornelius" "Cornelius was a specially common name in Rome ever since Publius Cornelius Sulla in 82 B.C. liberated 10,000 slaves" (Bruce p. 214). "Centurion" "In the Roman military set-up there was first of all the legion. It was a force of six thousand men. In every legion there were ten cohorts. A cohort therefore had six hundred men in it. The cohort was divided into centuries and over each century there was a centurion" (Barclay p. 82). Thus a centurion was over 100 men. "So a centurion corresponded approx. to a captain or company commander in our day" (Stott p. 185). "Centurions were the backbone of the Roman army. Polybuis (History vi. 24) sums up their necessary qualifications thus: 'Centurions are required not to be bold and adventurous so much as good leaders, of steady and prudent mind, not prone to take the offensive or start fighting wantonly, but able when overwhelmed and hard-pressed to stand fast and die at their post'" (Bruce p. 215). We need to be impressed with the precise detail found in the biblical text. Cornelius is placed where we would expect to find him, that is in the garrison town of Caesarea. "The Italian Cohort" "A regular cohort, the tenth part of a legion, had a paper strength of 600 men. We have inscriptional evidence of the presence in Syria c. A.D. 69 of the auxiliary, 'second Italian cohort of Roman citizens'" (Bruce p. 215). "Italian" "Probably because consisting of Roman soldiers, and not of natives of the country" (Vincent p. 496). "The whole cohort was made up a soldiers from Italy (some cohorts were composed of soldiers born and conscripted in the provinces). This cohort was one of the best Rome had; and, since the soldiers were all Italians whose loyalty was above question, perhaps they were the governor's bodyguard" (Reese p. 379).

D2 Cornelius's family were also present

D3 Peter, the fisherman to whom Jesus had promised. See Acts 15:7 and Galatians 2:7-9

C3 Peter's vision

D1 About noon

D2 Peter was hungry

D3 While waiting for the food to be prepared, he went on the room to pray and had a vision.

D4 A large sheet/cloth descends from heaven with all sorts of clean and unclean animals (per Jewish law).

D5 God declares that all the different animals, clean and unclean by Jewish law, are now clean. (Compare Hebrews 9:6-10)

D6 The men ask for Simon Peter.

D7 God tells Peter to go with the men.

C4 Peter and Cornelius

D1 Arrival and gathering together

D2 Introduction by Peter and why he is there.

D3 Cornelius tells Peter why he sent for him.

C5 Peter's message

D1 God treat all people the same now.

D2 Jesus Christ

E1 His message

E2 His life of teaching, healing, and helping

E3 His death and resurrection

E4 His witnesses--the Apostles

E5 His commandment--Go tell others

E6 He is the Judge of the living and dead

E7 His appeal to all people--"To Him all the prophets bear witness, that through His name, everyone believing in Him shall receive forgiveness of sins." (Acts 10:43 EMTV)

C6 The response

D1 The gift of the Holy Spirit

D2 The new believers are baptized.

D3 Peter and the others stay for a few days then leave.

A5 Questions

B1 Who was Cornelius?

B2 In Acts 10:2 what are four characteristics of Cornelius?

B3 Was Cornelius saved before Peter preached the Gospel to him and his family?

B4 Was does a man who is described as "a devout man, and one that feared God" need conversion? Surely he would be good enough?

B5 Does God answer the prayers of the unconverted?

B6 Why does God use people to preach the Gospel? Isn't an angel better? Why Peter?

B7 Why was Peter sent for? Why not Thomas or Philip?

B8 How long did it take for Cornelius to send a request to Peter? Acts 10:7

B9 Where did Cornelius get this devotion to God?

B10 Acts 10:9 Does the timing of this accidental?

B11 Can we eat any animal?

B12 Why does God now approve all types of food and meat? Is God inconsistent?

B13 Who arrives at Simon by the seashore's house just as Peter is having this vision?

B14 How far is it between the towns of Joppa and Caesarea? (About 30 miles). How long did it take them to travel that 30 miles? (About 21 hours)

B14 In Acts 10:24 who is present at the meeting? Who invited them?

B15 In Acts 10:25 is Cornelius really worshiping Peter? (No, just respect. Peter states, "I am no more than you are.")

B16 Is it true that Jews cannot associate with Gentiles?

C1 They could not intermarry.

C2 They could not learn their ways.

C3 They could not worship their gods.

C4 They could not wear certain type of material (cloth) in their clothes.

C5 They could not eat the same foods. Some were clean; some were unclean.

D1 Read Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.

D2 See here, here, here.

C6 Compare 'And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine." (Leviticus 20:26 NKJV)

C7 (Compare Hebrews 9:6-10)

B17 What did God show Peter? How can we apply this today?

B18 In Acts 10:41 why did Jesus show himself to only a few chosen individuals?

B19 Why were the circumcised shocked that the Holy Spirit blessed the Gentiles the same as the Jews.

B20 Do we receive the Holy Spirit the same way? Do we need a holy man/woman to lay hands on us before we have the Holy Spirit?

C1 If we don't have the Holy Spirit we are not HIs, so we receive Him at the time of conversion. "But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. (Romans 8:9 EMTV)

C2 The Holy Spirit is given to all believers as the down payment of future blessings. "who also has sealed us, and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. (2 Corinthians 1:22 EMTV)

C3 The Holy Spirit is the promised helper given to all believers. "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and will remind you of all things which I said to you. (John 14:26 EMTV)

C4 False ideas

D1 The believers who were with Jesus on earth had the gift of the Holy Spirit given to them. It was a separate blessing of something that needed to be asked. It was not automatic, so to speak. But Jesus was clear that the Holy Spirit was not yet given because Jesus had not yet been glorified. Once Jesus had been glorified (the Resurrection and Ascension), the Spirit was given to all at the time of salvation. "And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:22 EMTV).

E1 Compare: "

F1 "...in whom you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise," (Ephesians 1:13 EMTV).

F2 "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given to drink into one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:13 EMTV)

E2 See here and here.

D2 Need to speak in tongues to have the Holy Spirit. A special, qualified pastor must lay hands on the individual. The speaking in tongues is the evidence.

E1 See here.

E2 The Holy Spirit is given to believers as soon as they believe. This is the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

E3 The filling of the Holy Spirit is for a particular work especially in witnessing. We need to pray, "God help me to be faithful and speak the truth of the Gospel." Compare: Acts 2:4 (speaking in known languages the Gospel to the people), Acts 4:8 (Peter speaking the Gospel to the leaders.), Acts 4:31 (all filled and started witnessing boldly), Acts 9:17 (Paul is commissioned to be the Apostle to the Gentiles and telling them the Gospel),

B21 In Acts 11:15-18 what was the reaction to Peter baptizing Cornelius and the other new believers?

B22 In Mark 7:14-23 what really defiles a person?

B23 In 1 Timothy 4:1-5 when is the great apostasy? Who are these people? What are their sins?

B24 In Romans 14:1-3 what type of things are we to judge and discipline for? (Breaking doctrine or the rules the Jesus has given).

B25 What do we tell someone who insists they must eat only clean animals?

 

6 things about marriage?

And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." (Genesis 2:18 NKJV)

The word for "helper" is ēzer. It is help or aid NOT in the sense of a lesser helping a greater. It is used for one who is necessary to whatever needs to be done. In other words Adam could not have done the duties that God gave him unless he had this helper. The word is also used for divine aid as in Psalm 121:1-2.

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24 NKJV)

It is here and elsewhere that the partner in marriage is the opposite gender, thus, male and female and no other combination. See also Malachi 2:14-16, Matthew 19:3-9, 1 Corinthians 7:2-4, etc.

A wife is good to have. This passage would also refer to the wife having a husband.

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. (Proverbs 18:22ESV)

Government

Can define marriage to whatever they want as in male/male, female/female, male/female, human and animal, incestuous, sibling marriage, polygamy, adult/child, etc. For a longer list of types of marriages see here towards the bottom of the article.

What is marriage?

Bond

It is a commitment of two people to each other.

It is a blending of two persons to one goal and life. The goal is defined by the two involved.

The word "bond" does not refer to chains and fetters. It refers to the tie of affection towards one another and in this case marriage. "Something that gives people or groups a reason to love each other or feel they have a duty to each other. (Macmillan Dictionary's entry "Bond").

Intellectual

A problem is sometimes better solved if two people are involved who have common interests. One may see the other's mistake or know of a better approach due to experience.

One may have a better education in a topic or some experience in that area in question.

Wisdom (common sense)

One may see the others foolish, naïve, or ignorant decision and be able to correct them.

One may be wiser than the other.

Spiritual

The spiritual bond would include worship together.

Each person may have a different spiritual gift to compliment the others.

Emotional

Emotional bonds would include:

Goals of working together to reach goals. Two dedicated people may/probably have greater success than one person.

Defeats and troubles. Having two who are as close as marriage is can talk, listen, and support each other through a difficulty.

Happy times. Celebrating these good times together is much more meaningful.

Physical

Physical intimacy with the one most special person in your life.

Mutually bringing physical intimacy in each other completely.

Consider these sources for more benefits here, here, and here (the article has some legal benefits per the USA government).

Bible Study--Thessalonians

 

A1 Scripture

B1 Furthermore we plead with you, brothers, and urge you by the Lord Jesus that just as you received from us how you must live your life and please God, and that this would increase more and more. For you know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your purity. You must stay away from fornication. Each of you must know how to take control of his body in purity and honor, not in the passionate lust, like the Gentiles, who don't know God, have. Let no one go beyond these limits and take advantage of his brother in any thing, because the Lord is an avenger of all these, as we also forewarned you and earnestly testified. For God has not called us to be impure but to be pure. Therefore the one who despises, doesn't despise man but God, who has also given us his Holy Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, WEL).

B2 Finally then, brothers, we request of you and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you should abound more. For you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from fornication, that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God, that no one should transgress against and to defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger concerning all, just as we told you before and solemnly testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in sanctification. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has given His Holy Spirit to you. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 EMTV)

A2 Outline--Continue in the process of sanctification

B1 A pleading--build on what you have, increase

B2 Commandments--the Kingdom Laws

C1 Purity

C2 No fornication

C3 Self-control

C4 Not to take advantage of brethren

B3 A judgment and punishment

C1 Jesus is Judge

C2 There is a Judgment Day

C3 He is the avenger

B4 A call

C1 To be pure

C2 Not to despise these rules

C3 God is witness

B5 A giving--the Holy Spirit

A3 Notes

B1 A pleading

C1 The word pleading is erotao and means to ask with emotion and seriousness, thus plead, beseech, and entreat.

C2 Compare Mark 7:26, John 4:40, and John 17:9 for examples.

C3 The plea here is for the Thessalonians to live by God's rules and to obey them consistently.

B2 A law

C1 The legislator and King of these laws is Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church

C2 Obeying these laws is good and pleases God.

C3 Our consistency needs to increase.

C4 Sanctification

D1 The Greek word is hagiasmos and means purification. In the Christian sense it would be a purity as defined by God.

D2 Sanctification means to make holy. Holy is not to sin in thoughts, desires, words, or deeds.

C5 Given by Jesus and passed to the Christians by the Apostles and those who were taught by them.

C6 Will of God

D1 There are consistent rules of the Kingdom.

D2 Humans rebel against these rules.

C7 Some ways to grow and stay in sanctification

D1 Don't sin in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds

D2 No fornication

E1 Lustful passion

E2 Something non-Christians are prone to

D3 Don't defraud brother

E1 Brother means fellow Christian either male or female

E2 Basically it is to cheat someone out of something.

F1 Selling something as high quality when it is junk.

F2 It is a form of lying to induce another to buy something when they don't need it or use it.

F3 It is getting rich at someone's expensive.

F4 It is taking advantage of someone.

F5 It is making false promises about something that is not true.

F6 It is deceiving another for financial (or some other) gain.

F7 It is false promises.

F8 It is not paying what was promised whether it be wages or anything else. James 5;4

B3 A judgment and punishment

C1 Jesus is the judge. 2 Timothy 4:1, Matthew 16:27, Acts 10:42, Acts 17:31, etc.

C2 There is a Judgment day. Matthew 10:15, Matthew 11:22, 2 Peter 2:9

D1 There is no judgment based on the balance scale as in "I have done more good than bad, so God will let me in heaven."

D2 It will be based on God's rules primarily the Ten Commandments (a summary of God's law).

D3 Even one sin leads to punishment, and all people have committed many sins every day of their life.

D4 Consider the list in Romans 1:28-32 or Galatians 5:19-21

C3 Jesus is the avenger

D1 Avenge is to pay back something for the harm they did. In this case Jesus pays back those who have ruined creation by their sins. Jesus is the one who punishes. Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 1:18, Ephesians 5:6, 2 Thessalonians 1:8

D2 Paul has warned them and testified of these things when he was there.

B4 A call

C1 To be pure

D1 This is pure by God's standards not ours. We are not to compare ourselves to another and think we are better. We are to compare ourselves to God's rules.

D2 Pure is without spot or stain. The only one who did this correctly is Jesus Christ. The rest of us must confess our sins and ask forgiveness from the one we offended, sinned against. That one is God.

C2 To not despise these rules

C3 God is witness

D1 He knows what we say.

D2 He knows that we are telling the truth.

B5 A giving--the Holy Spirit

C1 All Christians have the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:9

C2 The Holy Spirit is a gift to us. Acts 2:38

C3 The Holy Spirit helps us.

D1 Teaches us 1 John 2:27, 1 Corinthians 2:13

D2 Prays for us Romans 8:26

D3 Clarifies our prayer Romans 8:27

D4 Helps us to respond verbally, gives us a wise answer. Matthew 10:20

D5 Convicts of sin John 16:8

D6 Encourages us 1 John 3:24, 1 John 4:13

Saul Is Converted

 

A1 Theme--Jesus will build His church


 

A2 Objectives

B1 Describe Saul's conversion.

B2 Contrast Saul/Paul before and after his conversion.

 

A3 Scriptures

B1 Acts 8:1-3--Saul starts persecution of God's people

B2 Acts 9:1-33--Saul's conversion

B3 1 Timothy 1:13--Characteristics of Saul/Paul pre-conversion

B4 1 Corinthians 15:9--Paul's past

B5 2 Corinthians 5:17--Paul's grief

B6 Galatians 1:10-17--A summary of Paul's life

 

A4 Notes

B1 Acts 8:1-3--Start of persecution

C1 Saul

C2 Persecution of Jerusalem church

C3 Most scattered throughout a wide area

C4 Stephen buried and mourned

C5 Saul is successful at arresting men and women and bringing them to prison

B2 Acts 9:1-33--Saul's conversion

C1 Traveling to Damascus

C2 Jesus's message to Saul.

C3 Jesus's instructions to Saul.

C4 Jesus's instructions to Ananias

C5 Saul preaches

C6 Saul persecuted

C7 Saul escapes

C8 Saul goes to Jerusalem where he is persecuted and sent away by the brethren

B3 1 Timothy 1:13--Personal characteristics of Saul/Paul pre-conversion

B4 1 Corinthians 15:9--Paul's view and grief from his past.

B5 Galatians 1:10-17--A summary of Paul's life

C1 How he learned the correct Gospel

C2 His life as a dedicated Pharisee

D1 Persecutor of Christians

D2 Further advanced than most of his age in

E1 Zeal

E2 Education

C3 How God brought about his salvation

D1 Chosen

E1 This is by foreknowledge Romans 8:29-30, 1 Peter 1:2

E2 Foreknowledge is knowing beforehand, before it happens. Foreknowledge is NOT God's decree. Some believe that in essence God decreed everything that comes about and has a very good memory so it is perfect. This definition is not foreknowledge that God truly knows the future. Yes, God is that type of being that truly knows the future. God does, however, predestinate, preordain, some things that will happen as in the case of Jesus being the Messiah and would die as the Passover Lamb.

D2 Here it is most reasonable to understand that God know Paul would believe and initiated salvation, open his eyes and heart to the truth and knew that Paul would believe and trust in Jesus Christ.

C4 "...set me apart..."

D1 Truly knowing the future that Paul would believe, God then chose Paul to be the missionary Apostle to the Gentiles.

D2 Compare Jeremiah 1:5, Acts 13:2, etc.

D3 For further information see here.

C5 "...called me by His grace..."

D1 The Greek word for called is kaleō and means an invitation.

D2 The Greek word for grace is charis and means something that is not deserved or earned. It is something that is pleasing and delightful.

D3 God did not have to do this; He wanted to do this. Most do not respond with faith.

C6 The three years in Arabia, of which we know little.

 

A5 Questions

B1 Who is left in Jerusalem? (Apostles and a few others) Why?

B2 Where was the persecution started? (Jerusalem)

B3 Where were the believers scattered? (Though out Judea and Samaria)

B4 Is this soft or hard persecution? (Hard) What is the difference? Have you ever experienced persecution?

C1 Soft

D1 Loss of job

D2 Loss of educational opportunities

D3 Financial loss

D4 Ignoring

C2 Hard

D1 Death

D2 Rape

D3 Burning and loss of house/possessions

D4 Imprisonment

D5 Torture

B5 What is the motivation for persecuting? (Jealousy, hate, pride, etc.)

B6 What is Saul going to Damascus? (He wanted even more imprisonments)

B7 Who is agreeing with his travels? (High priest)

B8 Where on the journey did Paul have this experience? (As they drew close to Damascus). Why there?

B9 What was the first thing that happened? (Bright light)

B10 What was the next thing that happened? (Jesus's voice)

B11 What did Jesus say to Saul?

B12 Did Saul answer Jesus's question? (No) What did he say to Jesus? (Who are you Lord?)

B13 What did Jesus answer?

B14 What did the others traveling with Saul hear? (Voice) Did they understand what was being said? (No)

B15 What was the first proof Saul had repented?

C1 Did not go to synagogues.

C2 Did not arrest anyone.

C3 Obeyed Jesus's command.

B16 Was his response faith of works? (Faith to believe and works proving his faith)

B17 Was Ananias excited about what Jesus wanted him to do? (No, but he did it anyway)

B18 How does the actions of Saul and Ananias apply to us?

B19 What were the things that Ananias to tell Saul?

C1 Go to Judas' house and talk to Saul

C2 Saul is a chosen instrument of mine

C3 To tell/teach about Jesus to Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel

C4 How much he is to suffer because of Jesus's name

C5 Pray for Saul's healing

B20 How did Saul respond?

C1 Talked to Ananias

C2 Allowed Ananias to pray for him

C3 Was baptized

C4 Ate food

B21 What is filled with the Spirit?

C1 All Christians have the Holy Spirit

D1 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

(Romans 8:9 EMTV)

D2 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"

(Galatians 4:6 EMTV)

C2 Filled is empowerment to do God's will

B22 What were Saul/Paul's personal characteristics pre-conversion?

C1 Blasphemer

D1 How did Paul blaspheme? (Wrong concept of God and God's will)

D2 What commandment did Paul break? (3rd--"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. (Exodus 20:7 NKJV)

C2 Persecutor

C3 Insolent, that is, verbal abusive, bully, insulter, etc.

B23 Did Paul think he was worthy to be an Apostle? (No, 1 Corinthians 15:9)

B24 Why did Paul still grieve over his pre-conversion activities.

B25 How can we know and learn the correct Gospel? (The Apostles--including Paul--were taught by Jesus himself).

B26 What is most impressive about Saul/Paul's conversion?

B27 Can even the most evil person be forgiven and regenerated?

Why Unanswered Prayer?

 




 

Photo credit: TheeErin / Foter / CC BY-ND


 

Why is it that our prayers are not answered?


 

Consider these verses:

1. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:24 EMTV)
   


2. "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone that asks receives, and he that seeks finds, and to him that knocks, it shall be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8 EMTV)
   


3. …You do not have because you do not ask. (James 4:2 EMTV)
   


4. For assuredly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that the things which he says are coming to pass, whatever he says shall be his. For this reason I say to you, all things whatsoever you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive them, and they will be yours. (Mark 11:23-24 EMTV)
   

 

Why is wrong here? God promises doesn't He? Consider what the supporters of "name it, claim it" have to say here, here, and here (The last is a "Life Coach"). But! Where's reality? Does God HAVE to do everything we ask? No. Even Kenneth Hagin Ministries has to ask for donations.


 

It is so bad with these people. Consider this quote from Fredrick Price, "If you have to say, 'If it be thy will' or 'Thy will be done.' If you have to say that, you are calling God a fool" (Frederick Price). Jesus said, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10 EMTV Compare Matthew 26:42).


 

For some more in depth articles on the Word of Faith, Positive Confession, and etc. movement see
here, here, and here.


 

So why does God not answer our prayers? When we pray for healing, why does He sometimes not heal? When we pray for money that we need, it does not come? When we pray for rain, it does not rain?


 

D1 Sometimes God's will is "no.

E1 It is better for the Kingdom of God to say "no."

E2 The need of another person may be different by answering you "no," the needs of another person please Him to answer "yes." Example, you may pray for rain but another prays that it does not rain. God, who knows best, sends rain. The answer to your prayer is "no" but to the other "yes."

E3 Even the Lord Jesus had the answer to His prayer as "no." Matthew 26:39

D2 Sometimes we have the opportunity.

E1 God opens the way, but we refuse because of fear, etc.

E2 God opens the way, but we are hindered by the devil in some way (1 Thessalonians 2:18)

D3 Sometimes God's will to wait. (John 11:3, John 11:6, John 11:43-44)

D4 Sometimes we have sin. (Psalm 66:18,

E1 We have neglected God's rules and counsel (Proverbs 1:28)

E2 We do not have mercy on others. (Proverbs 21:13)

E3 We despise God's Word, the Bible. (Proverbs 28:9)

E4 We have unconfessed sin (Isaiah 1:15)

E5 We are stubborn and do not humble ourselves that God is right and we are wrong. (Zechariah 7:13)

E6 We are selfish or greedy and want more for the sake of having more/hording. (James 4:3)

D5 Sometimes we do not have faith. (James 1:6-7)

D6 Sometimes we do not treat our wife that way God wants us. (1 Peter 3:7)

D7 Sometimes we give up. (Luke 18:1)

D8 Sometimes we are not sincere (Hebrews 10:22)

D9 Sometimes an answered prayer will may us proud. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

Sunday School Lesson--The Gospel Spreads

A1 Theme--God is sovereign over all things.


 

A2 Objectives

B1 Explain how the Gospel spread in Samaria.

B2 Explain how the Gospel spread to Ethiopia.

A3 Scriptures

B1 Acts 8:1-8

B2 Acts 8:26-40

B3 Romans 8:28-30

A4 Notes

B1 Saul

C1 Was one of the establishment

C2 A Pharisee

C3 Zealous for God

C4 Ignorant of God's truth

B2 Persecution--Why

C1 Someone's standard is what they think is best

C2 Relativism philosophy

D1 Everybody is right in their own eyes

D2 Their standard is the best

D3 So who wins? The one with the gun

C3 Best solution? Truth

C4 Truth rejected leads to chaos.

C5 The one suffering must

D1 Entrust himself to God (1 Peter 4:19)

D2 Pray for help

D3 Pray for enemies (Matthew 5:44)

B3 Philip

C1 Preacher

C2 Deacon

C3 Faithful

C4 Godly

C5 Full of the Holy Spirit

A5 Questions

B1 What did Saul think of Stephan? (Wanted him dead). Why?

B2 Does God want persecution to spread the Gospel? (No, He wants people to repent and believe the Gospel. Persecution is happening and people are scattering, but God does not ordain persecution to spread the Gospel. God wanted the High Priest to repent and believe as well as his family, the elders, the Scribes, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the carpenters, the business men and women, etc. God wants persecutors to repent and believe. A good example of this is Saul (Paul).

B3 How dedicated was Saul to find, imprison, and torture Christians? (He traveled to various places)

B4 Saul/Paul was ignorant (I, who was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I was shown mercy, because, being ignorant, I did it in unbelief, (1 Timothy 1:13 EMTV)), so what method of interpretation did he use, what was the real final authority for him, and why and how did this happen? Does it happen today? (Paul interpreted Scripture by his theological training).

B5 Who is Philip? (Deacon and preacher to the Samaritans).

B6 Who is Simon? (A magician who became a Christian then coveted the Apostles thinking he could buy God's gifts). Are gifts a work?

B7 What was Simon's main sin? (Covetousness)

B8 Why did Peter rebuke him so harshly? (Simon's sin was very serious).

B9 Should preachers and others rebuke today? (Yes, sin still occurs).

B10 What was Philip's next assignment? (The Ethiopian eunuch).

B11 What was the eunuch reading? (Isaiah 53:7-8)

B12 How did the eunuch respond to Philip's teaching on this passage? (He believed)

B13 Why is faith important? (Without it we cannot please God. Hebrews 11:6).

B14 Where did Philip go after preaching and baptizing the eunuch? (Preaching in other cities, Acts 8:40)

B15 Is the Christian life one of ease, riches, health, wealth, and emotional happiness? Why do the TV type preachers teach this? (They make people feel good and to get more money by a good sales pitch).