Bible Study 1: A Testimony Before the World Acts 4:5-33
In this chapter the apostles were rejected by the world. We might be afraid of that ourselves. But we should remember that the Lord Jesus was the most rejected Man on the earth.
Peter and John's experience grew out of the time set aside for prayer (3:1). They hadn't gone out looking for an opportunity to witness; the opportunity came because their hearts were prepared in the right direction. Notice also how often prayer characterizes the believers (1:14,24; 4:24; etc.).
Peter highlights Nazareth as the earthly place of Jesus Christ (4:10). This was an insignificant, despised place (Jn. 1:46). Peter wanted the rulers to know that what was little in their sight meant much to God's heart.
Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit (4:8). The Holy Spirit's activity, as a divine person of the triune Godhead, is often connected with presenting the Word of God (cp. also 4:31). Being filled with the Spirit does not come by praying for an experience, or by attending meetings, but by being focused on Jesus ("they had been with Jesus," 4:13).
How can Christians today have a good testimony before the world?
- prayer, Acts 3:1
Note that the Lord Jesus is often seen praying in the gospel of Luke; and Luke is the author of Acts, as well.- the Holy Spirit, Acts 4:8,31
All Christians are sealed with the Spirit (Ephesians 1:13) and indwelt by the Spirit (Romans 8:11). Christians should be filled with the Spirit, too--which means He controls more of us, not that we get more of Him. Notice that this control does not require miraculous signs or experiences; in Acts 4, His control simply led to greater testimony. The miracle of healing is never even mentioned in this chapter except to say that it had happened; and the Holy Spirit is never mentioned in chapter 3 when the healing did take place.- the Word of God, Acts 4:11,25
Peter and the early believers knew the scriptures. We must know them, too, if we desire a testimony before the world.
Peter had to be emptied of the self-confidence he often showed in the gospels. Being broken and humbled before the Lord prepares us for having a prayer life and for being used by Him.
A joyful Christian is contagious.
We don't set out to show the world we are different. We set out to live Christ (Philippians 1:20-21), and that will show we are different.
A lawyer tries to persuade with facts and arguments. These believers weren't acting like lawyers, but like witnesses. An eye-witness can reply to arguments with a personal response which cannot be overcome.
A good way to witness to others is to ask if they are Christians. If they say, "Yes," the second question, "How do you know you're a Christian?" can bring opportunities to witness for Christ.
First study: Testimony | Second study: Evangelism | Third study: Discipleship
In Matthew 4:23 we are told that Jesus was teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Here, in Acts 8:12, the followers of Jesus were "gospelling" the kingdom of God. We have had a wake-up call to be active in evangelism ourselves. Let's do it. Let's pray for numerical growth, and let's have a zeal for evangelism.
The book of Acts emphasizes the kingdom of God. The primary thought there is the lordship of Christ. A thought found in other scriptures is the headship of Christ, which is connected with truths about gathering together unto Him.
The disciples' comfort was disturbed in this chapter: first in v. 4, as they were scattered from Jerusalem; and again in v. 26, as Philip is moved from an evidently good work in Samaria.
The evangelism in Samaria did not include the apostles (8:1)! Evangelizing was not limited to those who were the acknowledged leaders among them. In fact, it did not include them at this time. The preaching in 8:4 includes all who were scattered, not just a select few.
Philip already knew about feeding God's people (see Acts 6); he had already been active in his hometown. He was not shaken by the death of his fellow-worker, Stephen, in chapter 7, but he preached with the rest of those who were scattered. In chapter 6, his character was described as honest, full of the Holy Spirit, and full of wisdom (6:3).
Don't lose sight of the living power of the gospel, which presents Jesus Christ (8:12, 35).
The god of this age blinds the minds of the world (2 Corinthians 4), and a response comes from the world when Christ is presented as the power of God and as one who is glorified. Also, the suffering love of Christ is presented, as in the verses about Philip and the Ethiopian in the second half of this chapter.
The gospel announces Christ in the middle of a battlefield, which is mankind itself. There is a battle. Simon the sorcerer was Satan's agent in Samaria.
We cannot divorce the message from the messenger. Our message can't have power if our lives don't back it up. And even this area involves spiritual battle: Satan will attack our own lives to discredit or discourage; and if he can't get us, he will attack our family. But even though Simon was known in Samaria, Philip didn't shrink back. He met the devil head-on. If we have zeal for evangelism, we should be ready for the attack.
Philip had overcome in his family, because later in Acts we learn that he had four daughters, and all of them had a pure lifestyle and were involved in speaking the word of the Lord (Acts 21:8-9).
First study: Testimony | Second study: Evangelism | Third study: Discipleship
This chapter centers on Antioch, 200 miles away from Jerusalem, where there were those of a different culture and background than Barnabas and the others. But there is no earthly distinction among believers by race, class, rank, etc. And all need grounding in the Word of God.
The gathering in Jerusalem had sincere interest in the gathering in Antioch. The Jerusalem assembly of believers sent Barnabas, who was the right person for this situation, even though the situation itself had been unexpected (cp. the initial reaction of 11:1 regarding Peter's testimony to Cornelius).
There is not much doctrine described in detail here, but Barnabas points the new believers to the Lord (cp. 11:20). Knowing the lordship of Christ is the needed emphasis for making disciples.
The Lord Jesus washed the feet of His disciples in John 13, and then He told them to wash the feet of each other (i.e., refresh and encourage one another).
Barnabas also had the name Joseph, and he was of the tribe of Levi (Acts 4:36). The name Joseph means "he shall increase" (Genesis 30:24). The desire for the Lord's name to be increased and magnified characterizes the one who makes disciples. Also, the Levites in the Old Testament had the role of enhancing God's work in the tabernacle. Further, it is recorded that Barnabas was "full" of the Spirit (as compared to "filled" for a certain occasion), and he was full of faith (11:24).
The discipler eventually has to lose his disciples to Christ.
The "hand" was the Lord's (11:21), and the church in Jerusalem had an "ear" to hear the news of what He was doing (11:22).
The new believers were exhorted to cleave, to abide with, the Lord with purpose of heart. Christ was being formed in them (cp. Galatians 4:19), to the extent that these were the first followers to be called Christians. They knew how to display grace to other believers, too, when the word of the Lord came to them about a future need. There was a readiness to respond immediately, and this will characterize a disciple of Christ.
First study: Testimony | Second study: Evangelism | Third study: Discipleship
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Bible Study 2: A Zeal for Evangelism
Acts 8:4-12, 26-40
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Bible Study 3: A Desire to Make Disciples
Acts 11:19-30
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