Week 3 July 18th Acts Chapters 5:12- Ch 8:4

This next section of reading begins with the Apostles being jailed because the priests and Sadducees were jealous. The problem for the high priests and council is that you can’t keep the Spirit of God locked up. Can you imagine what they were thinking when they found that the apostles were not there? Who has the power?


Peter tells the council that they must obey God not man. Not surprisingly they were ready to kill them but Gamaliel challenges them to wait and see or else they may challenge God. My study notes say that Gamaliel was most likely a moderate in his views. I find it interesting that the “middle way” makes the way for the apostles to go forward. Perhaps we can learn something about being “theologically moderate.”

The reading goes on to discuss how the “church” had to organize to care for the needs of the widows. This was deemed important work and seven were “ordained deacons” which means ordained meaning set apart and deacon for service. FYI --The UMC ordains deacons—those set apart of service, teaching and caring for the needs of people.

Stephen a deacon (full of grace) was set up and the community sent him to the Council to be tried. Stephen gives a complete and eloquent response to the high priest connecting Abraham, Moses, Joseph and the patriarchs of the faith. All seemed well until he challenged the “holy place” and the leaders, blasphemy! And at that moment Stephen sees heaven and the Son of Man. They stoned him and Stephen’s last words Lord, forgive them. The text says Stephen had the face of an angel—he had the heart too.

So let’s just talk:

• This note on theologically moderate Gamaliel is intriguing to me. We seem to be in constant battle over something as Christians, whether it be the homosexuality issue, women’s ordination…the list goes on. Gamaliel warns the council not to be too quick to judge, wait and see what God will do. The challenge is how to be “moderate” without being luke warm Christians…thoughts?

• The ordination of deacons is a critical part of the work of the church. Deacons are ordained to Word and Service. What do you know about deacons? And who do you know that God has ordained for Word in service in your community?

• Stephen, our first Christian martyr, final words are forgive them. Forgiveness is at the heart of The Way of Christ. Saul (who would be Paul) was there. Who have we seen persecuted as we just stood by? The truth is we do it all the time—Father, forgive us.

Lesson 2 Acts 3 - 5 :11

Our second section of our summer reading begins with Peter and John with the crippled man at gate called Beautiful. The man every day had been set there to beg –this man’s life would be changed forever with the words—“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk! “Peter goes on to say that healing comes from the name not from him and long story short—this did not make many people happy. In fact the text goes on to say that priests told them to never to use Jesus’ name again. Lucky for us Peter and John knew where the power came from.


Peter and John return and tell their story to their friends and when they were praying again the room shook and they were able to speak with “fearless confidence” and all of them were united in one purpose, loving and supporting each other. Well all except Ananias and Sapphira who thought they could not be fully honest—and what happened to them? They died….The Message translation reads that by this all knew that God was not to be trifled with. You can’t fool God.

So let’s just talk:

1. Peter’s first miracle is at the Gate called Beautiful where he heals a beggar. I wonder how many times I walk right by those in need, not wanting to get involved or worse yet thinking that I am powerless to help them. By Peter doesn’t walk by….why and was he really confident that this man would walk?

2. Peter calls on the congregation gathered to change their ways—in what ways does the congregation need to change their ways today? Are we ready to face God?

3. Peter and John were warned to never mention the name of Jesus again. The temple priests and Sadducees were threatened but Peter and John knew where the power came from and they stood up to the temple priests. Why are we so reluctant to speak the name of Jesus? The gospel is offensive because it challenges us to our core, but this is where the power comes.

4. One of my favorite people in the bible is Barnabas—the great encourager. I find it interesting that he is juxtaposed to Ananias and Sapphira. Barnabas gives everything to the early church yet Ananias and Sapphira think they can give them just enough—what happens? They die. Why do we think that we can hide from God? Or are we just not willing to give all we have?

Well that’s enough to chew on this week---so let’s just talk!

Summer Reading: The Book of Acts---- Let's Begin!

This year at Annual Conference Bishop Dyck asked each United Methodist to read The Book of Acts over the summer. What a wonderful way to spend the summer, learning about all the wonderful God acts that started the church. Would you join me? Each week I will post my comments on the reading for the week and explore some new insights together. So let’s get started!

 

Reading Week                      Assigned Reading 
Week 1 July 4th                Acts Chapters 1- Ch 2
Week 2 July 11th              Acts Chapters 3- Ch 5:11
Week 3 July 18th              Acts Chapters 5:12- Ch 8:4
Week 4 July 25th              Acts Chapters 8:5-Ch 9:31
Week 5 August 1st           Acts Chapters 11:18- Ch 12
Week 6 August 8th           Acts Chapters 13- Ch 15:35
Week 7 August 15th         Acts Chapters 15:36- Ch18:22
Week 8 August 22nd        Acts Chapters 18:23-Ch 21:16
Week 9 August 29th         Acts Chapters 21:17- Ch 28:30

Some helpful hints as you begin reading the Book of Acts:.

• Author-- Luke written as companion to Gospel of Luke (Gospel of Luke tells the story of Jesus and Acts tells story of the Acts of the Holy Spirit and birth of the Christian faith)
• Recipient of Both Luke and Acts was Theophilus, Luke’s benefactor
• Luke was not an eye witness to Jesus, his involvement came with Peter and Paul and the spreading of the Gospel

Theme and purpose of Acts (from NASB study bible):
1. To present a history
2. To give a defense
3. To provide a guide
4. To depict the triumph of Christianity in the face of persecution

So let’s just talk:

1. Jesus foretells His disciples of the coming of the Holy Spirit and then leaves.

I find it fascinating that right before Jesus ascends to the Father he promises them again that they will not be alone and that when the Holy Spirit comes they will receive “power“.

• What power is Jesus talking about?
• What does it mean for us?

 2. The disciples are all in one place and the Holy Spirit comes and people were astonished that they could hear in their native tongue. Imagine what that must have been like? I remember when I was living in China and someone spoke English--it was like music to my ears.

•  Why was speaking in native languages so important to the spreading of the gospel (the good news of Jesus Christ)?

Peter goes on to deliver quite a sermon and when he returns they break bread together and everyone kept feeling a sense of awe. 

• When was the last time you were filled with awe?
• Do you ever feel awe at worship on Sunday am? If not--how can we do better?

Well that’s lesson 1, we did it. I look forward to Spirit and awe filled conversation!