THE LORD’S PLAN--ACTS 1:1-8

THE LORD’S PLAN

ACTS 1:1-8

Introduction:

During the time the Lord was upon this earth He worked hard to teach His disciples many things. His plan was to enable them to do an even greater work after His departure than was done before.

He had organized His Church and it was functioning well before the Lord returned to Heaven. However, He continued to teach right up to the moment of His departure. Consider these thoughts about His Plan for a greater work through His disciples left here on earth.

I. WAIT FOR THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER

A. John Truly Baptized With Water, Matthew 3:11, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”

1. John had fulfilled his mission of identifying “the lamb of God,” John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

2. John had baptized in water many converts among whom were those chosen to be Apostles, Matthew 3:11a, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance:”

3. John promised another type of baptism administered by Jesus Christ, v. 11b, “he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”

B. Ye Shall Be Baptized WITH the Holy Ghost.

1. This was a new part of God’s plan that Jesus Himself would fulfill, Acts 1:5, “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”

2. This was a one-time event that never needed to be repeated again.

3. This was the IMPOWERING of His Church to carry out His will, Acts 1:8a, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:”

4. Here God was equipping His Church to do the work of the future—build churches.

II. WAIT FOR POWER TO BE HIS WITNESSES THEN GO…

A. To Jerusalem, the city.

B. To all Judaea, the State.

C. To Samaria, the adjoining States.

D. “Unto the uttermost part of the earth,” foreign missions, Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature

III. WAIT NO MORE—GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND MAKE DISCIPLES

1. Invite them to come, Luke 14:15-23.

2. The “streets and lanes of the city,” the intercity, v. 21, “So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.”

3. “Go out into the highways and hedges” This was outside the city to reach every class of people, “the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.”

4. The more noble had been invited but treated the invitation lightly, Luke 14:18-20.

A. Compel them to come, Luke 14:22-23, “And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23-And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”

1. There was still room for more, v. 22.

2. Invite them again, “compel them to come in,” v. 23.

a. Here we see a contrast between our culture and that of Palestine. An American is invited by receiving a card and responds accordingly.

b. An Arab or Hebrew would be invited more than once. The first invitation is not expected to be accepted, so another will be forth coming generally by a servant coming to the home and giving the invitation orally. This is “compelling” them to come.

c. The person giving the dinner may make several invitations to the same individual expecting positive results.

C. How many times have you been invited by the Lord to come, Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

1. Do not take God’s invitation lightly. Matthew 11:27, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.”

2. The Lord does have a limit to His patience, Luke 14:24, “For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.”

CONCLUSION

The Lord’s plan continues to work and even though it appears that nothing may be happening close by, they are happening in other places.
It makes me wonder just what we are doing regarding the Lord’s plan. Have we given up and are satisfied to have someone here to preach our funeral or are we still in business for the Lord.

We are still preaching and teaching, but are we going to the highway and byways to reach people. If not we may be already dead and are just waiting for someone to throw dirt in our face.

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES--THE BOOK OF ACTS

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

Introduction:

The Book of Acts “contains a history of the ministry and miracles of the apostles of Christ, and is a sort of a journal of their actions, from whence it takes its name. It begins at the ascension of Christ, and reaches to the imprisonment of the Apostle Paul at Rome; and is a history of upwards of thirty years: it gives an account of the first Gospel church at Jerusalem, and of the progress of the Gospel there, and in Judea, by the means of all the apostles, and particularly Peter, the minister of the circumcision, and who also first opened the door of faith to the Gentiles: it shows how the Gospel went forth from Jerusalem, and was spread in the Gentile world, especially by the Apostle Paul, whose companion Luke was, that was the writer of this book; for that it was written by him is very evident from the beginning of it, it being dedicated to the same person his Gospel is, and of which he makes mention.” --- John Gill’s Expositor.

Writer: In the Acts of the Apostles Luke continues the account of Christianity begun in the Gospel which bears his name. In the "former treatise" he tells what Jesus "began both to do and teach"; in the Acts, what Jesus continued to do and teach through His Holy Spirit sent down.

Date: The Acts concludes with the account of Paul’s earliest ministry in Rome, A.D. 65, and appears to have been written at or near that time.

Main Theme: The history of the development of the early church, from the Ascension of Christ to Paul’s imprisonment at Rome, and the opening of his ministry there. Many Bible students see in the book the formal beginning of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The departing Christ makes the announcement of a great campaign of world-wide missions, through human agency under the power of the Spirit, Acts 1:8.

The book may be divided into two parts: The period of Home Missions, and the period of Foreign Missions.

I. The Period of Home Missions,

With Jerusalem as the center, the work was mainly in Palestine among the Jews; the apostle Peter being the most prominent figure.

A. The Preparatory Events.

1. The divine commission, Acts 1:4-8.

2. The Lord ascends to Heaven, Acts 1:10-11.

3. The baptism “with the Holy Ghost” empowering of the Church at Jerusalem, Acts 2:1-4.

4. The workers’ equipment, Acts 2:4; 4:31.

B. The Ministries:

1. Of Peter at Pentecost, Acts 2:14-40.

a. Peter’s second sermon, Acts 3:12-26.

b. Peter’s address to the Sanhedrin, Acts 4:5-12.

2. Of Stephen, Acts 7:1-60.

3. Of Philip and Peter, Acts 8:5-25.

4. Of Philip, Acts 8:26-40.

C. Facts Concerning the Church:

1. The growth of the Church:

a. On the Day of Pentecost, Acts 2:41.

b. The Lord Added to the Church daily, Acts 2:47.

2. The Filling of the believers by the Holy Spirit making them bold to preach the Gospel, Acts 4:31.

3. The unity and goodwill of the Church at Jerusalem, Acts 4:32-37.

4. The spiritual power of the Church at Jerusalem, Acts 5:12-16.

5. The appointment of deacons, Acts 6:1-6.

D. The Persecutions of the Church, Acts 4:1-3, 17-22; 5:17-18, 40; 6:8-15.

1. Persecutions under Saul of Tarsus, Acts 8:1-3; 9:1.

II. The Period of Foreign Missions.

Beginning with Jerusalem as the center of operations, and later transferring the center to Antioch in Syria.

A. Preliminary Events leading up to World-wide Missions.

1. The ministry of Philip in Samaria, in association with Peter and John, Acts 8:5-25.

2. The conversion of Saul of Tarsus (Paul), who becomes the great missionary, and the leading figure in the churches during this period, Acts 9:1-30.

3. The broadening of Peter’s views by his vision at Joppa, resulting in his ministry among the Gentiles at Caesarea, Acts 10:1-43.

4. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Gentile believers at Caesarea, and the vindication of Peter’s ministry there, Acts 10:44---11:18.

5. The encouraging of the work at Antioch by Barnabas, the representative of the church at Jerusalem, Acts 11:22-24.

6. The bringing of Paul from Tarsus to Antioch by Barnabas, and the co-operation of the two men in establishing the church in the place where the disciples were first called Christians, Acts 11:25-26.

7. Parenthesis, The persecution of the church at Jerusalem by Herod. The death of James and the imprisonment and deliverance of Peter, Acts 12:1-19.

B. The Significant Event in the History of Foreign Missions, Acts 13:1-5.

1. Under the Direction of the Holy Spirit, the sending forth of Paul and Barnabas as missionaries by the church at Antioch, vv. 1-4.

2. John Mark accompanies them, v. 5.

C. Paul’s First Missionary Journey.

1. Missionaries, Paul, Barnabas and John Mark, Acts 13:4---14:26.

2. Places visited and outstanding events:

a. The island of Cyprus where the proconsul was converted and Saul’s name changed to Paul, Acts 13:4-12.

b. Perga in Pamphylia, where John Mark returned to Jerusalem, Acts 13:13.

c. Antioch in Pisidia, Paul’s great sermon in the synagogue, Acts 13:14-41.

d. Opposition by the Jews and work among the Gentiles, Acts 13:44-49.

e. Driven from the city by the Jews, the missionaries go to Iconium. Here they work for some time, but persecution arising, they flee to Lystra and Derbe, Acts 14:6.

f. The healing of the lame man at Lystra results in the people proposing to worship Paul and Barnabas, but the Jews stir up opposition and Paul is stoned. Undaunted, the two heroes escape to Derbe, where they preach the gospel and teach many, Acts 14:8-20.

g. From this point the missionaries retrace their steps, revisiting and organizing the churches, and return to Antioch in Syria, where they make a report of their journey, Acts 14:21-28.

D. The Council at Jerusalem.

1. The question of circumcision, Acts 15:5-6.

2. Peter’s argument in favor of Christian Liberty, Acts 15:7-11.

3. Paul and Barnabas relate their experiences, Acts 15:12.

4. The speech of James and the decision of the Council in favour of exempting the Gentiles from the rules of the ceremonial law, Acts 15:13-29.

5. Judas and Silas are sent to Antioch to deliver the letter from the Council to the churches, Acts 15:27-30.

E. Paul’s Second Missionary Journey, Acts 15:36---18:22.

1. Preliminary events, Acts 15:36-40.

a. A disagreement between Paul and Barnabas concerning John Mark, vv. 36-39.

b. Silas is chosen by Paul to accompany him on the journey, v. 40.

2. Places visited and outstanding events:

a. Visitation of the churches of Syria and Cilicia, Acts 15:41.

b. At Lystra, Timothy joins the missionaries, and various cities of Asia Minor are visited and the churches strengthened, Acts 15:41---16:5.

c. The Spirit guides them to Troas, where they are called into Europe by the Macedonian vision, Acts 16:7-10.

d. At Philippi Paul and Silas are imprisoned, and the jailor converted, and a church is established, Acts 16:12-34.

e. The next important event is the founding of the church at Thessalonica, where persecution arises and they depart for Berea. Acts 17:1-10.

f. Here the missionaries find some candid students of The Word who become ready converts, Acts 17:11-12.

g. The storm of persecution breaks out again, and Paul goes on to Athens, leaving Silas and Timothy to establish the church at Berea, Acts 17:13-15.

h. At Athens Paul finds a city filled with idols, and preaches a sermon on Mar’s Hill, but secures only a few converts to the faith, Acts 17:15-34.

i. At Corinth Paul is soon joined by Silas and Timothy, and a church is established. The work is carried on in the midst of persecution for eighteen months, Acts 18:1-17.

j. After a considerable time Paul bids the brethren farewell, and sets sail for Syria, making a brief stop at Ephesus, and closes his journey at Antioch, Acts 18:18-22.

F. Paul’s Third Missionary Journey, Acts 18:23---21:15.

1. Places visited:

a. Visitation of the churches in Galatia and Phrygia, Acts 18:23.

b. Parenthesis,—Apollos at Ephesus, Acts 18:24-28.

2. Outstanding Events:

a. Paul returns to Ephesus and finds a company of imperfectly instructed disciples, and leads them into an understanding of Christ, Acts 19:1-7.

b. He continues in the work at Ephesus for two years, Acts 19:8-10.

c. The Lord showed His power by bestowing upon Paul the gift of healing, Acts 19:11-12.

d. Sinners were converted to Christ and many burned their evil books, Acts 19:11-20.

e. Then there arose a great uproar among the silver-smiths, fearing that Paul’s doctrine would destroy their business of idol making, Acts 19:23-41.

3. Paul leaves Ephesus, and after visiting the churches of Macedonia, comes to Greece, Acts 20:1-2.

4. He spends three months in Greece, then returns to Macedonia, and comes to Troas, and preaches, Acts 20:3-12.

5. From Troas he goes to Miletus, and sends for the Ephesian elders to come to him. Here at Miletus he delivers his great farewell address to the elders, Acts 20:17-38.

6. From Miletus Paul starts for Jerusalem, although warned by the Spirit of the sufferings awaiting him there, Acts 21:1-17.

G. Paul in Jerusalem and Caesarea.

1. He relates to the church the experiences of his ministry among the Gentiles, Acts 21:18-20.

2. To silence suspicion, he is urged to take a Jewish vow, which he does, Acts 21:20-26.

3. Paul is seized by Jewish enemies in the Temple, and rescued from their fury by Roman soldiers, Acts 21:27-40.

4. His defense before the multitude, Acts 22:1-21.

5. He asserts his Roman citizenship to escape being scourged, Acts 22:25-30.

6. His appearance before the Sanhedrin, Acts 23:1-10.

7. The Lord appears to him in the night with a message of cheer, Acts 23:11.

8. A conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, leads to his being sent to Caesarea, Acts 23:12-33.

9. The accusation brought against him by the Jews, and his defense before the governor, Felix, Acts 24:1-21.

10. His testimony before Felix concerning his faith in Christ, Acts 24:24-26.

11. His defense before Festus and his appeal unto Caesar, Acts 25:1-12.

12. His address before Agrippa, Acts 26:1-29.

H. Paul’s Journey to Rome as a Prisoner, Acts 27:1---28:16.

1. The first stage of the voyage, Acts 27:2-13.

2. The storm and the controlling influence of Paul, Acts 27:14-36.

3. The shipwreck and the escape to land, Acts 27:38-44.

4. The experiences on the Island of Melita, Acts 28:1-10.

5. The arrival at Rome and Paul’s ministry there, Acts 28:16-31.

OUR TASK AND TEMPTATION--ACTS 2:36

OUR TASK AND TEMPTATION

ACTS 2:36

Introduction:

We have a TASK to perform and that task is to preach the Word of God. That includes testifying of our faith and hope in Christ as well as preaching from a pulpit or teaching in Sunday School.

The second part of this is about our TEMPTATION to be argumentative or defensive about what we believe. It does not good to dispute with anyone about the Bible. However, it does great good to discuss and persuade folks to receive Christ as Saviour.

I. OUR TASK

A. To reason from the Scriptures about the Son of God, Acts 9:20, “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.”

1. Persuading men, Acts 19:8, “And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.”

a. That Jesus is the Son of God, Acts 9:20, “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.”

b. That Jesus is the Saviour of men, 1 Timothy 4:10, “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”

2. Declaring plainly our Saviour, Acts 2:36, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

B. Proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ, Acts 9:22, “But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.”

1. Opening their minds to the truth, Acts 17:3, “Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.”

2. Expound (EXPOSE) the Word of God to them, Acts 28:23, “Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.”

a. Saying what the Bible says, Acts 26:22, “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:”

b. Witnessing both to small and great, Acts 20:21, “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

II. OUR TEMPTATION

A. To strive or engage in a war of words with men, 2 Timothy 2:23-25a, “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25-In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves;”

1. Avoid foolish questions, 2 Timothy 2:14, “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.”

2. We are not to strive, 2 Corinthians 10:4, “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”

3. Be gentle to all men, Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

B. To be defensive, Philippians 1:14, “And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

1. As those who have been with Jesus, Acts 4:13, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

2. Let our speech “bewray” us, Matthew 26:73, “And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.” [manifest]

C. To be contentious (to put one’s self forward or to be self seeking), Jude 3, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

CONCLUSION:

Remember to be faithful in all things. The Lord will give us His message to share with others. Our task is set before us, and our testimony will help people to look to the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Remember; we are a reflection of Christ by our lives.

THE CHURCH 2--A CHURCH OF ONLY SAVED BELIEVERS--ACTS 2:37-47

GREAT BIBLE WORDS

THE CHURCH 2

A CHURCH OF ONLY SAVED BELIEVERS

Acts 2:37-47

Introduction:

This is not only Baptist doctrine, but it is Bible doctrine as well.

I. Baptist churches have always insisted on three things before someone is baptized and enrolled as a member of the local church

A. That the professing Christian has assurance of his salvation, John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” 1 John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

B. That he confess his faith and submission to Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord of his life publicly, Matthew 3:6, “And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.” Romans 10:9-10, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10- For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

C. That the professed believer demonstrate in his life, before baptism, a complete change.

1. A transformation effected by the Holy Spirit, the new spiritual birth, Matthew 3:3-10, “For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4- And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 5- Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6- And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. 7- But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8- Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 9- And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10- And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

2. This transformation will manifest itself through:

a) The abandonment of vices, Ephesians 4:17, 32, “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 32-And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

b) A new love for God and His church, 1 John 3:14, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”

c) By the positive conduct of “good works,” Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9- Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10- For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

II. Old Testament Types Prove This Doctrine.

A. Baptism, while important for the obedience of the believer after his conversion, is useless for the unbeliever because it has no power to save. The great slogan during the middle ages was “The blood first before baptism,” and “The Holy Spirit before water.”

B. A figure of this truth is seen in the Exodus of God’s people from Egypt. The Israelites were freed from death by the blood of the lamb, Exodus 12:6-7, “And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7- And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.”

1. This is a figure of our salvation from eternal death by the blood of Jesus Christ, Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

2. The Israelites were guided by the cloud and pillar of fire even before they arrived at the Red Sea, Exodus 13:21-22, “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22- He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.”

a) Their passage through the Red Sea on dry ground became a figure of baptism, 1 Corinthians 10:1-2, “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2- And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

b) The cloud and pillar of fire are figures of the presence and direction of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, Romans 8:14-17, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Conclusion:

These figures teach us that the believer, before his baptism, shall be saved by the blood of Jesus Christ and led by the Holy Spirit! In fact, it is the Holy Spirit that leads the believer to want to be baptized Scripturally.