Bible Study.




Acts-The History

In the Amplified Bible in the introduction to the book of Acts it provides the basic history of the spread of Christianity during the three decades immediately following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.



It also states the book of Acts traces the expansion of the early church and the ministry of the followers of Christ. Peter is the central figure in the establishment of the church in Jerusalem. Then Paul becomes the foremost leader so the major part of the book of Acts is devoted to Paul and his mission. The Holy Spirit is also mentioned many times in this book. And there was conflict as the Gentile were added to the church. Those who were Jewish felt that the Gentiles needed to do all that the Jews did, such as being circumcised, but that was not necessary for the Gentiles to do.



Outline

Christ’s parting instructions-1:1-11

The church in Jerusalem-1:12-7:60

Expansion in South and North-8:1-12:23

Paul’s first missionary journey-12:24-14:28

The Jerusalem conference-15:1-35

Paul’s second missionary journey-15:36-18:22

Paul’s third missionary journey-18:23-20:2

Paul in Jerusalem and Caesarea 20:3-26-32

Paul’s mission in Rome 27:1-28:31

　

　Acts 1:1-3 (KJV)*

“The former treatise, have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.







Let’s Have A Closer Look

Questions



1. Who wrote the book of Acts? Luke



2. Who was this letter written to? Theophilus. No doubt, Luke also had a larger readership in mind.




3. Why was he writing this letter? Luke wrote the Book of Acts to inform Theophilus about events that took place after Jesus' ascension and after the baptism of the Holy Spirit, "the promise of the Father." One could describe the Book of Acts as the "acts" of the Holy Spirit



4. How many days after Jesus was resurrected did He appear to His disciples? Forty days

5. What did Jesus talk about during those days? His Kingdom and commissions them to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to make disciples of all people (the Great Commission).

Bible Study based upon the book by Stormie Omartian "The Power of Praying Through the Bible"~

Today is the day that I said we would start up the Bible Study again!

May Gods blessings be upon us as we study His Holy Word!



*Ask, Seek and Knock*



Read and consider Matthew 7:7-12~

The Key Scripture for today is:
Matthew 7:7-8
New International Version (NIV)

Ask, Seek, Knock
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.



Matthew 7:7-12
New International Version (NIV)


Ask, Seek, Knock
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.




Hebrews 11:6
New International Version (NIV)

6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.



The following is my prayer seeking God for answers to my prayers.



Lord, my most highest one and only Heavenly Father. I come to You in faith to answer my prayers for your help and the give me desires of my heart. I know that You are my God and will hear and answer my prayers. Your Word says that You desire to give good gifts to those who deligently seek You.

I ask that my desires be perfectly aligned with Your Will so that they will come to pass. I knock on the door of oppertunity for my life, and anticipate it to be opened by You, Lord. In Jesus mighty name I pray. Amen!
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