Acts: Adventures of the Early Church - Couverture souple

Brooks; Keith L.

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0802401252 ISBN 13 : 9780802401250

Editeur : Moody Publishers, 1963

Synopsis

The book of Acts shows the Holy Spirit at work in the early church. From first to last it is a record of His advent and activity. Study this exciting book and see for yourself the tremendous power of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of the church.

The Teach Yourself the Bible Series is one of the best New Testament studies you will find anywhere. Each book in the series is packed full of valuable questions on individual chapters of the Bible, check-ups to test your grasp of scriptural truths, and usable suggestions for group study.

Grow in your knowledge of God through each New Testament book, then go on to study six aspects of Christianity essential for all believers: doctrine, prayer, eternal life, prophecy, Christian character, and Bible study.

A propos du livre

À propos de l'auteur

KEITH L. BROOKS founded the American Prophetic League of Los Angeles in 1930. He was the author of numerous Bible study courses, books, and tracts. Although Keith passed away in 1954, his wife, Laura, continued the ministry of the American Prophetic League until 1960. The League's Prophecy Monthly eventually merged with Moody Bible Institute's Moody Monthly. The published Bible study became the Teach Yourself the Bible Series from Moody Publishers.

Extrait. © Reproduit sur autorisation. Tous droits réservés.

Acts: Adventures of the Early Church

By Keith L. Brooks

Moody Publishers

Copyright © 1963 The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-8024-0125-0

Contents

Introduction to the Book of Acts, 
Lesson 1: The Church in Preparation, 
Lesson 2: The Church in Action, 
Lesson 3: The Church in Organization, 
Lesson 4: The Church in Expansion, 
Lesson 5: The Church in Dispersion, 
Lesson 6: The Church in Missions, 
Lesson 7: The Church in Conference, 
Lesson 8: The Church in Extension, 
Lesson 9: The Churches Revisited, 
Lesson 10: Paul in Jerusalem, 
Lesson 11: Paul in Caesarea, 
Lesson 12: Paul in Rome, 

CHAPTER 1

Lesson 1

The Church in Preparation

____________________________________________

ACTS 1, 2

The Words of Preparation—Acts 1

"Ye shall be witnesses"

Our Lord has two bodies—His literal body and His spiritual body the Church. In his Gospel Luke gives the history of Christ's physical presence among men. In Acts we have the beginning and early history of His spiritual body. Both have a supernatural beginning, a period of service on earth, a final translation into heaven.

1. What is "the former treatise" referred to by Luke?

Luke 1:1-4 _______________________________________

2. What did the "former treatise" record?

Acts 1:1 _________________________________________

The word infallible is literally "irresistible." The proofs of the resurrection are indeed irresistible. Delusions do not live long and have no power to lift men Godward. After two thousand years the resurrection is the greatest moral dynamic known.

3. What did Jesus tell His disciples during the forty days before the ascension?

1:3 ____________________________________________

4. What baptism did Jesus promise?

1:5 ____________________________________________

If the word baptism means a complete submersion, as most authorities agree, the baptism of the Spirit must have reference to the day of Pentecost when the very house in which the disciples were meeting was filled and where tongues of fire sat upon them. Believers were baptized into one body by the Spirit at Pentecost, and all who have since received Christ have participated in that baptism without the necessity of the signs—rushing mighty wind, tongues of fire and speaking in languages unknown to them.

5. For what distinct purpose is the power of the Spirit given to believers?

1:8 ____________________________________________

6. What is the one method by which Christianity can advance in the world?

1:8 ____________________________________________

7. What "table of contents" for the book of Acts do you find in

1:8? ___________________________________________

The important teaching of this verse is that one who participates in the power that originated at Pentecost will reveal it by his great passion to carry the message of salvation to men.

8. What did the disciples do in the upper room?

1:14 ___________________________________________

9. What woman is specially mentioned as being present?

1:14 ___________________________________________

This is the last reference to the mother of Jesus. We leave her on her knees in prayer—not being prayed to. With all the others she was baptized into the Church at Pentecost.

10. What prophecy fitted Judas' case exactly?

1:20 ___________________________________________

_______________________________________________

11. What must the successor to Judas have witnessed?

1:22 ___________________________________________

12. What method did the disciples choose to select a successor to Judas?

1:26 ___________________________________________

13. What preceded the choosing of the successor?

1:24 ___________________________________________

The Spirit of Power—Acts 2

"They were all filled"

14. What great feast was now due?

2:1 ____________________________________________

The word Pentecost means "fiftieth" (Leviticus 23:15, 16). It was observed on the fiftieth day, or seven weeks, from the Paschal feast. It was also called Feast of Weeks (II Chronicles 8:12, 13). It marked the completion of the barley harvest, which began at the time of the waving of the first ripe sheaf of first fruits. The Feast of Weeks, therefore, fell on the fiftieth day after this occurrence.

15. What advance sign came from heaven signifying the approach of the Holy Spirit?

2:2 ____________________________________________

16. What appeal was made to the eye?

2:3 ____________________________________________

17. Was it really wind, or a "sound as of wind"?

2:2 ____________________________________________

The rushing wind is a portent of the speed of the gospel; the tongues of fire suggest the burning energy which causes believers to proclaim God's wonderful plan of redemption. Tongues of fire suggest man's voice speaking in God's power. Fire throughout the Word is symbolical of the presence of God.

18. Was the baptism of the Spirit for individuals or a body of believers?

I Corinthians 12:13 ________________________________

19. When these believers were "filled," what, did they do?

Acts 2:4, 6, 11 ____________________________________

20. Of what benefit was this speaking in tongues?

2:11 ___________________________________________

Note that "Pentecostal tongues" was a miraculous endowment to enable the first Christians to declare the glad tidings to those whom they could not otherwise reach. Thus the precious seed was given out, carried to sections from whence these people had come, and a great harvest sprang up in many places.

21. Another such manifestation was given later to what group?

Acts 10:44-46 (see verse 24) ________________________

22. What signs were repeated on that occasion?

_______________________________________________

The event of Pentecost remains. The indwelling Spirit is with all believers now as much as with the early Christians, and will as readily fill us and use us if we will yield to Him. The essential fact is that believers are filled that they might witness to others.

23. How do you account for the great change in Peter?

Acts 2:14; compare JOHN 18:27 _______________________

24. From whose prophecy did Peter quote?

Acts 2:16 _______________________________________

25. Does this prophecy have further fulfillment?

Joel 2:30, 31 _____________________________________

Some teach that the phenomenon of Pentecost was identified with Joel's prophecy (JOEL 2:28, 29) as the same in kind, but not the same in degree, since the prophecy declares that the Spirit should be poured out upon all flesh. Thus, it is said, Pentecost was an anticipation of what will take place at the second coming of Christ.

On the other hand, we know of no Scripture which teaches that every individual in the Kingdom Age will prophesy, etc., even to daughters and old men. The present age would seem to be the logical time for prophesying (lit. "forth-telling"). The words all flesh suggest to some students the thought that all classes, without distinction of age, sex, nation, or standing, will be used by the Holy Spirit.

26. What great truths did Peter expound in this sermon?

Acts 2:22, 23 ____________________________________

2:24 ___________________________________________

2:31 ____________________________________________

2:36 ____________________________________________

27. Why was Jesus raised from the dead?

2:24 ____________________________________________

28. What did David foresee would happen to the Messiah before He should sit on a throne?

2:27, 30 _________________________________________

29. What happened when the people heard Peter's sermon?

2:37 ____________________________________________

30. What must a person do to be saved?

2:38 ____________________________________________

31. To whom is the promise of the Holy Ghost given?

2:39 ____________________________________________

32. What did the believers do in order to grow in their Christian lives?

2:42 ____________________________________________

33. What ordinance was practiced by the early church?

2:42 ____________________________________________

34. What was the general atmosphere of the church?

2:46 ____________________________________________

35. Who makes the real additions to the church?

2:47 ____________________________________________

Check-Up Time No. 1

You have just studied some important truths about Acts 1, 2. Review your study by rereading the questions and your written answers. If you aren't sure of an answer, reread the Scripture portion given to see if you con find the answer. Then take this test to see how well you understand important truths you have studied.

In the right-hand margin write "True" or "False" after each of the following statements.

1. The book of Acts was written by the apostle Paul. __________________ 2. Jesus commanded the disciples to leave Jerusalem after the ascension. __________________ 3. Jesus promised them the baptism of the Holy Ghost. __________________ 4. The disciples were to witness first in Jerusalem. __________________ 5. Matthias was appointed to take the place of Judas. __________________ 6. The Holy Spirit came on the Day of Atonement. __________________ 7. Men from many countries heard the gospel proclaimed in their own language. __________________ 8. Peter said that the prophecy of Isaiah was being fulfilled. __________________ 9. David prophesied concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ. __________________ 10. Very few were converted by Peter's first sermon. __________________

Turn to page 96 and check your answers.

CHAPTER 2

Lesson 2

The Church in Action

______________________________________________

ACTS 3–5

The Apostles' Preaching—Acts 3

"Repent ye"

1. After Pentecost Peter and John joined with the Jewish church in what hour?

3:1 ________________________________________________

2. What did the lame man receive instead of alms?

3:7 ________________________________________________

3. What possession is worth more than money?

3:6 ________________________________________________

4. What did Peter do besides praying for this man?

3:7 ________________________________________________

Prayer and effort is the combination for saving men. The hand of compassion, however, is powerless unless extended in the name of Jesus Christ.

5. How complete was the cure?

3:8 _______________________________________________

6. What fivefold result of the miracle can you find in verses 8 and 9?

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

The crowning evidence of a real conversion is when enemies are compelled to admit its reality.

We now have Peter's second sermon, giving a threefold testimony to Christ:

a. Christ as the Substance of all genuine miracles (verses 12-17)

b. Christ as the Redeemer of all souls (verses 18-21)

c. Christ as the Accomplisher of all prophecies (verses 22-26)

7. To whom does the credit belong for this miracle?

3:12, 13 ___________________________________________

8. Whom does Peter charge with the guilt of the death of Christ?

3:14, 15 ___________________________________________

9. What three titles does Peter here give to Christ?

3:14, 15 __________________________________________

________________________________________________

There are three paradoxes in these verses:

a. Man's perverted and fatal choice.

b. Man's hate, bringing death to the Lord of life.

c. God's love, causing life to come by death.

10. What was the connecting link between the risen Christ and the healed man?

3:16 _____________________________________________

11. Who can find salvation through Jesus Christ?

3:19 _____________________________________________

It has often been taught that Peter was calling upon Israel for national repentance, in which case Jesus would have immediately returned to set up His kingdom upon earth. There is nothing in verse 19, however, about Israel as a nation. The words were to a group of individuals and the promise was "to all that are afar off." Verse 21 declares plainly that Jesus must remain in heaven until the times of restitution.

12. What two different "times" are specified here?

3:19, 21___________________________________________

________________________________________________

The "time of refreshing" would be the immediate result of repentance and faith. This undoubtedly refers to fullness of blessing to be possessed under the dispensation of the Holy Spirit.

13. What did Moses foresee for those who would reject Christ?

3:23 ______________________________________________

Verses 20-23 simply enforce the exhortation to repentance by an appeal to the second coming of Christ. The early church lived and labored in expectation of this event. Note also that the Greek word for times in verse 19 is not the same as that used in verse 21. The first means seasons of refreshing as an immediate prospect. The second means a time of rest as a more remote prospect.

14. What was the message of the risen Christ to the Jews?

3:26 ______________________________________________

Peter here tells us plainly, what the Jews as a people had overlooked, that the main blessing of their Abrahamic covenant was turning men away from their sins, not restored temporal power.

The Apostles Persecuted—Acts 4

"Behold their threatenings"

15. What happened when the Word seemed to be entering hearts?

4:1, 2 ____________________________________________

16. What part of Peter's message particularly bothered the Sadducees?

4:2 _______________________________________________

God moves in mysterious ways. One would think He would have stayed the hand of the adversary until Peter was through preaching. However, He knows how to make the wrath of man to praise Him.

17. What was the response to Peter's second sermon?

4:4 _______________________________________________

18. What help did Peter receive in his answer to the council?

4:8 _______________________________________________

19. Who was really behind the miracle that had been performed?

4:10 ______________________________________________

Peter by himself had proved to be a straw blown by the wind, but Peter "filled with the Holy Ghost" was a mighty man of war, eloquent with heaven's thunder.

20. Who had previously told these leaders about the stone rejected by the builders?

Matthew 21:42 _____________________________________

21. What is the only name by which a man can be saved?

Acts 4:12 _________________________________________

22. What was the only possible explanation for Peter's and John's conduct?

4:13 ______________________________________________

Companionship with Jesus has made many an ordinary man extraordinary. Many a modern critic has "marveled" at the spiritual power of supposedly ignorant men. The word rendered ignorant means "private persons"—that is, holding no office, laymen.

23. What was the argument these critics could not get around?

4:14 ______________________________________________

24. What was commendable in the man who had been healed?

4:14 ______________________________________________

Christianity rests upon facts, not opinions. Put up a redeemed man and the mob cannot explain him. It is well when a preacher can carry his samples along with him. The church needs "Johnnie-on-the-spot" men—men who will be on hand when their testimony is worth something.

25. What besides the apostles' miracle working bothered the authorities?

4:18 ______________________________________________

It is a big service to the devil when a preacher can be silenced. Men are ever seeking to silence the Word that convicts them. Work miracles by whatever power you please, men will say, but keep quiet about the saving name of Jesus Christ.

26. Whom did Peter propose to obey?

4:19 ______________________________________________

27. What was the only thing that could be done with Peter and John?

4:21 ______________________________________________

The church needs men who will stand by the colors, and not by their silence deny their Master, stealing away from the fight like cowards.

28. What did the Christians do about this persecution?

4:24 ______________________________________________

29. How did the prayer meeting culminate?

4:31 ______________________________________________

30. What was the fruit of their being "filled with the Holy Spirit"?

4:31 ______________________________________________

Having all things in common was a spiritual movement, and was the expression of a high spiritual state. Such a plan could work only under these peculiar conditions. The plan lasted but a short time and evidently was not tried elsewhere. Hypocrites and self-seekers spoiled the plan.

Ananias and Sapphira—Acts 5

"Ye have agreed ... to tempt the Spirit of the Lord"

The division of the book of Acts into chapters hinders the casual reader from noticing at this point that the action of Ananias and Sapphira is in contrast with that of Barnabas.

31. Who put the evil idea into the heart of Ananias?

5:3 _______________________________________________

32. Who made a traitor out of one of the twelve?

Luke 22:3__________________________________________

33. What did Peter see cropping out in the early church?

II Peter 2:3 _______________________________________

34. In what way did Eve manifest covetousness in Eden?

Genesis 3:6 ________________________________________

35. What was the first sin in the promised land?

Joshua 7:21 ________________________________________

Peter had spiritual insight to discover immediately that this was a Satanic attempt to injure the testimony of the church.

36. What was the sin of Ananias?

Acts 5:4 ___________________________________________

37. Against whom was the sin of Ananias?

5:4 ______________________________________________

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Acts: Adventures of the Early Church by Keith L. Brooks. Copyright © 1963 The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. Excerpted by permission of Moody Publishers.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Moody Publishers
• Date d'édition: 1963
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0802401252
• ISBN 13: 9780802401250
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 96
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible