Lesson 7 – The Brotherhood of Believers

December 9, 2012

One More Class

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Review• Peter and John have just been

reprimanded by the Sanhedrin for healing a man lame since birth– And then having the audacity to

attribute the healing to Jesus Christ• They’ve been told to stop preaching

about Jesus

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Reporting In …• Acts 4:23-24a

– 23When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said …

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For Discussion• In a similar situation, what would you

do?• What is Peter and John’s first order of

business?– Report what has happened

• Most likely to the Twelve– Go to the Father in prayer

• Have you ever prayed … ?

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All Together in Prayer• Acts 4:24

– 24And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, "O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM, “

For Discussion• The Greek word translated here as

Lord is despota, rather than kurios– Root of our word despot– Denotes absolute authority

• They believe that God is in absolute control of this situation and are seeking His will

• He has all the power in this situation

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All Together in Prayer• Acts 4:25-26

– 25who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, 'WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE, AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS? 26THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND, AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.'”

The Second Psalm• Psalm 2:1-2

– 1Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? 2The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed …

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For Discussion• They understand this as a prophetic

Psalm and attribute it to David– An affirmation of the Old Testament

• It speaks of the Lord’s Anointed– David at the time of writing– Jesus in this case

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Prophecy Fulfilled • Acts 4:27-28

– 27"For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.”

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For Discussion• Nations/Gentiles: Romans• Peoples: People of Jerusalem• Kings of the Earth: Pilate and Herod• Rulers: Sanhedrin• Why was their plan a “vain” or

“futile” thing?• Exactly what had God predestined in

this situation?

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Their Prayer Continues• Acts 4:29-30

– 29”And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, 30while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus."

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For Discussion• What is their prayer for themselves?

– They ask for strength and courage– Why?

• What else do they ask?– For the signs and miracles to continue– Why?

• All in all, their prayer is for God to continue using them to fulfill His plan

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Affirmation• Acts 4:31

– 31And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.

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For Discussion• Many times in Scripture, an

earthquake occurs to signify God’s presence

• There is another appearance of the Holy Spirit– Was the first visit insufficient?– Did they need a booster shot of the

Spirit?

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Fellowship• Acts 4:32-33

– 32And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.

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For Discussion• The people were giving selflessly for

the good of the community of believers

• The Apostles were preaching boldly• The two go hand in hand

– We have to show people that we have something worth having

– Not $$$, but community

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Generosity• Acts 4:34-35

– 34For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

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Not This …

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But This …• “The one [communism] forcibly

invades the right of private property; the other [fellowship] voluntarily relinquishes the right of private property where it sees a need.”

Gareth L. Reese

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For Discussion• Does this passage forbid the

ownership of property?• How much of our own desires and/or

comfort are we willing to forego for the sake of our Brothers?

• Can we simply stop at 10% and say “I’m good”?

• Are you ever convicted that you should give (sacrificially) to a specific cause?

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Barnabas• Acts 4:36-37

– 36Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), 37and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

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For Discussion• In earlier times, Levites were

forbidden to own property– Their share of the Promised Land came

from the tithe of the people• Barnabas performs a selfless act for

the good of the Christian community– Are we willing to do the same?

• We’ll more about him in the near future

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Next Week• Lesson 8 – Ananias and Sapphria

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