Thursday, April 30, 2009

New Testament survey (09): Galatians

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Galatians 2:16)

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (Galatians 4:4-7)

Overview

[1] Galatians, Thru The Bible Radio with Dr. J. Vernon McGee ©, with free downloads Notes & Outlines (PDF), Complete 5-Year Study (MP3), Faith + 0 = Salvation (PDF)

Galatians is the strongest declaration and defense of the doctrine of justification by faith in or out of Scripture. It is God’s polemic on behalf of the most vital truth of the Christian faith against any attack. Not only is a sinner saved by grace through faith plus nothing, but the saved sinner lives by grace. Grace is a way to life and a way of life. (Read the complete article)
[2] Book of Galatians, from gotquestions.org (this website is also available in Afrikaans, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese-Myanmar, Cebuano, Chinese - Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Malaysian, Persian-Farsi, Portuguese, Quechua, Sesotho, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese, Zulu, and 70 other languages)
The result of justification by grace through faith is spiritual freedom. Paul appealed to the Galatians to stand fast in their freedom, and not get “entangled again with a yoke of bondage (that is, the Mosaic law)” (Galatians 5:1). Christian freedom is not an excuse to gratify one's lower nature; rather, it is an opportunity to love one another (Galatians 5:13; 6:7-10). Such freedom does not insulate one from life’s struggles. Indeed, it may intensify the battle between the Spirit and the flesh. Nevertheless, the flesh (the lower nature) has been crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20); and, as a consequence, the Spirit will bear its fruit such as love, joy, and peace in the life of the believer (Galatians 5:22-23). (Read the complete article)
[3] Galatians, from Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)
WRITER: The Apostle Paul ( 1:1)

DATE: Galatians was probably written A.D. 60, during Paul's third visit to Corinth, The occasion of the Epistle is evident. It had come to Paul's knowledge that the fickle Galatians, who were not Greeks, but Gauls, "a stream from the torrent of barbarians which poured into Greece in the third century before Christ," had become the prey of the legalizers, the Judaizing missionaries from Palestine.

THEME: The theme of Galatians is the vindication of the Gospel of the grace of God from any admixture of law-conditions, which qualify or destroy its character of pure grace.

The Galatian error had two forms, both of which are refuted. The first is the teaching that obedience to the law is mingled with faith as the ground of the sinner's justification; the second, that the justified believer is made perfect by keeping the law. Paul meets the first form of the error by a demonstration that justification is through the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 15:18), and that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after the confirmation of that covenant, and the true purpose of which was condemnation, not justification, cannot disannul a salvation which rests upon the earlier covenant. Paul meets the second and more subtle form by vindicating the office of the Holy Spirit as Sanctifier.

The book is in seven parts:

1. Salutation, Galatians 1:1-5
2. Theme, Galatians 1:6-9.
3. Paul’s Gospel is a revelation, Galatians 1:10-2:14.
4. Justification is by faith without law, Galatians 2:15-3:24.
5. The rule of the believer's life is gracious, not legal, Galatians 3:25-5:15.
6. Sanctification is through the Spirit, not the law, Galatians 5:16-24.
7. Exhortations and conclusion, Galatians 5:25-6:18.
Discussion

[1] Key verses: Galatians 2:16, 20; 3:11; 4:4-6; 5:22-23; 6:7

[2] “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage (Galatians 2:4). “Judaizers” taught that Christians had to obey the Old Testament laws.

[3] Paul defends his apostolic authority (Galatians 1:11-19; 2:1-14)

[4] Justification is by faith alone: the statement of the doctrine (Galatians 2:15-21); the experience of the Galatians (Galatians 3:1-5); the illustration of Abraham (Galatians 3:6 – 4:18); and the allegory of Hagar and Sarai (Galatians 4:19-31). Please review our lesson on justification by grace through faith.

[5] Falling from grace: “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” (Galatians 5:4)

“Fallen from grace” does not mean to fall out of salvation or lose it. It means to try to be saved by some other means. You fall from the high plane of grace down to the low level of legality. To be saved by grace and then to try to live the Christian life by law is to fall from grace. (Read the complete article by Dr. J. Vernon McGee)

Please review our lesson on eternal security of the believer / perseverance of the saints.

[6] Adoption, from Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology:
Act of leaving one's natural family and entering into the privileges and responsibilities of another. In the Bible, adoption is one of several family-related terms used to describe the process of salvation and its subsequent benefits. God is a father who graciously adopts believers in Christ into his spiritual family and grants them all the privileges of heirship. Salvation is much more than forgiveness of sins and deliverance from condemnation; it is also a position of great blessing. Believers are children of God.
Please review our lesson on Adoption: Abba, Father!

[7] “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Galatians 5:14)

[8] Works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21)
  • adultery
  • fornication (illicit sexual intercourse)
  • uncleanness
  • lasciviousness (unbridled sensuality, excess)
  • idolatry
  • witchcraft
  • hatred
  • variance (contention, strife)
  • emulations (jealousy)
  • wrath
  • strife
  • seditions (uproar, insurrection, dissension)
  • heresies
  • envyings (the feeling of displeasure produced by witnessing or hearing of the advantage or prosperity of others)
  • murders (unlawful taking of life)
  • drunkenness (habitual intoxication)
  • revellings (feasts resulting in carousing; consequence of drunkenness)
[9] Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
  • love
  • joy
  • peace
  • longsuffering
  • gentleness
  • goodness
  • faith
  • meekness
  • temperance
Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Born Free … Live Free … Stay Free, A Devotional Commentary on the Book of Galatians, by Paul Apple

[2] Galatians: Introduction, Argument, and Outline, by Daniel B. Wallace, Th.M., Ph.D.

[3] Series: Galatians: The Gospel and God’s Grace, by Bob Deffinbaugh

[4] The Epistle to the Galatians, by Greg Herrick Th.M., Ph.D.

[5] Galatians in Chinese and English, from bible.org

Sermons on Galatians 2:16, 4:4-6 (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Sermon illustrations on Galatians, from bible.org

[2] Christmas - the Perfect Gift, by Randy MacVicar (“Searching for the 'Perfect Gift” by Missionary Jim Walterhouse, Lighthouse Baptist Church for the deaf, Tampico, Mexico)

[3] Sinners Justified in Christ Alone, by Kevin Grant

[4] The Glorious Gospel of Grace, by Kevin Grant

[5] Justification, by Robert F. Green

[6] Justification By Faith, by Malcolm Macleod

[7] The Fingerprints Of The Messiah, by Mike Mestler

[8] At the Right Time, by Danny D. Baskin

[9] Why Go Back? By Chad William Cone

[10] Fullness of Time, by Paul Elledge

[11] Immanuel God Is With Us, by Joel Mark Lillie

For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

New Testament survey (08): 2 Corinthians

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committedc unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Overview


[1] 2 Corinthians, from Thru The Bible Radio with Dr. J. Vernon McGee ©, with free downloads Notes & Outlines (PDF), Complete 5-Year Study (MP3), Abounding Grace (PDF), The God of All Comfort (PDF), Homesick for Heaven (PDF), The Next Happening in the Program of God (PDF)

Shortly after Paul had written 1 Corinthians from Ephesus, where he was in grave danger (2 Corinthians 1:8), he wrote 2 Corinthians from Philippi. Paul was in Ephesus approximately three years. He had sent Titus to Corinth because he could not personally go there at that time. Timothy was with Paul in Ephesus, and these two proceeded to Troas to wait for Titus to bring word from Corinth (2 Corinthians 2:12, 13). When Titus did not come, Paul and Timothy went on to Philippi where Titus brought good news from Corinth (2 Corinthians 7:5-11). Any breach between Paul and the Corinthian church was healed.

This epistle is difficult to outline, as it is less organized than any of Paul’s other letters — but it contains more personal details. In each chapter there is always a minor theme developed (which sometimes seems to take the place of the major theme) and generally expressed in some striking verse.

First Corinthians deals with conditions and corrections in the church. Second Corinthians deals with conditions of the ministry within the church. (Read the complete article)
[2] Book of 2 Corinthians, from gotquestions.org (this website is also available in Afrikaans, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese-Myanmar, Cebuano, Chinese - Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Malaysian, Persian-Farsi, Portuguese, Quechua, Sesotho, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese, Zulu, and 70 other languages)
In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul expresses his relief and joy that the Corinthians had received his “severe” letter (now lost) in a positive manner. That letter addressed issues that were tearing the church apart, primarily the arrival of self-style (false) apostles (2 Corinthians 11:13) who were assaulting Paul’s character, sowing discord among the believers, and teaching false doctrine. They appear to have questioned his veracity (2 Corinthians 1:15-17), his speaking ability (2 Corinthians 10:10; 11:6), and his unwillingness to accept support from the church at Corinth (2 Corinthians 11:7-9; 12:13). There were also some people who had not repented of their licentious behavior (2 Corinthians 12:20-21).

Paul was overjoyed to learn from Titus that the majority of Corinthians repented of their rebellion against Paul (2 Corinthians 2:12-13; 7:5-9). The apostle encourages them for this in an expression of his genuine love (2 Corinthians 7:3-16). Paul also sought to vindicate his apostleship, as some in the church had likely questioned his authority (2 Corinthians 13:3).

Positively, Paul found the Corinthians had well received his “severe” letter. The Apostle encourages them for this in an expression of Paul’s genuine love (2 Corinthians 7:3-16). Paul also sought to vindicate his apostleship, as some in the church had likely questioned his authority (2 Corinthians 13:3). (Read the complete article)
[3] 2 Corinthians, Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)
WRITER: The Apostle Paul

DATE: A.D. 60; probably from Philippi, after the events of Acts 19:23-20:1-3.

THEME: The Epistle discloses the touching state of the great apostle at this time. It was one of physical weakness, weariness, and pain. But his spiritual burdens were greater. These were two kinds--solicitude for the maintenance of the churches in grace as against the law-teachers, and anguish of heart over the distrust felt toward him by Jews and Jewish Christians. The chilling doctrines of the legalizers were accompanied by detraction, and by denial of his apostleship.

It is evident that the really dangerous sect in Corinth was that which said, "and I of Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:12). They rejected the new revelation through Paul of the doctrines of grace; grounding themselves, probably, on the kingdom teachings of our Lord as "a minister of circumcision" (Romans 15:8); seemingly oblivious that a new dispensation had been introduced by Christ's death. This made necessary a defence of the origin and extent of Paul's apostolic authority.

The Epistle is in three parts:

1. Paul's principles of action, Romans 1:1-7-16.
2. The collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem, Romans 8:1-9:15.
3. Paul's defence of his apostolic authority, Romans 10:1-13:14.
Discussion

[1] Proofs of Paul’s apostleship:
  • “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1)

  • “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia” (2 Corinthians 1:1)

  • “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead)” (Galatians 1:1)

  • “Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?” (1 Corinthians 9:1).

  • Paul received a unique revelation from God (Galatians 1:11, 12, 15, 16; 1 Thessalonians 2:3, 4) which he transmitted to churches and individuals (Titus 1:2, 3)

  • Simon Peter confirmed that Paul’s writings were of divine authority (2 Peter 3:15, 16).
[2] Articles of Faith: Of the Grace of Giving
Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the Faith. We are commanded to bring our gifts into the storehouse (common treasury of the church) upon the first day of the week. Under grace we give, and do not pay, the tithe. We are commanded to bring the tithe into the common treasury of the church. (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:10; Acts 4:34,35, 37)
Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Don’t Mistake Meekness for Weakness, Commentary on the Book of 2 Corinthians, by Paul G. Apple

[2] Series Title: Religious Affections: A Study of Paul’s 2 Corinthian Correspondence, from bible.org

[3] Studies in 2 Corinthians, from bible.org

[4] 2 Corinthians in Chinese and English

Sermons (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Sermon Illustrations on 2 Corinthians, from bible.org

[2] Changing Course, by Matt Neace, Jr. First Baptist of Silver Grove, KY

[3] Changed Lives is Our “Business” by Jeffrey A. Brown, GracePointe Baptist Church

[4] What Is A Christian -1, by Michael James Swales

[5] You Must Be Born Again, by Jacky Duncan

[6] A New Creation, by Daniel P. Johnson

[7] Every Day is New Year’s Day, by Frank Walker

[8] God's New Creation, by Malcolm Macleod

[9] Experiencing God 06 - God pursues a loving relationship with you, by Richard DeRuiter

For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

New Testament survey (07): 1 Corinthians

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing.

Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.


Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)

Overview

[1] 1 Corinthians, from Thru The Bible Radio with Dr. J. Vernon McGee ©, with free downloads Notes & Outlines (PDF), Complete 5-Year Study (MP3), The Cross Divides Men (PDF), and Gifts of the Spirit (PDF)

When Paul first came to Corinth, he preached in the synagogue. As usual, a riot was the result. Paul usually had a riot, revolution, and revival wherever he went. Corinth was no exception.

On Paul’s third journey he spent a long period of time in Ephesus. It was in Ephesus that he did some of his outstanding work as a missionary. Probably that area was more thoroughly evangelized than any other. However, this caused the Corinthians to become disturbed. They were baby Christians, and they were urging Paul to come to them. Apparently Paul wrote them a letter to correct some of the errors that had come into that church. They, in turn, wrote to Paul asking questions that they wanted answered about political issues, religion, domestic problems, heathenism, and morality. Paul answered them and responded to more reports which were brought to him. We do not have that first letter which Paul wrote to them. The letter that followed the reports brought to him is the letter we know today as 1 Corinthians. That is the epistle we are about to study. Later on Paul wrote the letter we now call 2 Corinthians.

The keynote of this epistle is the supremacy of Christ, the Lordship of Jesus. That is so important for us to note because that is the solution to the problems. You will find here that He is the solution to correct moral, social, and ecclesiastical disorders. (Read the complete article)
[2] Book of 1 Corinthians, from gotquestions.org (this website is also available in Afrikaans, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese-Myanmar, Cebuano, Chinese - Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Malaysian, Persian-Farsi, Portuguese, Quechua, Sesotho, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese, Zulu, and 70 other languages)
The Corinthian church was plagued by divisions. The believers in Corinth were dividing into groups loyal to certain spiritual leaders (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:1-6). Paul exhorted the Corinthian believers to be united because of devotion to Christ (1 Corinthians 3:21-23). Many in the church were essentially approving of an immoral relationship (1 Corinthians 5:1-2). Paul commanded them to expel the wicked man from the church (1 Corinthians 5:13). The Corinthian believers were taking each other to court (1 Corinthians 6:1-2). Paul taught the Corinthians that it would be better to be taken advantage of than to damage their Christian testimony (1 Corinthians 6:3-8).

Paul gave the Corinthian church instructions on marriage and celibacy (chapter 7), food sacrificed to idols (chapters 8 and 10), Christian freedom (chapter 9), the veiling of women (1 Corinthians 11:1-16), the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:17-34), spiritual gifts (chapters 12-14), and the resurrection (chapter 15). Paul organized the book of 1 Corinthians by answering questions the Corinthian believers had asked him and by responding to improper conduct and erroneous beliefs they had accepted. (Read the complete article)
[3] The Epistles to the Corinthians, from Blue Letter Bible
The issue of division and unity is addressed first (1 Corinthians 1:10-4:21). The main body of 1 Corinthians begins with Paul’s appeal to the church to agree that the divisions among them would be eradicated and that they would “be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). People in the church were associating with various leaders and making factions that were tearing down the body of Christ. The problem that Paul points out is that they were acting fleshly when they would take pride in their pastoral preference (1 Corinthians 3:4-5). God is the one that does the work in the church and so God should receive the devotion of the church and not mere men who happen to be his instruments (1 Corinthians 3:6-9).

Paul then addresses sexual immorality and its consequences (1 Corinthians 5:1-13). He seems to have been astonished at the lack of morality displayed by the Corinthians. They were arrogant because they were able to tolerate a man who was committing gross sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 5:2). This was not a discreet sin of any kind, but one that not even the pagans would tolerate (1 Corinthians 5:1). The apostle makes it clear that this sort of action should not be tolerated, but disciplined. The one guilty of the act should be delivered to Satan “for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 5:5). Paul orders the excommunication of the sinning one for two reasons: (1) that the sinner would be saved in end, and (2) that the sinning one would not “leaven the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). The church as Paul states elsewhere is intended to be the pure and spotless bride of Christ (Eph. 5:25-27), therefore the evil person must be purged from the church (1 Corinthians 5:13; Deut. 13:5). (Read the complete article)
[4] 1 Corinthians, from Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)
WRITER: The Apostle Paul. His relation to the church at Corinth is set forth in Acts 18:1-18 and in the Epistles to the Corinthians.

DATE: First Corinthians was written in A.D. 59, at the close of Paul's three year's residence in Ephesus. Acts 20:31; 1 Corinthians 16:5-8.

THEME: The subjects treated are various, but may all be classified under the general theme, Christian conduct. Even the tremendous revelation of the truth concerning resurrection is made to bear upon that theme 1 Corinthians 15:58. The occasion of the Epistle was a letter on inquiry from Corinth concerning marriage, and the use of meats offered to idols ; 1 Corinthians 7:1; 8:1-13 but the apostle was much more exercised by reports of the deepening divisions and increasing contentions in the church, and of a case of incest which had not been judged ; 1 Corinthians 1:10-12; 5:1.

The factions were not due to heresies, but to the carnality of the restless Corinthians, and to their Greek admiration of "wisdom" and eloquence. The abomination of human leadership in the things of God is here rebuked. Minor disorders were due to vanity, yielding to a childish delight in tongue and the sign gifts, rather than to sober instruction (1 Corinthians 14:1-28). Paul defends his apostleship because it involved the authority of the doctrine revealed through him.

A rigid analysis of First Corinthians is not possible, The Epistle is not a treatise, but came from the Spirit through the apostle's grief, solicitude, and holy indignation. The following analysis may, however, be helpful.

1. Introduction: The believer's standing in grace, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
2. The contrast of their present factious state, 1 Corinthians 1:10-4:21.
3. Immorality rebuked; discipline enjoined, 1 Corinthians 5:1-6,8.
4. The sanctity of the body, and Christian marriage, 1 Corinthians 6:9-7, 40.
5. Meats, and the limitations of Christian liberty, 1 Corinthians 8:1-11:1.
6. Christian order and the Lord's Supper, 1 Corinthians 11:2-34
7. Spiritual gifts in relation to the body, the church, and Christian ministry, 1 Corinthians 12:1-14, 40.
8. The resurrection of the dead, 1 Corinthians 15:1-58
9. Special directions and greetings, 1 Corinthians 16:1-24.
Discussion

[1] Key verses: 1 Corinthians 3:3; 6:19-20; 12:7; 13:1-13; 15:3-4

[2] Summary of the Gospel – life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-58)

[3] Paul reminds the Corinthian believers of God’s grace towards them (1 Corinthians 1:1-9). He then rebukes them for their divisions or contentions (1 Corinthians 1:10-4:21) marked by loyalties to different leaders like Paul, Cephas and Apollos (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:1-6) . Paul exhorted the Corinthians to be united because of their devotion to Christ (1 Corinthians 3:21-23). Christ is the wisdom of the believer as well as his righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Sanctification is positional (1 Corinthians 1:2, 30); practical (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Romans 15:16) and permanent (1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 10:10, 14).

[4] The preaching of the Gospel is not with wisdom of words but with Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:17-31).

[5] The word “charity” in 1 Corinthians 13 should be translated simply as “love.” The Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible and Wycliffe’s English translation, used the word charity, and this word was carried over into the King James Version.

There are four Greek words for love: storge (affection); phileo (friendship); eros (physical love); and agape (divine love).

[6] The whole Old Testament Law can be summed in the word “love” (Leviticus 19:17-18; Matthew 19:19). Love sums up the Christian’s responsibilities in the New Testament (Romans 13:9). Love is the capstone, the crowning virtue, the consummation of all other virtues (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:5-7; Colossians 3:12-14). Love endures suffering under persecution, and Christians will be persecuted (Matthew 24:10; 2 Timothy 3:12). Love is easily lost, without one’s even being aware of it (Revelation 2:1-7). Love is misunderstood and distorted by the unbelieving world. (From “What Is This Thing Called Love?” by Bob Deffinbaugh, Th.M.)

“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love” (Galatians 5:6).

[7] Principles of authority (1 Corinthians 11:2-16)
  • Head of every man is Christ
  • Head of the wife is her husband
  • Head of Christ is God (Philippians 2:5-8).
[8] On sexual immorality in the church (1 Corinthians 5:6-8): Paul orders the excommunication (“delivered unto Satan”) of the sinning person so that he would be saved in the end, and that the sinner would not corrupt the whole church (“leaven the whole lump”). The church as Paul states is the pure and spotless bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27), therefore the unrepentant, sinning person must be purged from the church (1 Corinthians 5:13; Deuteronomy 13:5). The result of this disciplinary action is forgiveness and restoration (2 Corinthians 2:4-11; 7:12).

[9] The process of church discipline is outlined in Matthew 18:15-17 (clarified in terms of discipline being administered by those who are spiritual, in a spirit of humility, gentleness and patience and without partiality, with restoration of the sinning member as the goal in Galatians 6:1-2; Ephesians 4:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15; Titus 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:20-21; 2 Tim. 2:24-25)
  • Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
  • But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
  • And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
[10] Lawsuits or differences among church members should be settled by other believers (1 Corinthians 6:1-3, 9).

[11] “Speaking in tongues” refers to known languages and not to “ecstatic utterances.” This gift ceased with the completion of the New Testament canon. As Paul himself said, love is better than speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 13:1, 13).

Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Pastoral Counsel for Problems and Questions – Applying the Mind of Christ: Commentary on the Book of 1 Corinthians, by Paul G. Apple

[2] 1 Corinthians: Introduction and Outline, by Hampton Keathley IV, Th.M.

[3] 1 Corinthians: Introduction, Argument, and Outline, by Daniel B. Wallace, Th.M., Ph.D.

[4] Studies in 1 Corinthians

[5] Materials by Bob Deffinbaugh, Th.M
[6] Speaking in Tongues, by Lehman Strauss, Litt.D., F.R.G.S. (also available in Spanish)

[7] What is praying in tongues? Is praying in tongues a prayer language between a believer and God? Is the gift of tongues for self-edification?

[8] Materials on church discipline
Sermons on 1 Corinthians 13 (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] The Greatest Christian Virtue, by Bobby Earls, First Baptist Church, Center Point, Alabama

[2] 1 Corinthians 13 What Women (And Men) Really Want Fireproof Your Marriage, by Danny Parker, First Baptist Church

[3] Guided by Love, by Nathan Schneider

[4] Spiritual Gifts 8: Gifts in Love, by Richard DeRuiter

[5] A Portrait of God's Love, by Don Pfleger

[6] Sermon 1 Corinthians 13, by Randy Sabella

[7] These Three Remain, by Andrew T Hamilton

[8] Opposing Players Help Fallen Softball Player, by Ian Forest-Jones

[9] Three Kids and a Pastor, by Rusty Russell

For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

New Testament survey (06): Romans

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness
. (Romans 1:16-18)

Overview


[1] Romans, from Thru The Bible Radio with Dr. J. Vernon McGee ©, with free downloads Notes & Outlines (PDF), Complete 5-Year Study (MP3), The Cross is God's Christmas Tree (PDF), Living the Christian Life God's Way (PDF) and One Hour in Romans (PDF)

As we approach this great epistle, I feel totally inadequate because of its great theme, which is the righteousness of God. It is a message that I have attempted over the years to proclaim. And it is the message, by the way, that the world today as a whole does not want to hear, nor does it want to accept it. The world likes to hear, friend, about the glory of mankind. It likes to have mankind rather than God exalted. Now I am convinced in my own mind that any ministry today that attempts to teach the glory of man—which does not present the total depravity of the human family and does not reveal that man is totally corrupt and is a ruined creature, any teaching that does not deal with this great truth—will not lift mankind, nor will it offer a remedy. The only remedy for man’s sin is the perfect remedy that we have in Christ, that which God has provided for a lost race. This is the great message of Romans.

Friend, may I say to you that the thief on the cross had been declared unfit to live in the Roman Empire and was being executed. But the Lord Jesus said that He was going to make him fit for heaven and told him, “… Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). God takes lost sinners—like I am, like you are—and He brings them into the family of God and makes them sons of God. And He does it because of Christ’s death upon the Cross—not because there is any merit in us whatsoever. This is the great message of Romans. (Read the complete article)
[2] Book of Romans, from gotquestions.org (this website is also available in Afrikaans, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese-Myanmar, Cebuano, Chinese - Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Malaysian, Persian-Farsi, Portuguese, Quechua, Sesotho, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese, Zulu, and 70 other languages)
Paul uses several Old Testament people and events as illustrations of the glorious truths in the book of Romans. Abraham believed and righteousness was imputed to him by his faith, not by his works (Romans 4:1-5). In Romans 4:6-9, Paul refers to David who reiterated the same truth: “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him." Paul uses Adam to explain to the Romans the doctrine of inherited sin and he uses the story of Sarah and Isaac, the child of promise, to illustrate the principle of Christians being the children of the promise of the divine grace of God through Christ. In chapters 9–11, Paul recounts the history of the nation of Israel and declares that God has not completely and finally rejected Israel (Romans 11:11-12), but has allowed them to “stumble” only until the full number of the Gentiles will be brought to salvation. (Read the complete article)
[3] The Epistle to the Romans, from Blue Letter Bible
The greatest and most evident theme in the epistle is the subject of the gospel. Paul begins his letter by stating that he was called to be an apostle for the gospel's sake (Romans 1:1). Paul's dedication belonged to Christ and his gospel as he preached it with his whole heart (Romans 1:9). The gospel is also portrayed as the power of God unto salvation—that is able to save those who believe (Romans 1:16). This same gospel was not accepted by all the Israelites (Romans 10:16), yet graciously (and fortunately) includes the gentiles as well (Romans 15:16).

God's righteousness is being revealed in this gospel from faith to faith (Romans 1:17). The only way this righteousness may be accessed is through faith. Sola Fide—it is by faith alone. Man can never make himself righteous, nor will a single ounce of merit do anything in regards to salvation (Ephesians 2:8, 9). Paul adds to this and says that the one who is righteous by faith shall live (Romans 1:17). And this is his gospel which he develops throughout Romans. In this letter Paul shows why it is necessary to be justified by faith. Because of man's sin, man needs to be justified, and therefore, as a result, (eternal) life will come. Matthew Black rendered it as follows: "'The just-by-faith (in Christ) shall live (now and for ever)'—and the words, of course, mean enjoy fullness of life, now and fore ever." It has an eternal consequence—everlasting life: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). (Read the complete article)
[4] Romans, from Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)
WRITER: The Apostle Paul (Romans 1:1).

DATE: Romans, the sixth in chronological order of Paul's Epistles, was written from Corinth during the apostle's third visit to that city. 2 Corinthians 13:1 in A.D. 60. The Epistle has its occasion in the intention of the apostle soon to visit Rome. Naturally, he would wish to announce before his coming the distinctive truths which had been revealed to and through him. He would desire the Christians in Rome to have his own statement of the great doctrines of grace so bitterly assailed everywhere by legalistic teachers.

THEME: The theme of Romans is "the Gospel of God" (Romans 1:1), the very widest possible designation of the whole body of redemption truth, for it is He with whom is "no respect of persons"; and who is not "the God of the Jews only," but "of the Gentiles also" ; Romans 2:11; 3:29. Accordingly, "all the world" is found guilty Romans 3:19, and a redemption is revealed as wide as the need, upon the alone condition of faith. Not only does Romans embody in the fullest way the doctrines of grace in relation to salvation, but in three remarkable chapters (9-11.) the great promises to Israel are reconciled with the promises concerning the Gentiles, and the fulfilment of the former shown to await the completion of the church and coming of the Deliverer out of Zion Romans 11:25-27. The key-phrase is "the righteousness of God" ; Romans 1:17; 3:21,22.

The Epistle, exclusive of the introduction (Romans 1:1-17), is in seven parts.

1. The whole world guilty before God, Romans 1:18-3:20.
2. Justification through the righteousness of God by faith, the Gospel remedy for guilt, Romans 3:21-5:11.
3. Crucifixion with Christ, the resurrection life of Christ, and the walk in the Spirit, the Gospel provision for inherent sin, Romans 5:12-8:13.
4. The full result in blessing of the Gospel, Romans 8:14-39.
5. Parenthesis: the Gospel does not abolish the covenant promises to Israel, Romans 9:1-11:36.
6. Christian life and service, Romans 12:1-15:33.
7. The outflow of Christian love, Romans 16:1-27.
Discussion

[1] The apostle Paul wrote Romans in AD 56-58, through an assistant named Tertius (Romans 1:1; 16:22). He also wrote twelve other books in the New Testament.

[2] Key verses: Romans 1:16; 3:9-11, 21, 23; 5:8; 6:23; 8:9, 28, 37-39; 10:9-10; 12:1; 16:17

[3] Summary of Apostle Paul’s life (known as Saul before his conversion)
  • Paul (played by Doug Whitley, from Preachers of the Past)


  • Born as an Israelite in Tarsus of Cilicia (Acts 22:3; Philippians 3:5).
  • Studied under Gamaliel in Jerusalem (Acts 22:3) and became a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5)
  • Present at the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58; 8:1)
  • Became a persecutor of the church (Acts 8:1-3; Philippians 3:6).
  • Converted on the road to Damascus as Christ appeared to him (Acts 9:1-9; 10-19).
  • Went to Arabia for some time (Galatians 1:17) before returning to Jerusalem (Acts 9:26-29; Galatians 1:18).
  • First missionary journey, with Barnabas, between 44 to 50 AD, from Antioch (Acts 11:25-26; 14:28).
  • Second missionary journey, with Silas, 51 AD (Acts 15:36-41)
  • Third journey begins in Galatia (central region of Turkey) possibly in the spring of 54 AD and then to Phrygia (Acts 18:23 – 21:16).
  • The third journey ends at Jerusalem in 58 AD. Paul is beaten by Jews, preaches to them (Acts 22:1-21), and is brought before Sanhedrin.
[4] Outline of Romans based on the topic “righteousness” (from Dr. Griffith Thomas, quoted by Dr. J. Vernon McGee)
  • Righteousness needed by sinful men (Romans 1:17 - 3:20)
  • Righteousness provided by God (Romans 3:21-26)
  • Righteousness received through faith (Romans 3:27 - 4:25)
  • Righteousness experienced in the soul (Romans 5:1 - 8:17)
  • Righteousness guaranteed as permanent blessing (Romans 8:18-39)
  • Righteousness rejected by the Jewish nation (Romans 9 - 11)
  • Righteousness manifested in practical life (Romans 12 - 16)
[5] The word “righteousness” is mentioned over 30 times in Romans (Romans 1:17; 2:26; 3:5, 21, 22, 25, 26; 4:3, 5, 6, 9, 11, 13, 22; 5:17, 18, 21; 6:13, 16, 18, 19, 20; 8:4, 10; 9:28, 30, 31; 10:3, 4, 5, 6, 10; 14:17).

[6]
God’s express or implied promises to the righteous:
Genesis 15:1; 22:17; Exodus 23:22; Leviticus 26:5,6,10; Deuteronomy 28:1-13; 33:27; 1 Samuel 2:9; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Ezra 8:22; Job 5:11-27; 8:4-7,20,21; 11:15-20; 22:21-30; 36:7-12;

Psalm 4:3; 5:12; 15:2-5; 23:6; 25:10-14; 28:8; 29:11; 32:6-8,10; 33:18,19; 34:9,10,15,17; 37:3-5,9,18,23-29,34; 41:1,2; 50:15; 55:22; 58:11; 62:8; 65:4; 73:24; 81:10; 84:11; 85:9; 91:1,3-7,9-12; 94:17,18; 97:10,11; 111:5; 112:6; 121:3-8; 125:1-3; 128:1-6; 145:18-21; Proverbs 1:33; 2:21; 3:1-10,25,26; 10:3; 12:2; 14:26; 15:29; 16:7; 21:21; 28:25; 29:25; Ecclesiastes 7:18; 8:5;

Isaiah 4:5,6; 11:6-9; 25:8; 26:3; 33:16,21,22,24; 35:10; 40:10,11,29,31; 41:10,11,13; 43:2; 44:2,3; 49:9-12; 50:7-9; 51:11; 54:1-17; 56:2-8; 57:1,2; 58:8-14; 59:20,21; 64:4; 65:13,14,17-25; 66:13,14; Jeremiah 17:7,8; Ezekiel 18:5-9,19,20; 34:11-17,22-31; Daniel 12:1-3; Hosea 6:3; Nahum 1:7; Haggai 1:13; 2:4,5; Zechariah 3:7; Malachi 3:12,16-18; 4:2,3;

Matthew 5:3-12; 7:7,8; 8:11; 10:28-32; 13:43; 18:10,19,20; 19:29; 24:21,22; 25:21,33,34,46; 28:20; Mark 3:35; 8:35; 9:41; 10:21,29,30; 11:23,24; 13:13,27; Luke 3:17; 6:20-23; 10:20; 11:9,10; 12:7,32; 16:22-25; 18:29,30; 20:35,36; 21:18,27,28; 22:29,30; 23:43; John 3:15-18,36; 4:14; 5:24,29; 6:39,40; 8:12,51; 9:31; 10:27-29; 12:25,26; 13:36; 14:1-3,12-21,23; 16:33; 17:2,22,24;

Acts 10:4, 31; 20:32; 26:18;

Romans 2:7,10; 5:9-11,17; 6:22,23; 8:14-18,28,32-39; 9:33; 10:9,11-13; 13:11; 1 Corinthians 1:8,9; 2:9; 3:21-23; 6:2,3; 8:3; 13:10-12; 15:48-57; 2 Corinthians 1:20-22; 4:14,15,17; 7:1; Galatians 3:29; 6:8,9; Ephesians 1:18; 2:7; 6:8; Philippians 4:7,19; Colossians 1:5,12; 3:4,24; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 3:12,13; 4:15-18; 5:9-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7; 2:13,14; 1 Timothy 1:16; 4:8; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2:10-12,19; 4:8; Titus 2:11-14; 3:7; Hebrews 1:14; 2:10,15; 4:9,15,16; 6:10,16-20; 9:15,28; 10:34-36; 11:16; 12:22,23,28; 13:5,6;

James 1:5,12,25; 2:5; 4:8; 1 Peter 1:2-5; 2:5,6,9,10; 3:9-12; 4:13; 5:4,6,7,10; 2 Peter 1:4,10,11; 2:9; 1 John 1:7,9; 2:17,25,28; 3:2,22; 5:13; Revelation 1:6; 2:7,10,11,17,26-28; 3:4,5,10,12,21; 7:3,4,9-17; 11:12,18; 14:1-5,13; 16:15; 20:4-6; 21:3-7,24; 22:4,5,7,12,14
[7] God’s past dealings with Israel (Romans 9); His present purpose (Romans 10) and future purpose (Romans 11) for Israel

[8] Justification by faith (Romans 3:21-31; Hebrews 9:5); justification by faith illustrated in the life of Abraham and David (Romans 4:1-25); results of justification by faith (Romans 5:1-11).

[9] Sanctification: positional sanctification (Romans 6:1-10) and practical sanctification (Romans 6:11-13); the struggle between the old and new natures (Romans 7:1-25); God’s provision for sanctification (Roman 8:1-39).

[10] The word “sanctification” is used five times in the KJV:
1 Corinthians 1:30 “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”

1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication”

1 Thessalonians 4:4 “That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour”

2 Thessalonians 2:13 “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth”

1 Peter 1:2 “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”
Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Series on Romans, with 46 cartoons, by Dr. Joe McKeever (Preacher, Cartoonist, and the Director of Missions for the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans)

[2] Materials by Allen Ross, Th.D., Ph.D.
[3] Materials by Bob Deffinbaugh, Th.M
[4] An Audio Series From the Book of Romans, by Ken Boa (total of 61 articles)

[5] Understanding The Gospel Of The Righteousness Of God: Sermon Outlines On The Book Of Romans, by Paul Apple and Dan Broadwater

Sermons on Romans 1:16-18 (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Sermons by by David Harp
[2] Austin's Witness, by Rusty Russell

[3] Self-Sufficiency; Not All It Seems, by Phillip W. Mansfield

[4] Are You Ashamed? By Harry Swayne

[5] Why I am Proud of the Gospel, by Pastor Wesley Crouch

[6] Habakkuk 5, by Paul Hawkins

[7] Not Ashamed 2 - of the Gospel, by Richard DeRuiter

[8] The Heart of Romans, by Douglas James Wilson

[9] Not Ashamed Of The Gospel, by Alan Balatbat

[10] How Does the Gospel Save Believers, by Rev. Gregory S. Byrd

For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

New Testament survey (05): Book of Acts

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Overview


[1] Acts, from Thru The Bible Radio with Dr. J. Vernon McGee ©, with free downloads Notes & Outlines (PDF), Complete 5-Year Study (MP3), What is the Mark of a Good Church? (PDF), and What Really Happened on the Day of Pentecost? (PDF)
The theme or key to the Book of Acts is found in 1:8: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

The book divides naturally according to this key verse. The first seven chapters record the Lord Jesus Christ at work by the Holy Spirit through the apostles in Jerusalem. Chapters 8 through 12 record the Lord Jesus Christ at work by the Holy Spirit through the apostles in Judea and Samaria. The remainder of the book is devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ at work by the Holy Spirit through the apostles unto the uttermost part of the earth.(Read the complete article)
[2] Book of Acts, from gotquestions.org (this website is also available in Afrikaans, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese-Myanmar, Cebuano, Chinese - Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Malaysian, Persian-Farsi, Portuguese, Quechua, Sesotho, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese, Zulu, and 70 other languages)
The book of Acts serves as a transition from the Old Covenant of law-keeping to the New Covenant of grace and faith. This transition is seen in several key events in Acts. First, there was a change in the ministry of the Holy Spirit, whose primary function in the Old Testament was the external “anointing” of God’s people, among them Moses (Numbers 11:17), Othniel (Judges 3:8-10), Gideon (Judges 6:34), and Saul (1 Samuel 10:6-10). After the resurrection of Jesus, the Spirit came to live in the very hearts of believers (Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16), guiding and empowering them from within. The indwelling Spirit is the gift of God to those who come to Him in faith. (Read the complete article)
[3] The Book of Acts, from Blue Letter Bible
The purpose of Luke-Acts may be ecclesiastical or apologetic. For ecclesiastical purpose, it may have been written in order to edify the church, serving as a history of both Jesus and his apostles. Or apologetically it may have been composed to make the case that Christianity was not a threat to the Roman Empire—more specifically, it seems that it could have been Paul's defense before Caesar. This last argument seems to fit the abrupt ending the best and is also supported through the acceptance (or non-conviction) of Paul from governing officials (Acts 18:12-17; 23:23-30; 26:31-32; et al.).

The main theological emphasis of the book of Acts is the Holy Spirit. The book begins with Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit, which is later fulfilled in reference to the Jews (ch. 2), and then for the Gentiles (ch. 10). Reference to the Holy Spirit comes in a variety of ways. Many of the occurrences are references to a person being filled with the (Holy) Spirit: Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 9:17; 13:9, and 52. Luke also equates the Holy Spirit with God (cf. Acts 5:3 with 5:4), and the Holy Spirit directly intervened in Paul's life (Acts 16:6-7). (Read the complete article)
[4] Acts, from Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)
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.

THEME: This book records the ascension and promised return of the Lord Jesus, the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter’s use of the keys, opening the kingdom (considered as the sphere of profession, as in Matthew 13) to the Jews at Pentecost, and to the Gentiles in the house of Cornelius; the beginning of the Christian church and the conversion and ministry of Paul.

The Holy Spirit fills the scene. As the presence of the Son, exalting and revealing the Father, is the great fact of the Gospels, so the presence of the Spirit, exalting and revealing the Son, is the great fact of the Acts.

Acts is in two chief parts: In the first section (Acts 1- 9:43) Peter is the prominent personage, Jerusalem is the center, and the ministry is to Jews. Already in covenant relations with Jehovah, they had sinned in rejecting Jesus as the Christ. The preaching, therefore, was directed to that point, and repentance (i.e. "a changed mind") was demanded. The apparent failure of the Old Testament promises concerning the Davidic kingdom was explained by the promise that the kingdom would be set up at the return of Christ (Acts 2:25-31; Acts 15:14-16). This ministry to Israel fulfilled Luke 19:12-14. In the persecutions of the apostles and finally in the martyrdom of Stephen, the Jews sent after the king the message, "We will not have this man to reign over us." In the second division (Acts 10:1-; 28:31) Paul is prominent, a new center is established at Antioch, and the ministry is chiefly to Gentiles who, as "strangers from the covenants of promise" ( 2:12), had but to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" to be saved. Chapters 11,12, and 15 of this section are transitional, establishing finally the distinction, doctrinally, between law and grace. Galatians should be read in this connection.

The events recorded in The Acts cover a period of 32 years.
Discussion

[1] Luke wrote both the Gospel bearing his name and Acts (compare Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1-3; Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11).

[2] Key verses: Acts 1:8; 4:12, 19-20; 9:3-6; and 16:31.

[3] Acts can primarily be divided into two parts: Acts 1- 9:43 with the focus of the narrative on Peter, and then Acts 10:1 - 28:31 with the focus on the Apostle Paul.

Acts can also be divided into six parts, with each part ending with a summary statement: Jerusalem (Acts 1:1-6:7), extends to Judea, Galilee, and Samaria (Acts 6:8-9:31), Syria and Cyprus (Acts 9:32-12:24), Pisidia, Pamphylia, Lycaonia, and Cilicia (Acts 12:25-16:5), Asia and Greece (Acts 16:6-19:20), and finally Rome (Acts 19:21-28:31).

[4] The purposes of Christ’s ascension recorded in Acts 1 1-11 are separation from His earthly followers (Matthew 28:20); consummation of His work (Hebrews 1:3); His glorification (Philippians 2:9); confirmation of His person and work (Hebrews 6:19-20); transition from salvation to sanctification, from Gospels to the epistles (Hebrews 5:14-16); and anticipation of His return (Acts 1:11). From The Ascension (Luke 24:31; Acts 1:1-11), by Bob Deffinbaugh, Th.M.)

[5] The Gospel of John mentions four times the promise of the Holy Spirit (John 1:33; 7:37–39; 14:16–17; 20:22). The same promise is given in the Book of Acts (Acts 1:8). This promise of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled in Acts 2 (for the Jews), and in Acts 10 (for the Gentiles).

[6] Matthew 28:19-20 state the Great Commission (“Go and teach all nations ..”). Acts 1:8 states that the disciples would be witnesses in “Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” This was fulfilled in Acts 1:1-8:3 (Jerusalem), Acts 8:4-12:25 (Judea and Samaria), and Acts 13:1–28 (to the ends of the earth).

[7] Some significant events in Acts: Paul’s dramatic conversion on the Damascus road (Acts 9:1-31), and Peter’s vision of the sheet (Acts 10:9-15).

[8] We are no longer under the Law but under grace (Acts 10:9-15; 15:16-31).

[9] Luke equates the Holy Spirit with God (Acts 5:3-4).

Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Acts: Introduction, Outline, and Argument, by Daniel B. Wallace, Th.M., Ph.D. (also available in Croatian)

[2] A Study Outline of Acts, by Greg Herrick Th.M., Ph.D. (also available in Dutch)

[3] Materials by Bob Deffinbaugh, Th.M
[4] Speaking in Tongues, by Lehman Strauss, Litt.D., F.R.G.S. (also available in Spanish)

Sermons on Acts 1:8 (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Personal Evangelism, by Pastor Jeremy Stephens, Southview Baptist Church

[2] Ultimate Mission of the Church, by Mike Foreman, First Baptist Church Level Plains

[3] What is the Church? 3 - The Community of the Sent, by Richard DeRuiter

[4] The Spirit of the Lord is upon us, by Raymond Richards

[5] Spirit Power for Witnessing, by George Toews

[6] Topical - Holy Spirit - Divine Helper, by Ronnie Mitchell

[7] Word of Mouth Marketing, by Bruce W. Logue

[8] The Spirit of Mission, by Noel Sterne

[9] You shall be MY witnesses, by David Harp

[10] Take It to the Next Level, by Alan Monroe

[11] Every Second Counts, by Jeff Jones

For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.