Week 12 Discussion – ACTS: We Are The Church.

Welcome to the final week of our 12-week Bible study, ‘Acts: We Are The Church,’ delving into the Book of Acts—a continuation of Jesus’ ministry through the early church.

Through this study, we’ve gained a profound understanding of how the early church carried forward the mission of Jesus, performing miracles, spreading the gospel, and facing challenges with unwavering faith. We explored the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the formation of a vibrant community of believers, diving into a different aspect of Acts, and examining themes of faith, courage, and unity among believers.

Lastly, we discovered what it means to be part of the body of Christ and how these early church experiences informs our lives as modern-day Christians.

So, join us as we discover a profound understanding of the Scriptures, relish the fellowship with fellow believers, and experience the delight of nurturing your faith while sharing the Gospel of Jesus with others. Don’t miss out!

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Week 12: Summary and Conclusion

Here’s a quick recap of what we covered in week twelve using Justin S. Holcomb’s Acts: A 12-Week Study (Knowing the Bible) as our weekly discussion guide:

• The significance of God’s mission through the church.
• How Jesus is the great equalizer of all humanity to be united as one.
• How the book of Acts changes and shapes our theology to relate to God and others where we live, work, and play.
• How we’re challenged, personally and collectively as the church, to live the counterculture nature of the gospel.

Gospel Glimpses

Acts reveals God’s passionate pursuit of his people, beginning with his followers in Jerusalem, expanding to Samaria, then to the rest of the world. The gospel draws people in, constitutes them as the church centered on the grace of Jesus, and then sends them out in mission to the world. Each new group of believers is marked by the Holy Spirit, who create such a distinctive community that others are drawn in, experiencing God’s grace. At the same time, the take the gospel message to new people and new lands, making God’s grace known to the ends of the earth. Acts makes clear that no one is beyond the scope of God’s saving power, nor is anyone exempt from the need for God’s redeeming grace. All people receive the grace of God through one man, Jesus Christ. Jesus’ gospel goes out to all places and all types of people, because Jesus is Lord of all.

The book of Acts tells how God passionately pursues His people, starting from Jerusalem and reaching the world. It forms a community around Jesus’ grace and empowers believers to spread the message worldwide. The Holy Spirit creates a unique community, drawing others in to experience God’s grace. Acts shows that no one is beyond God’s saving power, and everyone needs His grace. All people receive God’s grace through Jesus Christ, and His gospel reaches everywhere because Jesus is Lord of all.

Has Acts brought new clarity to your understanding of the grace of God? If so, how?

The book of Acts shows that God’s grace is for everyone, regardless of background or past. It reveals how His love through Jesus Christ transforms lives, offers forgiveness, and empowers people to share His message of love and salvation with others.

Were there any particular passages or themes in Acts that brought the gospel home to you in a fresh way?

The book of Acts offers Christians today fresh perspectives on the gospel through its portrayal of God’s universal grace, the Holy Spirit’s power, the early Church’s formation, bold evangelism, and the inclusion of diverse cultures in God’s plan. These elements encourage believers to share the gospel boldly, despite cultural differences, and rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance in their mission.

Whole-Bible Connections

Acts shows that the new Christian movement is not a fringe sect, but the culmination of God’s plan of redemption.  The gospel’s expansion is the culmination of that God has been doing since the beginning.  Luke consistently grounds salvation in the ancient purpose of God, which comes to fruition at God’s own initiative.  This reveals God to be the great benefactor who pours out blessings on all people (Acts 2:17, 21).  Even the capacity to repent is God’s gift (Acts 5:31; 11:18).  What was seen only as shadows in the Old Testament, God reveals finally and fully through Jesus Christ.  The book of Acts does not primarily provide us with the human patterns to emulate or avoid.  Instead, it repeatedly calls us to reflect upon the work of God, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, establishing the church by the power of the Holy Spirit.

How has this study of Acts helped shape your understanding of the redemptive work of God throughout the biblical story line?

Studying Acts has deepened my understanding of God’s plan for redemption in the Bible’s storyline. It shows that the Christian movement isn’t just another group but fulfills God’s broader design. Acts consistently tie salvation to God’s ancient intentions, accomplished through His action. It portrays God as a generous giver of blessings, and even the ability to repent is a gift from Him. Through Jesus, God fully reveals what was once obscure in the Old Testament. Instead of offering human examples, Acts urges reflection on God’s work accomplished through Jesus and the Holy Spirit in establishing the Church. This study highlights God’s active role in humanity’s salvation throughout history.

Were there any biblical connections that you made through Acts that you hadn’t noticed before?

Yes, through Acts, I discovered a deeper connection between God’s redemptive plan across the Old and New Testaments. It revealed how the establishment of the Church and the spreading of the Gospel were part of God’s long-standing design for redemption, connecting various events and prophecies throughout the Bible in a more cohesive way.

Did your study of Acts help you to understand the culture and values of the New Testament world a little better? If so, how?

Absolutely! Studying Acts provided a clearer picture of the cultural backdrop of the New Testament era. It shed light on the societal norms, religious practices, and the broader cultural context in which the early Church thrived. Understanding these aspects helped me grasp the challenges faced by the early Christians and comprehend how they navigated their faith in that particular historical and cultural setting.

What development has there been in your view of who Jesus is and how he fulfills the Old Testament?

Through studying Acts, my view of Jesus’ fulfillment of the Old Testament promises has deepened. It’s clearer to me that Jesus is the Messiah anticipated in the Old Testament prophecies. His life, teachings, death, and resurrection align significantly with the prophetic messages of the Old Testament. Understanding how the apostles’ experiences in Acts were rooted in these prophecies has enriched my perspective on Jesus as fulfilling God’s promises.

Theological Soundings

Acts contributes much to Christian theology. Doctrines that are reinforced and clarified in Acts include law and grace, justification by faith, divine sovereignty, the deity of Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Has your theology been shaped or changed as you have studied Acts? Why? How?

Studying Acts has shaped my theology by deepening my understanding of God’s sovereignty and His plans. It emphasized the significance of grace, faith, and the Holy Spirit in the Christian faith, while reinforcing my belief in the deity of Christ and His role in salvation.

How does Acts uniquely contribute to your understanding of God, creation, humanity, and Jesus?

Acts helps me see how God is actively involved in the world through the Holy Spirit’s work. It shows God’s plan of redemption through Jesus for everyone. The book reveals how people respond to God’s grace and how the Gospel changes lives.

What theological themes struck you the most in Acts?

I found the themes of God’s sovereignty, the Holy Spirit’s work, the universal spread of the Gospel, and the growth of the Church to be particularly striking in Acts. These themes highlight how God’s plan unfolds through His power and grace, bringing salvation to all and forming a diverse community of believers.

Personal Implications

As you consider Acts as a whole, what implications do you see for your own life?  Consider especially the grace of God.  This is an important emphasis throughout Acts.  In Acts, “grace” is a parallel for “the gospel” or “salvation.”  Jesus’ message is summarized as “the word of his grace” and “the grace of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 14:3; 15:11; 20:32).  Believers are said to have received “grace” or to be “full of grace,” and they are challenged to continue in “grace” (Acts 4:33; 6:8; 11:23; 13:43; 15:11; 20:24).  The missionaries in Acts proclaim the grace of God, and it is through this grace that people are able to respond with faith (Acts 14:3, 26; 15:40; 18:27; 20:24, 32).  What are the ramifications for your own life of the grace of God as revealed in Acts?

The grace of God revealed in Acts profoundly influences my life. It shows that salvation is a gift, fostering humility and gratitude in my relationship with God. This understanding encourages me to extend grace, embrace others, and share God’s love. It motivates me to live faithfully, with compassion and generosity towards others.

As We Conclude Studying Acts…

Let us rejoice together! May this Week 12 of Justin S. Holcomb’s Acts: A 12-Week Study (Knowing the Bible) enrich your Christian walk daily, week by week, and throughout your life. We hope and pray that this Bible study has encouraged you to continue studying God’s Word regularly.

Take a moment now to ask for the Lord’s blessing and help as you engage in this study of Acts. And take a moment also to look back through this unit of study, to reflect on a few key things that the Lord may be teaching you — and perhaps to highlight or underline these to review again in the future.

We hope these notes have been helpful in catching up on what we’ve covered and now conclude our final week of studying Acts together. Reflect again on the key themes that the Lord has revealed to you about Himself and His Word. May these treasures be a blessing not only to you but also to others throughout your life. We pray this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Thanks, and we look forward to journeying together in our next Bible study. In the meantime, explore a very engaging animation video from the Bible Project team that explains the last sixteen chapters of Acts.

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