Week 6 Discussion – ACTS: We Are The Church.

Welcome to 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.

Throughout this study, you’ll gain 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’ll explore the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the formation of a vibrant community of believers.

Each week, we’ll dive into a different aspect of Acts, examining themes of faith, courage, and unity among believers. Together, we’ll discover what it means to be part of the body of Christ and how these early church experiences can inform our lives as modern-day Christians.

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!

---

Week 6: Saul

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

• How God sovereignly orchestrates divine appointments for the spread of His message.
• The impact of personal encounters with Jesus.
• Why obedience to God’s guidance requires stepping out of one’s comfort zone and overcoming fear.
• God’s sovereignty in selecting and equipping individuals for His purposes.

1 The Gospel Goes to Samaria (8:1-25).

Samaritans, though technically “half” Jewish, were considered non-Jewish, even of lower status than Gentiles, by the Jews of the first century.  The Samaritans were not thought by Jews to have any part in the promises of God to his people.  In Acts 8:4-25, the gospel reaches Samaria, and thus the first cross-cultural barrier is breached.  To what degree is this fulfillment of Jesus’ words in Acts 1:8?

When the gospel reached Samaria in Acts 8:4-25, it was like a big step in the right direction, as Jesus had instructed in Acts 1:8. Jesus wanted His message to go far beyond Jerusalem, and this was a significant move in that direction. It showed that the message wasn’t just for one group of people. The gospel of Jesus is for everyone, even those in Samaria who were often seen as outsiders. While it wasn’t the end goal of reaching the Gentiles, it was a pretty important milestone along the way, paving the path for more people to hear about Jesus.

The story of Simon the magician in Acts 8:9-25 illustrates well the teachings of Acts on receiving the Holy Spirit.  God is the sovereign giver of the Spirit.  There are no mechanisms, techniques, or formulas that one can muster up to manipulate God’s activity.  Compare Peter’s response to Simon in Acts 8:20 in light of what we read in Acts 2:38, 10:45, and 11:17.  How is the Holy Spirit described?

In Acts 8:20, when Peter responds to Simon the magician’s request, he emphasizes that the Holy Spirit cannot be obtained through money or manipulation, highlighting the sovereignty of God in giving the Spirit. This aligns with the broader teachings in Acts, where the Holy Spirit is described as a divine gift given by God. In Acts 2:38, Acts 10:45, and Acts 11:17, the Holy Spirit is bestowed by God upon believers, often in response to their faith and repentance. It reinforces the idea that the Holy Spirit is not a commodity to be bought or controlled but a divine presence given by God according to His purposes.

2 The Conversion of Saul (9:1-31).

In Acts 9:1-9, Saul learns firsthand how closely Jesus identifies with his church, here described as “the Way.”  In persecuting those of the Way, Saul is persecuting Christ himself.  In response to his question, “Who are you?” Saul would surely prefer any response to the one he receives: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” What do Jesus’ words in verse 4 imply about his relationship with the church?

Jesus’ words in Acts 9:4, where He says, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” imply a profound and inseparable connection between Jesus and the church, which is described as “the Way” in this context. This statement reveals that Jesus sees Himself as intimately identified with His followers and His body, the church. It underscores the idea that when the church suffers, Jesus Himself is affected, and when the church is persecuted, it is, in essence, a persecution of Christ Himself. This highlights the unity and oneness between Christ and His followers, emphasizing the significance of the church in the divine plan and the care that Jesus has for His people.

Reread Gamaliel’s words in Acts 5:38-39.  How is Saul fulfilling Gamaliel’s prudent words? In opposing God’s people, whose is Saul also opposing?

In Acts 5:38-39, Gamaliel advises caution to the Jewish council, suggesting they should be careful and not act hastily in dealing with the apostles. He mentions two potential outcomes: If the apostles’ work is human-made, it will naturally fail. But if it is from God, opposing it would mean opposing God Himself.

Saul, later known as the apostle Paul, initially opposed Jesus’ followers and tried to persecute the early Christian church. However, his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus in Acts 9 radically changed his path. This transformation made him a key figure in spreading Christianity to the Gentiles. Instead of opposing the church, he became one of its most passionate advocates.

So, in his early days as Saul, he opposed God by opposing God’s people. But his conversion led him to embrace faith in Jesus and actively serve the cause he once fought against.

God can and will reach out to his farthest-out enemies.  He will defeat the uttermost human rebellion, but in doing so, he does not crush rebels but loves and converts them into chosen instruments of the good news (9:15).  How is the conversion of Saul a picture of God’s radical grace?  How does it give you confidence and hope in the power and work of the gospel?

Saul’s conversion exemplifies God’s boundless grace, His capacity to change hearts, and His willingness to employ transformed lives for His divine purposes. It instills hope that the Gospel can break through even the most stubborn resistance, leading to profound transformation.

Paul was intent on preaching Christ after his conversion (Acts 9:20-22, 26-30). Twice (9:27, 28), we read that Paul “preached boldly” (one work in Greek).  That word occurs only nine times in the New Testament, with seven times in Acts and the other two in Paul’s letters as he recalls the manner in which he preached (Eph. 6:20; 1 Thess. 2:2).  Read Acts 9:22, 29-30.  What are the responses to Paul’s preaching?

In Acts 9:22, 29-30, we see two distinct responses to Paul’s preaching:

Amazement and Boldness: People were amazed by Paul’s preaching in verse 22, astonished at his transformation from a persecutor to a proclaimer of Christ. He preached boldly and confidently, declaring Jesus as the Son of God.

Opposition and Threats: However, in verses 29-30, some Jews in Damascus opposed Paul’s preaching and sought to end his ministry. They conspired to kill him, but fellow believers helped him escape, highlighting the division that can occur when the Gospel is proclaimed.

Take a few moments now to ask the Lord to bless you, change you, and help you understand and apply the unique light Acts throws on the gospel to your life.

We hope these notes have helped catch up on what we’ve covered. We’re excited to continue our study of Acts together next week in week seven!

In the meantime, explore a very engaging animation video from the Bible Project team that explains the first twelve chapters of the Book of Acts.

---