Acts (2010)

How did a small rag-tag crew of Jewish men, cowering in obscurity, become transformed into bold, dynamic pacesetters of Christianity? What enabled them to move beyond their fears and spread the good news to the ends of the earth? Listen to this compact sketch of the book of Acts and learn that God, the Holy Spirit, was the agent of change, empowering the apostles to perform their difficult mission. Accept the challenge to carry on the work begun in the early Church of witnessing and teaching Scripture as you realize that the same power of the Holy Spirit is available to us today.

If you like a high-stakes true adventure story, then the Apostle Paul's life is a must-read. Burning with anger at the very name of Jesus, he was at the forefront trying to stamp out Christianity. Listen to this lesson to learn how this man, who went on to become one of the greatest witnesses of the risen Christ and the writer of many books in the New Testament, came to the end of his life on earth. Find out how Biblical and historical evidence points to his two imprisonments in Rome and his subsequent death by beheading. Begin an overview of the book of Acts including Luke's mission to explain the growth of the Church under the Holy Spirit and the purposes and distinctions that showcase the new dispensation of the Church Age.

Brace for a triumphant finish as we near the end of the book of Acts. Paul arrives in Rome and is held a prisoner under house arrest. Listen to this lesson to learn how he organizes meetings with the Roman Jewish leadership and presents Jesus' claims to be the Messiah. See how Paul must confront the disturbing question they had of why Jesus did not bring in the Kingdom of God. Discover the difference between Bible study methods and the communication of Bible truths. Understand how even in chains Paul continued to preach and persuade both Jews and Gentiles.

Who wouldn't like an all-expense paid trip to take you to fulfill your God-given destiny? Listen to this lesson to hear the gripping story of how God was true to His promise to Paul and he was transported as a prisoner on an adrenaline-charged journey to Rome. Marvel at how the intricate details recorded in Acts point out the accuracy of the Word of God. Learn about the faithfulness of God throughout the Word of God. Take time to see the treasure house of promises of God's faithfulness that we can memorize and use when we face difficulties.

How long does it take you to panic and have a brain freeze when devastating events swirl around you? Listen to this spellbinding account of how the Apostle Paul steps up to take charge in the midst of chaos and explains his confidence in God to the pagans with their false beliefs. Learn the meaning of blessing by association. See God's sovereign control over the life of Paul and how Paul uses the opportunity to wisely exercise his free will. Apply these lessons to the things that happen in your own life and continue to trust God through all the changing circumstances.

Cruise ship in trouble: Mass illnesses, blackouts, missing passengers. These stories have filled the headlines the last few years. Listen to this lesson to learn about the Apostle Paul's danger-filled, life-threatening cruise on his way to Rome as a prisoner. See how Paul points out that disaster is ahead as they face rough weather and strong headwinds. The crew ignores his warning and sets out. Encountering a typhoon, they frantically try to secure the ship. Hear how Paul relies on God's revelation to him and the doctrine he knows. Learn to apply the Word of God to your own experiences and adapt to changing circumstances even in desperate times.

Imagine standing before the President of the United States and the Queen of England and having a chance to tell them what you believe about God. What would you say? Listen to this lesson to hear how the Apostle Paul defended his faith before rulers and kings. Marvel as he lays out the story of his meeting with the resurrected Christ and how he turned from killing Christians to spending the rest of his life telling the good news. Hear the meaning of repentance and the new responsibilities that change brings. Just as God provided for all the details of Paul's life, be assured that He is protecting us and working out every aspect of our lives today.

Sounding more like a shadowy movie plot than actual events, the Apostle Paul arrives under heavily armed guards to Caesarea where his life converges with three kings. Listen to this lesson to learn that soon after his conversion, God promised Paul that he would give the good news of the Gospel to Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. Learn about the evil machinations of Felix and Festus, the dark history of their lives, and the political climate at the time Paul was being held. Marvel at his skillful defense of what he believes and understand that, like the Apostle, we can learn to trust that God is always behind the scenes working out His promises to us.

When your life is caught up in a whirlwind of trouble, do you call on God to take away all the bad things? Or do you embrace God's plan for your life including the tests and suffering to help you mature spiritually? Listen to this hair-raising account of the Apostle Paul's arrest in Jerusalem where a rioting crowd spews out threats of dire consequences. See how the Jewish Sanhedrin Council accuses Paul and the high priest, Ananias, signals someone to slap him in the mouth. Hear Paul's heated defense as he gets to the heart of the matter by mentioning resurrection. Notice that God does not use a miracle to rescue Paul, but instead is behind the scenes directing the normal events. Realize that God is at work in our lives and is for us so nothing can be against us.

Angry mobs! Mistaken for an Egyptian troublemaker! Threats of torture! Listen to this hair-raising account of a time in the Apostle Paul's life when he faced the fury of fellow Jews. See how Paul speaking in Greek surprised the Roman arresting officer who allowed him to address the murderous crowd. Find out Paul's account of his remarkable conversion on the road to Damascus and the days that followed. See how he defended the gospel, using events and people familiar to his accusers, and find how how we can be relaxed under extreme pressure when we leave the results of our witnessing in the Lord's hands.

Clashing cultures are breeding grounds for chaos and violence. Listen to this lesson to learn how the Apostle Paul enters a whirlwind of rumors and false accusations when he comes to Jerusalem in A.D. 57. Hear how the Christian leaders there tell him he is being slandered for abandoning his heritage and encouraging new converts to do the same. Find out the plan the leaders devised for Paul to join a group of four men and take religious vows with them to prove he is not a traitor to everything Jewish. Hear seven possible reasons why Paul may have agreed to do this. Discover how we need to understand the priorities in the Christian life so cultural or traditional differences do not get in the way of sharing the message of the gospel. Click here to view the information Dr. Dean added pertaining to the Temple Mount that ties in with Acts 21:28.

"Tune in tonight to listen to the evangelist Philip's four virgin prophetess daughters." If there had been TV in the first century this might have been a program. Listen to this lesson to learn that women prophets in the Old Testament praised God through music. Hear the dire warnings given to the Apostle Paul as he prepares to go to Jerusalem. Discover four optional solutions to the seeming confusion over whether he was led by the Holy Spirit to make this trip and the one that has the most adherents. See how Paul was not swayed by fear for his safety but was willing to perform the will of God no matter the personal cost. Note: Due to technical difficulties the video for this class may be out of sync with the audio.

Why would any young man turn down a chance for fame and fortune to follow a path that leads to suffering and persecution? Listen as the Apostle Paul delivers a stirring farewell message to pastors encouraging them to communicate the Word of God and not go off course or give up. See how he lays out the way that the pastor must address people in terms of their thinking and strengthen them to face the challenges of life. Discover that there is a colossal future inheritance for those who produce divine good that far outweighs the rewards of any career path in this world.

How do you pick a church? Inspiring music? Friendly folks? Lots of things to do? How about good Bible study? Listen to this lesson to learn that the Apostle Paul puts the emphasis on teaching the Word of God as the purpose of a church. Find out the eight communication words and how they relate to church organization. See how Paul chooses the next steps on his journey without regard for his safety and how our life should be directed at doing what serves God best as we make God's Word our first priority.

Ever wonder what's the worst thing that can happen to you if you fall asleep in church? Listen to this message to learn about a young man who not only fell asleep but sailed out of a third floor window with disastrous results. Brush up on your knowledge of the history of denominations. Discover the different words used to describe local church leadership and about some of the troubles the Apostle Paul faced as he traveled around with others ministering to the churches.

You think you have problems? How about having a hit man hired to do away with you? Listen to this lesson to learn some of the troubles the Apostle Paul faced as he spread the gospel message on his third missionary journey. Find out how Paul instructed the churches to take up offerings for the poor and how these gifts differ from socialism. See the Biblical guidelines for Christian giving and how tithes were a form of income tax under the Mosaic Law. Find out if we should give a certain percentage of our income and discover the importance of having a consistent pattern of giving in our own spiritual life.

"Don't come preaching that and take away my business," was the strident cry of a frenzied, mindless mob in Ephesus. This ancient city was renowned for its pagan worship of the goddess Diana and the practice of the occult black arts. Listen to this lesson to learn that many Ephesians, however, listened to Paul and accepted the Lord Jesus. Hear how they brought their expensive books of magic and incantations to be burned. See how cultures can change for the better or worse depending on what people believe. Find out how Paul took the time to train young men such as Timothy and Erastus for the ministry.

A man with a demonic spirit inside him leaps on seven sons and in a smack-down brawl leaves them battered and naked. No, this isn't the adrenaline-charged plot of an action movie. It's a true incident in the book of Acts. Discover the Greek words for demon possession and different categories of demons. See how Paul, through the power of God, was healing sicknesses and casting out demons, making the jealous exorcists in Ephesus try to copy him. Find out how demon possession was active during the two offers of the Kingdom of God to the Jews during the first century.

Can touching a handkerchief or sweat cloth of a holy man heal us of our sicknesses today? Listen to this lesson to learn how these healings and other signs and wonders took place during the transition time in Acts when there was a second offer of the Kingdom of God. Find out three factors that distinguish the Kingdom of God and when it will be established. Discover why it was postponed and the characteristics of the covenants which will be fulfilled during the coming Kingdom of God.

Want to know more about baptism? Listen to this lesson to learn the difference between wet and dry baptisms and about the one baptism that occurs for every believer at the moment of salvation. See how this baptism is the great equalizer, ensuring that gender, economic, and ethnic distinctions have no spiritual significance as we are identified with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. See how this enables us to live a new life in Christ and how water baptism is an affirmation that we are dead to sin and alive in Christ.

Imagine everything you believed being turned on its head! Jews who believed Christ was the promised Messiah were still connected to the Temple culturally and were just learning about the Holy Spirit and Christian baptism. Most of the rest of the world still worshiped pagan gods and goddesses. Into this maelstrom stepped the Apostle Paul who began leading people to Christ and forming churches. Dig into this riveting account of the history of baptism, the eight types of baptism, and what distinguishes believers' baptism from all others.

When did God hit the "pause button" on the role of the Mosaic Law in the lives of believers? Listen to this lesson to learn how the early years after Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension were a transitional passage as Church Age doctrine was being circulated. See how the Kingdom of God was still being offered to the Jews during this time span. Find out how the Apostle Paul adapted his observances to be able to reach both Jews and Gentiles with the Gospel message.

What if you were an Old Testament believer living away from Jerusalem in the first century? How long after Christ died, rose again, and ascended would you have heard about the changes that had taken place? Listen to this lesson to learn that the book of Acts tells of a gradual transition that was being made from the Mosaic Law to the Church Age. See how the Apostle Paul in his exhausted state was given three personal promises by God. Find out about Paul's vow and possible reasons why he shaved his head.

Looking for a little fun and action in a party town? In the 1st century you would head for the bustling, wealthy port city of Corinth with its many temples, games, and sensual pleasures. Find out how the Apostle Paul received personal guidance from the Holy Spirit to go there. Learn how he arrived dead tired and found a tent-making couple, Priscilla and Aquila, and joined with them in their business. See how he presented the gospel weekly by going to the synagogue and reasoning with the Jews in Corinth. Also includes 1 Corinthians 4:12, 1 Thessalonians 2:9

Are you dreaming of an amazing world under one government where everyone speaks the same language? Listen to this lesson to learn that God, the Creator, did not design His world to function this way but instead established nations and oversees their rise and fall. Find out about the Divine institutions and how they provide protection and prosperity for people and nations who follow them. See how the Apostle Paul, without using experience, historical evidence or reason, witnessed to people who were suppressing what they already knew to be true about God.

"There's nothing new under the sun." Similar to many people today, the Athenians liked to dazzle everyone with grand words and brilliant insights. Listen to this lesson to see how the Apostle Paul bettered their arguments by tweaking superstitious beliefs so they could understand the gospel. Discover how all primitive religions believed that matter always existed which is a core belief of evolution today. See how clarifying the truths of the Creator God is a vital part of witnessing. Click here to access Dr. Dean's paper presented at the Conservative Theological Society referenced in this Bible class.

What gods do you worship? Success? Money? Happiness? The pagan Athenians worshiped all the gods, betting that some of them would come to their aid. Listen to this lesson to learn how the Apostle Paul used their worship of the unknown god to show there is only one true God, the God of Creation. Find out how everyone has enough evidence to know that God exists but suppresses that truth. Begin the fascinating study of the Chain of Being and see how evolution grew out of it. Click here to access Dr. Dean's paper presented at the Conservative Theological Society referenced in this Bible class.

Why do some people get mad as a hornet when talking about God? Listen to this lesson to learn the vital need for listening to others as they talk about what they already believe. See how the Apostle Paul skillfully used his insight into the Athenians to reason with them in a logical manner. Find out how he challenged them to worship the Creator rather than the creature. Discover key elements to sharpen your Bible study methods.

Would it surprise you to learn you could probably ace a pop culture quiz? Every day, without even trying, we soak up pagan ideas like a sponge. Listen to this lesson to learn how the Apostle Paul countered the trends of his day by teaching logical, reasonable truths from the Scriptures. Find out how we can learn to clarify our beliefs effectively so we stop one-shot, "drive-by" witnessing. See what it means to search the Scriptures daily like the Bereans.

Don't be spooked into seeing demons around every corner. When you have someone on your side who is bigger than the bad guys, you have nothing to fear. Listen to this lesson to learn about God's promises to protect believers from evil spirits. Find out what it means for our bodies to be temples of the Holy Spirit. Discover the significance of Jesus' parable about the empty house and His priestly prayer asking that we be guarded from the evil one.

When it seems like our life is spiraling out of control into chaos, where should we look for help? Fortune tellers, astrologers, mediums, and new age gurus promise us all kinds of answers. Listen to this lesson to learn what happened to King Saul when he went to the Witch of Endor for help. Find out the difference between demon influence and demon possession. Discover how God is always in control and we should never be afraid of the powers of evil.

Demons! Fortune tellers! Witches! Are they real or just something in scary movies, TV shows, and books? Listen to this lesson in Acts to learn how the Bible describes a very real spirit world and God's warning against the occult. Find out how worshiping anything in creation rather than the Creator opens us to demonic thoughts and influences. Discover God's assurances that He is in control and we have nothing to fear.

Dreams and visions sometimes gave the Apostle Paul his marching orders on his second missionary journey. Can we depend on them to give us a helping hand? Listen to this lesson to learn how direct revelation has ceased but how the Bible has all the answers we need now. See how the Holy Spirit made it possible for a wealthy businesswoman to understand the good news of the gospel. Find out about Paul's run-in with a slave girl and a demon and how demon influence can impact all of us today.

Had Paul lost it and was he out of his mind when he had Timothy circumcised? Hadn't he just argued successfully that circumcision no longer mattered? Listen to this lesson and follow the timeline of Paul's thinking. See how Timothy having a Jewish mother was important in Paul's decision. Learn the significance of circumcision to God's covenant with Abraham and how it has ethnic and cultural values today, but never for salvation or spiritual life.

My way or the highway! Is that your attitude when you disagree with someone? Listen to this lesson to learn how to be gracious to others and seek the absolute best for them even when they don't deserve it. Discover five spiritual skills you need to practice so you can love others as Christ loves you. Find out how the early church handled people problems and how even a sharp controversy between Barnabas and Paul was handled graciously.

How did the early church use the Old Testament to settle disputes about the Gentiles' role in the body of Christ? James in Acts 15 goes to the book of Amos and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit uses a "fuller sense" of the text to apply to the Church Age. Listen to this lesson to learn how Christ now being seated at the right hand of God instead of on David's throne means the church does not replace God's promises to Israel. Find out how the Masoretes translated the scriptures in the early centuries to leave out any references to the Messiah.

Knockdown, drag-out fights make rousing TV shows but don't do much to change opinions. When the early church began to have verbal brawls over the role of Jewish rituals, they decided to convene a council in Jerusalem to resolve the issue. The Pharisees had forgotten to check their rules at the door when they became believers and they wanted to impose them on new converts. Listen to this lesson to learn the different approaches Peter and James used to arrive at the conclusion that salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone. Find out about the four rules decided upon to bring goodwill between Jewish and Christian believers.

After we're saved, do we have to work our heads off and follow a lot of rules to please God? This was the burning question being debated in the early church. Many of the Jewish-background believers demanded that new Gentile converts be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law. Paul stood his ground, keeping his eye on the central issue of grace for both salvation and spiritual life. Follow the chronology of Paul's trips to Jerusalem and see the development of this issue as it is resolved. Understand the difference between legalists performing certain rituals to give them special standing in God's eyes and legitimate practices that lead to spiritual growth.

Paul's first missionary journey ignites an explosion of new believers in Jesus Christ across Asia Minor. Not willing to leave these converts in their "diapers", he and Barnabas face extreme danger as they go back and teach doctrine to start these "baby" believers on the road to maturity. Meanwhile, some Pharisee believers insist that the Gentile believers must be circumcised. Listen to this lesson to see how Paul demonstrates the role of a pastor and how circumcision was not just a religious ritual but was an act of patriotism to the Jews. Find out what the political landscape was like in the 1st century and follow the dynamic timeline of the early church.

The Apostle Paul's first missionary journey ends with an exhibition of sheer spiritual courage. He and Barnabas endure the wild swings of the pagan crowd in Lystra as they first yell out their adoration of them as gods and then erupt in a wild rage. After stoning Paul, they drag him out of town, but rather than lying low and hiding out, he and Barnabas continue on to Derbe before retracing their steps to teach and encourage the new converts. Explore the role of repentance in salvation, how God blesses all through common grace, and how to witness to those who have suppressed the truth.

Paul and Barnabas Bear Witness to God’s Grace Fleeing Iconium one step ahead of a murderous plot against them, Paul and Barnabas arrive in Lystra. There they heal a crippled man. The pagan crowds see this and go wild, wanting to worship them as gods with parades and sacrifices. Paul seizes the opportunity to tell them the gospel. Since the people have no Jewish background, Paul must start at ground zero with their innate understanding of God through creation. This lesson answers many questions relevant to our lives today. What does Paul mean when he says this man was crippled from his mother's womb? Is he implying that life begins at conception? Why isn't everyone healed? How should the gospel be presented to those who have no background in reference to the true God? How can creation be used as a tool when we are talking about God to multi-cultural, multi-religious people like the ones we encounter in our daily lives?

As the church expands, we see a trend toward the future disconnect of Christian Jews as a sect meeting in the synagogue. The move is from a Jewish framework to a Gentile framework. Great multitudes of Jews and Gentiles in Iconium responded to Paul’s message in their synagogue. The Jews who were not obedient to the message of God’s grace stirred up a serious division. Paul and Barnabas had to flee to Lystra and Derbe where they continued to preach the gospel. Study all that is understood in the word believe. Is the word here for unbelieving the opposite of believing? How is this word translated in other passages?

As we see Paul focus on the gospel with the Jews in Antioch in Pisidia, we should be aware of some modern evangelistic challenges seen through a comparison of Lordship Salvation and Free Grace. Those in Paul’s audience knew the scriptures, so it was effective for him to string together prophesies pointing to Christ. Review many of these Old Testament promises and see the familiar terms imputation, justification, forgiveness, propitiation, righteousness, and Christ the Servant. How does the resurrection seal the fulfillment of the Messianic prophesies? Do these Jews respond to Paul’s message?

In this section Paul continues the gospel message to these Jews by shifting to the Davidic Covenant, a promise which was very familiar to them. Review the Davidic Covenant which is an elaboration of the seed promise in the Abrahamic Covenant. Walk back through numerous Old Testament Messianic passages that address Israel’s future hope in turning to God, His restoration of the Land and promise to David of an eternal kingdom through his seed. See how directly Paul addresses these Jews on the basis of their well-known scripture and the unquestionable ways Paul presents to them, through recognition of the promise of the Davidic Covenant, that these things are fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Scripture has seen many translations. The study of the origins of these translations is key to understanding their accuracy related to the inspired text. Here Paul presents Jesus to a Jewish audience, weaving Old Testament promises through his message which are fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Could a fuzzy translation compromise the fact that these verses are meant to be Messianic? Take a careful look at the clarity of promise in these Messianic passages. Develop the meaning of begotten, the shared natures of God and His Son, the timing of the Messiah’s reign on earth and the imagery in these passages which present Jesus as Messiah and clearly show His relationship to the Father.

Paul is giving the gospel to Jews and God-fearing Gentiles in the local synagogue. Paul addresses them within the framework of their familiar as he anchors his message deeply within scripture, stressing their understanding of forgiveness of sin and justification. If it were only that easy to approach an unbeliever today, one who had such a deep knowledge of scripture. This is highly unlikely. Our approach must confront the realities of their position. The optimal starting point is for us to be profoundly familiar with the Word and to have a developed relationship with our audience. Paul will show us how to deal with a variety of circumstances so that we will have a pattern from which to launch our own approach and the assurance that rugged roadblocks aren’t necessarily terminal.

The gift of prophesy still existed in Acts before direct revelation ceased after the Canon was complete. The Holy Spirit, in specific divine guidance, actually called out Barnabas and Saul (who certainly had this gift), to take the gospel to these destinations. Learn the meaning of Saul’s name and the significance of his new name. Travel their path; encounter their resistance and the positive response. Learn about how the synagogue functioned. See how Paul spoke to these Jews, encapsulating Jewish history and focus in few words and introducing its long-awaited fulfillment through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We learn that evangelism may be most effective when the presentation is specific to the hearer.

Our scene is in Antioch in a well-established, conservative congregation, about 15 years after Pentecost. Antioch thrives with commerce and the decadent culture of the times. It also has a large Jewish population, within which are Christians, viewed as a sect of Judaism. Teachers and prophets gather to minister to the Lord and fast. What does it mean to minister to the Lord? What does fasting accomplish? Today a fast can be an initiation into a weight-loss program, a systemic purge, a social protest or a mystical manipulation of God. What was fasting about as it was practiced scripture? Is it a prescribed ritual for us? Is Biblical fasting an anachronistic term in our modern culture. Should we fast?

Acts is a transition, a historical narrative that is descriptive, not a prescriptive pattern of what happens in the Church today. The phenomena of the church growth movement in the late 60s based church growth on sociological issues and stressed experience as a validation of the Bible. As is often the case with Satan’s plan, this method seemed to work. But understand fully the instruction Jesus gives Peter to feed His lambs while He builds the church. Jesus doesn’t tell Peter to manage an organization through techniques in church growth, but instructs him to proclaim and teach. Review Paul’s journeys and allow instruction from his many discourses to teach us how we can maximize our approach with the message of God’s Word to people in our lives with differing backgrounds. Also includes John 21:15-17

These Apostles fulfilled Jesus’ mandate to take the gospel to the uttermost parts of the world. The focus of our documentation of the church, after it spread from Jerusalem, was to the west. We lose access to documents from the Eastern Church, but there are ancient records with information that can be considered, but not always reliable. Follow the biographical information available for these Apostles from scripture and historical tradition. Learn what we can know of their lives, the area of their ministries, confusions that may have been caused by names, relationships and martyrdoms. Erase any doubt with the understanding that Judas Iscariot was not a believer. As church age believers, what is our mandate?