04/30/2025 – Day 274 – Acts – Chapter 3 & 4 // “Preaching in Solomon’s Portico” (Acts 3: 11- 26)- “Evangelism is not a professional job for a few trained men, but is instead the unrelenting responsibility of every person who belongs to the company of Jesus.”
For today’s reading: I may use commentary from one of following three sources so designated: 1). “The Daily Study Bible Series – The Acts of the Apostles Revised Edition” by William Barclay (ISBN # 0-664-24106-9) – (*A) ; 2) “Evidence Study Bible – NKJV” – (*B) ; 3) “The Apologetics Study Bible” – (*C)
“3:1 – Peter and John continued practicing Jewish rituals / worship at this time. Christianity was one ‘sect’ (‘hairesis”) of several within Judaism (24:5; Josephus used this word of Pharisees, Sadducees, Essences, Zealots) – a form of contemporary Judaism that believed that Jesus was the Messiah. The progressive split with Judaism was to a large extent mirrored in Acts, with a significant split coming by the time of the first Jewish revolt (A.D. 66-70) but made definite at the second one (A.D. 134-135). Between these periods, it was not clear that rabbinic Judaism would prevail as the standard representative.” (*C)
“The Characteristics of the Church” Section (Acts 2: 42 – 47)” Oops, I moved back to last week’s reading, I’m going to post it anyway, it is too good. haha
“In this passage we have a king of lightning summary of the characteristics of the early church.
(i). It was a learning Church: it persisted in listening to the apostles as they taught… Because of riches of Christ are inexhaustible we should ever be going forward.
(ii). It was a church of fellowship; it had what someone has called the great quality of togetherness… The Church is a real Church only when it is a band of brothers.
(iii). It was a praying Church: these early Christians knew that they could not meet life in their own strength and that they did not need to…
(iv). It was a reverent Church:; in verse 43 the word which the Authrized Version correctly translates fear has the idea of awe in it. It was said of a great Greek that he moved through this world as if it were a temple. The Christian lives in reverence because he knows that the whole earth is the temple of the living God.
(v). It was a Church where things happened: signs and wonders were there (verse 43). If we expect great things from God and attempt great things for God things happen…
(vi). It was a sharing Church (verses 44,45): these early Christians had an intense feeling of responsibility for each other…
(vii). It was a worshipping Church (verse 46); they never forgot to visit God’s house. We must remember that ‘God knows nothing of solitary religion.’ Things can happen we come together. God’s Spirit moves upon his worshipping people.
(viii). It was happy Church (verse 46); gladness was there. A gloomy Christian is a contradiction in terms.
(ix). It was a Church whose people others could not help liking… In the early Church there was a winsomeness in God’s people.” (*A)
“A Lame Man Healed” Section (3:1 – 3:26). “Such miracles did happen. In Acts 4:16 we read how the Sanhedrin knew that they must accept the miracle. The enemies of Christianity would have been the first to deny miracles if they could; but they never even try.” (*A)
” 3:19 Repentance – it’s necessity for salvation. (See Acts 17:30).” “Truly these, times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31)
“4:9 Peter boldly proclaimed that the lame man had been healed through the name of Jesus. The worshipers who witnessed what happened praised God while the religious leaders were more concerned with how he was healed than that he was well.” (*C)
Soli Deo Gloria!
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Questions for fellowship generation, the lifelong sanctification process:
- What does the text reveal about God’s character?
- How has this reading generated prayer for you and/or us?
- What themes stand out to you in this bible study?
- How does our reading fit into the bigger picture (creation, the fall, restoration, etc.)?
- What verse(s) jumped out at you like never before? Is it explainable at this point?
- Do you have any questions you would like to put before the group as to how to interpret any particular verse(s) in our reading. Let scripture testify to scripture: Share with us where you sense contradiction between passages elsewhere.
- What did you find convicting and inspiring at the same time? Share with us how the Spirit of God is working within you as a messenger, both within and outside of our fellowship group.
- Share with the group how our study is calling or confirming to you a new mission to glorify God in our times.