Tell the Full Message of this New Life

[Planning for 2009]

Acts 1:1-5:42

Key Verse 5:20

In this passage we would like to set the direction for (or the priority of the things to do in the year of) 2009, that is, use all of our resources in doing what the angel of the Lord says in Acts 5:20. 

1. Read 1:1-11. What were the apostles of Jesus mostly concerned about? (6) But what did Jesus command them to do first? (4-5; 7-8) Why did Jesus shift the apostles' focus (or priority) in that way? 

** Recovery of the glory back to the nation of Israel. Many of us also are concerned about how to recover the American economy.

Some are concerned about improving their family’s finances, or personal agenda such as finding a job or building a career first.

** Get themselves ready for the mission, which is to proclaim the message (of this new life). 

** Jesus did this because the problem of sin and death is the root cause of all the problems we have in life. In addition God designed man's life in such a way that as man serves God's purpose [i.e., witnessing about Jesus] God’s provision (such as joy, marriage partner, etc.) follows. [This principle is seen in Genesis 1-2.]

2. Read 1:12-26. What were the criteria in choosing a replacement for Judas (Iscariot)? Why did Jesus establish the "apostolic ministry"?

** Acts 1:21-22. [What is written there represents the "full" contents of the message of "this new life" the angel of the Lord was referring to in 5:20.] 

** He did this to send them out to the [people] of the world and let them know of and accept the full message, so they could get this new "life".   

3. Consider the contents of Chapter 2. Which one of the following (do you think) is the key point of this chapter? (choose only one) ____________ 

(1) The coming of the Holy Spirit;

(2) The point of the Apostle Peter's sermon; and

(3) The fellowship of the believers. 

**Answer: (2) [Point is Acts 2:36.]

4. Refer to question 3 above. How are the three events listed above related to one another?

** The Holy Spirit came to "enable" Peter to proclaim that God has made Jesus whom you (we) crucified both Lord and Christ. This message in turn worked to build the family of God among those who repent and turn to the Lord. 

5. Fill in the blanks. 

(1) In Chapters 4 and 5, the religious leaders opposed the message of the Apostles because: ____________________________________________

(2) Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit because: ____________________________________________

** We can characterize their problem as "secular humanism" which is to put man above God, which is based on human pride. So their real problem was their pride. They did not want to admit their guilt. Thus they could not repent of their sins (esp. their pride). 

 

** We can characterize their problem as materialism, which is to put money above God (or the Holy Spirit). This led them to lie to the Holy Spirit. 

6. Read 5:20. In what respect is the life [the message speaks of] "new"? 

** This life is "new" in that a believer has been washed of his sins, has been transformed (or sanctified) by the work of the Holy Spirit, and thereby born into the family of the living God, thus giving him the hope to participate in the glory of God in a resurrected body. The point is that this message leads man to the fellowship with God who is always new. 

** Write a testimony on one thing you learned from this passage.