Transcript j.b5z.net

The Acts of the apostles
• Introduction
• Schedule, outline, blog, etc can be
found on the church website at
http://nowthenalliance.org/acts_class
• Expectations: Read acts, use the
website, do activities, and reflect.
• On virtual days? 1) attend the 9:45
service; or 2) meet in Kiononia Kafe
or, 3) conduct missions work.
The Acts of the apostles
A virtual tour of Acts
• Trinity: Father, Son, Spirit
• Humans: Mind, Body, Spirit
• Water: ice, liquid, vapor
• Spiritual Growth: kNOw, DO, BE
(God wants all three and our goal
will be to get beyond the knowing.)
The 12 apostles
Acts 1:1-26 --- a brief overview
Andrew
Bartholomew
James G
James L
John
Jude - (Paul)
Matthew
Peter
Philip
Thomas
Simon
Matthias -Judas
Andrew
was a brother of Peter and a follower of John the
Baptist. Like Peter he was a fisherman, but he was
more of a “behind the scenes” type of guy. He was the
first apostle chosen by Jesus - probably because of his
zeal in introducing others to Jesus. He was crucified on
an “X’ shaped cross on Nov 30 of AD 69 after two
days of suffering - and preaching Jesus.
Bartholomew
also known as Nathanael meaning the guileless one.
He was from Cana - where Jesus did His first miracle
- and a friend of Philip. He was knowledgeable in
the old testament and a seeker of divine truth
(MacArthur). Jesus spoke of his charcter in John
1:47, “behold … in whom there is no deceit.” He
was flayed alive on August 24th of AD 62. Sincerity
was Bart’s rule.
James the Greater
was the older brother of John, one of the sons of
Zebedee that Jesus named, “sons of Thunder”,
because of his passion, fervor and intensity. James
was a witness to Spain and was beheaded by King
Agrippa in AD 42 - the first of the apostles to be
martyred. (Jesus told him that he would drink of the
same cup as Himself.)
James the Less
was the brother of Matthew and likely a tax collector. The term
“Less” most likely referred to this James’ physical size and not
in any way to his status as an apostle. Not a lot is known
about this James other than his parent’s names (Alphaeus and
Mary). Paul tells us that he was a witness at the resurrection
and a pillar of church. He was martyred by being sawed in
half.
John
is given a (inaccurate) feminine look in art which is
probably intended to reflect his strength of emulating
Jesus’ love. The younger brother of James, he was the
other “Son of Thunder”, and shared his brother’s passion
for truth and boldness. He was the author of much of the
new testament, balancing love & truth, ambition &
humility. He died at nearly 100 years old in AD 97 after
surviving Patmos and being boiled in oil.
Jude
also known as Judas Thaddaeus, was a missionary to
Turkey, Asia, and Samaria. Most known for his question
to Jesus, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself
to us, and not to the world?” (John 14:21-22). A demonstration of his tender-hearted humility. Jesus response:
“If anyone loves me, he will keep My word, and God will
love him…” Jude, and his partner Simon, were martyred
by a mob.
Matthew
was a brother of James the Less and a tax collector
(despised) prior to his calling by Jesus. When called, he
did not hesitate, and immediately got up and followed
Jesus - inviting Him to his house for a feast. It was
likely Matthew’s willingness to walk away from a
lucrative career and give his all for Christ that made him
a worthy apostle & missionary to Jews & Iran.
Peter
a fisherman, natural leader, he was eager, aggressive,
bold, and out-spoken - perhaps the lead apostle. He
was inquisitive, took initiative, and got things done.
When Jesus asked him, “who do you say I am?”
Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the
living God.” Sadly, he also denied Christ - three
times. Peter was crucified upside-down.
Philip
was the apostles “bean counter”; a practical, facts-andfigures type of guy. When Jesus asked him how they
would feed the 5000, he replied that he only had a few
bucks - wrong answer. He was a pragmatist and a cynic
rather than a visionary. How-ever, his reply to Jesus
calling was “we have found Him” (the Messiah). He
was a seeker, and a doer. Like Peter, he was crucified
upside-down.
Thomas
Although he is mostly known for being a doubter, he
was truly a man of courage, faith, & intellect. He
was the one that wanted to go with Jesus to heal
Lazarus, knowing full well that they (the apostles),
might be killed right along with Jesus. He was a
missionary to India and the Orient, and was speared
to death on July 3rd of AD 72.
Simon
the Zealot (think terrorist), was at the other end of the
political spectrum from Matthew. He had a fierce
loyalty to Jesus and a fiery devotion and enthusiasm
for the Truth. He became the missionary to the north
- as far as the British Isles, and the south - to Africa.
Most accounts have him martyred in Iran around AD
70.
Matthias
was the 13th apostle, chosen (by lots) to replace Judas
after his death. Not a lot is known about Matthias
although some believe that Peter acted too quickly and
that Paul should have been the true 13th apostle. He
was known as a vocal opponent of pleasure & material
goods. He was reportedly stoned to death by Jews
around AD 51.
Judas
Iscariot will always be remembered as the apostle who
betrayed Jesus. Why was he chosen? Why did he
betray Jesus? Perhaps he was a Zealot and became
unhappy with Jesus true mission. Perhaps it was
Satan. Perhaps he just made the biggest mistake of
his life - a warning to us. Remorseful, he committed
suicide shortly after Jesus was crucified.
Paul (Saul)
was far more documented in word and deed.
Certainly he was a far more interesting study than
nearly any other apostle. Why wasn’t he selected as
one of the twelve? What lessons can we learn from
Paul’s non-selection?
Six-minute “Visual
Bible” representation of
Acts 1:1-23
I. Discussion Questions
1. What concerns do the disciples express
in this last meeting with Jesus?
2. What may the apostles have thought as
they watched Jesus’ ascension?
3. To whom are we called to be witnesses?
4. What qualifications were used to select
the apostles? How’d humans do it?
5. If the apostles were alive today, what
church do you think they would attend?
6. To which of the 12 do you most relate?
II. Know, Do, and Be
1. Do access the website, read the blog,
and reply to [email protected]
2. Do read ACTS chapter 2, making note
of what the apostles did.
3. Do pray
4. Be prayerful
5. Be salt and light