REL A 250 FINAL Flashcards
(107 cards)
Acts 1 - 11
Acts 1
Luke writing to Theophilus. Jesus spent 40 days with them and taught them about the kingdom. He showed he was alive even after his passion (JST: Suffering). They will soon be baptized with more than just water, but with the holy Ghost. They will receive power and become witnesses to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the world. Jesus ascends into heaven, two angels testify that he’ll return in the same manner. They returned from the mount Olivet (a sabbath day’s journey away from Jerusalem) They council in an upper room about who will replace Judas. They pray and call Matthias.
Acts 2
Wind blew in and fiery cloven tongues descend on the apostles on the day of Pentecost. Many people from different places were gathered, and they heard the apostles speaking each in their native language. They thought the apostles must be drunk. Peter stands up and says this is the pouring out of God’s Spirit, like Joel prophesied. There will be signs and wonders, dark sun and blood moon, all before the (JST: Glorious…) day of the Lord. Whoever calls on the Lord will be saved. Peter testifies that Jesus performed miracles, was crucified and was raised by God because death could not hold him. Even David foresaw and had faith in Christ. Peter explains that David foresaw that Christ would be resurrected and his flesh would not see corruption. The apostles are witnesses that Christ was resurrected and is at the right hand of God. The people were pricked in their hearts and asked the apostles what they should do. They said, repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Ghost. The promise is available to them and their children and even those who are far away. They invited them to save themselves from this (GR Crooked) generation. Three thousand were baptized, fellowshipped, broke bread, had all things in common, worshiped in the temple, and having favor with all people. God added to them from time to time.
Acts 3
Peter and John heal a man born lame at the temple. The man praises God and goes in the temple with them, and hugs them. The people gather on Solomon’s porch and wonder at the miracle they’ve just seen. Peter testified that Christ, the Prince of Life, is on the right hand of God, whom they insisted on crucifying, and he is now resurrected. He testified that through faith in Christ this man was healed. He testifies that they crucified him out of ignorance. (JST … I know that through ignorance ye have done this…) The prophesied suffering of Christ has been fulfilled. Repent and be converted that your sins may be blotted out. Jesus is the prophet prophesied by Moses, that whoever doesn’t listen to him shall be destroyed from among the people. You are the children of the covenant. God sent Jesus to you first.
Acts 4
The Sadducees try to silence Peter and James by threatening them (because they were teaching the people about resurrection). Peter testified that the miracle was done in Christ’s name, whom they crucified and who God raised from the dead. They couldn’t harm them because everyone had seen their miracle, so they threatened them. Peter asked which is worse, disobeying them or disobeying God? They can decide. Jesus is the stone set aside by the workers who had become to chief corner stone, only through faith in his name can we be saved. (BOLD words from seemingly ordinary men). Peter and John go out, quote David “why do the heathen rage?” And pray acknowledging all those who gathered together against Jesus and prayed to speak by the spirit with boldness. The whole place shook and they were filled with the Holy Ghost. They testified and those that believed were of one heart and one mind, full of grace, and had all things in common. Joses Barnabas sold his land and laid the money at the apostles feet.
Acts 5
A couple decides to lie to God and hold back some of their money, they die and are buried. None of the rest (JST: …rulers…) join the church. Multitudes joined the church. There were signs and miracles, people waited for Peter’s shadow to pass by so they could be healed. The sick and those with unclean spirits were all healed. Peter and John were cast into prison, but an Angel released them and commanded them to preach in the Temple. The priests come looking for them and say “hey didn’t we ask you to be quiet?” And the apostles say “should we obey you or God?” They testifiy of Christ whom the priests “slew and hanged on a tree” that he is a prince and a savior who will give repentance and forgiveness to Israel. The apostles and the Holy Ghost are witnesses. This cuts the priests to the heart and wanted to slay them. Gamaliel stands up for them saying that if it was not of God, the fad will wear off, but if it is of God, there’s no stopping it. The beat Peter and John and let them go. Peter and John rejoice that they were worthy to suffer in Christ’s name.
Acts 6
The Grecian converts felt that their widows were being neglected. The apostles not being able to administrate over everything, but wanting to focus on the word of God, call seven to take care of this. Stephen is called, and he did many great miracles. The Synagogue of the Libertines does not like Stephen because they can’t resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. So the called false witnesses and they tried him claiming that he spoke blasphemy against the holy place and the law. Stephen’s face looked like an angel.
Acts 7
Stephen tells the whole story of God calling Abraham and prophesying about Moses. He talks of how the people did not listen to Moses. Even in those days the made idols and killed the prophets, and now they’ve done the same with Jesus of whom Moses prophesied. The most high dwelleth not in temples made with hands. This cut their heart, and they began gnashing their teeth. Stephen sees Jesus sitting at the right hand of God. They stone Stephen, he prays for this sin not to be at their charge.
Acts 8
There is great persecution against the church, including Saul. The church keeps spreading. Many are healed and evil spirits are cast out. Many Samaritans are baptized. A Samaritan sorcerer is converted. When he sees the apostles give the gift of the Holy Ghost, he assumes that the power to bestow this gift can be bought with money, so he offers them money for it. The say that his heart is not right with God and he needs to repent. The ex-sorcerer asks them to pray for him so that those things don’t come true. An angel calls Philip and he follows until he’s told to approach a chariot where a man is reading Isaiah. He asks if he understands what’s written. The Eunuch says no, how can he except someone should guide him? Philip teaches him about Christ, the Eunuch sees water and asks to be baptized. After he’s baptized, the Spirit took Philip elsewhere such that the Eunuch didn’t see him anymore.
Acts 9
Jesus appears to Saul (JST: The people with him saw the light, but did NOT hear the voice)—Saul is a chosen vessel—Ananias restores Saul’s sight—Saul is baptized and begins his ministry. The disciples are initially afraid of him, but Barnabas takes him in—Peter heals Æneas and raises Dorcas (Tabitha) from death Tabitha had done many good works, like making coats and garments.
Acts 10
Cornelius fasts, and an angel appears to him. Cornelius (at the prompting of the angel) sends three men to find Simon Peter. When they do, Peter had just had a vision of unclean animals descending in a cloth from heaven, and God saying that what he has cleansed he must not call common or unclean. For this reason he goes with the three men and enters into the house of Cornelius (a gentile). He testifies of Christ, and Cornelius and his house recieve the Holy ghost and speak in tongues. The Jews marvel that gentiles could do such a thing, and Peter commands that they be baptized.
Acts 11
The Jewish Christians in Judea question Peter over what he did, and he explains. They marvel that the gospel is also for the gentiles. Those that had been scattered at the martyrdom of Stephen were only preaching to the jews. Barnabus taught in antioch, then he went back to Tarsus for Saul and they both taught in Antioch. They were first called “Christians” in antioch. The prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. A man named Agabus prophesied a drought, so they begin to prepare relief for Jerusalem.
Acts of the Apostles
(See Bible Dictionary)
Part 2 of a letter to Theophilus (Luke was part 1)
The apostles witness of Christ in
Jerusalem (Acts 1–5), —> Tongues at the feast of Pentecost, the Sanhedrin tries twice to silence Peter James and John while they are out performing miracles.
all Judea, and Samaria (Acts 6–9), —> Story of Stephen’s martyrdom
the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 10–28). —> Baptism of Cornelius, church at Antioch, the missionary work of Paul
Ananias
There are three with this name.
1) Punished for lying to God and withholding money.
2) A Christian at Damascus that baptized Paul
3) An evil High Priest in Paul’s life that was later murdered by the populace.
Annas
Previous High Priest and father in law to the current High Priest (Caiaphas) at the time of Christ. Annas was still influential and still had the title “high Priest” and Jesus was brought to him before he was taken to Caiaphas.
Antioch
There are two cities by this name.
1) Third city in the Roman Empire, not particularly special. It was the center of gentile Christianity during Paul’s life.
2) In Pisidia, a Phrygian city in the Roman province of Galatia.
Apostle
The word means “one sent forth.” It was Jesus’s chosen title for his representatives. Apostles are special witnesses of the Lord. The 12 apostles are an administrative council, but it’s unclear whether Paul, Barnabas, and James were ever part of that council although they still called themselves Apostles (special witnesses of the Lord).
Barnabas
Son of consolation. A levite of Cyprus who sold his possessions and gave them to the Apostles. He also helped Saul after his conversion, and was sent to serve in Antioch and worked with Saul there. Regarded as an Apostle despite not being one of the 12.
Church
From the Greek, Ecclesia, meaning “an assembly called together.” The church is the organized body of believers who have taken upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ by baptism and confirmation. To be the true church it must be the Lord’s church and must have His laws, His name, and be governed by Him through representatives whom He has appointed. The church fell into apostasy after the deaths of the apostles, and was restored in the latter days.
Diaspora
Dispersion. This refers to the scattering of the house of Israel into lands other than Palestine. Jews living in other places adopted aspects of the local culture. Paul was a Jew of the diaspora, as was also Aquila.
Gamaliel
A Pharisee, a doctor of the law, held in honor with all the people. He was a celebrated Jewish teacher who belonged to the more liberal school. His influence carried great weight in the Sanhedrin. Paul had been one of his pupils.
Laying on of hands
Part of the manner of blessing, receiving the Holy Ghost, and giving the priesthood. NOT just a formality. It was also part of the sacrifices under the law of Moses.
Matthias
Gift of Jehovah. The person chosen to fill the place of Judas. All that is known of him is that he was a disciple throughout the whole of our Lord’s ministry.
Paul
The life and work of the great Apostle Paul is recorded at considerable length in the Acts and the epistles. It is only possible to indicate here a few of the chief facts. He was known in early life as Saul; his Latin name Paul is first mentioned at the beginning of his gentile ministry (Acts 13:9). He belonged to Tarsus, in Cilicia (Acts 9:11); was a Pharisee and a pupil of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3); was active in the persecution of Christians (Acts 8:3; 26:10; Gal. 1:13; Philip. 3:6); and took part in the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7:58; 8:1). He started for Damascus for the purpose of further persecution (Acts 9:1) and on the road saw a vision of the Lord Jesus, which changed the whole current of his life (Acts 9:4–19; 22:7; 26:14; Gal. 1:15–16). After his baptism by Ananias (Acts 9:18), he retired into Arabia (Gal. 1:17) and then returned to Damascus, where he preached (Acts 9:19–25; 2 Cor. 11:32; Gal. 1:17–18). Being compelled to flee, about three years after his conversion he went to Jerusalem, where he stayed 15 days, Barnabas introducing him to Peter and James (Acts 9:26–30; Gal. 1:18–19). Being in danger, he retired to Tarsus (Acts 9:29–30) and there remained six or seven years, preaching in Syria and Cilicia (Gal. 1:21–24). He was then brought by Barnabas to Antioch (Acts 11:26) and after one year paid a visit to Jerusalem (Acts 11:29–30). After two more years’ work in Antioch, he started with Barnabas and Mark on his first missionary journey (Acts 13:1–14:26). Then came another visit to Jerusalem with Barnabas to attend a conference with the other Apostles (Acts 15:1–33; Gal. 2:1–10), after which they returned to Antioch (Acts 15:35). He then started on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:36–18:22), which lasted about three years and ended with a visit to Jerusalem. After a short stay in Antioch, Paul began his third journey, which occupied about 3½ years (Acts 18:23–21:15). On his return to Jerusalem he was arrested and sent to Caesarea (Acts 21:17–23:35), where he remained a prisoner for two years (Acts 24:1–26:32), and was then sent for trial to Rome, suffering shipwreck on the way (Acts 27:1–28:10). He remained in Rome two years (Acts 28:30) and was then released. He then appears to have visited Asia, Macedonia, Crete, and perhaps Spain. At the end of about four years he was again taken a prisoner to Rome and suffered martyrdom, probably in the spring of A.D. 65. For an account of his teaching, see Pauline Epistles.
Proselytes
Men of gentile birth who had been incorporated into the Jewish church. The ceremony of admission included circumcision, baptism, and a sacrifice. They were expected to observe the whole Mosaic law. Proselytes of this kind were probably few in number, though the Jews showed great zeal in their efforts to gain them (Matt. 23:15). In addition to these there were attached to most Jewish synagogues a number of “God-fearing” or “devout” Gentiles, who attended the services but only observed part of the ceremonial law and who were regarded as outside the Jewish church. There are many references to men of this kind in the New Testament (Acts 10:2, 22; 13:16, 26, 43, 50; 16:14; 17:4, 17; 18:7).
The entry of a “Godfearer” or “devout” man into the Christian church caused considerable commotion among the rigid Jews in the church, since the “Godfearers” had not been circumcised as had the proselytes. Thus the joining of Cornelius was a momentous event (Acts 10–11), whereas the status of a proselyte such a Nicolas (identified in Acts 6:5) is barely mentioned.
Stephen
One of the seven, “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5); did great wonders and miracles (6:8); his disputations with the Jews. Stephen was one of the Christian martyrs of New Testament times and is the first of whom we have record who proclaimed that the law of Moses was fulfilled in Christ and ought not to be continued in the Church. Paul was present when this speech was made (Acts 8:1; 22:20) and was probably influenced by it, though at the moment he was a consenting party to his death. A few years later he went on with the work that Stephen had introduced to him.
Synagogue
A Jewish meetinghouse for religious purposes. Simple building, with seats an arc full of scrolls, a Ruler of the Synagogue and a clerical attendant. The meetings had two lessons, one from the law and one from the prophets, and a sermon expounding on the lessons. It provided a model for early Christian worship.
Acts 18
Paul went to Corinth and lived with some tentmakers. Paul preaches. The Lord reminds Paul not to shut his mouth and many are converted. When Paul is tried, Gallio refuses to deal with it because he’s in charge of the city, not their faith. The greeks beat the leader of the Synagogue. Paul traveled to Ephesus, but didn’t tarry there. He continued to Antioch. A man named Apollo was eloquent and mighty in the scriptures, and had a testimony because of John the Baptist, and he taught the people- Priscilla and Aquila taught him more perfectly and he mightily convinced the Jews with the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
1 Corinthians 1-6, 15
- True saints are perfectly united in the same mind and judgement, preach and save souls. The Gospel is preached by the week and simple. Ye are enriched by Christ and lack no gifts. God is faithful. Let there be no divisions. Paul was not crucified for you, not Apollos. Ye are of Christ. The Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek wisdom. Christ makes no sense to either of them except to those that are chosen. God has chosen the foolish and the weak to confound the wise and strong. No flesh will glory in his presence. Ye are of Christ Jesus. If you glory, glory in the Lord.
- Paul seeks not to use wisdom and the words of men, but using the Holy Ghost and Jesus Christ so that their testimony is not on the wisdom but on Christ Himself. God reveals the deep things of God by His Spirit. We have received the Spirit of God, not of the world. The things of God are foolishness to the natural man. “But he that is spiritual judged all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.”
- Milk comes before meat in the church. Those who are still carnal (they say they are “of Paul” or “of Apollos”) need milk. Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. You are God’s husbandry. Beware of how you build, the foundation must be Jesus Christ. Men’s works will be tried by fire, if your works are burned you shall (JST: may) still be saved by fire. The saints are the temple of God. If anyone defiles the temple (the people of the church) God will destroy him. Be foolish so you may be wise in God. Don’t glory in men, all things are yours because you are Christ’s and Christ is God’s.
- We are stewards. We are judged of the Lord, not of ourselves or each other. Paul doesn’t know anything by (JST: against) himself. Don’t be puffed up, don’t judge until the Lord comes and reveals all things. Don’t glory in what you have, because what you have is received from God. The apostles are fools, weak and despised for the sake of Christ. (challenges of having a calling vs just living the gospel). Follow Paul, who follows Christ. The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
- The church cannot fellowship sinners. Someone committed fornication, Paul says that even though he’s not there, he’s present in spirit and has judged that this person needs to be kicked out and buffeted by Satan in hopes of saving his Spirit. A little leaven damages the whole lump. Christ is the Passover sacrificed for us. Do not even eat a meal with someone who commits these serious sins. We don’t judge those without, only those within. God judges those that are without.
- Church members should not fight each other in the courts. They should be able to work things out justly and morally among themselves, because in the courts they are able to get away with too much. The saints will judge the world, they should be able to handle small matters. The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom, be not decieved, do not commit (all types of) sexual sin, theft, coveting… etc. All these things are NOT lawful, NOT expedient, I will NOT be brought under the power of these things. We are the body of Christ, we are not our own, we are bought with a price. Do not make the body of Christ (one with) a harlot.
- I (Paul) have shared my testimony with you. All the apostles have seen Christ. Paul is the least of the apostles, yet the grace of God has labored more abundantly with Paul than with they all. There must be a resurrection, because Christ was resurrected. If Christ were not resurrected there would be no reason to preach or have faith. (JST: Paul rejoices daily in Christ because of the resurrection of the dead, though he will die) “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” First Christ, then those that are His, and then cometh the end. Why are we baptized for the dead if they’re not going to rise? There are different types of bodies (terrestrial and Celestial JST: Telestial). The last triumph is over death, not all will sleep, some will be changed in the twinkling of an eye.
Apollos
An Alexandrian Jew, eloquent man and mighty in the scriptures. He received instruction in the gospel at Ephesus from Aquila and Priscilla and then went to Corinth. We hear about him in a dispute in Corinth, and hear about him again in Crete.
Corinth
Chief town in the Roman province of Achaia. Paul lived there for a year and six months in his second missionary journey. Soon after Paul left, Apollos came. The churc their was split into parties and there was a Judaizing element. The Isthmian games were nearby. It was destroyed by roman conquest in 146 BC but was rebuilt by Julius Caesar a hundred years later.
Demetirus
1) A silversmith of Ephesus who, in fear for his trade, led a tumult against Paul.
2) A Christian commended by John
Diana
A goddess, in whose honor a temple was erected at Ephesus. The Ephesians called her Artemis and regarded her as the source of the fruitful and nurturing powers of nature, and so the image in the temple (said to have fallen from heaven) represented her with many breasts. Silversmiths would make shrines for or of Diana to be placed in the temple or taken home by the worshipper.
Pauline Epistles (Second group)
Although the matter had been officially settled in 50 AD, many still saw Christianity as a subdivision of Judaism and felt the need to keep the law of Moses.
S.V. Epistle to the Corinthians.
Corinth was the meeting point of many nationalities because the main current of the trade between Asia and western Europe passed through it’s harbors. Paul’s first visit was about two years long, and his converts were mostly Greeks. They were gifted with a keen sense of the joys of physical existence, a passion for freedom, and a genius for rhetoric and logic, but reared in the midst of the grossest moral corruption, they needed to be checked with a second visit and a letter (that is now lost).