Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 7pm Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
arod4God@neo.rr.com FACEBOOK: Roderick Grabski
Session TWO: THE BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH
I. GATHERING / PRAYER CONCERNS / PRAYER
II. Read / Listen / Discuss ACTS 1:1-26
a. Give initial impressions and note any differences in translations or other observations.
III. The PROMISE (v.v. 1-5)
a. Theophilus (Compare with Luke 1:1-4)
b. During Jesus’ 40 days with the Apostles after His resurrection and before His ascension, Scripture records at least 10 appearances :
1. To Mary Magdalene in the morning (Mark 16:9-10)
2. To other women in the morning (Matthew 28:9-10)
3. To two believers on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32)
4. To Peter (Luke 24:34)
5. To the Disciples (Luke 24:36; Mark 16:14; John 20:19)
6. To the Disciples a week later with Thomas present
(John 20:24ff)
7. To seven Disciples by the Sea of Galilee (John 21)
8. To the disciples and 500 others by the Sea of Galilee
(Matthew 28:16-20; 1st Corinthians 15:6)
9. To James (1st Corinthians 15:7)
10. Final appearance when He ascended to Heaven (Acts 1)
c. The Spirit was given to Jesus for His ministry and He promises the Spirit to His disciples.
i. Luke 3:21; 4:14, 18; John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7; and Acts 1:4-5
IV. The ASCENSION (v.v. 6-11)
a. They have good reason to ask about the Kingdom and Israel
i. Isaiah 32:15-20; Ezekiel 39:28; Joel 2:28
b. Verse 8 - Central theme of Acts (and all of Christianity?)
i. Witnesses = martuv = martyrs
ii. The Great Commission from the Gospels (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:14-20; Luke 24:44-53)
V. ANOTHER APOSTLE (v.v. 12-26)
a. (vv. 12-14) Same list of Apostles as Luke 6. This is the last N.T. mention of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
b. Judas’ demise (Compare vv. 15-19 with Matthew 27:3-6)
c. Leadership of Peter and his reverence for Scripture
i. Psalm 69:25 and 109:8
d. Casting lots for God’s direction
i. See also Nehemiah 11:1, Jonah 1:7; John 19:24
ii. See info sheet on Matthias
e. In Summary: They were waiting but not idle
i. They received their commission (1:6-8)
ii. They saw Christ go into Heaven (1:9-12)
iii. They persevered in prayer (1:13-14)
iv. They added another 12th Apostle, Matthias (1:21-26)
VI. INFORMATION for our APPLICATION
a. Many eyewitnesses saw Jesus resurrected and ascend to Heaven and testify that He is coming again.
b. No one knows when Jesus is coming again, only that He is.
c. All Christians are called to be witnesses to the whole World.
d. The New Testament believers knew the Old Testament to be Scripture Inspired by God.
e. God will put us in situations where we will have opportunity to witness about our faith in Jesus Christ.
VII. Close in Prayer
NEXT SESSION: THE HOLY SPIRIT and PENTECOST
-Read ACTS 2:1-47 to prepare for class
