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 FIVE: PERSECUTION BEGINS
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS and PRAYER CONCERNS
II. Read / Listen / Discuss ACTS 4:32 - 5:42
a. Discuss initial observations & translation differences
III. KOINONIA (4:32-37):
a. LOYALTY and UNITY in the BODY OF CHRIST
• One Heart and Soul
• Common Property – Shared Conviction
• Not a Needy Person among Them
b. “Barnabus” Example uios paraklhsis = huios paraklesis
• Luke intentionally introduces this “son of encouragement”
IV. SATAN ATTACKS THE CHURCH:
a. Three-Fold Strategy:
• Moral Corruption – Unity & Loyalty Compromised
• Physical Violence - Persecution
• Distraction – too B.U.S.Y. to Promote Gospel
b. The Moral Corruption of Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-11)
• Luke’s integrity as a historian is revealed
• YAHWEH is Gracious and Beautiful (Ananias & Sapphira)
• They lacked honesty and integrity
• nosfizomai nosphizomai = embezzle (Titus 2:10)
• see Joshua 6:16-18 and 7:1, 16-26 on the sin of Achan
• In ACTS, verse 11 first use of “church” which in the Greek is ekklhsia ekklesia = “called out ones”
c. Converts Multiplied (vv. 12-16)
• The Elements of a Growing Church
1. AUTHORITATIVE not AUTHORITARIAN in Preaching the Bible
2. They are an EXAMPLE not just an EXPLAINATION of New Birth in Christ
3. LIVING not LEGISLATING the Spirit-Filled Life
4. GRACIOUS and not GRIM in their Fellowship
5. LOYAL not LAX in their Commitment to each other
d. (vv. 15-16) See also Luke 8:44 and Acts 19:12
e. Physical Violence – Persecution (vv. 17-42)
• The Apostles Arrested
• Another MATCH
• What you say is what you get (compare Acts 5:28 with Matt. 27:25)
• Gamaliel reasons with the Council (See Acts 22:3)
• 39 lashes and let go
• Rejoicing and Continuing on in the Faith
V. Read / Listen / Discuss ACTS 6:1-7
a. Discuss initial observations & translation differences
VI. Distraction – Divisive Problem Arises within the Church (6:1-7)
• Hellenistic vs Hebrew
• Ministry of The Twelve
• Servants Chosen
• Word of God Spreads – even to the Priests
VII. INFORMATION for our APPLICATION
• God knows if you’ve been bad or good.
• Suffering does not imply that one is out of the will of God.
• Be on the lookout for Satan’s attacks, especially in regard to Moral Corruption, Violence, and Distraction. James 4:7 says Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
• Serve God in His Church with the Gifts He has given you.
VIII. Wrap up and Close in Prayer
NEXT SESSION: THE FIRST MARTYR - Read ACTS 6:8 – 8:3 to prepare for class
