Godswriter

Q3. (Acts 13:48; Romans 10:13-15) How does an understanding of God's pure grace fit together with the idea of predestination? How might a belief in predestination make us lazy with regard to evangelism? Does God "need" us to bring salvation to the world? God's grace fits together with predestination by choosing those who will come to know Him. For it is by grace through faith that we are saved not works lest any man should boast. Eph 2:8-9 With that as a starter this means God's grace draws us and all other people to Him however we have free will to either reject Him or choose Him. Those who reject Him do so at their own peril for they were told about God and still chose darkness over light and sin over righteousness. They chose to reject Him knowing that they would go to hell. Those who choose Him do so because God drew them. It would make us lazy thinking that all the work is God's job when in truth that's not the case. Paul explained that one plants the seeds, another waters it and God gives the increase in it. Yes the way Paul talked about it and Jesus talked about it he does.

Q2. (Ephesians 2:8-9) What is a simple definition of “grace”? Why aren’t legalism and “works” to please God compatible with grace? What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? A simple definition of grace is God unmerited favor. It all has to do with God's love for us. We receive grace by faith. Grace is the favor God gives us against all odds and against our better judgement. Legalism is following some rule based religion like a catholics follow and doing works. We receive His grace through our faith.

Q1. (Acts 15:1,5) What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations? The essential demand of the Judaizers is circumcision and for the Gentiles to keep the law of Moses. It contradicts the idea of salvation by grace because it is law over grace. When it comes right down to it; salvation is only about Jesus' saving work on the cross and not by any work of man or following the law. Legalism really threatens the very message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It does not allow for someone to depend on God and to receive Christ's finished work.

Q4. (Acts 13:43b) Why is “continuing” or “abiding” in the faith so important? What does Jesus’ Parable of the Sower teach about “continuing” (Matthew 13:5-6, 20-21)? Why do new believers need basic instruction and discipling before the task of evangelism is complete? (Acts 14:21b-22) It is so important because new believers will be pulled in multiple directions at once upon becoming a believer as well. Their former friends will pull them in the way of the world as will the enemy. There are those believers who jump into the fold not realizing the cost of being disciple of Jesus at all and when trials come they run the other way. They need basic training because without it they can't know the basics of the gospel.

Q3. How do Paul's gospel presentations to pagans in Lystra (Acts 14:16-17;) and Athens (Acts 17:16-34) differ from his typical message in the synagogues? What common ground does Paul build on with pagan audiences? How will you need to contextualize the gospel in your particular area to build on common ground? First of all they differ in the fact there is no background in the OT scriptures like in the synagogues. Also he tells how he and Barnabas were like them when it came to idols and worshipping them. Paul explains to them that there is Notice carefully this message that is intended for pagans. Paul looks for common ground with them -- the Creator. The cross isn't mentioned here. The hearers must first understand monotheism and that God is invisible, or the cross will not make sense. So he tells them: Creator. A living God made everything (verse 15c). Idols. In contrast, idols are worthless, lifeless objects (verse 15a). Repentance. Therefore you must turn from, repent of, idol worship (verse 15b). God's forbearance. In the past he "let all nations go their way." Later, to the Athenians he put it this way: "In the past God overlooked such ignorance" (Acts 17:30a), even though all were still under sin (Romans 1:18-24). I think he is saying that God's focus then was on his own special people, the Jews. Now he is calling the Gentiles to repentance. God's goodness. God shows you his goodness with (1) rain, (2) crops, (3) food, and (4) joy. We see a similar approach when Paul speaks with the Athenians in the Areopagus (Acts 17:16-34), which we'll discuss further in Lesson 6.1. Here is Paul's message to the Athenians. Unknown god. I see you are very religious (verse 22), a compliment to establish common ground. I'll tell you about the "unknown god" to whom you have an idol (verse 23) -- again, establishing common ground. Creator. This God made heaven and earth, and made you. He doesn't need anything from us; rather he hopes we'll reach out and find him (verses 24-27a). You are God's offspring and he is close by each of us (verses 27b-28a). Living God. God is not a stone idol (verse 27b). God's forbearance. God overlooked such ignorance in the past, but now he calls all to repent (verses 30-31). Judgment. All will be judged justly by the One whom God appoints: Jesus (verses 31a, 18). Resurrection as proof. To prove this, he raised Jesus from the dead (verses 31b, 18) For me I have some background in apologetics that will help me go from one person to another. However I believe the best way is to let the Lord lead me.

Q2. In evangelizing people, how does God use power encounters (in Paphos, Crete, Acts 13:6-12) and signs and wonders (Acts 14:3 in Iconium)? Are miracles enough to produce saving faith on their own? If not, what else is needed? Have you seen signs and wonders with evangelism? If not, why do you think that is? Signs and wonders are not only indications that God is present but that He is powerful. In Paphos, Crete there was a sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus or Elymas who was an attendant of the proconsul. He no doubt used things like amulets and spells and other things to gain power and access to the proconsul's entourage as the court magician. Elymas didn't want the apostles in his territory so to speak because then he would lose out and not have access to the proconsul. He knew without a doubt that the apostles had power in the Spirit realm and that would destroy his reputation with the proconsul completely. Paul chooses to confront him directly while filled with the Holy Spirit in the presence of the proconsul who is struck speechless. The sorcerer is struck blind and needs someone to lead him around by the hand. As a result of this, the proconsul chooses to believe. In Iconium they are bold in their speech and God grants them signs and wonders in return. No because a person be willing to admit that they are sinners and they need to Jesus to save them. Then they need to believe in their hearts that Christ is their Lord and He was raised from the dead you are saved Then when you confess it with your mouth you are saved.

Q1. (Acts 13:14-41) What "common ground" does the gospel of Jesus have with Judaism? How does Paul's approach in the synagogues reflect building on this common ground? What is the essence of the gospel? (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) The common ground was that it was for both Jews and Gentiles to be saved. Also that Jesus came from David's line as the Messiah as the Promised Messiah. John the Baptist points Jesus Himself and how His life and death pointed to Christ. Jesus is then rejected by his people and crucified and raised from the dead as predicted by the Prophets. Through Jesus comes the forgiveness of sins for those who believe. However you must beware of rejection, scoffing, and unbelief.

Q4. (1 Corinthians 9:16-17) How does Paul view his call to preach? How much choice is involved for him? How much honor? How should this understanding affect our understanding of God gifting and calling us for ministry? What is the opposite of faithfulness when it comes to using God’s gifts? He views his calling as one that God has called him to and he is basically compelled to do. Paul believes that it is best to do it as a stewardship for God to gave it to him as such. Paul is extremely humble and knows that he will get no honor for it. We should be willing to do the work of the Lord without looking for acclaim and rewards but only being well disciplined like Paul. The opposite of that is disobedience.

Q3. (Acts 13:1-3) Why are the church leaders in Antioch seeking God through corporate prayer and fasting? How does God respond to their seeking? Why do you think we don't do more of this sort of thing today? What was the importance of this to the church at large? To the chosen missionaries? They were fasting and praying because they wanted to know God's will for the church and what it would include. They were looking to align themselves with the will of the Lord and needed to realize that His will for the church was what mattered. Not only that but the very fact that Jesus wanted the church to preach the gospel to the whole world as well. It says in the text that the Holy Spirit set aside Barnabas and Paul for the work. Then they prayed and fasted before laying hands on them and letting them go. I believe it is because we think missionaries are enough. The importance of this to the church is that by sending them away they showed that they were ready to let them go out of the church and serve. For the missionaries it brought many to Christ through them.

Q2. (Galatians 2:11-16) Why does Paul call out Peter publicly in Antioch? What is the reason for Peter’s hypocrisy? What is the central issue on which Paul feels they must not compromise? Why is it so important? He calls out Peter for making the Gentiles follow Jewish dietary laws when they didn't need to since Christ died for one and all. He would eat with Gentiles but when certain men came who he respected he'd withdraw from them. He would then eat with the Jews and the Jews would be a hypocrite like a him. The central issue is salvation is by faith in Christ and not by law-keeping for the law is void.

Q1. (Acts 9:30; Galatians 1:15-17) Why do ambitious Christians struggle so much when they don't seem to be doing anything important? Why is patience with God's plan so important to growth? Why is a period of spiritual formation so important to future leadership? To listening for God's voice? I believe the biggest reason we struggle so much when we are not doing something important is because we believe we need to be constantly doing something of importance and be recognized by others. However, that it is not how God works at all. He works in His own timing and His own way and we have to understand that. Patience with God's plan is important because we learn to be content through all circumstances. Spiritual formation is important for leadership because without it a person can not lead the way the way the way they should. They will lead the way of the world. It is also necessary for being patience for listening for the Lord's voice and being patient enough to listen for His voice when we read His word.

Q4. (Philippians 3:9; Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4) Abraham had been a moon-worshipper. According to Genesis 15:6, how does he come into right relationship with the God who created all? How can a person today become righteous by faith? What is involved in really “trusting” Christ? Abraham chose to believe by faith in God that God would come through for Him. For a new testament believer it is a lot different experience however, as it says in Romans you must confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord.

Q3. (Philippians 3:7-8) How do legalism and the resulting spiritual pride prevent us from trusting in Christ by faith, and knowing him? How has your pride in yourself kept you from drawing closer to Jesus? I believe legalism and pride work against us by causing trust in ourselves and works instead of Christ and we don't spend time with Him in return. Our pride tells us we don't need religion or a relationship with Christ because we are already saved and going to heaven and that we don't need prayer either. It has caused me to spend time other things instead of spend time with Jesus and realize I need Him 24/7.

Q2. (Acts 9:10-18) Why do you think God sends Ananias to Paul rather than revealing directly? Why does Ananias argue with God? Why does it take courage to obey? What does Ananias do and say? Have you ever had God guide you to talk with someone and minister to him or her? Have you followed through? I believe the reason is because Ananias is a Jew and also a Christian as well. Being that He is both he can minister Saul and guide him in the right direction as a brother in Christ. I believe he is arguing with the Lord is because he knows Saul's reputation as a person who persecuted the church. However he still obeyed and listened to the Lord and chose to help out Saul who became Paul. It takes courage to do it because you don't know what the Lord is asking you to do at all. Yes many times. Yes and it was difficult.

Q1. (Acts 9:4-5; 26:14) Why does persecuting Christ's people constitute persecuting Christ himself? What kinds of goads or prods have you seen God use on you to move you along Christ's path? When you "kick against the goads" is it harder on you or on God? When anyone persecutes the church or even a pastor they are persecuting the King of Kings and Lord and Lords who died at Calvary on the cross. When I think about that I have seen how people persecute me and I think they do it because i am a Christian and I am not of this world. The goads or prods He has used on me are a current Bible study which showed me that I had many idols that I had to rid myself of. God took them from me and now I am spiritually awakened and He is using me for His benefit. When I kick against them; it is harder on me but it hurts him to see me to do it.

Hi my name is Jennifer and I have always been interested in the book of Acts and the life of Paul/Saul and how he lived for Christ until his death. I hope to gain a better understanding of him through this study.

Q4. (John 21:18-19) What does death have to do with glorifying God? How will your life and death bring glory or credit to God? What does this passage teach us about God’s foreknowledge? Glorifying the Lord in death means you are faithful to Him until your death and you don't waiver. I hope my life will bring people to God and my death will do the same. The passage says that God knows everything before we do.

Q3. (John 21:15-17) Why does Jesus repeat the question and the assurance three times? What does this teach us about God repeating the lessons he wants us to learn? What does it say about God’s mercy and willingness to restore sinners to ministry? I believe the reason He did it is because Peter denied knowing Him 3 times and so He wanted to know for sure that Peter loved Him for sure. It shows us that God has patience enough to teach them to us. He has more than enough to restore us when we sin.

Q2. (John 21:7-14) What does Jesus preparing breakfast for the disciples say about his love for them? His provision? What does Peter's early morning swim say about his love for Jesus? I believe it shows how much He truly cared for their physical needs. He wanted to provide their physical needs and give them something to eat. It shows that Peter loved Jesus enough to be reconciled to Him.

Q1. (John 21:4-8) Why did Jesus tell the disciples to cast their net on the right side of the boat? Why did the disciples obey? What was the result? What impression did it make on the disciples? I believe because He wanted to teach them to trust Him and His will in everything that they would do. Because they believed Jesus knew better they did. They caught more fish than the net could hold. It showed the disciples it was the Lord and they went to hug Him.

Q6. (John 20:30-31) How did John decide what to include in his Gospel and what to leave out? What is the purpose of his Gospel? John differentiates in verse 31b between believing and having life. Why? John decided to include that which would lead us to believe in Christ and have eternal life in Him. The purpose of His Gospel was to lead us to believe in Jesus Christ and have eternal life. John differentiates because we can't have life without believing first.

Q5. (John 20:24-29) Why do you think Thomas is so stubborn about believing that Jesus was raised from the dead? How do you think he felt when Jesus appeared before him? What was Thomas’s confession in verse 28? What is Jesus’ blessing offered to future believers? I believe he is so stubborn because this is the first time it has happened to someone he knew. He probably didn't believe Jesus would actually die on the cross and be resurrected. His confession was My Lord! and My God! Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

Q4. (John 20:23) In what sense does the Church have the power to forgive sins? Do we (or the church's authorized representatives) confer forgiveness or declare it? Or both? I believe that the church can forgive sins when the sins when the sins deal with the church in general. However beyond that; I believe I don't know meaning I am unsure. I believe Scripture is quite clear. Jesus forgives us of all sins.

Q3. (John 20:22) Why do you think Jesus commissioning the disciples (verse 21) is so closely linked with his giving the Holy Spirit (verse 22)? (See Acts 1:4, 1:8 Why is Jesus sending the Holy Spirit? Why do you think the work of the Holy Spirit tends to be neglected and misunderstood in our day? I believe his commissioning them was linked the Holy Spirit because without Him they would have no authority and power to do the works that they had done in the times that they were able to do. He was sending the Holy Spirit in order to empower them to do the works that they would be doing as well as protect them. I believe it is misunderstood and neglected because they believe some of the gifts are no longer existence anymore.

John 20:21) What is the relationship between the way the Father sent Jesus and how Jesus sends us? How careful are you to listen and get directions from Jesus in serving the Lord? The relationship between the way the Father sent Jesus is that Jesus was sent on a mission to save the world with specific directions. How He sends us is that we are to preach, baptize and do all that he did. I could do a lot better.