KEEP YOUR LAMBS BURNING BY DOING EVANGELISM FOR OUR CONTEXT
PASSAGE - Acts2:36-47; Acts 4:23-37
INTRODUCTION
The fulfilment of prophecy is very important because the Jews had been waiting for the promised Messiah for generations. This hope of salvation was not for Jews alone because through Jesus God offers salvation for all of humanity. Inasmuch as it is for humanity, Peter tells the crowd for certain, God has made this Jesus both “Lord and Messiah” and they must, “Turn from sins and accept Christ, be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.” Acts 2: 36-39. Peter knows, it is an ongoing fact that many who came to Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost have personal opinions and thoughts, some lack the capacity to be followers and for these reasons find it very difficult to belief Christ’s uniqueness and role.
Note, too, Peter is aware that others are split concerning his personality, sometimes ignore the teachings of Scripture and even try to explain things away (John 7: 45-48; John 9: 32-33; Matthew 11: 4-5). By calling Jesus Lord and Messiah, Peter was staking the biggest possible claim in addressing the people, majority of which were specifically the Jews which prompted them to ask the question, “what shall we do?”
What is clear from Scripture is once you’re a believer, you are no longer the same person after conversion anymore, you’re in right standing with God and find comfort in God’s best promise of a future life (2 Cor. 5:17). John 5: 24 confirmed certain assurances and Jesus spoke about current reality and future assurances for anyone who hears God’s word and believes. The truly tragic part isn’t just what Jesus said has happened; it’s that so many people refuse to see and accept it. Tragically, some people doubt or refuse to have faith in Jesus despite his truth and it’s deeply sad they cannot bring themselves to believe on Christ.
The event in which our study occur is very important when we consider the statistics from our partners, Vision Ministries Canada (VMC) that more than ½ Christians do not equip for evangelism, 77% Christians dropped to 55% while 2% Muslim rose to 5% and about 17.5% non-religious affiliated rose to 35% in 20 years from 2001-2021. This analysis brings to light systemic issues, prompting reevaluation of current church practices to help us critically examine the implications and begin doing evangelism for our context and living for the benefit of others and their salvation. Therefore, this study is aimed to draw attention to our need for spiritual fervor serving God, sense of community and church growth as described in Acts 2: 47; Romans 12:11; Hebrews 10: 24-25.
QUESTIONS
1. In Acts 2: 36, the climax of Peter’s sermon declared that God made this Jesus Lord and Messiah. Does, Jesus has a split personality. Otherwise, comment on why the statement is necessary then and relevant even today when the Bible is clear about Christ’s uniqueness and role
A. Acts 2: 40 - 41 typically describes the aftermath of Peter’s sermon. Mention and discuss Peter’s main plea to the crowd and how they responded during this birth of the early church.
B. Explain what Colossians 2: 11-12; Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:11 say about baptism.
C. When Peter commanded them to repent and be baptized on the day of baptism in Acts 2: 37- 40, discuss why they did not make any effort to explain that away since it wasn’t easy for Jews to identify with Christ and commit to water baptism.
2. According to Acts 2:47, those who were being saved were added to the church. Study 1 Corinthians 3: 5-9, and describe the role of man and what does Paul says about inclusion in church.
A. What methods or ideas do you know that believers apply today in their hope to promote church inclusion.
B. Combine what Paul highlights in 1 Corinthians 3: 5-9 and what Jesus told his disciples in Mk. 9:38-40; Luke 9: 49-50. What information are significant that you can use to explain a complex Bible study topic related to church growth or increase.
3. A community is viewed as group of people connected by shared interests, values, goals and location, interacting with a sense of mutual support, and identity toward fulfilling fundamental human need and being a part of something larger than themselves.
A. In response to Peter’s preaching in Acts 2: 41-47, what practices have you seen to say for certain that church community life is formed, and should be considered normative for the church today.
B. What do you think was responsible for the spontaneous and immediate addition of such a huge number of 3000 to the church.
C. Thinking and reflecting through Acts 2: 44-45, and Acts 4: 32-35, why do you think they sold their possessions and share everything they owned.
4. Advice on what ECWA Canada can do or should be doing to model the church in Jerusalem which Scripture described as being united in heart and mind, abandoning every ownership in favor of community sharing.
A. The “Early Church” was an evangelizing church, growing daily (Acts 2:47). But evangelism doesn’t always take place in the Temple as seen in Acts 8:26-40; Acts 16: 11-15. What do you think God is teaching us and how has that motivated and changed how you planned on living
B. Read 2 Cor. 5: 14; Matt. 28: 19; 1 peter 3: 15, and describe what you think was the mind and heart condition of the people for doing evangelism
C. Discuss how in spiritual and community contexts fellowship and growth is interconnected. With summer at hand and people feeling free to move, walk and visit, what biblical insights have you learned that motivates you to want to share the comfort, peace and joy of redemption with people going through difficult seasons of life.
