Tag: Obedience

Acts 2:1-47 Study Outline

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Heartland Church of Christ
Acts of Apostles
July—September 2024
Shelby Floyd
Acts 2:1-47

PPT - How Can I Glorify God? PowerPoint Presentation, free download ...

Student Outline
I. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4).
1. What was the day of Pentecost? And how did it originate? See Leviticus 23:15.
2. Who does “they” include in Acts 2:1? See Acts 1:26!
3. What does “they were in one accord” mean? See Acts 1:14.
4. Describe what the sound from heaven sounded like. See Acts 1:2. See also Acts 4:31.
5. What were these “divided tongues, as of fire” that came upon the apostles? See Acts 2:3.
6. Who was filled with the Holy Spirit? The crowd or the apostles? See Acts 1:26 and Acts 1:2, 8.

II. Study the Crowds Response to the Tongue Talkers (Acts 2:5-13).
1. Where did all of these devout Jews in Jerusalem originate? See Acts 2:5.
2. Why was the multitude confused when they heard the apostles speaking? See Acts 2:6, 8.
3. Where did the apostles come from geographically? See Acts 2:7.
4. In what language did the multitude of the people hear the apostles speaking on the day of Pentecost? See Acts 2:8.
5. From how many geographical areas did the crowd originate? See Acts 2:9-11.
6. Please list all of these nationalities. There are 16! Name them! See Acts 2:9-11:



7. List all of the words that are used to describe the sound the crowd heard from the apostles.

Acts 2:2__________________________.
Acts 2:3__________________________.
Acts 2:4__________________________.
Acts 2:6__________________________.
Acts 2:8__________________________.
Acts 2:11_________________________.
8. How did some in the audience explain the phenomenon that the crowd had just witnessed on the day of Pentecost? See Acts 2:13.

III. Peter’s Sermon Acts 2:14-40.
1. How many stood up with Peter when he began to speak? And who were these others who stood up with him? See Acts 2: 14
2. Did Peter allow the charge that they were full of new wine to go unanswered? See Acts 2:15.
3. What Old Testament prophet did Peter quote at length to verify what had just happened on the day of Pentecost? Who was the prophet? Acts 2:16. Study the prophets’ statement in Acts 2:16-21.


4. How did Peter go about explaining the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ? See Acts 2: 22-24.
5. Peter confirmed his words about Jesus Christ by quoting King David in the Psalms 16:8-11.
 Explain how David could see the Lord Jesus before his face
 What was the reaction of David’s heart, tongue, and his flesh, in regard to the Lord?
 What did David say about the soul and body of Christ after his death?
 What state will David be in before God’s presence?
6. Did God promise David that he would raise up Christ to sit on David’s throne? See Acts 2:29-31.
7. Did Christ receive and pour out the Holy Spirit upon the apostles? See Acts 2:32-36.

IV. The Reaction of the Audience to the Message of Peter! Acts 2: 36-41!
1. Did Peter accuse his audience of crucifying Jesus? See Acts 2:36.
2. What does it mean that God made Jesus both Lord and Christ? Examine Acts 2:36.
3. How did the audience respond to the message of Peter? Answer: “they were cut to the heart.” Acts 2:37. What does that mean?
4. What question did the audience ask Peter? Answer: “men and brethren what shall we do?”
5. To whom did they ask this question? Answer: “Peter and the rest of the apostles.” Verse 37.
6. What was the answer that Peter gave to those who asked the question, “what shall we do?” The answer: Acts 2:38-39
7. Analyze Acts 2:38-39:
 “Repent” – what does this mean? See Luke 24:47.
 “And let everyone of you be baptized.” What does baptize mean?
 What does “in the name of Jesus Christ” mean?
 What is the purpose of baptism according to Peter and Acts 2:38? Answer: “for the remission of sins.”
8. What does “and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,” mean? Answer: see Acts 2:38.
9. Please explain verse 39 concerning the promise. Acts 2:39 Answer: go to Joel 2:28, 32 and also go to Ephesians 2:13.

V. The Growth of the Church. (Acts 2:40-47).
1. Please take note of Peter’s parting exhortation. Answer: “Be saved from this perverse (crooked) generation.” Verse 40.
2. What happens when the hearers gladly receive the message of the apostles? Answer: “they were baptized.” Acts 2:41.
3. How many were baptized on that first day of the church in Jerusalem? Answer: “about 3000 souls were added to them.” (Acts 2:41).
4. What did the 3000 baptized believers continue to do in their Christian walk? Answer: Acts 2:42.
 They continued steadfastly
 they continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine
 they continued steadfastly breaking of bread
 they continued steadfastly in prayer
5. Did the band of baptized believers have a healthy respect for the apostles? Answer Acts 2:43.
6. What did the band of believers share in common with other believers? Answer Acts 2:44-45
o They sold their possessions and gave to the needy. Acts 2:45
o They divided what they had and shared among those in need. Acts 2:45
7. They had daily fellowship in the spirit of unity! “They continued daily with one accord.” One accord indicates unity!
• See Acts 1:14
• see Acts 2:1
• see Acts 2:46
8. Who adds the saved believers to the church? Answer: see Acts 2:47

Copyright © 2024 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved

Shelby G. Floyd, minister, Heartland Church of Christ, 1693 West Main Street, Greenwood, Indiana 46142

 

THE DRAWING POWER OF THE CROSS

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Shelby G. Floyd

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” by Issac Watts was one of the most beautiful hymns ever written. He is one of the best-known and best loved of the British hymn writers. He wrote about 600 hymns in his lifetime. Charles Wesley, who also wrote many hymns, said that he would gladly have exchanged all of his hymns for that one hymn written by Isaac Watts. Watts hymn is based upon Galatians 6:14 where the apostle Paul said, “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

GLORYING IN THE CROSS

The cross of Christ is the center of the gospel story. Wherever the apostles and preachers went in the early days of the church, the central theme of their message was the death of Christ upon the cross of Calvary. For instance, Paul worked with the Corinthians a year and a half. Later he wrote a letter to them and said, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). This meant that “Christ crucified” was the burden of his message. He did not preach the Grecian philosophy or the Roman wisdom of the poets and philosophers. He said his message was Jesus Christ and him crucified.

In the first chapter of the same letter he said, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect” (1 Corinthians 1:17). He said the cross of Christ was a stumbling block to the Jews, and the Greeks looked upon it as foolishness. He added, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

CHRIST ANTICIPATED HIS DEATH

Jesus Christ anticipated his own death. There have been other men who have anticipated their deaths, but not each detail of how and when they would die. The Lord did. In John 3 Jesus had an interview with Nicodemus. When we talk about this interview, we usually talk about the new birth. Many probably do not realize the conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus about the new birth also included the statement, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believe it in him should not periods, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believe it in him should not perish, but have everlasting life: for God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:14-17). This is a part of the interview with Nicodemus. Continue reading “THE DRAWING POWER OF THE CROSS” →

Growing the Church

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Shelby G. Floyd

If the church is to increase and grow, we must all get involved in the law of the seedtime and harvest. Solomon taught that to expect a har­vest we must get up early in the morning and sow the seed and not wait till the evening of life: Sow your seed in the morning and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well (Ecclesiastes 11:6).

In some parables that Jesus taught, God is pic­tured as the owner of a huge farm with an abundant har­vest. But the harvest may be lost be­cause of few workers. Jesus said, “The harvest is truly plenteous, but the laborers are few (Matthew 9:37).

God can do whatever pleases him (Psalms 115:3), but it does not please him to circumvent his own plan to save man. Paul outlined God’s plan in his letter to the Ro­mans:

For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “LORD, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10:13-17, NKJV).

From this scripture we learn several facts about our task of proclaiming the gospel message:

  1. God saves those who call on the Lord.
  2. Men cannot call on someone they do not believe in.
  3. They cannot believe in one of whom they have not heard.
  4. They cannot hear unless someone preaches the word to them.

Someone must send and someone must go to sow the seed:

The lack of growth is and always has been a lack of workers. Unless we all get involved in making disciples, no one will go. Like the apostle Paul said, “the love of God compels me,” to carry our own load and go forth to do good works.

Copyright © 2024 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved

Shelby G. Floyd, Minister, Heartland Church of Christ, 1693 West Main Street, Greenwood, Indiana 46142

 

 

 

 

CRITIC, TALKER, OR DOER

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Are You a Critic, Talker, or Doer?



Critic— “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” —Matthew 7:1
Talker— “For the dream comes through much effort, and the voice of a fool through many words.” —Eccl. 5:3
Doer— “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” —James 1:22

Copyright © 2024 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved

Shelby G. Floyd, Minister, Heartland Church of Christ, 1693 West Main Street, Greenwood, Indiana 46142

 

 

“NOT BY FAITH ALONE”

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Shelby G. Floyd

“The benefits of the gospel come to the person who has faith alone in Christ. The blood of Christ is applied to the sinner upon faith alone in Christ and not at baptism.” –Faith Alone Adherent and Critic

In previous essays we have amply demonstrated that the subject “faith alone” is not a biblical subject and therefore a subject not to be discussed. It has only been discussed so far because certain religious advocates vehemently insist that salvation is predicated on “faith alone!” It has been pointed out that the scriptures teach just the exact opposite. James explicitly states that salvation or justification from sin is “by works” and “not by faith alone.” James teaches the truth: “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:24 NKJV). Continue reading ““NOT BY FAITH ALONE”” →

THE BAPTISM OF JESUS

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Shelby G. Floyd

Matthew 3:16-17
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
NKJV

As I come before you today I recognize that there is a spirit among us of support, loyalty and joy for the hometown team. And I also believe that it is the case that we have that same loyalty and support and joy for the hometown congregation—the Heartland church of Christ. And that is why you are present today.

A few years ago, I presented the lesson that I am presenting today. And I was surprised that afterward a young man came to me and said, “I need to be baptized—I want to be immersed for the forgiveness of sins.” And I thought that this person was a member of the church already. And I learned a great lesson from this, that in almost every service that we will have like this, there are probably one or more people who need to be baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins. And so we preach on a lot of different subjects, but sometimes we assume that everybody sitting in one of the chairs has been baptized and become Christians. But that is not always the case, and therefore today I want to talk to you about the baptism of Jesus Christ. And I hope that I can make this lesson so simple that even a little child can understand it. That is my goal and that is my purpose in delivering this message. Our comments will cover the entire third chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew. Therefore you are encouraged to open up your Bibles and follow along to make sure that we faithfully present the record of the baptism of Jesus Christ. Continue reading “THE BAPTISM OF JESUS” →

Conversion of a Roman Jailor

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Shelby G. Floyd

On the second evangelistic journey Paul and Silas were shamefully treated in Philippi. They were severely flogged and committed to the jailer who was commanded to keep them safely. This he did by putting them in the inner cell and fastening their feet in the stocks (Acts 16:19-24). Continue reading “Conversion of a Roman Jailor” →

THE RIGHT HANDS OF FELLOWSHIP NO. 2

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Shelby G. Floyd

And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. -Galatians 2:9 KJV

LESSON TWO

FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST

Many persons do not have an accurate understanding of what is involved in fellowship with God and with one another. About the only idea that some have concerning fellowship is a sign over a door in some church building which says, “Fellowship Room.” This lesson is designed to enlighten our understanding concerning our fellowship with Christ the Son of God.

The apostle John said,

“That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1: 3).

Continue reading “THE RIGHT HANDS OF FELLOWSHIP NO. 2” →

THE HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS

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Shelby G. Floyd

One of the favorite figures of speech applied to the church is that of a way, a path, and a road that leads from one place to another.

DO ALL RELIGIOUS ROADS LEAD TO HEAVEN?

Christianity is a definite way over which the redeemed pass from earth to heaven. In a day when highways and roads are so familiar, it is easy for some people to get the idea that there are many ways for one to reach heaven. It is a popular doctrine that we are all going to heaven in different ways. While this is popular, is it the truth? Continue reading “THE HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS” →

SPEAK OR STRIKE THE ROCK?

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Shelby G. Floyd

Someone said, “The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.” Continue reading “SPEAK OR STRIKE THE ROCK?” →