Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
v.34
Interesting that Jesus quoted this verse from Psalm 110:1 in Luke 20:42-43 and now Peter quotes the same verse. I suspect Peter remembered what Jesus said about this verse and how it revealed that the Messiah would be God. Peter now uses the same verse to point to Jesus being both Lord and Christ (v.36).
v.34
Interesting that Jesus quoted this verse from Psalm 110:1 in Luke 20:42-43 and now Peter quotes the same verse. I suspect Peter remembered what Jesus said about this verse and how it revealed that the Messiah would be God. Peter now uses the same verse to point to Jesus being both Lord and Christ (v.36).
I have been reading through John as well and just started Acts along with you. The day I read this chapter was also the day in John where Jesus declared to Peter taht he would deny Him 3 times. What a juxtaposition and what a difference the Spirit makes! Under our own power and conviction we may have the best of intentions, but we often end up shying away in cowardice. But when the Spirit takes over, we can end up standing up in the middle of a crowd and gaining 3000 converts!
Going back to what jumped out in Chapter 1, about them being unsure of what to do next, it is interesting that in verse 1 here they are still "gathered together in one place." Most likely still unsure of what to do next until the Spirit is poured out on them.
Interesting to me as well here that "speaking in tongues" is not them babbling in non-sensical syllables and then "interpreting." They are speaking actual languages that they weren't previously familiar with.
And I LOVE then end of this chapter. Just the description of the whole "scene." Everyone being together and sharing everything they had with one another. Constantly gathering together for teaching and prayer in the evenings and going out in the day to invite more people to come to that evening's "party."
I have been reading through John as well and just started Acts along with you. The day I read this chapter was also the day in John where Jesus declared to Peter taht he would deny Him 3 times. What a juxtaposition and what a difference the Spirit makes! Under our own power and conviction we may have the best of intentions, but we often end up shying away in cowardice. But when the Spirit takes over, we can end up standing up in the middle of a crowd and gaining 3000 converts!
Going back to what jumped out in Chapter 1, about them being unsure of what to do next, it is interesting that in verse 1 here they are still "gathered together in one place." Most likely still unsure of what to do next until the Spirit is poured out on them.
Interesting to me as well here that "speaking in tongues" is not them babbling in non-sensical syllables and then "interpreting." They are speaking actual languages that they weren't previously familiar with.
And I LOVE then end of this chapter. Just the description of the whole "scene." Everyone being together and sharing everything they had with one another. Constantly gathering together for teaching and prayer in the evenings and going out in the day to invite more people to come to that evening's "party."
Yes, 'tis amazing what a difference the Spirit makes. Yet so many people(in churches) shy away from His power.
It is interesting thinking about the disciples sitting around for 10days wondering what to do next and then suddenly with the Spirit coming it all becomes clear. A massive "Ah ha" moment.
I was also reading elsewhere and found that Paul quouted Isaiah 28:11 which prophesies that in 'strange tongues God will speak to this people' and uses this verse to explain tongues in 1 Corinthians 14. Interesting that Peter didn't quote this but rather Joel who doesn't mention tongues at all.
I like the description at the end of the chapter too however it seems like a temporary situation that doesn't get repeated elsewhere.
Because it had been so quiet around here I have been reading a commentary. The commentary suggests that the people knew that Jerusalem was doomed and they believed Jesus' return would be soon so there was no point hanging onto their own material possessions. I think if we were to gaze a while at the big picture we would also realize that our stay on earth is brief and hang onto our material possessions much more lightly.
Yes, 'tis amazing what a difference the Spirit makes. Yet so many people(in churches) shy away from His power.
It is interesting thinking about the disciples sitting around for 10days wondering what to do next and then suddenly with the Spirit coming it all becomes clear. A massive "Ah ha" moment.
I was also reading elsewhere and found that Paul quouted Isaiah 28:11 which prophesies that in 'strange tongues God will speak to this people' and uses this verse to explain tongues in 1 Corinthians 14. Interesting that Peter didn't quote this but rather Joel who doesn't mention tongues at all.
I like the description at the end of the chapter too however it seems like a temporary situation that doesn't get repeated elsewhere.
Because it had been so quiet around here I have been reading a commentary. The commentary suggests that the people knew that Jerusalem was doomed and they believed Jesus' return would be soon so there was no point hanging onto their own material possessions. I think if we were to gaze a while at the big picture we would also realize that our stay on earth is brief and hang onto our material possessions much more lightly.
"…however it seems like a temporary situation that doesn't get repeated elsewhere."
Hmmm. As far as the massive amount of converts, yes. I would agree. But as far as people sharing their goods with one another and meeting together in one another's homes on a regular if not daily basis… I think that's all they did as a "church" back then. Of course, beyond Acts we don't really have any more narratives to go by. It's all letters after this.
Not to say that one form is better than another.(church-wise) This just sounds really nice. Daily community and worship and eating and talking. Sounds like a nice picture of life. And one that will probably be more like our afterlife as well.
"…however it seems like a temporary situation that doesn't get repeated elsewhere."
Hmmm. As far as the massive amount of converts, yes. I would agree. But as far as people sharing their goods with one another and meeting together in one another's homes on a regular if not daily basis… I think that's all they did as a "church" back then. Of course, beyond Acts we don't really have any more narratives to go by. It's all letters after this.
Not to say that one form is better than another.(church-wise) This just sounds really nice. Daily community and worship and eating and talking. Sounds like a nice picture of life. And one that will probably be more like our afterlife as well.
I agree the community life style they had does sound very nice. However I don't think it is something we can or should try to duplicate exactly. I think it worked well at that time and in that place – Jerusalem – but when Paul planted churches in Gentile areas he did not teach them to live like they did in Jerusalem.
Personally, though it is a nice idea, I think that after a while it would drive me "nuts" living in community! I'm an introvert I need my space. Also I don't think it would help to spread the gospel if people thought that becoming a Christian meant they would have to live in community.
On the other hand this lifestyle does provide the opportunity to live more like Jesus lived and would free up resources to help the poor. However I must admit I'm not putting my hand up to live with this.
I agree the community life style they had does sound very nice. However I don't think it is something we can or should try to duplicate exactly. I think it worked well at that time and in that place – Jerusalem – but when Paul planted churches in Gentile areas he did not teach them to live like they did in Jerusalem.
Personally, though it is a nice idea, I think that after a while it would drive me "nuts" living in community! I'm an introvert I need my space. Also I don't think it would help to spread the gospel if people thought that becoming a Christian meant they would have to live in community.
On the other hand this lifestyle does provide the opportunity to live more like Jesus lived and would free up resources to help the poor. However I must admit I'm not putting my hand up to live with this.
v.12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
Seems like a logical question. What does it mean when people start speaking in languages they have never learnt. Peter explained that God has poured out his spirit. He gives a brief biography of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of God from where he "poured out what you now see and hear" (v.33).
v.12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
Seems like a logical question. What does it mean when people start speaking in languages they have never learnt. Peter explained that God has poured out his spirit. He gives a brief biography of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of God from where he "poured out what you now see and hear" (v.33).
v.14 let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.
We need teachers who can explain and believers who will listen carefully.
v.14 let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.
We need teachers who can explain and believers who will listen carefully.
v.3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
(From Constable’s Commentary) "They probably attributed the miracle of speaking in tongues to the God whose presence they had identified with fire in their history and who was now obviously present among them."
v.3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
(From Constable’s Commentary) "They probably attributed the miracle of speaking in tongues to the God whose presence they had identified with fire in their history and who was now obviously present among them."
v.24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
Impossible for death to hold him because he had not committed any sins.
v.24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
Impossible for death to hold him because he had not committed any sins.
v.44-45 All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
(From Constable’s Commentary) "How can we tell whether we should practice a New Testament practice? We should ask ourselves: "Is it commanded, and is the practice trans-cultural (not limited to one particular situation)?"
v.44-45 All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
(From Constable’s Commentary) "How can we tell whether we should practice a New Testament practice? We should ask ourselves: "Is it commanded, and is the practice trans-cultural (not limited to one particular situation)?"