There have been 3 points thus far in the study that have really challenged me...
1) To witness you must SPEAK. Sigh...I didn't really like this one to be honest. "We are all called to minister to others." That I can handle. "The most effective way to minister is to live a life according to The Word and people will see the difference in you." Yup...That I like too.
That's where I like to stop.
That's the easy part.
Opening my mouth is the hard part. (yeah, i know, but try to avoid the comments on that one if you can!!) I challenge you to ask yourself where and with who you need to be a little more bold in your witnessing. My only caution is that if you ask, you need to be ready for the Holy Spirit to show you!!
2) Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, All of Palestine, The Whole Roman World.
This is the succession of areas that Paul and the other disciples witnessed. They started with their neighbors and family, then went to the surrounding towns, onto the the distant countryside, then out way past their comfort zones. The funny thing about this is it took the persecution of Christians for them to go. In other words, listen carefully to where God would have you go, or He will find a way to make you move!
3) Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Yup, that's a can of worms for some of you, I realize that, but I'm going there anyway!!
Acts 2:4, 17-18 Note the 14th word of verse 17. (NIV version) (uh huh, that means you and me too). I have never spoken in tongues...to be honest it has always weirded me out a little. But if this is the baptism that Jesus has to offer me, who am I to turn it down??? Matthew 3:11
"No thanks Jesus, I'm not really into all that stuff".
I don't think so...
I will leave it at that for now.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
A little info about Acts, and a few thoughts on the Holy Spirit
YAY!!! It's about time right! Oh well, better late than never right??
Onto my second course, Acts: The Holy Spirit at Work in Believers
I'm going to approach this course a little differently than the first. The first was full of background info and history and culture of the time that wasn't apparent in the context of the books studies. This study of Acts has a different focus. It's more about analyzing what's in the book of Acts, and digging a little deeper into the meaning and application. I would highly recommend reading through my first blog entries about the History and Culture of Jesus' time, it will give a much better understanding of Acts.
I will start with some basic info on the book of Acts:
Author: Luke (well, at least this is the most likely case. The Author is never stated directly in the book, but based on the structure, personal knowledge of Paul's travels, and references to the book of Luke, we can safely conclude it was written by Luke)
Date Written: around 63 AD
Main Characters: the Holy Spirit, Paul, and Peter (in that order!)
(At one time the book was called The Acts of the Apostles. All the Apostles are mentioned, however Peter and Paul's journeys are more the focus.)
Main Ideas: History of the Church; The Holy Spirit; How to be a witness
Being that the true Main Character of this book is the Holy Spirit, I think it's good to take a moment to really identify who He is. This is the part where I get to stray from my text's teachings, and simply talk for a bit.....ohhhhhh I like this part!!
I like to think of the Holy Spirit kind of like a mall security guard. They don't get as much hype as the "real" cops, people like to make fun of them, but they are the first we call on when we can't find our car or someone takes our purse. Jesus promised the Disciples he would send someone whose coming was so important, it warranted Jesus' departure.(John 16:7) He commanded (not asked, but commanded) them to wait in Jerusalem until they received this "gift" from His Father; a gift that would be for all people (Joel 2:28-29). Why is it then that something that Jesus recognized as vital for His people, is something that we like to shy away from?? I don't mean to condemn on this, I too fall into the category of people who like to try to put the Holy Spirit into a box. I doubt this is what God had in mind when He sent this gift for us. I would be hurt (and a little dumbfounded) if I gave you a mansion as a gift, and you only chose to utilize the basement and garage.
As we really take some time to look deeper into the book of Acts I pray that you will join me in moving forward with and open mind, and a surrendered heart.
Talk to you soon!
Sarah
Onto my second course, Acts: The Holy Spirit at Work in Believers
I'm going to approach this course a little differently than the first. The first was full of background info and history and culture of the time that wasn't apparent in the context of the books studies. This study of Acts has a different focus. It's more about analyzing what's in the book of Acts, and digging a little deeper into the meaning and application. I would highly recommend reading through my first blog entries about the History and Culture of Jesus' time, it will give a much better understanding of Acts.
I will start with some basic info on the book of Acts:
Author: Luke (well, at least this is the most likely case. The Author is never stated directly in the book, but based on the structure, personal knowledge of Paul's travels, and references to the book of Luke, we can safely conclude it was written by Luke)
Date Written: around 63 AD
Main Characters: the Holy Spirit, Paul, and Peter (in that order!)
(At one time the book was called The Acts of the Apostles. All the Apostles are mentioned, however Peter and Paul's journeys are more the focus.)
Main Ideas: History of the Church; The Holy Spirit; How to be a witness
Being that the true Main Character of this book is the Holy Spirit, I think it's good to take a moment to really identify who He is. This is the part where I get to stray from my text's teachings, and simply talk for a bit.....ohhhhhh I like this part!!
I like to think of the Holy Spirit kind of like a mall security guard. They don't get as much hype as the "real" cops, people like to make fun of them, but they are the first we call on when we can't find our car or someone takes our purse. Jesus promised the Disciples he would send someone whose coming was so important, it warranted Jesus' departure.(John 16:7) He commanded (not asked, but commanded) them to wait in Jerusalem until they received this "gift" from His Father; a gift that would be for all people (Joel 2:28-29). Why is it then that something that Jesus recognized as vital for His people, is something that we like to shy away from?? I don't mean to condemn on this, I too fall into the category of people who like to try to put the Holy Spirit into a box. I doubt this is what God had in mind when He sent this gift for us. I would be hurt (and a little dumbfounded) if I gave you a mansion as a gift, and you only chose to utilize the basement and garage.
As we really take some time to look deeper into the book of Acts I pray that you will join me in moving forward with and open mind, and a surrendered heart.
Talk to you soon!
Sarah
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