Posts Tagged ‘Bold Church’
Colaboring with God in Prayer – Acts 12:1-13:12: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Herod – This Herod is Herod Agrippa I, who ruled from 41-44 AD, and was the grandson of Herod the Great. The Herod who played a part in Jesus’ arrest and execution was a different Herod called Herod the Tetrarch. Worshipping – From the Greek word leitourgeō, which means “to serve.”…
Read MoreWhen the Church Is at Its Best – Acts 11:19-30: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Antioch – 300 miles from Jerusalem, Antioch was the 3rd largest city in the Roman Empire with a population of 500,000 people. Antioch would serve as a “home base” for Paul (see Acts 13:1-3, 15:30-26 & 18:22-23). Hellenists – This term has a wide range of meaning and Luke used it…
Read MoreConversion, Culture, and the Core of the Gospel Part 2 – Acts 11:1-18: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms The Circumcision Party – Although the ESV translates this phrase the circumcision party, the Greek phrase is simply koi ek peritomēs, which literally means “those of the circumcision.” It’s unclear whether Luke uses this term to refer to all Jewish Christians in Judea or the particular group within the Church that…
Read MoreConversion, Culture, and the Core of the Gospel – Acts 10:1-48: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Caesarea – An influential 1st century port city located about 30 miles north of modern-day Tel Aviv. Caesarea was the Roman capital of Judea and home to the Roman governors over the region. Cornelius – Cornelius was a Gentile (non-Jew) who sought to follow Yahweh, the God of the Jews. He…
Read MorePowerful Participation – Acts 9:19-43: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms The Son of God – An honorific title that by the time of Jesus had become associated with the Messiah. Verse 20 is the only time this phrase is used to describe Jesus in the book of Acts, but would become central to Paul’s theology and teaching (See Ro 1:4 &…
Read MoreBefore the Face of God – Acts 9:1-19: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Letters from the high priest – Paul asks for letters from the high priest in an apparent attempt to establish his authority to arrest Christians outside of Jerusalem. The Way – A term used to describe Christians in the 1st century; Luke uses similar terms such as the way of salvation…
Read MoreThe Gospel Confronts and Comforts – Acts 8:9-40: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Simon the Magician – A man living in Samaria who had gained great recognition for the magic he performed; magicians in the 1st century operated most commonly by illusion, but the NT also suggests that Satan can empower people to perform false magic that distracts from Jesus (Mt 24:24; 1 Thes…
Read MoreA Surprising Way to Advance – Acts 8:1-8: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Saul (Paul) – Saul, who later goes by Paul, was first mentioned in the book of Acts to end chapter 7 as overseeing Stephen’s execution, and is now responsible for ravaging the church and imprisoning many men and women (v. 3). Paul later goes on to become a Christian, help spread…
Read MoreFull of Faith and Spirit – Acts 6:8-7:60: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Covenant of circumcision – A term used to refer to the covenant God made with Abraham in Genesis 17 that Abraham would have a son with Sarah and become the father of a multitude of nations; circumcision was a sign to the people of this promise. Son of Man – A…
Read MoreHeroes in the Church – Acts 6:1-15: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Hellenists – Jews whose families had previously lived outside of Jerusalem, and therefore spoke Greek and were largely influenced by Greek culture, but who were now living in Jerusalem. Daily distribution – Only mentioned in Acts 6:1, but evidently a regular practice of the Early Church to care for widows, who…
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