STUDY GUIDE CORY BRAMLETT OF THE SPIRIT HE LEADS ME LUKE 24:46-49, ACTS 1:8, ACTS 8:26-38 03/22/2015 MAIN POINT Our experience with a risen Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit propel us to trust God where He leads. INTRODUCTION As your group time begins, use this section to introduce the topic of discussion. What fears do you have when you think about sharing the gospel? Are these fears rooted in the unknown or in past experiences? What s the most memorable thing that has ever happened to you while sharing your faith? In what circumstances is it easy for you to share God s love with others? In what circumstances is it difficult for you? What is the most dramatic thing you have ever witnessed? Do you enjoy telling people about what you expereienced? Why or why not? Jesus commissioned His church to go into the world with the gospel. As His followers, we are called to tell others what Jesus has done for us. Because we have experienced the resurrected Christ and are empowered through the Holy Spirit, we can boldy take hold of a life lived on mission with God. Through the story of Philip and the Ethiopian man, we learn that chances to share Christ are not reserved for church campuses and Bible studies. In a lost world desperately seeking hope, the chance to share your story and your hope can come anywhere, any day. UNDERSTANDING Unpack the biblical text to discover what the Scripture says or means about a particular topic. HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ LUKE 24:46-49 Once Jesus established that He had risen from the dead, He instructed His followers as the angels had taught the women and as He had taught the two on the road to Emmaus. Understanding the work of God through Jesus Christ and how the Scriptures witnessed His coming and ministry was crucial for the disciples. Think about the disciples perspective in verse 46. Have you ever found a Bible truth to be beyond your comprehension? If so, what was the truth? 1 of 5
What factors allowed you to gain a clearer understanding of that truth? What words in this passage speak to the weightiness of the task? Which of Jesus words might have scared the disciples? In verses 46-47, how does Jesus sum up the gospel message? Have you ever felt the need to complicate the simplicity of that message? In what way? Why? What responsibility did Jesus give to His followers? Was it optional? What does Jesus promise in verse 49? Jesus disciples would become faithful interpreters of Scripture who would communicate it to the world. For this reason, it was of utmost importance that they understood what Scripture said about Jesus. Understanding the Scriptures remains crucial for the future of Christianity today. Bible study is a discipline we must take seriously if we are to carry on Jesus mission. In verses 46-47, Jesus stated the gospel message with striking clarity. Jesus is God sent from God. He suffered on our behalf and rose from the dead. We respond to that truth by repentance, this is our role in salvation. The result of repentance is the forgiveness of sins. That s it! Jesus did all the work for us. Any efforts on our part to earn salvation through guilt or works just complicate the free gift of grace that God extends to us. HAVE ANOTHER VOLUNTEER READ ACTS 8:26-40. Philip was one of the seven men the early church chose to work in the daily distribution of food to those who were in need. To be chosen, he had to have a good reputation and be full of the Spirit and wisdom. When intense persecution broke out against the Jerusalem church following Stephen s death, many believers were scattered. As they relocated, they spread the gospel wherever they went. Philip took his ministry to Samaria. How would you describe Philip s response to the Spirit s instructions? What does this tell us about Philip? How is this situation similar to one could you run into in your everyday life? What do you think is the best way to approach someone who seems open to learning about Christ? Much of Old Testament prophecy had been fulfilled in Jesus, but one great task still remained. Repentance and forgiveness of sins would be preached to the entire world. True repentance speaks not only to turning from sin but also turning to Christ in faith. The preaching of the gospel would proceed in Jesus name, under and by His authority. His followers would be His representatives, living according to His teachings and bringing others to faith in Him. What does Jesus promise in verse 49? How does that affect the church s ability to fulfill this mission? What has changed about the church s mission since Jesus original charge to the disciples? 2 of 5
What might have happened if Philip was unprepared to talk about Scripture or unfamiliar with the Isaiah prophecy? What does this tell us about the connection between personal spiritual growth and spreading the good news of Jesus? What can we learn from Philip s approach to sharing the gospel? Philip s approach to sharing the gospel showed his obedience to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, willingness to approach people in real life circumstances, and the ability to ask the right question and share the truth of the gospel clearly. These are all things we should ask God for and work to develop in our lives as followers of Christ. What apprehension did the man s question in verse 36 convey? Would Philip s visit with the man still have been worthwhile even if he hadn t committed to following Christ on the spot? Why? APPLICATION Help your group identify how the truths from the Scripture passage apply directly to their lives. Who are some people you know who practice Jesus command today? In what ways are they fulfilling Jesus commission? What are some specific opportunities you have to share the gospel with friends or family members? What would change if we saw ourselves (first and foremost) as those sent by God on His mission? How might we work together to move from an emphasis on once-a-week worship to focusing on a supernatural, daily walk with Christ? How might this affect our ability to advance the kingdom? How might you be more ready to share the gospel at a moment s notice? What gifts has God given you that He could use to minister to people on a mission trip? PRAY Thank God for the simple truths of His gospel message and the confidence we can have in our salvation. Pray that in the midst of your roles that encompass family, work, and social contacts, you will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to spread the good news of the gospel message. COMMENTARY LUKE 24:44-53 3 of 5
24:44. Jesus referred back to the words He spoke, while I was still with you. In those pre-crucifixion times, Jesus told them what lay ahead for Him. Betrayal, death, burial, and resurrection happened just as He predicted. Jesus explained these events as a fulfillment of the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. All three divisions of the Old Testament (Law, Prophets, and Writings) witnessed to the place of a suffering yet victorious Messiah. Jesus claimed His place as the Messiah by virtue of having fulfilled what the Scriptures promised. 24:45. After stating the fact of this fulfillment of God s plan as announced in the Old Testament, Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. His earlier teachings about His work fell on confounded ears (see Luke 18:34). Possibly they did not want to believe the harsh truth that Jesus taught. Now, however, they grasped it. 24:46. Jesus reminded the disciples that the Old Testament proclaimed the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day. This statement summarized the essence of Old Testament teaching in light of Jesus mission as Savior. He knew that service to God required suffering and sacrifice. God, however, rewarded that service with spiritual victory. Jesus helped the disciples buy into God s perfect will. 24:47. Jesus specified the disciples part in carrying out the purpose of God. On the basis of their experience with Him, repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed. Repentance involves a change of mind and attitude toward God. It leads to forgiveness of sins and a new life. Telling this truth became the mission of Jesus disciples. A proclamation indicated a special message to be trumpeted in His name. Jesus name represented all that He accomplished, especially the cross and resurrection. The preaching of this life-changing work to all the nations stated a radical truth: Jesus came to save even Gentiles. Many Jews considered Gentiles unable to receive God s forgiveness. This mission was to spread from Jerusalem, where the disciples were at the time. 24:48. As a result of what they learned from personal experience, the disciples became witnesses of the things they were to proclaim. Life with Jesus qualified the disciples to tell what they experienced in relating to Him. 24:49. Jesus left the disciples with the thought, I am sending you what My Father promised. This promise represented the power of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 1:4,8). The church would still have the presence, power, and guidance of God. Jesus ordered His followers to stay in the city of Jerusalem until empowered from on high. They received a commission but also needed to be equipped with the main tool necessary to accomplish it. The Holy Spirit was essential to the success of the mission. The directive to proclaim repentance through forgiveness remains relevant for Christians today. Your experience with a resurrected Christ and empowerment through the Holy Spirit propels you to be on mission for God. What Luke summarized in these verses involved 40 days of interaction between Jesus and His followers (see Acts 1:3). Jesus spent these weeks after the resurrection preparing His followers to proclaim the gospel. 24:50. After the instructions, Jesus led them out as far as Bethany, just outside the city of Jerusalem. There He lifted His hands and blessed the faithful. This resembled the priestly blessing that took place after a temple sacrifice. Jesus blessing, however, followed His own sacrifice. Possibly this served as a final goodbye. 24:51. As the blessing continued, He left them and was carried up into heaven. (Acts 1:9-11 provides a fuller description.) His work done, Jesus went up into heaven to dwell with the Heavenly Father. The results of Jesus completed mission on earth, however, never end. That continues through the witness of the church. 24:52. How did the disciples respond to this event? They worshiped Jesus. The ascension confirmed for them the divine orchestration of Jesus life. They bowed to God in recognition of that truth. The disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy. Just as Jesus coming produced joy, so did His ascension. The cross created confusion and hopelessness in believers hearts. After 40 days with Jesus and the experience at His ascension, however, clarity and hope returned. 24:53. Luke ended his Gospel by returning to the setting of the temple (compare Luke 1:5-23). Now the enlightened followers of Jesus were continually in the temple complex. As Jews, this remained the center of worship for them. So they went there often to meet with God. At the temple, the believers were praising God. They expressed gratitude at the privilege of being involved in God s amazing, continuing work. ACTS 8:26-40 The Pharisees instigated persecution against the Jerusalem church (Acts 8:1). The apostles remained in Jerusalem, but other believers scattered into Judea and Samaria. Philip, a believer, traveled to a Samaritan city, preached the gospel, and performed signs. The Samaritans responded positively to his work (vv. 4-8). Simon, a sorcerer, believed and was baptized (vv. 9-13). Simon was amazed at the miracles Philip performed. The apostles in Jerusalem heard about events in Samaria and sent Peter and John to investigate. The two apostles prayed that the Samaritan converts would receive the Spirit. When Peter and John laid hands on them, the Spirit 4 of 5
came (vv. 14-17). Simon saw what transpired and offered to buy the ability to bestow the Spirit. Peter rebuked Simon, telling him to repent and to pray for forgiveness. Simon asked Peter to pray for him (vv. 18-24). Afterward, the apostles returned to Jerusalem, preaching in Samaritan villages along the way (v. 25). 8:26-40. An angel directed Philip to go to the road that led from Jerusalem to Gaza (v. 26). Stephen obeyed and encountered an Ethiopian eunuch returning home from worshiping in Jerusalem (vv. 27-28). Philip seized the opportunity to proclaim the good news about salvation in Jesus (vv. 29-35). The eunuch responded positively, and Philip baptized him (vv. 36-38). The Spirit took Philip away, but the eunuch continued his journey home, elated at finding Christ (v. 39). Philip preached in the coastal cities of the Mediterranean Sea on the way to Caesarea (v. 40). 8:29. An angel instructed Philip to leave Samaria and travel south to the road that led to Gaza on the route to Egypt. There God would provide him a special situation. Philip immediately obeyed, and on the road to Gaza he met an Ethiopian eunuch, the treasurer of Candace, queen of Ethiopia (see v. 27). Ethiopia was an area south of Egypt. The eunuch was returning home after worshiping in Jerusalem. The term eunuch could refer to a man who had been castrated or could mean treasurer. He was a God-fearer, a worshiper of the one true God; but if he had been deprived of his manhood, then his physical condition prevented him from converting to Judaism. He may have been attracted to Judaism s moral and ethical teachings. In his chariot he was reading from a large scroll, from a portion of the prophet Isaiah. This eunuch was a high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, and was in charge of her entire treasury. Candace is the hereditary title for all the queens of Ethiopia. The eunuch was sitting in his chariot, perhaps an ox-drawn wagon. 8:30-31. Philip s question and the Ethiopian s response imply that the Old Testament passage the eunuch was reading (Isa 53:7-8) required interpretation in light of what God had done in Jesus of Nazareth. The eunuch s response to Philip s question was suggestive: How can I... unless someone guides me? This question underscores a prominent theme in Luke-Acts: the need for Christian interpreters of Old Testament prophetic texts. Jesus had done this for the apostles (see Luke 24:44-45); in turn, they had interpreted Old Testament texts for the Jews in Jerusalem. 8:32-34. The Ethiopian was reading Isaiah 53:7-8, apparently from the Greek text. It is likely that he was reading the entire Suffering Servant section of Isaiah (52:13 53:12). The eunuch s question, who is the prophet saying this about, allowed Philip to explain Jesus as the subject of the passage. It is Jesus, not Isaiah, who suffered for the sins of humanity (Isa 53:6). From the earliest days of the church, the Suffering Servant section has been seen as an ideal starting place for explaining the gospel. 8:35 Philip s words were good news to the eunuch, for he was included in the gospel and had access to God s grace in Christ. Although he could not be accepted as a Jewish convert, he would be accepted by God if he placed his faith in Christ. After Philip explained Isaiah 53:7-8, he moved to other passages that pointed to Jesus, probably using such texts as Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1-5; 42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-11; and 52:13 53:12. 8:38-40. The Ethiopian requested and was granted baptism just as soon as he believed. That they went into the water and then came up out of the water apparently indicates baptism by immersion. A miracle is indicated by carried Philip away, for the eunuch came up out of the water and found himself alone. The Holy Spirit had taken Philip to his next appointment, a place called Azotus. 5 of 5