The Acts of the apostles

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The Acts of the apostles

• Introduction
• Schedule, outline, blog, etc can be found on the
  church website at http//nowthenalliance.org/acts_
  class
• Expectations Read acts, use the website, do
  activities, and reflect.
• On virtual days? 1) attend the 945 service or
  2) meet in Kiononia Kafe or, 3) conduct missions
  work.

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The Acts of the apostlesA virtual tour of Acts

• Trinity Father, Son, Spirit
• Humans Mind, Body, Spirit
• Water ice, liquid, vapor
• Spiritual Growth kNOw, DO, BE (God wants all
  three and our goal will be to get beyond the
  knowing.)

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The 12 apostlesActs 11-26 --- a brief overview
Matthew Peter Philip Thomas Simon Matthias -Judas

• Andrew
• Bartholomew
• James G
• James L
• John
• Jude - (Paul)

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Andrew

• was a brother of Peter and a follower of John
  the Baptist. Like Peter he was a fisherman, but
  he was more of a behind the scenes type of guy.
  He was the first apostle chosen by Jesus -
  probably because of his zeal in introducing
  others to Jesus. He was crucified on an X
  shaped cross on Nov 30 of AD 69 after two days of
  suffering - and preaching Jesus.

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Bartholomew

• also known as Nathanael meaning the guileless
  one. He was from Cana - where Jesus did His
  first miracle - and a friend of Philip. He was
  knowledgeable in the old testament and a seeker
  of divine truth (MacArthur). Jesus spoke of his
  charcter in John 147, behold in whom there is
  no deceit. He was flayed alive on August 24th
  of AD 62. Sincerity was Barts rule.

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James the Greater

• was the older brother of John, one of the sons
  of Zebedee that Jesus named, sons of Thunder,
  because of his passion, fervor and intensity.
  James was a witness to Spain and was beheaded by
  King Agrippa in AD 42 - the first of the apostles
  to be martyred. (Jesus told him that he would
  drink of the same cup as Himself.)

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James the Less

• was the brother of Matthew and likely a tax
  collector. The term Less most likely referred
  to this James physical size and not in any way
  to his status as an apostle. Not a lot is known
  about this James other than his parents names
  (Alphaeus and Mary). Paul tells us that he was
  a witness at the resurrection and a pillar of
  church. He was martyred by being sawed in half.

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John

• is given a (inaccurate) feminine look in art
  which is probably intended to reflect his
  strength of emulating Jesus love. The younger
  brother of James, he was the other Son of
  Thunder, and shared his brothers passion for
  truth and boldness. He was the author of much of
  the new testament, balancing love truth,
  ambition humility. He died at nearly 100 years
  old in AD 97 after surviving Patmos and being
  boiled in oil.

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Jude

• also known as Judas Thaddaeus, was a missionary
  to Turkey, Asia, and Samaria. Most known for his
  question to Jesus, Lord, how is it that You will
  manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?
  (John 1421-22). A demon-stration of his
  tender-hearted humility. Jesus response If
  anyone loves me, he will keep My word, and God
  will love him Jude, and his partner Simon,
  were martyred by a mob.

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Matthew

• was a brother of James the Less and a tax
  collector (despised) prior to his calling by
  Jesus. When called, he did not hesitate, and
  immediately got up and followed Jesus - inviting
  Him to his house for a feast. It was likely
  Matthews willingness to walk away from a
  lucrative career and give his all for Christ that
  made him a worthy apostle missionary to Jews
  Iran.

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Peter

• a fisherman, natural leader, he was eager,
  aggressive, bold, and out-spoken - perhaps the
  lead apostle. He was inquisitive, took
  initiative, and got things done. When Jesus
  asked him, who do you say I am? Peter replied,
  You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
  Sadly, he also denied Christ - three times.
  Peter was crucified upside-down.

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Philip

• was the apostles bean counter a practical,
  facts-and-figures type of guy. When Jesus asked
  him how they would feed the 5000, he replied that
  he only had a few bucks - wrong answer. He was a
  pragmatist and a cynic rather than a visionary.
  How-ever, his reply to Jesus calling was we have
  found Him (the Messiah). He was a seeker, and a
  doer. Like Peter, he was crucified upside-down.

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Thomas

• Although he is mostly known for being a
  doubter, he was truly a man of courage, faith,
  intellect. He was the one that wanted to go with
  Jesus to heal Lazarus, knowing full well that
  they (the apostles), might be killed right along
  with Jesus. He was a missionary to India and the
  Orient, and was speared to death on July 3rd of
  AD 72.

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Simon

• the Zealot (think terrorist), was at the other
  end of the political spectrum from Matthew. He
  had a fierce loyalty to Jesus and a fiery
  devotion and enthusiasm for the Truth. He became
  the missionary to the north - as far as the
  British Isles, and the south - to Africa. Most
  accounts have him martyred in Iran around AD 70.

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Matthias

• was the 13th apostle, chosen (by lots) to
  replace Judas after his death. Not a lot is
  known about Matthias although some believe that
  Peter acted too quickly and that Paul should have
  been the true 13th apostle. He was known as a
  vocal opponent of pleasure material goods. He
  was reportedly stoned to death by Jews around AD
  51.

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Judas

• Iscariot will always be remembered as the
  apostle who betrayed Jesus. Why was he chosen?
  Why did he betray Jesus? Perhaps he was a Zealot
  and became unhappy with Jesus true mission.
  Perhaps it was Satan. Perhaps he just made the
  biggest mistake of his life - a warning to us.
  Remorseful, he committed suicide shortly after
  Jesus was crucified.

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Paul (Saul)

• was far more documented in word and deed.
  Certainly he was a far more interesting study
  than nearly any other apostle. Why wasnt he
  selected as one of the twelve? What lessons can
  we learn from Pauls non-selection?

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Six-minute Visual Bible representation of Acts
11-23
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I. Discussion Questions

1. What concerns do the disciples express in this
   last meeting with Jesus?
2. What may the apostles have thought as they
   watched Jesus ascension?
3. To whom are we called to be witnesses?
4. What qualifications were used to select the
   apostles? Howd humans do it?
5. If the apostles were alive today, what church do
   you think they would attend?
6. To which of the 12 do you most relate?

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II. Know, Do, and Be

1. Do access the website, read the blog, and reply
   to bruce.powers_at_me.com
2. Do read ACTS chapter 2, making note of what the
   apostles did.
3. Do pray
4. Be prayerful
5. Be salt and light

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