Acts - Week 10

Week 10 Acts 3, 4 

Day 1 

READ 

Acts 3:24-25 

24 “Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today. 25 You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed.’” 

Peter continues with his speech to the unbelieving nation of Israel. He had told them of Moses statement, “Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God’s people (3:23). Now he refers to Samuel and reminds them they are included in the Abrahamic Covenant. It was to be through them that “all families on earth will be blessed.” But now they had rejected their Messiah. 

REFLECT 

Thank the Lord for His plan that the nation of Israel was to be the source of blessing for the world. The Savior was born into the Jewish line and had a Jewish mother. 

RESPOND 

With your disciple read passages that refer to the Abrahamic Covenant. Key ones are Genesis 12:1-3 and 15:12-21. Abraham was known as “Abram” at this time. Genesis 15 reveals the dimensions of the land promised to Abraham and his descendants; the nation of Israel. 

Day 2 

READ 

Acts 3:26 

26 “When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways.” 

Peter emphasized that the prophecies of the Old Testament prophets pointed to Jesus, the Messiah. Notice the principle God used, the message was taken to the Jewish people first. The purpose was to turn them from their sinful ways. The Jewish leaders rejected Him as their Messiah, however, so God would deal with them for this. Even in this, one sees the mercy of God: He wanted to turn people from their sinful ways. 

REFLECT 

Thank the Lord for His mercy is enabling you to hear the message of salvation so you could trust in Jesus as your Savior. 

RESPOND 

Read some of the passages that tell of the gospel going to the Jews first. Some of them are Romans 1:16; 2:8-10. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that salvation is of the Jews (see John 4:22). The Messiah came through the Jewish nation. 

Day 3 

READ 

Acts 4:1-2 

While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees. 2 These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead. 

The Jewish leaders, especially the Sadducees could not allow Peter and John to tell about the resurrected Jesus. The Sadducees did not believe in the supernatural, especially in the resurrection from the dead (see Matthew 22:23). The message of the resurrection brought antagonism although one could talk about Jesus without causing such an uproar. This also reveals that the heart of the gospel is the resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the grave. 

REFLECT 

Think about the fact that of all religious leaders, only the grave of the Lord Jesus Christ is empty. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is proof that His claims were true—that He is the son of God, and was able to finish His work of redemption.  

RESPOND 

1 Corinthians 15:3-9 tell of the gospel and the witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection. Romans 10:9 reveals belief in the resurrection is part of believing the salvation message. 

Day 4 

READ 

Acts 4:3-4 

3 They arrested them and, since it was already evening, put them in jail until morning. 4 But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of men who believed now totaled about 5,000. 

These apostate religious leaders who did not believe in the resurrection arrested Peter and John. But in spite of the persecution of these two Christ-followers, many others who heard their message believed in the Messiah. It was common at that time to count only the men, and that number was about 5,000. Many more would be in the number if women and children were included. This is another example of how persecution of believers often adds to their number. 

REFLECT 

Have there been times when difficulties experienced by other believers have caused you to be more bold in your faith? 

RESPOND 

Be encouraged as you and your disciple read Philippians 1:12-13 about the persecution of Paul turning out for the further progress of the gospel. Talk with your disciple about how difficult circumstances now can increase the outreach of the gospel. 

Day 5 

READ 

Acts 4:5-7 

5 The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other relatives of the high priest. 7 They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?” 

The “council” was the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Supreme Court. Now these two lowly Christ-followers were brought to the highest authorities. They now had to face not only the high priest but also some of his relatives. They wanted to know by what power or in whose name Peter and John did this. This is a crucial point in the account. Would Peter and John cower before these religious authorities or would they be bold? What would you have done? 

REFLECT 

Have you had to face a religious leader who was confronting you about your beliefs? What did you do? 

RESPOND 

Many people today say they don’t like religion. Agree with them and point out it was the religious leaders in the days of Jesus that wanted Him crucified. Point out to people that it’s not about religion but a relationship. And this relationship can only be achieved by believing in Jesus as John 3:16 says.