Thoughts on Study Questions from Acts Ch 8 on 11/25

My Sunday school class/Life Group is studying the book of Acts. I posted these questions this Monday and encouraged you to jot your thoughts down.

It's Wednesday. This post consists of some comments from the class discussion.

If you’d like a PDF file of the questions, email me at crd.author@gmail.com

Chapter 8

Vv9-25

How do you explain Peter's harsh response in vv20-23?
Peter saw his own quick-acting without thinking it through personality in Simon.
You can't buy God with money.
Peter thought he needed to stop the idea of the Holy Spirit as a commodity before it got started.
The Jewish religious hierarchy had corrupted the Law. Peter takes a stand against the corruption of the Holy Spirit's role and power.

What is God's plan to provide power for/to believers?
The Holy Spirit.
Believers are filled with the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit provides both power and authority to believers.
It doesn't matter who you are, the Holy Spirit impacts all similarly if they have the proper motivation. Many people want to be someone/something they are not, but God makes each of us for a reason.

What is wrong with Simon's answer in v24?
Nothing.
Simon is seeking truth, maybe the wrong way.
He appears to have a repentant heart.

Vv26-40

This is a fairly famous passage. In brief, what happens here?
Why was the Eunach reading the Old Testament?
The Eunach is baptized after believing.
Philip is directed to go by an angel, but the Holy Spirit directs his actions.

Who speaks to Philip? 
An angel.

Where is he sent? 
To the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. The Ethiopian was probably headed home after worshiping in the Temple.

What is his reaction?
He got up and went.

What reaction might have been expected?
More information.
Hesitation. Stephen's death is still fresh on his mind. But Philip was listening to all God said to him.

 We got this far this week. 

What is the Ethiopian reading?

Why would Philip ask the question he does?

Philip's answer to the Ethiopian's question includes what?

What happens to Philip after the Ethiopian is baptized?

Where does Philip end up?

How does Philip's ministry begin the spread of the Gospel to "the ends of the earth"?

Describe Philip’s evangelism.

In Jesus time, Jews were looking for a wrong type of Messiah rather than the One God provided in Jesus.

If you are interested in Messianic prophecies, my blog December 26 is a "fill in the blanks" table for 37 messianic prophecies. On December 27, the blog post provides the answers.

Feel free to spread the word about this.

This week's Expressions of Faith is Immanuel (Revised)

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