Thoughts on Study Questions from Acts Ch 8 on 11/18

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

Who is this Simon?
A sorcerer.
A magician.
A warlock.
Con-artist.

Why did people follow Simon?
What he did was fantastic, exciting.
People called him "Great Power of God."

What significant event occurs in v13?
There are two events, really. 

1. He believes. 
2. He's baptized.

He was impressed by the action going on, not the theology.
He believed in God without a change in heart.
Present day missionaries realize the importance of allowing new believers to realize their need to give up pagan influences.

Why did Peter and John go to Samaria?
Philip follows Peter and John's calling, but he did not mention the Holy Spirit.

What was the immediate result of their ministry?
The Holy Spirit comes on BOTH men and women.

What is "wrong" with Simon's attitude in vv18-19? (How does he want to achieve power?)

The class spent time talking about both Simon and Peter.

Simon. 

He thought the Holy Spirit was a commodity.

He wanted the power.

The intent of his heart was not right. 

As you read v19, what Simon says sounds magnanimous. See the Aside.

Peter.

Some thought that Peter saw himself in Simon. More on this next week!

Aside

Three distinctly different terms for calling on the Holy Spirit are found in various translations

New International Version
and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
New Living Translation
"Let me have this power, too," he exclaimed, "so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!"

New American Standard Bible 
saying, "Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

Look at the synonym lists for each. From Google.

Ability

1. 1.

   possession of the means or skill to do something.

   "the manager had lost his ability to motivate the players"

   synonyms:

   capacity, capability, potential, potentiality, power, faculty, aptness, facility; wherewithal, means "the ability to read and write"

2. 2.

   talent, skill, or proficiency in a particular area.

   "a man of exceptional ability"

   synonyms:

   talent, skill, expertise, adeptness, aptitude, skillfulness, savoir faire, prowess, mastery, accomplishment;  competence, proficiency;  dexterity, adroitness, deftness, cleverness, flair, finesse, gift, knack, genius;  qualification, resources;  informalknow-how "the president's leadership ability"

Power

1. 1.

   the ability to do something or act in a particular way, especially as a faculty or quality.

   "the power of speech"

   synonyms:

   ability, capacity, capability, potential, faculty, competence "the power of speech"
2. 2.

   the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.

   "she had me under her power"

Authority

1. 1.

   the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.

   "he had absolute authority over his subordinates"

   synonyms:

   power, jurisdiction, command, control, charge, dominance, rule, sovereignty, supremacy;  influence;  informalclout "a rebellion against those in authority"
2. 2.

   a person or organization having power or control in a particular, typically political or administrative, sphere.

   "the health authorities"

   synonyms:

   officials, officialdom;  government, administration, establishment;  police;   informalthe powers that be "they failed to report the theft to the authorities"

Only POWER appears on all three lists. The other synonyms are diverse. We found that of interest.

 We got this far this week. 

How do you explain Peter's harsh response in vv20-23?

What is God's plan to provide power for/to believers?

What is wrong with Simon's answer in v24?

Vv26-40

This is a fairly famous passage. In brief, what happens here?

Who speaks to Philip? 

Where is he sent? 

What is his reaction?

What reaction might have been expected?

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.

Friday, This week Expressions of Faith is Why?

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