Bible Study

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Jesus Does the Impossible

Jesus Does the ImpossibleLesson #4

Jesus Stills the Storm

>>> Read Mark 4:35-41. <<<
Jesus consistently demonstrated His authority by doing things which were totally beyond human capacity. In this case, while the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee by boat, Jesus fell asleep on a cushion. A great storm arose, and the disciples panicked. In desperation, they awoke Jesus saying: "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He got up and calmly rebuked the wind and the sea. The storm ceased. He then turned to the disciples and reproved them for their lack of faith. Though they had seen Jesus perform many miracles, they were always amazed by each new one. They said: "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"
Note -- How well do we sleep? Considering the things that the disciples had already seen Jesus do, their doubts about His ability to quiet the storm are astonishing. They had seen Him heal multitudes of people, cast out demons and prove Himself equal to any task at hand. Suddenly, they despaired because of a storm on the sea. Obviously, they didn't really think Jesus could solve this problem because they were amazed when He did. How could they have been so slow and so distrustful? What about us? Do we not believe that Jesus can handle any situation, if we trust and obey His will? Have we not seen in the Scriptures how Jesus can solve every problem? How do we react when we confront a fresh crisis in our lives--do we trustingly and confidently turn to Jesus, or do we throw up our hands in despair? How well do we sleep?
*1* What was Jesus doing when the storm arose on the sea? (a) praying, (b) reading Scripture, (c) sleeping, (d) rowing. Answer: ______.
*2* How did Jesus calm the storm? Answer: He calmly ______ the wind and the sea.
*3* How did the disciples react to this miracle? (a) They ignored it. (b) They were afraid, (c) They were angry. (d) All of the preceding. Answer: ______.

Jesus Casts out a Legion of Demons

>>> Read Mark 5:1-20. <<<
When Jesus got out of the boat, a wild man met Him. The man, inhabited by thousands of demons, could not be subdued by human force, and so he lived as a savage among the tombs. The demons within the man were scared of Jesus. They asked Him not to send them out of the country (to the abyss, Luke 8:31). Instead, they wanted to be able to enter a nearby herd of swine. Evidently, if the demons had been expelled without having permission to go into another being, they would have had to return to Hell. No doubt it was better to inhabit a pig, if necessary, than to be sent back to that awful place. Surprisingly, Jesus granted the demons' request. They left the man and entered the pigs. The herd went berserk because of the presence of the demons within them, ran headlong and plunged off the cliff. The pigs drowned and presumably the demons had to return to the abyss. Perhaps they thought they had outsmarted Jesus when He allowed them to enter the swine, but the truth is, Jesus outsmarted them! In the end they had to return to the abyss--they merely took a roller-coaster ride to get there.
Meanwhile, those who had been tending the hogs went into the city and told the townsfolk about what Jesus had done. What a tremendous opportunity for this small town to have Jesus present! They didn't look at it as an opportunity though; they asked Jesus to leave. The man who had been healed wanted to follow Jesus, but He told him to return to his home and start preaching.
Note -- They asked Him to leave! At first, it may seem incredible that the people of the town didn't want Jesus to stay. But think about what they had just lost: 2000 pigs. Some people owned them; some folks were planning to make money slaughtering, processing and selling them. He had hurt the town's economy. They evidently loved material possessions more than they loved Jesus; because of that, they missed out on the supreme privilege. They asked Him to leave. Do we ever invite the Lord to leave our lives because we love material things more than we love Him?
Note -- Jesus' surprising instructions: When the man who had been healed wanted to follow Him, Jesus gave him strange orders. He refused to allow the man to accompany Him, but asked him to return and tell about his healing in the city. There are two surprising things about this command: 1) Jesus didn't allow the man to accompany him. Putting myself in the demoniac's place, I can see why he would have wanted to be with the one who cured him; but Jesus said no. Would it not have been a wonderful thing to be in Jesus' presence? Certainly. But what Jesus preferred was for the man to testify of His work in the city. Sometimes God may not want us to remain in secure and comfortable surroundings, but rather go to the lost and preach. 2) Jesus normally was telling folks not to tell about their healings (see Mark 1:40-45). Why the sudden change here? Remember where Jesus was. He was on the east side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had not wanted to be thronged by spectators in the Capernaum area, west of the Sea, but in this wicked town, He was in no danger of becoming too popular. The people in this place needed someone to report the miracle.
*4* What measures had been attempted to subdue the demoniac (v4)? a) psychology, b) shackles and chains, c) shock therapy, d) drugs. Answer: ______.
*5* What name did the demons wear (v9)? Answer: ______.
*6* Where did the demons say they wanted to go? Answer: They wanted to go into a herd of ______.
*7* What happened to the swine when the demons entered them? Answer: They ran off a cliff and drowned in the ______.
*8* What did the townspeople ask Jesus to do? Answer: They asked Jesus to ______.
*9* What did Jesus tell the demoniac to do after he had been healed? a) Tell no one what had happened, b) Lie about what happened, c) Tell everyone what happened, d) Commit himself to an asylum. Answer: ______.

Jesus Heals Woman with Hemorrhage

>>> Read Mark 5:21-34. <<<
A synagogue official named Jairus requested Jesus to come and heal his daughter who was dying. As Jesus was journeying to his house, a desperate woman in the multitude touched the Lord. She had been bleeding for 12 years, had gone to many doctors, and spent all of her money, but had only worsened. She thought that by touching Jesus she could be healed. Sure enough, when she touched Jesus' coat, she could sense that the flow of blood immediately dried up and she was well. Suddenly, Jesus asked who had touched Him. The disciples thought it was a strange question since there was a huge crowd thronging Jesus. Many had "touched" Him. But the woman knew what Jesus meant. Terrified, she came forward and confessed. Jesus reassured her saying that her faith had made her well.
Note -- Why did Jesus embarrass her? Obviously, the woman with the bleeding was hoping to avoid publicity. She didn't make her presence known, but silently touched Jesus' clothes and was healed. Then Jesus put her on the spot by asking who touched Him. She was trembling as she admitted what she had done. Why did He draw attention to this shy lady? Perhaps there are two reasons: 1) If He had not, the woman would have believed that she had been healed by some sort of magic associated with Jesus' clothes. He wanted her to know that He had consciously healed her. Many touched His clothes and were not healed; she was healed by the will of the Lord. 2) If Jesus had allowed her to leave thinking she had "stolen" the healing, her conscience might later trouble her. By publicly identifying her, He was able to comfort and encourage her, telling her to go in peace.
*10* How long had the woman had her problem of bleeding? Answer: ______ years.
*11* How had she tried to get well previously? Answer: She had spent all her money on ______.
*12* When was the woman with the bleeding healed? a) she was not healed; b) when she believed on Jesus; c) when she asked Him to heal her; d) when she touched Jesus' clothes. Answer: ______.
*13* How did the rest of the multitude find out about Jesus' miracle? Answer: He asked who had ______ Him, and the woman confessed.

Jesus Heals Jairus' Daughter

>>> Read Mark 5:35-43. <<<
During the delay caused by the healing of the woman, people came to tell Jairus not to bother Jesus any longer because his daughter had died. Jesus told them to believe and He continued on to the house. There, the mourners laughed when Jesus told them that the girl was "sleeping." He wasn't denying the reality of her death, but was affirming that He would soon raise her; therefore, her death was more like sleep. He took only three disciples and the girl's parents, went into her room, and told her to get up. She did. The witnesses were astounded.
Please notice the theme that runs through the stories in this section of Mark: Jesus can do what is humanly impossible. First, the storm. The disciples were desperate, but Jesus calmed it with a mere word. Then, the demoniac. Though many had tried, no one had been able to bind nor subdue him. Jesus expelled the demons with a word and the man returned to normal. Then, the woman. No physician had been able to heal her though she had spent all her money in the effort. With one touch, she was completely cured. Finally, the daughter of Jairus. When one dies, all attempts to cure the sickness end, because everyone knows you can't raise the dead. Jesus did. Four times in this part of Mark, Jesus entered situations that were humanly impossible and emerged victorious.
*14* Why did people suggest that Jairus not bother Jesus any more? Answer: Because the girl had ______.
*15* Who was in the room when Jesus raised the daughter (v37,40)? a) Jesus, b) the girl, c) the girl's parents, d) Peter, James, and John, e) all the preceding but no one else. Answer: ______.
*16* What does the Bible account say that assures us the girl was really alive again? Answer: She arose and ______.
(Thought question: Considering the nature and purpose of these miracles, who alive on earth today can do such things as these? What can we learn as a result?)

Rejection at Nazareth

>>> Read Mark 6:1-6. <<<
Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth. Despite convincing proofs that He was the Son of God, His own townspeople rejected Him. They knew His family and His background and they refused to believe that someone they viewed as a peer could be greater than they. Because the people didn't have enough faith to bring their sick to Him, Jesus healed few. The people in Nazareth forfeited an ideal opportunity to have the Lord with them.
Note -- Great opportunities: It is tragic to see people discarding the fantastic opportunity to be blessed by Jesus. In the country of the Gadarenes, they simply asked Jesus to leave (5:1-20). Here in Nazareth, they refused to believe and therefore didn't even bring their sick for Jesus to heal. As a result, they missed out on the opportunities that others, like Jairus and the woman with the bleeding, benefited from. What about us? Do we take advantage of the opportunity to know Jesus and to be blessed by Him?
*17* What had been Jesus' profession before He began His ministry (v3)? Answer: He had been a ______.
*18* Which of Jesus' family members did the people of Nazareth know (v3)? a) His mother Mary, b) His brothers, c) His sisters, d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
(Thought question: What does this tell you about Mary?)
*19* How did the people of Jesus' hometown (Nazareth) react to Him? a) They rejected Him, b) They believed in Him, c) They made a hero of Him, d) all of the preceding. Answer: ______.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Antioch Spreads the Word - Acts 11:27-13: 52

Introduction:
In Acts 11 the church in Antioch had begun. In this study, the focus will return briefly to Jerusalem, then we will observe as the Antioch church begins its work of spreading the gospel.

I. Caring for the Needy - Acts 11:27-30

>>> Please read Acts 11:27-30. <<<
*1* What problem did Agabus predict would occur? He predicted (a) a famine (dearth), (b) Jesus' second coming, (c) a flood, (d) a plague of grasshoppers, (e) a fire, (f) all of the preceding. Answer: ______.
*2* What did the Antioch church do about it? Answer: Antioch sent relief to the ______ in Judea.
*3* To whom were funds sent? (a) central headquarters, (b) a benevolent society, (c) elders of the churches in Judea, (d) all of these. Answer: ______.
Comments: We have earlier read about local churches helping needy disciples (Acts 2:44,45; 4:32-35; 6:1-7). We remember that churches emphasized the spiritual work of helping souls please God. Churches did help the needy, but as discussed in Acts 6, they did not let this divert their focus from their spiritual work. They did this by limiting their benevolent work to needy disciples. Individual Christians helped relatives and other needy people, but local church benevolence was always to brethren in Christ (cf. 1 Tim. 5:3-16).
The Antioch church gathered funds, each person giving according to his ability (cf. 1 Cor. 16:1,2; 2 Cor. 9:6,7). The funds were sent to the elders of the churches in Judea. This is our first introduction to the work of elders. We will see later that this term refers to men in each local church who were appointed to oversee the church's work (Acts 14:23; 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-3). They were mature, experienced Christians who possessed leadership qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.
Since these men were appointed in each local church, it follows that each church in Judea would have had its own elders. This in turn demonstrates the concept of independence among local churches. Notice in Acts 11:22-30 that each local church functioned without any central organization or governing body of any kind. The Jerusalem church sent a preacher to Antioch (v22) and the Antioch church spread the gospel (v24-26) without the guidance or control of any missionary board. Likewise, needy members were cared for without the need for any central benevolent institutions. Local churches supervised their own work, but never sent financial donations to any central institutions of any kind.
As illustrated here, local churches did cooperate, but only in ways that respected local church independence according to God's will. We will learn more later, but note here that churches sent funds to other churches only in cases of emergency to help needy saints in the receiving church. And even then each church was free to oversee its own work under its own elders. Never did one church or one eldership oversee the work of another church or a centralized work for many churches.
We will return later to learn more about this Antioch church.

II. Persecution in Jerusalem - Acts 12:1-19

James Slain and Peter Arrested

>>> Please read Acts 12:1-5. <<<
*4&5* Who caused the next persecution, and whom did he kill? Answer: A king named ______ killed ______, the brother of John.
*6* What did he do to Peter? (a) killed him, (b) imprisoned him, (c) beheaded him, (d) beat him, (e) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
Comments: The Herods were a family of Jewish kings. The Romans ruled Palestine, but they allowed some Herods to remain in power if they were cooperative. This Herod was Agrippa I.
Herod raised a persecution against the church, killing James the brother of John (cf. Matt. 4:21,22). This was the first recorded death of an apostle. Herod then imprisoned Peter in the charge of four squads of soldiers. Imagine how severely this would affect the Jerusalem church!
Verse 4 in the KJV refers to "Easter," however this has nothing to do with the modern religious holy day of that name. Rather, it refers to the Jewish feast of the Passover. (1) V3 calls it the "days of unleavened bread," which was the Passover (Ex. 12). (2) All modern translations say "Passover." (3) The original Greek word is everywhere else translated "Passover." (4) There is no indication in the context that this was a Christian holy day. Why would Herod, as a Jewish enemy of the gospel, have any respect for a Christian holy day?
An annual holy day in celebration of Jesus' resurrection is unknown in the Scriptures. In fact, Christians kept no annual holy days of any kind. Instead, they remembered Jesus' death in the Lord's supper on the first day of each week (Acts 20:7). The modern holy day of Easter was originally a pagan holy day, which was later adopted by Catholicism (see any encyclopedia). All annual religious holy days exist without Bible authority (cf. Galatians 4:8-11; 1:8,9; Matthew 15:9,13; 2 John 9-11).

Peter's Release

>>> Please read Acts 12:6-11. <<<
*7* How was Peter held captive? (a) two chains, (b) two soldiers, (c) guards outside the door, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
*8* Who released Peter and led him out of the prison? Answer: An ______ awoke Peter and led him out.
Comment: As Peter lay sleeping in the prison, an angel awoke him and released his chains. The angel led him past the guards and out the iron gate, which opened by itself. The angel led him a ways from the prison and then left him. For other examples of miraculous releases from prison see Acts 5:17-25; 16:19-34.

Peter Finds the Disciples

>>> Please read Acts 12:12-19. <<<
*9&10* Where did Peter find the disciples, and what were they doing? Answer: He went to the home of ______ where people were ______.
*11&12* Who answered the door, and what did people say of her story? Answer: ______ answered. When they heard her story, people thought she was ______.
Comments: Peter went to the home of Mary, the mother of Mark. Christians had gathered there to pray, presumably for Peter. Yet when he appeared, at first they did not believe the answer to their own prayer! After telling them what had happened, Peter went elsewhere.
Next day, Herod and the soldiers were shocked that Peter was gone. The penalty for losing a prisoner in those days was death.

III. The Death of Herod - Acts 12:20-25

>>> Please read Acts 12:20-25. <<<
*13&14* What caused God to be angry with Herod? Answer: He allowed people to call him a ______, not a ______.
*15* What happened to Herod? (a) God killed him, (b) he lived to a ripe old age, (c) his son assassinated him, (d) nothing happened to him. Answer: ______.
Comments: Herod made a speech for the people of Tyre and Sidon. To please him, they said he was a god, not a man. God killed him for allowing this, instead of giving glory to God. God is never pleased when people worship religiously anyone but Him (Matt. 4:10). This confirms our previous conclusion that we should not honor men religiously in ways that only God should be honored (Acts 10:25,26).
This ends the second major section of the book of Acts. The gospel had been spread from Jerusalem throughout Judea and Samaria. Next we will see it spread to the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8).

IV. Start of Paul's First Journey - Acts 13:1-12

(Note: A Bible or Bible atlas with good maps will be helpful in tracing Paul's journeys throughout the rest of the book of Acts.)
>>> Please read Acts 13:1-12. <<<
*16* Who called Barnabas and Saul to their work of preaching? (a) a missionary society, (b) the Holy Spirit, (c) the earthly headquarters. Answer: ______.
*17&18* What two men did they meet on the island of Cyprus? Answer: The proconsul ______ wanted the truth but a sorcerer named ______ opposed it.
*19* What was Elymas guilty of? (a) deceit, (b) opposing righteousness, (c) perverting God's ways, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
*20* What happened to him? Answer: Paul struck Elymas with temporary ______.
Comment: The church in Antioch of Syria had a major role in the work of preaching throughout the world. The Holy Spirit began the work by instructing Barnabas and Saul to go on a preaching journey.
They first traveled to Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean Sea southwest of Antioch. There they met a Roman ruler named Sergius Paulus, who wanted to hear the gospel. But a sorcerer named Elymas withstood the truth. The truth has always had opponents, and as in the case of Simon in Acts 8, the opponent in this story was a sorcerer.
Note that Saul is called "Paul" for the first time in v9 ("Paul" is the Greek form of the Hebrew name "Saul"). Paul firmly rebuked Elymas for his deceit and error. Sorcery is clearly identified in Scripture as being opposed to truth and based on deceit (cf. Gal. 5:19-21). Faithful preachers have always firmly rebuked error (2 Tim. 4:2-4; Rev. 3:19).
Paul did a miracle by striking Elymas temporarily blind. As in Acts 8:5-13, true prophets, who had the power to do true miracles, were perfectly willing to use their power in the presence of unbelievers and false teachers. They did so to validate their message by proving the superior power of true miracles over the power false prophets.
Note that not all miracles gave physical benefits to people. Some actually caused problems as punishment for sin. But all served the purpose of confirming a message or teaching to be from God (Acts 14:3). What modern "faith healer" will do miracles today like the one Paul did here?
Note that, on the basis of the evidence of the miracle, Sergius Paulus did in fact become a believer.

V. Sermon in Antioch of Pisidia - Acts 13:13-52

The Sermon

>>> Please read Acts 13:13-22. <<<
*21* In what city did Paul preach the sermon found in vv 14ff? Answer: Paul preached in ______.
*22* What had God done when Israel was enslaved in Egypt? Answer: God brought them from Egypt to the land of ______.
*23* What rulers did God give Israel at first? (a) kings, (b) Caesars, (c) judges, (d) presidents, (e) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
*24* Why were they eventually given kings? Answer: They received a king because the people ______ for a king.
Comments: From Cyprus the company sailed northwest to Perga in Asia Minor (see a map). There John Mark left the company. This later became an occasion of conflict between Barnabas and Saul.
They traveled from there to Antioch in Pisidia (as distinguished from Antioch in Syria). There they entered a synagogue to find an opportunity to teach. Note that, in Paul's preaching trips, in every new city he would go first to the Jewish synagogue. This almost always led to teaching opportunities.
Some try to use the example of Paul to prove that Christians today must observe the seventh-day sabbath. However, these were not assemblies of Christians, but assemblies of unconverted Jews. They observed the sabbath, because the Old Testament was given especially to the Jews (not to all nations - Ex. 31:13-17), and they did not know the Old Testament had been removed by Jesus (Col. 2:14-17; Heb. 10:9,10). Paul knew the law had been removed, but he attended the synagogues to find a good place to begin teaching the gospel.
Given an opportunity to speak, Paul reviewed the Jews' history as recorded in the Old Testament, much like Stephen did in Acts 7. He told how God had freed Israel from Egyptian slavery and gave them the land of Canaan. They were ruled by judges until they insisted that God give them a king (1 Sam. 8). Their first two kings were Saul and then David.
>>> Please read Acts 13:23-31. <<<
*25* Jesus was sent in fulfillment of a promise to whom (vv 22,23)? Answer: Jesus was promised to be a descendant of ______.
*26* Who came before Jesus to prepare the people for Him? Answer: ______ came before Jesus and prophesied of Him.
*27* Why did Jews condemn Jesus to death? (a) they did not know Him, (b) they misunderstood the prophets, (c) both of the preceding. Answer: ______.
Comment: In fulfillment of a promise He had made to David, God sent Jesus to be a Savior to Israel. This states the main thesis of Paul's sermon, as it was in most sermons among unbelievers: Jesus is the Savior of mankind and the appointed Ruler (Christ) of God's people.
Paul then began to accumulate evidence to support his claims regarding Jesus. John the Baptist was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus, and He testified that Jesus was greater than John himself. Nevertheless, the Jewish people and their leaders killed Jesus, thereby unknowingly fulfilling Old Testament prophecy. But God raised Jesus from the dead, and He then appeared to many witnesses who were sure to know Him since they had known Him for years beforehand.
Paul here lists three proofs to sustain His claim that Jesus was sent by God to give people salvation: (1) the testimony of John, (2) fulfilled prophecy, (3) the resurrection.
>>> Please read Acts 13:32-41. <<<
*28* Who fulfilled the prophecy that he would see no corruption? (a) David, (b) Paul, (c) Peter, (d) Jesus, (e) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
*29* What blessing did Jesus bring for the people (vv 38,39)? Answer: Through Jesus ______ was proclaimed to the people.
*30* With what warning did Paul conclude his sermon (vv 40,41)? Answer: Paul warned that they might not ______, even though the message was told to them.
Comments: As Paul drew toward the end of his sermon, he continued quoting other prophecies that Jesus had fulfilled. One of them predicted that He would not see corruption. Just as Peter had done in Acts 2, Paul said this could not be a prophecy about David himself (who spoke it), because David saw corruption. The fulfillment was that, though Jesus died, yet He was raised from the dead. This fulfilled the prophecy and was a great miracle of itself.
These proofs confirmed Paul's claim that Jesus was the Christ whom God had sent. The blessing the people could receive as a result was forgiveness of sins (v38). They could be truly justified from sin, a blessing that the Old Testament law could not provide (v39). Hebrews 10:1-18 explains this point further. The law gave people commands to obey and then condemned them for disobeying (Rom. 3:10-23). Yet the animal sacrifices it required could not give lasting forgiveness; rather, sins were remembered again a year later. The blessing of Jesus' sacrifice is that it can forgive sins so they are never remembered again. This is the great blessing that God had planned throughout history to bring upon all Jews and Gentiles through Jesus.
But this blessing can only be received by those who are willing to meet the conditions that God has ordained. The first of these conditions was that people must believe in Jesus (v39). This condition would, in turn, require several other specific conditions as shown in other examples (repentance, confession, and baptism), but Paul emphasized faith here because these were unbelieving Jews. He then concluded the sermon by warning them of the danger that they might not believe, even after God's work had been explained to them. This too had been prophesied in the Old Testament.

The Effect of the Sermon

>>> Please read Acts 13:42-52. <<<
*31* Who wanted to hear the gospel the following sabbath? Answer: Nearly the whole ______ came to hear the message.
*32* How did the Jews react to this response by the city? Answer: Jews were filled with envy and ______ the teaching.
*33* What did Paul and Barnabas say they would do next? (a) nothing, (b) preach to Gentiles, (c) go home, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
*34* Why did they eventually have to leave town? Answer: They left because the Jews instigated ______ against them.
Comments: In response to Paul's sermon, many Jews and proselytes (Gentiles converted to Judaism) continued to learn the message. The following week nearly the whole city came to hear. This aroused the Jews to such jealousy that they opposed and contradicted the teaching, so Paul and Barnabas determined to preach primarily to the Gentiles.
Note in v46 that those who reject the gospel have judged themselves to be unworthy of eternal life. By contrast, those who were receptive to the gospel were appointed to eternal life (v48). Some conclude this refers to Calvinistic unconditional predestination of people regardless of their choice or character. But people are often appointed or ordained to a position conditionally based on their characteristics (cf. Acts 14:23 to 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). Unconditional election would constitute respect of persons (cf. Acts 10:34,35; Rom. 2:6-11). We have seen throughout Acts that people choose for themselves how to respond to the gospel.
Jewish persecution finally compelled Paul and Barnabas to flee.

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Jesus Accepts the Lowly

Jesus Accepts the LowlyLesson #7

Jesus Announces His Death, Rebukes Pride

>>> Read Mark 9:30-37. <<<
Please read the text in your Bible as you study each part of the lesson. Jesus wanted to prepare His disciples for the tragedy that was nearing. He warned them that He would be betrayed into men's hands and be killed, but encouraged them by announcing that three days later He would rise again. The disciples did not understand; they were too busy arguing about who would be the greatest in Jesus' coming kingdom. Knowing what they had been disputing, Jesus took a child into His arms and used him as a model of the humility that should characterize disciples. It must have disappointed Him greatly to see the disciples vying for power while He was preoccupied with His coming suffering.
*1&2* What did Jesus predict was going to happen to Him? Answer: Men would ______ Him, but on the third day He would ______ from the dead.
*3* About what subject were the disciples arguing? Answer: They disputed about which of them was the ______.
*4&5* What did Jesus say one should do, if he wants to be first of all (v35)? Answer: He should be the ______ of all and the ______ of all.

Jesus Warns of the Dangers of Stumbling

>>> Read Mark 9:38-50. <<<
John related how he had seen someone expelling demons in Jesus' name and had forbidden him to do so. Evidently John thought that no one should have been doing any work for the Lord who was not following in their immediate company. But Jesus had commissioned many to go out, preach, and expel demons (see Luke 10). He was pleased with those who were faithfully serving Him in other places.
Jesus went on to warn of the danger of causing someone to fall. He said that it would even be better to tie a huge stone around a man's neck and cast him into the sea than for him to cause another to stumble. He also warned of the danger of allowing anything to cause us to stumble. The Lord encouraged radical, decisive action: cutting off a hand or a foot or plucking out an eye in order to avoid abandoning Him. He was not speaking literally--but He was forcefully declaring that we should sacrifice anything that is tempting us to sin. He described Hell as a horrendous place of maggots and perpetual fire that must be avoided at all cost.
*6* What had John tried to stop someone else from doing? Answer: Someone was casting out ______.
*7* A person would be better drowned in the sea rather than to do what? Answer: It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone around the neck rather than to cause someone to ______.
*8* What lesson is taught by Jesus' statements about cutting off a hand, foot, or eye? a) if we pray, He will miraculously restore the missing member; b) He doesn't care if we suffer; c) we should be willing to make great sacrifices to avoid the consequences of sin; d) we won't miss the body part anyway. Answer: ______.

Question about Divorce

>>> Read Mark 10:1-12. <<<
Jesus' opponents decided to test Him with a hard question. They asked Him whether it was right to divorce. In their society as in ours, there was much disagreement, even among religious people, as to whether or not it was right to divorce and, if so, under what circumstances. Jesus answered their question by reminding them that in the beginning God created only one man and one woman. He intended for marriage to be a permanent union. Because God joins people together when they marry, it is wrong for man to separate them. Later He explained to the disciples that it is not only wrong to divorce, but that a divorced person who remarries is committing adultery.
Note -- The need for commitment in marriage: Many people today enter marriage with the notion that they will divorce if it doesn't work out. This is wrong. Throw-away marriages are opposed to God's created order. God forbids divorce. The only exception is when one divorces his mate because of sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9). In any other case, divorce is sinful and remarriage is adultery. The fact that men frequently disobey God does not change what He said.
*9* What principle did Jesus use to forbid divorce (v9)? Answer: What God has joined together, man should not ______.
*10* In what circumstance did Jesus allow divorce and remarriage (Matt. 19:9)? a) when one of the partners no longer loves the other; b) when there is abuse; c) when one divorces a spouse because he/she committed fornication; d) when irreconcilable differences exist. Answer: ______.
*11* If a man or woman divorces his/her spouse (not for fornication) and remarries, what did Jesus say about the remarriage (v11,12)? Answer: It is ______.

Jesus Blesses the Children

>>> Read Mark 10:13-16. <<<
The disciples never seemed to want Jesus to be bothered, so they were constantly trying to keep certain kinds of people away from Him (see 10:46-52). In this case, it was children. When Jesus saw that they were hindering the children from approaching Him, He was indignant and rebuked them. He said that the kingdom of God itself belongs to people who become like children. He took the young people into His arms and began to bless them. He always had time for children.
*12* Whom did the disciples try to stop from coming to Jesus? a) Pharisees; b) children; c) sinners; d) tax collectors. Answer: ______.
*13* What reason did Jesus give why He wanted to receive children? a) He wanted to baptize them; b) He wanted to give them candy and ice cream; c) He hoped their parents would give Him money; d) the kingdom of God belongs to people who are like little children. Answer: ______.
(Thought question: If the kingdom belongs to those who are like little children, then are little children born guilty of sin?)

Rich Man Considers Cost too High

>>> Read Mark 10:17-31. <<<
A rich young man ran up to Jesus requesting information on how to receive eternal life. Jesus first told him to keep the commandments, which the man said he had done. Then Jesus ordered him to sell all that he owned, give the proceeds to the poor, and start following Him. The man wanted eternal life, but not at that price. He turned away, saddened. Many follow in this young man's steps. They desire eternal life . . . as long as they don't have to make too many sacrifices. Jesus referred to these people when He remarked about how difficult it is for those who are rich to enter heaven. He said that it is easier to thread a camel through a needle than for a rich man to be saved. The disciples were shocked. The Lord explained that with God all things are possible, but that it is hard for rich people to go to heaven, because of the tendency to trust in material possessions and not in God.
Note -- The lack of one thing: As Jesus talked to the rich man, He observed that he lacked only one thing: he only needed to get rid of his possessions. It became obvious that Jesus had properly diagnosed the man's need, because the man was unwilling to do so. He indeed was valuing his possessions over the Lord. To follow Jesus, we must give up anything in our life that is more important to us than He is. It is interesting that this man lacked only one thing. Some people have the idea that one sin is not all that bad. They think that while they may be failing in one area, at least they serve the Lord faithfully in all the others. This story shows clearly that even one thing can keep a person from being accepted by God. Is there one thing in your life that is separating you from faithfulness in the Lord's service?
*14* What did the rich man want Jesus to tell him? Answer: He wanted to know what he should do to inherit ______.
*15* What was the rich man's reaction when Jesus told him that he needed to sell all and give the money to the poor? Answer: He went away ______.
*16* How many things in our lives that we refuse to repent of does it take to keep us from pleasing God? (a) none, (b) one, (c) we must do more evil than we do good, (d) the Bible does not say. Answer: ______.

Greatness in God's Kingdom

>>> Read Mark 10:32-45. <<<
For the third time, Jesus warned the disciples about what was going to happen when they got to Jerusalem. He gave a detailed description of the suffering He would experience there. Meanwhile, James and John were imagining a different scenario. They asked Jesus to agree to do whatever they would request. Jesus asked them what they wanted; He was not going to sign a blank check by agreeing before they made the request. They replied that they wanted to sit on Jesus' right and left hand; that is, they wanted the chief positions in His administration. Jesus responded by asking if they could drink the cup He was going to drink or be baptized with His baptism, and they said they could. Jesus was referring to His sufferings which were often spoken of as a cup of agony that He would have to drink (see Mark 14:36) and as a baptism (immersion) in pain (see Luke 12:50). They had no clue as to His real meaning, but they enthusiastically accepted the challenge. Jesus then replied that He did not have the authority to grant their request, because He was not the one who assigned the positions of honor in the kingdom.
The other disciples were incensed. James and John had gotten the jump on them. They themselves wished to have the highest positions and resented the fact that the sons of Zebedee had requested them first. Jesus took some time to define what greatness in the kingdom really meant. He said that in human affairs, whether government or business, the greatest have the most authority. But, He explained, it isn't that way in the kingdom of God. Rather, the greatest is the one who humbles himself most and serves most. He pointed to Himself as the model. He had not come to be served, but to serve and to offer Himself as a sacrifice for others.
Note -- True greatness: We still desperately need these lessons of Jesus. Many, even in religion, are seeking to be great by trying to gain honor, glory and power. Churches are infested with "politicians" who want the limelight and who vie for positions of maximum control and authority. We should be ashamed. Jesus was born in a stable outside a small town. He lived His life as a village carpenter and itinerant preacher. He accumulated neither riches nor worldly power. Yet, today, many of His self-proclaimed followers seek and promise the very things He rejected, as they pursue higher and higher positions in churches. It is hard to imagine that Jesus would feel at home in their costly cathedrals. It is impossible to believe that He would preach the "gospels of health and wealth" so popular today. Jesus said the way to true greatness was the road of service and suffering.
*17&18* What did James and John want Jesus to do for them? Answer: They wanted to sit one at Jesus' ______ and the other at His ______in His glory (kingdom).
*19* According to Jesus, how can you become great in the kingdom? a) attend the biggest church with the most beautiful building; b) give lots of money; c) take a high position of authority in the church; d) humble yourself and serve others. Answer: ______.

Jesus Heals Bartimaeus

>>> Read Mark 10:46-52. <<<
As Jesus passed through Jericho, a blind beggar cried out. The crowds tried to silence him, thinking that the Lord should not be bothered with such unimportant people. But Jesus called the blind man to come to Him and healed him. The beggar began to follow Him. Few rich men followed the Lord (see 10:17-22), but many of the poor and downtrodden did.
*20* What was the name of the blind man Jesus healed (v46)? a) Peter; b) Bartimaeus; c) Thomas; d) Andrew. Answer: ______.
*21* What did the blind man keep calling Jesus (v48)? Answer: He called Him ______.
Summary: Jesus accepted the humble folks, even though the disciples tried to turn them away. He accepted the man who worked for Him but was not in His personal company; He welcomed the children; He invited the blind beggar. He rejected those we might have accepted: a rich ruler with so much to offer, and all those who sought position and greatness. The great one in the kingdom is the servant.

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Jesus’ Death, Burial and Resurrection

Jesus on Trial before Pilate

>>> Read Mark 15:1-21. <<<
Please read each section in your Bible as you study the lesson. Although the Jewish leaders had tried Jesus and convicted Him of blasphemy, they led Him to the Roman governor Pilate for yet another trial. The Jews did not have authority to carry out sentences of capital punishment that were determined by their own courts; capital crimes had to be tried by Roman officials. Thus, very early the next morning they brought Jesus to Pilate, hoping that he would concur with their decision. They accused Jesus of many things, but He remained silent. Pilate was amazed that He didn't try to defend Himself. The governor perceived that this was not really a question of criminal action, but that the Jews were jealous of Jesus. Therefore, he made several attempts to release Him. He was eager to appease the Jews, however, and was unable to persuade them that Jesus should be released. Though he did not believe Jesus was guilty, he ended up sentencing Him to death because he feared the start of a riot. Roman soldiers scourged Jesus, mocked Him, and led Him out to be crucified.
Note -- Physical suffering of Jesus: Jesus suffered intensely in his last few hours. After being up all night, subjected to the stress of six different trials (if we compare the accounts in Matthew, Luke and John also), He was scourged. Scourging was accomplished by tying bits of bone, metal and glass to a whip and then striking the victim's back. This procedure produced excruciating pain, much loss of blood and sometimes even death. The victim's back became a bloody mass. After scourging Him, they took thorns, wove them into a crown, put it on Jesus' head, and began to beat on it, causing intense pain. They put a scarlet robe on Him [see Matt. 27:28; Mark's account calls it "purple"], only to later rip it off, undoubtedly tearing open the blood-dried wounds on His back in the process. Then came the crucifixion. In an execution of this type, they would literally nail the "criminal's" hands and feet onto a piece of wood and then set it upright into a hole. To breathe, the victim had to continually raise himself so that his lung cavity could expand. Pain and fatigue would begin to diminish the effectiveness of this effort and the lungs would begin to fill with fluid. As exhaustion took hold, the victim would be slowly asphyxiated because of a lack of oxygen and finally die.
*1* What did Pilate conclude was the real reason the Jews wanted Jesus to be crucified (v10)? (a) They believed in Him, (b) they envied him, (c) they wanted Him to be king, (d) they were sincerely disappointed in Him. Answer: ______.
*2* Why did Pilate sentence Jesus' execution despite believing He was innocent (v15)? Answer: He wanted to please the Jews and avoid a ______.
*3* The man who was released in Jesus' place was guilty of what (v7)? Answer: He had participated in an insurrection in which he had committed ______.
*4&5* After Jesus had been scourged, what did the soldiers put on His head? Answer: A ______ made of ______.

Jesus' Crucifixion

>>> Read Mark 15:22-41. <<<
It was a standard act of mercy to give a narcotic to condemned criminals when they were crucified. The drug would dull the pain a bit and allow the victim to pass away more comfortably. Jesus refused this tranquilizer. He was determined to suffer in full consciousness.
The ridicule grew. The soldiers who guarded the cross gambled for Jesus' clothes. Bystanders laughed at the idea that He could rebuild the temple when He couldn't even save Himself. Come down from the cross, they taunted, and we'll believe in You! Some Jewish officials standing nearby smirked that He had been able to save others, but was powerless to save Himself. Even the two thieves who were executed on either side of the Lord ridiculed Him.
From noon until 3 p.m. the sky was dark. Shortly thereafter, Jesus cried out in anguish, using the very words of Psalm 22:1: "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?" Then after a few more minutes, He cried out again and died. At that moment the temple veil split in two, and a centurion who was observing exclaimed, "Truly this man was the Son of God."
Note -- The majesty of Jesus' death: There were multiplied ironies in the events of those final hours. As they ridiculed Jesus saying that He had saved others, but now couldn't save himself, they were unaware that He was fully capable of saving Himself, but that if He had, He would not have saved others. He died voluntarily. He had at His disposition thousands of angels that could have rescued Him, but He deliberately chose to lay down His life because He loved us. Jesus had the power to do anything He wanted against His tormentors, but he subdued all desire for revenge and actually prayed for God to forgive those who were treating Him so cruelly (Luke 23:34). By dying as He did, Christ provided the sacrifice that would forgive men's sins. Therefore, the temple veil was torn in two from top to bottom. The veil had blocked access to God's presence--it was a symbol of man's sin. Since Jesus' death atoned for sin, the veil was severed, demonstrating that with sin removed men could once again enter into fellowship with God. Truly, this man was the Son of God!
*6&6* What was written above Jesus, while He hung on the cross (v26)? Answer: A sign over Him said, "The ______ of the ______."
*8* The people mocking Christ said they would believe on Him if He would do what? Answer: They would believe if he would ______ from the cross.
*9* What occurred in the temple when Jesus died? Answer: The ______ of the temple was torn in two.
*10* Jesus was crucified with what kind of men? Answer: He was crucified between two ______.

Jesus' Burial

>>> Read Mark 15:42-47. <<<
Joseph, a prominent Jewish official and secret disciple of Christ (see John 19:38), asked Pilate for permission to bury Jesus' body. He had to act quickly since according to Jewish law He could not bury the body on the Sabbath day, which officially began at sundown. He gathered the corpse up in a sheet and put it in a hole chiseled into the wall of a cave, which served as a typical grave in that era. He closed off the cave by rolling a large rock over the entrance.
*11* In whose tomb was Jesus buried (v43)? Answer: The tomb belonged to ______. (Cf. Matt. 27:57-60.)
*12* How did Pilate make sure Jesus was dead (v44,45)? Answer: He asked the ______ if Jesus was dead.
*13&14* What was the tomb made of, and how was the opening sealed (v46)? Answer: It was hewn out of ______, and the opening was covered with a large ______.

Body is Missing!

>>> Read Mark 16:1-8. <<<
A few loyal women had prepared spices and went out to Jesus' tomb early on Sunday morning. They were planning to embalm His body in order to give it a more honorable burial than had been possible in the few minutes that had been available on Friday afternoon. As they walked down to the cave, they thought about how hard it was going to be for them to roll that large rock away from the entrance of the burial cave. When they arrived, however, they saw that the rock had already been removed and the cave was open. Inside, an angel told them that Jesus had arisen and was on His way to Galilee. He asked them to tell the disciples and Peter. The women fled away very frightened.
Note -- Tell the disciples and Peter: The angel told the women to invite the disciples "and Peter" to meet Jesus in Galilee. Since Peter was himself a disciple, it seems unusual that he would be singled out and receive a special invitation. Perhaps it was because the Lord knew that Peter would no longer feel himself worthy to be counted as a disciple after having denied Him, and therefore, Jesus gave him a special invitation to the meeting. What tenderness the Lord showed!
*15* On what day did Jesus arise from the dead (v1,2)? Answer: The ______ day of the week.
*16* Why did the women go to the tomb early on the first day of the week? Answer: They wanted to ______ Jesus' body.
*17* What did the young man (angel) say had happened to Jesus? Answer: He said Jesus was not there because He had ______.

Jesus Commissions the Disciples

>>> Read Mark 16:9-20. <<<
The disciples had never expected to see Jesus again. They watched Him die and knew about His burial. They were very sad. Because of this, the news of the empty tomb and Jesus' appearances seemed too good to be true. They refused to get their hopes up. Later, when He did appear to them, He rebuked them for being so slow to believe. Then He gave orders for their future work, telling them to go everywhere and preach the gospel to all. He told them what to preach: The one who believes and is baptized will be saved. He gave them signs to confirm their message.
Note -- He that believes and is baptized shall be saved: Jesus set forth the conditions of salvation. He requires faith and baptism. Unfortunately men of our day have tried to eliminate one or the other of these two requirements. Some try to eliminate faith. They teach that infants, who are too young to believe, should be baptized. But Jesus' order was belief first, then baptism. Throughout Scripture only those who believed and repented were considered qualified for baptism (study Acts 2:38, 41; 18:8; John 6:44-45). Others teach salvation by faith only, without baptism. But Jesus clearly said that baptism was a requirement to receive salvation (see John 3:5). In accordance with this command of Jesus, the apostles insisted that water baptism was a prerequisite to receiving forgiveness of sins and the new life in Christ (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 3:21).
The gospel of Mark closes with a note about the results of the great mission Jesus entrusted to the apostles. After He had ascended back to heaven, they went out and began to preach everywhere, just like Jesus told them. The Lord blessed their revelation of the gospel message with signs to confirm it, just as He said He would.
*18* What did Jesus say His disciples should do with the gospel (v15)? Answer: They should go into all the world and ______ the gospel.
*19* What did Jesus say one must do to be saved (v16)? a) just believe in Jesus; b) just be baptized; c) pray the sinner's prayer; d) believe and be baptized. Answer: ______.
*20* What purpose was to be accomplished by miraculous signs (v20)? Answer: As inspired men preached the gospel, the accompanying signs served to ______ the word.
Mark's story of Jesus is over, but we hope that your study of Jesus' life and teachings is not. Besides Mark, three other New Testament books tell about Him: Matthew, Luke and John. Perhaps now you would like to begin to read them to learn more details of His story. Or, perhaps you prefer to continue your study by learning the story of how the apostles began to take the gospel all over the world: read the book of Acts. Bible study is a great journey and your adventure has just begun. Please be sure that you meditate and reflect on the great message of the Word of God as you read, and make sure you apply what you learn to your life.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Attitudes Needed in a Local Church

Following Jesus, Course B, Lesson 4

Introduction:
Our last lesson examined work that members need to do in the local church. But in order for the church to succeed, proper work must be accompanied by proper attitudes. Here are some attitudes that all Christians need in order to maintain proper relationships in the local church.

I. Members Need to Love God and One Another.

God Requires Us to Love.

>>> Please read Matthew 22:37-40. <<<
*1,2* The greatest two commands require love for whom? Answer: The commands require love first for __________ and second for your __________.
>>> Please read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. <<<
*3* How important is love? (a) love is unnecessary, (b) good works must be motivated by love, (c) God does not care, (d) all of the preceding. Answer: __________.
>>> Please read John 13:34,35. <<<
*4* How can we understand the kind of love we should show? Answer: We should love one another like __________ loved us.
If we do not love our brothers, then we cannot properly love our Father in heaven (1 John 4:19-21; 1 Thess. 3:12; 4:9,10; 2 Thess. 1:3).

Love Requires Us to Obey God and Help Others.

>>> Please read 1 John 3:16-18. <<<
*5* How did Jesus show His love for us? Answer: Jesus showed His love by __________.
>>> Please read John 14:15,21-24; 1 John 5:2,3. <<<
*6* To truly love God and other people, what must one do? Answer: Proper love requires us to __________ God's (Jesus') commands.
Think: Is God pleased by a sweet disposition without obedience? Is He pleased by outward conduct without proper motives?
Too many congregations are filled with people who lack sincere love for one another or who fail to show love in their actions. Furthermore, love is the basis of all proper obedience. The other attitudes and practices we will study must grow out of love.
Do you sincerely love all your brethren? Does love show in what you do as well as in your speech? If every Christian loved like you do, would God be pleased or displeased? Do you love as Jesus loved?
[John 15:12-17; Eph. 5:2; Phil. 2:2,3; Heb. 13:1; 1 Peter 1:22; 2:17]

II. Members Must Be Committed to Truth.

Many churches suffer because members fail to pursue truth.

Members Must Love the Truth.

>>> Please read John 8:31-34; 1 Peter 1:22,23. <<<
*7,8* What can truth do for us? Answer: Truth can make us __________; obeying it can purify our __________.
>>> Please read 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12. <<<
*9* What will happen to those who do not love truth? Answer: Those who do not love truth will not be saved but will believe a lie and __________.
No matter how often you hear truth preached, if you do not love it enough, sooner or later you will believe error and be lost.
[1 Cor. 13:6; James 1:18; Prov. 23:23; John 3:19-21]

Members Must Learn and Believe Truth.

Truth is found in God's word (John 17:17), but that will do us no good unless we put forth the effort to learn and accept it.
>>> Please read John 8:32; Psalm 25:4,5. <<<
*10* What must we do so truth can free us from sin? Answer: We must __________ the truth, so it can set us free.
>>> Please read Proverbs 2:1-6. <<<
*11* How should we search for understanding? Answer: Search for it like we are searching for __________.
Think: If we really value truth like we value treasure, would we think about it only one hour a week? Does a person love truth when he has no desire to study it every day? Shouldn't we want to attend every opportunity the church provides for us to learn?
Local churches are successful only when the members are truly committed to studying and attending when they can.
[Prov. 8:7-11,17; Acts 17:11; Psa. 86:11; 1 Tim. 2:3,4; Eph. 1:13]

Members Must Obey the Truth.

Knowledge is of little benefit unless we act on it.
>>> Please read 1 Peter 1:22,23; Psalm 19:7-11. <<<
*12* According to the passages, how do we benefit from God's word? (a) just read it, (b) just talk about it, (c) just tell others about it, (d) keep and obey it. Answer: __________.
>>> Please read Romans 2:6-11. <<<
*13* What happens if we do not obey truth? Answer: Those who don't obey will receive __________.
God never promises the benefits of truth to those who do not obey it. Too many congregations have members who continue to disobey truth, yet they do not seem to realize their error. These folks need to learn the importance of commitment to truth.
Churches need members who love the truth enough to obey it.
[John 8:31; 2 John 4; 3 John 3,4; Gal. 5:7; Psa. 26:3; 86:11; John 4:24; 3:19-21; James 5:19,20; 1:18-25; Matt. 7:21-27; Heb. 10:26-31]

Members Must Oppose Error.

Most members have difficulty speaking out against sin. Some people say it is "unloving" to do so. Yet truth and error are opposites. You cannot love one without hating the other.
>>> Please read Hebrews 1:9; Romans 12:9. <<<
*14,15* How should we view right and wrong? Answer: We should __________ evil and __________ righteousness.
Think: Is it possible to really love truth without hating error?
>>> Please read Revelation 3:19; 2 Timothy 4:2-4. <<<
*16* What should be done when people turn from truth to error? Answer: As an act of love, we should __________ people who go into error.
Think: How can rebuking sin be an act of love? What does it mean to "hate the sin, but love the sinner"?
We should not rebuke people from a spirit of pride, vengeance, or self-will. But if we truly love people who are in sin, we will rebuke them.
Too many congregations have been overrun by error because members did not oppose it. The only congregation that will remain faithful before God is one where the members will speak out for what is true and oppose error with sincere love for the souls of all.
Is spiritual truth more valuable to you than material possessions? Do you study diligently and attend church meetings to learn God's word? Are you willing to change your conduct to live according to truth no matter how great the sacrifice that is required?
[Amos 5:15; Psalms 119:104,127,128; 1 Tim. 1:3-7; Lev. 19:17,18; John 7:7; James 5:19,20; Gal. 6:1,2; 1 Thess. 5:14; Eph. 5:11]

III. Members Must Be Committed to Serve.

Too often people believe that, even if they do not work, they should be treated the same as folks who do work. As a result, many congregations are hindered by negligent members. Instead of "every part doing its share," relatively few members end up doing most of the work.
>>> Please read Matthew 20:26-28. <<<
*17* What is the true basis of greatness in life? Answer: Those who are great are those who __________.
Think: Is greatness determined by wealth, power, or talent?
>>> Please read 1 Corinthians 15:58. <<<
*18* How does God describe the way we ought to work? (a) steadfast, (b) unmovable, (c) abounding, (d) not vain, (e) all the preceding. Answer: __________.
Think: Is God satisfied when folks do a little work or work sporadically and intermittently?
>>> Please read Galatians 6:2. <<<
*19* What should Christians do for one another? Answer: We should bear one another's __________.
Note that the attitudes we previously studied also show the importance of service. If we appreciate the importance of loving God and others, if we are committed to the truth, if we want to be truly great, and if we want to be saved eternally, then we must appreciate the value of serving others. Service is essential to all these other things.
Would Jesus say that you are steadfast, always abounding in His work? Do you actively seek ways to be more involved in the work of the church, or do you seek to avoid work? If every member was just as active and involved in the work of the church as you are, how much work would be accomplished?
[Acts 10:35; Gal. 5:6,13,14; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 10:25-37; Neh. 4:6; Ecc. 9:10; James 2:14-26; 2 Thess 1:8,9; Rom. 6:17,18; Matt. 7:21]

IV. Members Must Be Patient & Forbearing.

Many members act properly when they have no problems, but they fail to act properly when things do not go their way, or when they are not treated well. Other people are good at starting projects but not so good at finishing what they start. We need patience and forbearance.
Patience is endurance, persistence, perseverance, longsuffering, steadfastness. It is the quality of a person who, having begun in the right direction, continues on in spite of all difficulties.

Members Must Patiently Face Hardship.

>>> Please read Luke 8:11-15. <<<
*20* How did good soil differ from other soils? Answer: The good soil describes people who bear fruit with __________.
>>> Please read Hebrews 10:32-36; 12:1-4. <<<
*21* What do we need when we suffer? (a) patience and endurance, (b) a large bankroll, (c) an influential family, (d) a good education. Answer: __________.
Too many members blow hot and cold. They begin good works (studying, attending, etc.), but they become discouraged and give up when they face problems and opposition. Local churches need members who keep working no matter how difficult the challenge.
[James 5:7,8; 1:12; 1 Cor. 13:4,7; 1 Pet. 2:19-23; Gal. 5:22; 2 Pet. 1:6]

We need patience when teaching sinners.

>>> Please read 2 Timothy 4:2-4; 2:24-26. <<<
*22* We need patience (longsuffering) to do what? (a) accumulate wealth, (b) become a famous actor, (c) teach others, (d) win an election. Answer: __________.
>>> Please read 1 Thessalonians 5:14. <<<
*23* With whom should we be patient in our teaching? Answer: We should be patient with (longsuffering toward) __________.
Some people become discouraged when they don't see immediate results to their work, when people criticize them, or when converts go back to the world. God has warned us that some will not want the truth, but we must still teach. Local churches need members who patiently lead sinners to the truth.
Note that the above verses specifically deal with teaching other Christians who sin. Sometimes these cases require the greatest patience. [Gal. 6:1; Matt. 18:15-17; 5:23,24; Luke 17:3,4; 1 Cor. 5; 2 Thess. 3:6,14,15; Titus 3:10,11; Rom. 16:17,18]
Do you continue patiently serving God, or have you allowed problems to cause you to give up doing what you know is right? Do you seek to be reconciled to people in the church from whom you have become alienated? Do you honor the Bible plan for church discipline? Do you bear temptation and hardship like Jesus did?

V. Members Must Be Committed to Unity and Peace.

Throughout the world local churches have been destroyed by division and strife. Christians who once worked side-by-side can no longer even worship together. This is tragic.

Members Must Work For Peace and Unity.

>>> Please read John 17:20,21. <<<
*24* For what did Jesus pray? Answer: He prayed we would all be __________ as He and His Father are.
>>> Please read Romans 15:5,6; 1 Peter 3:8. <<<
*25* How united should we be? (a) like-minded toward one another, (b) one mind, (c) glorifying God with one mouth, (d) all of these. Answer: __________.
Think: How many people does it take to destroy the unity and peace of the local church? How many people must work for unity?
Notice now how all the other attitudes we have studied will help promote peace and unity in a congregation.

Love Promotes Peace and Unity.

Love leads us to treat our brethren right.
>>> Please read Philippians 2:2-5. <<<
*26* Love is here associated with what? (a) like minds, (b) one accord, (c) looking for the interests of others, (d) all of the preceding. Answer: __________.
Think: Can unity exist where members always want their own way and pursue their own interests?
Few things destroy unity in a local church faster than selfishness. Local churches need members who will seek the wellbeing of other members, sacrificing their own desires to help others. [1 Cor. 1:10-13,31]

Commitment to Truth Promotes Peace and Unity.

We have already learned that all members must follow God's will instead of human doctrine. Such a commitment to truth helps maintain unity by keeping the church pure and avoiding doctrinal error.
>>> Please read Ephesians 4:2-6. <<<
*27,28* How many bodies and how many faiths are necessary to unity? Answer: We must have __________ body and __________ faith.
Think: When members depart from the "one faith" and persist in unscriptural practices, does this promote peace and unity? In such cases, who stands guilty before God when division comes?
God's plan for unity is not a plan for doctrinal compromise. In areas of personal preferences and opinions, we must compromise for the good of the group. But when people leave the truth to practice sin, they must be taught to repent. If they will not, the only way the church can return to unity in truth is to withdraw from them (Rom. 16:17,18; Titus 3:10,11; 2 Thess. 3:6,14,15).
True wisdom is "first pure, then peaceable" (James 3:17). Local churches need members who seek unity based on truth.

Service to Others Promotes Peace and Unity.

Commitment to service leads every member to do his/her share in the congregation.
>>> Please read 1 Corinthians 12:17-25. <<<
*29* If every member of the body fulfills its function and every member cares for other members, what problem can we avoid (v25)? Answer: When all members work together, we avoid ___________.
Think: When members neglect their work and leave it for other members to do, does this promote peace and unity in a congregation?
The local church needs members who work diligently to please the Lord and serve one another. If all will cooperate and work together, then we also have the unity God wants. [Rom. 12:3-8]

Patience Promotes Peace and Unity.

Patience with other members helps a congregation overcome problems and maintain good relationships.
>>> Please read Ephesians 4:2,3. <<<
*30* Unity (v3) is associated with what qualities? (a) humility, (b) longsuffering, (c) bearing with one another, (d) all the preceding. Answer: __________.
When we are irritated by personalities or opinions of brethren who are not guilty of sin, patience will help us forbear and maintain peace. When brethren are guilty of sin, patience will help us restore them.
Do you appreciate all members for the work they do, when they work according to their ability? Are you willing to sacrifice your personal desires and preferences in order to maintain unity? If all members of the congregation shared your attitude, would the congregation have the peace and unity that Jesus desires?
In order for the church to accomplish the work God has assigned, every member must work diligently and maintain proper attitudes.

Personal application questions:

(These questions are for you to ponder. Your answers will help us understand your thinking, however they will not affect your "score.")
*31* Do you need to improve your love for other Christians? ________
*32* How important is it to you to speak out against sin? __________
*33* Do you look for ways to be more involved in the church? _______
*34* Do you continue the good works you start, or do you quit? ______
*35* Do you sacrifice personal desires in order to be peaceable? ______

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Jesus Is Lord - Lesson #8

Where Can You Find the Church
that Belongs to Jesus? Part 2

Jesus Is Lord - Lesson #8

Introduction:
In this lesson we continue studying the characteristics of Jesus' church. Please review the previous lesson carefully before continuing.

G. The Organization of the Church

Universal Church Government

>>> Read EPHESIANS 1:22,23. <<<
*1* Jesus is head over how many things to the church? Answer: Jesus is Head over ______ things to the church.
*2* What is left for men to be head over in the church? (a) church laws, (b) things on earth, (c) nothing. Answer: ______.
*3* Where is Jesus now (Hebrews 8:1; 1 Peter 3:22; Eph. 1:20)? Answer: Jesus is in ______.
*4* Then where is the headquarters of Jesus church? (a) heaven, (b) Rome, (c) Salt Lake City. Answer: ______.
Jesus' church has no earthly headquarters or governing body. No man or group of men may make laws for the church.

Local Church Organization

>>> Read ACTS 20:17,28 and 1 PETER 5:1-3. <<<
*5* What is the work of elders? (a) feed (shepherd) the flock, (b) oversee the church, (c) set a good example, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
*6* An eldership should have oversight of the work of how many churches? (a) two, (b) every one in the diocese, (c) the one among them. Answer: ______.
Note: Reading the above verses closely will show that "elder" is just another name for an overseer or "bishop" and a shepherd or "pastor."
Each local church must work to appoint a plurality of elders (Acts 14:23). To be appointed, these men must possess certain qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). When they have been appointed, they guide the local church in obeying God's word. The oversight of each eldership is limited to the one local church where they have been appointed.
Jesus' church has no earthly headquarters or centralized institutions. Each congregation functions independently under its own officers.
*7* If a church changes this pattern, would it be honoring Jesus? Answer (yes or no): ______.
We have now studied the "fruits" or characteristics of Jesus' church. Since God is no respecter of persons, He still requires His church to possess these same characteristics today. Any church that does not have these characteristics, cannot be the church Jesus built.

How Did Modern Denominations Begin?

Jesus built one church, and the Bible tells us what it should be like. Today there are many different denominations. Is God pleased by their existence? Where did they come from?

A. Warnings of Departure from the Gospel

>>> Read ACTS 20:28-30. <<<

*8* What danger does Paul warn about? Answer: Elders might draw away ______ after themselves.
*9* Can religious leaders lead people into error? Answer (yes or no): ______.
>>> Read 2 TIMOTHY 4:2-4. <<<
*10* What error will people be guilty of? Answer: They may turn from the ______ and follow fables.
>>> Read 1 TIMOTHY 4:1-3. <<<
*11* What does the Spirit predict will happen? Answer: Some will ______ from the faith.
*12* What particular doctrines will be taught? (a) some food (meat) should not be eaten, (b) some people should not marry, (c) both of these. Answer: ______.
Many false teachers have come among God's people. In particular, Jesus warned that error would enter among the elders, and some would forbid marriage and command to abstain from meats. God's true people must reject these false teachings. (See also Matthew 7:15-23; 15:14; Galatians 1:6-10; 1 John 4:1,6; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 2 John 9-11; Eph. 5:11.)
Denominations contradict and disagree with one another. Yet people often say, "All the churches are following Jesus. It doesn't matter where you attend, or what you believe, as long as you worship the true God. Just join the church of your choice." What does Jesus say?

>>> Read JOHN 17:20-22. <<<

*13* In what way should we be like the Father and the Son? Answer: We should be ______ as the Father and Son are.
*14* In what ways do the Father and Son contradict one another? (a) about how to worship, (b) about how to be saved, (c) about what church to attend, (d) none of the preceding. (See also John 12:49,50.) Answer: ______.
The existence of denominations contradicts Jesus' prayer for unity.
>>> Read 1 CORINTHIANS 1:10,13. <<<
*15* What does God say about division? Answer: There should be no ______ among us.
*16* Is Christ divided? Does He contradict Himself? Answer (yes or no): ______.
*17* Jesus does not contradict Himself, but churches do contradict one another. So are "all the churches following Jesus"? Answer (yes or no): ______.
When a preacher knowingly contradicts himself, we call him a hypocrite. But denominations contradict one another, yet they all say they get their teaching from Jesus. What would that make Jesus? Denominationalism violates God's law against division (Galatians 5:19-21).
>>> Read 1 CORINTHIANS 14:33. <<<
*18* What is God's relationship to confusion? Answer: God is not the author (cause) of ______.
*19* Is the existence of many churches confusing? Answer (yes or no): ______.
*20* Is God the source of all the denominations? Answer (yes or no) ______.
God did not create the modern denominations, so they must have been begun by men. They are not in the Bible, therefore they exist contrary to God's authority. When churches disagree, one may be right and the others wrong, or they may all be wrong, but they cannot all be right!
>>> Read EPHESIANS 4:3-6. <<<
We must strive to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
*21* How many true "God and Fathers" are there? Answer (give a number): There is ______ God and Father.
*22* Can we please God if we think there are many acceptable gods, and we may just worship the god of our choice? Answer (yes or no): ______.
*23&24* How many "bodies" and "faiths" are there? Answer (give a number): There is ______ body and ______ faith.
*25* Can we please God if we think there are hundreds of acceptable bodies and faiths, so we can just take our choice? Answer (yes or no): ______.
There may be many false gods, but there is only one true God. In the same way, there is only one true body (church) and only one true faith. All others are false. [Cf. 1 Corinthians 12:12-20]
>>> Read 2 CORINTHIANS 6:17-7:1. <<<
*26* To be God's true children, what must we do about practices and churches that God has not authorized? Answer: We must come out from among them and be ______.
The Lord established one church, not many denominations. He condemned division. He requires us to follow His true gospel pattern, but Catholic and Protestant churches are departures from His pattern. Therefore, we must not be members of any of these groups. Are you a member of a man-made church? [Cf. 2 John 9-11; Eph. 5:11; Matt. 15:14]

The Existence of Jesus' True Church Today

> Read 1 PETER 1:22-25. <<<

*27* How do we purify our souls? Answer: We purify our souls in obeying the ______.
*28* What is the seed by which we are born again? Answer: We are born again by God's ______.
*29* How long will this seed endure? Answer: ______.
"The seed is the word of God" - Luke 8:11. God's creations, including the church, reproduce by means of seed. When men hear the gospel with receptive hearts, they will believe and obey. As a result, they are "born again" into God's family, the church. (See James 1:18; Luke 8:15; Romans 1:16; 10:17; Mark 16:15,16; John 3:3-5.)
>>> Read GALATIANS 6:7. <<<
*30* How does the seed relate to the harvest? Answer: Whatever a man sows, that is what he will ______.
At any time or place, the same seed always produces the same kind of living thing. Like seed, doctrines reproduce after their own kind. To get the right "fruit," we must plant the right "seed." Denominations do not produce the right fruit, because they plant the wrong seed.
*31* Suppose you believed and obeyed Buddhist doctrine. What would that make you? (a) a Christian, (b) a Hindu, (c) a Buddhist. Answer: ______.
Man-made doctrines reproduce after their own kind and make people members of man-made religious groups.
*32* In the first century, when people obeyed Jesus' gospel, what kind of Christians did they become and what church did they become members of? (a) Lutherans, (b) Catholics, (c) just Christians, members of Jesus' church. Answer: ______.
*33* If you were to obey simply the gospel today, without any man-made changes, what kind of Christian would you become and what church would that make you a member of? (a) the same as in the first century, (b) a modern denomination, (c) no one knows. Answer: ______.
Anytime and anyplace, when a person obeys only the gospel, he becomes a Christian, exactly like people were in the first century. They were not members of any of the modern denominations and neither should people today be. The Lord will add people today to His church, just as He did in the first century (Acts 2:47). These saved people must then work and worship with a faithful local church.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Jesus Is Lord - Lesson #7

Where Can You Find the Church
That Belongs to Jesus? Part 1

Jesus Is Lord - Lesson #7

Introduction:
Jesus built His church in the first century (Matthew 16:18). All serious Bible students agree that He built only one church, and all saved people then were in that one church. But today there are hundreds of denominations, differing from one another in name, worship, organization, plan of salvation, etc. Yet all claim to follow Jesus and to please God.
The purpose of this study is to determine what Jesus wants us to practice regarding church membership. What was Jesus' church like in the first century? Does the church that Jesus built still exist today? If so, how can we find it and become members of it? What does God think about all the many different modern churches?

How Important is Jesus' Church?

Why should we study about Jesus' church? Some people think the church has nothing to do with salvation, so people can be saved outside the church. How important is the church to Jesus the Lord?
>>> Read ACTS 20:28. <<
*1* How did Jesus make the church His? Answer: He purchased the church with His ______.
*2* Can we be saved without Jesus' blood? Answer (yes or no): ______.
*3* Then can we be saved outside Jesus' church? Answer (yes or no): ______.
Jesus shed His blood to save us from sin (Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 1:5; Romans 5:6-9). But the people who have been saved and purchased by that blood are the people who are in the church!
>>> Read EPHESIANS 5:23,25.<<<
*4* For whom is Christ the Savior? (a) the nation of Israel only, (b) the body (church), (c) all people will be saved. Answer: ______.
Salvation can be obtained only through Jesus' death (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; Hebrews 5:9; 7:25). But Jesus died to save the church. If the church has nothing to do with our salvation, why did the Lord die for it?
The Lord adds to the church those who should be saved - Acts 2:47. Christ is the Savior, but all those whose sins He has forgiven are in the church. Those outside the church are yet in their sins. This is why it is vitally important for us to learn about Jesus' church. (See also Ephesians 3:10,11; Colossians 1:12-14; Hebrews 10:25; etc.)

For more information about the importance of the church, see the links at the end of this lesson.

The Word "Church" Has Different Meanings.

In the Bible, the "church" always refers to a group of people, never to a physical building. The word has two primary uses:
1. The church universally - the body of all saved people everywhere (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 5:22-25; Acts 2:47).
2. The church locally - a congregation of saved people in a certain area who meet, work, and worship together (Jerusalem, Corinth, etc. - Acts 8:1; 13:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:2; Revelation 1:4).
We will study many examples of this word as we proceed.
First let us study the characteristics of the New Testament church, then we will study the origin of the modern denominations.

Part I: What Should Jesus' Church Be Like?

If the police were searching for a missing person, how would they identify the correct person? They would need a description or list of identifying characteristics: age, name, height, weight, etc. Likewise, if Jesus' church exists today, how could we identify it?
>>> Read MATTHEW 7:15-21. <<<
*5* How can false teachers be identified? (a) by their outward appearance, (b) by their unkind manners, (c) by their fruits. Answer: ______.
*6* What are the "fruits" of God's followers? (a) they do the will of the Father, (b) they just call Jesus "Lord," (c) they just believe. Answer: ______.
The true church can be identified because it teaches and practices the will of God. By learning Jesus' will for His church, we can know the identifying marks of His church. Consider these characteristics:

A. The Doctrinal Standard of the Church

What law or rules should the church follow to determine what it believes, teaches, and practices?

>>> Read EPHESIANS 1:22,23. <<<
*7* Who is Head over all things to the church? (a) John the Baptist, (b) Peter, (c) Jesus, (d) Mohammed, (e) a human headquarters. Answer: ______.
*8* Whose control, then, should the church submit to? Answer: The control of ______.
>>> Read COLOSSIANS 3:17. <<<
*9* What must be done in Jesus' name (by His authority)? Answer: ______we do, in word or deed.
Since Jesus built and purchased the church, it must follow His directions. Remember, His will is revealed in the New Testament.
(See also Ephesians 5:23; John 12:48; Acts 3:22,23; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 6:46; Colossians 1:18; 2:19; Hebrews 5:9; 1 Corinthians 14:37.)

May the church follow man-made laws?

>>> Read 2 JOHN 9. <<<
*10* What happens if we do not abide in the teachings of Jesus? Answer: We do not have ______.
>>> Read MATTHEW 15:9. <<<
*11* What does God think of worship that is based on man-made teachings? (a) it is vain, (b) He encourages it, (c) it doesn't matter. Answer: ______.
>>> Read GALATIANS 1:8,9. <<<
*12* What happens if we preach a different gospel? Answer: We are ______.
*13* Would a church be honoring Jesus as Lord if it follows doctrines or practices not found in the Bible? Answer (yes or no): ______.
If Jesus' church exists today, it must strive to listen to all His teachings and must avoid practices not found in His teachings.
(See Revelation 22:18,19; Proverbs 14:12; 3:5,6; Jeremiah 10:23.)

If you would like to learn more about what authority the church should follow, please see the links at the end of this lesson.

B. The Origin or Beginning of the Church

>>> Read MATTHEW 16:15-18.<<<

*14* What did Jesus promise to build? (a) a social club, (b) an entertainment, recreational club, (c) His church, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
*15* Did the church exist when Jesus said this? Answer (yes or no): ______.
*16* How many churches did Jesus promise to build? (a) one, (b) ten, (c) hundreds. Answer: ______.
This passage and all passages before Acts 2 speak of the church as coming in the future (see also Isaiah 2:2,3; Daniel 2:44; Mark 1:15; 9:1; Acts 1:4-8).
>>> Read ACTS 2:47. <<<
*17* Who was adding people to His body (the church)? (Cf. v38,41.) Answer: The ______.
Many other passages after Acts 2 speak of the church as being in existence (see Acts 5:11; 8:1-3; 11:22,26; Colossians 1:13; etc.).
So the church that belongs to Jesus began in Jerusalem on Pentecost after Jesus' ascension.
*18* Suppose men begin a church at a place and time other than Jerusalem on Pentecost. Would it be Jesus' church? Answer (yes or no): ______.
If Jesus' church exists today, it must be the church that He began on Pentecost in Jerusalem.

C. The Names or Designations of the Church

Names are important to God. He sometimes named people before they were born, or changed their names later (Genesis 17:5,15,19; 32:27,28; Luke 1:13; Matt. 1:21; Isaiah 62:2; etc.). What terms or phrases does the Lord want people to use to refer to the church and its members?

Terms used for the church:

The church of Christ or of God (Matthew 16:18; Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 1:2; etc.).
The house or family of God (1 Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 2:16,19; Galatians 6:10).
The kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:13; Matthew 16:18,19; Revelation 1:9; Hebrews 12:28).
The body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22,23; 4:4-6; Colossians 1:18).
Note that all these terms give honor to God the Father or the Son, and show our relationship to them.

Terms used for individual members of the church:

Disciples (Acts 11:26; 20:7; 8:3; 9:1).
Children of God (2 Corinthians 6:16-18; 1 John 3:2).
Christians (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).
>>> Read 1 CORINTHIANS 1:10-13. <<<
*19* What sin occurred at Corinth? (a) groups were named after men, (b) men were exalted instead of Jesus, (c) division, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
Naming the church after a particular doctrine likewise violates the principles of this passage, promotes division, and fails to exalt God.
One of the fruits of Jesus' church was that it wore names that glorify God and Christ. It never wore names that honored men, were invented by men, or exalted some particular Bible doctrine.

D. The Steps to Enter the Church

Some churches teach that there are things a person must do to be saved, and then afterward there are other things he must do to join the church. But the church is the body of all saved people (Ephesians 5:23,25; Acts 20:28; Colossians 1:13). Therefore, whenever one receives the forgiveness of his sins, he automatically becomes a member of the church at the same time and by the same steps.

You cannot be voted into the Lord's church, you cannot purchase membership in it, and you cannot "join" it. You simply obey the gospel and let God add you (Acts 2:47).
To be forgiven of sins, one must take the following steps:

* Hear the gospel (John 6:44,45; Romans 10:17).
* Believe it (Romans 1:16; Hebrews 11:6;John 8:24).
* Repent (Acts 17:30; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 2 Peter 3:9).
* Confess Christ (Romans 10:9,10; Acts 8:37).
* Be baptized (immersed) for the purpose of receiving forgiveness (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3,4; 1 Peter 3:21).

At baptism, one's sins are forgiven and the Lord then adds him to the church (Acts 2:38,47; 1 Corinthians 12:13).

*20* Suppose a church teaches some other way for people to be saved. Would it be honoring Jesus as Lord, and would the people who believed the doctrine of that church really be saved? Answer (yes or no): ______.
If Jesus' church exists today, it must still teach just what the gospel says about salvation.

E. The Worship Offered in Church Assemblies

The Lord taught His church to do five things when they meet.

1. Teaching

>>>Read ACTS 2:42.<<<
*21* In what activities did these disciples continue steadfastly? (a) the apostles' doctrine, (b) prayer, (c) breaking of bread, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
We should teach only God's word. (Cf. Acts 20:7; 11:26; Heb. 10:25.)

2. Prayer (see Acts 2:42 above)

In Bible study, God talks to us. In prayer, we talk to God. (Cf. 1 Corinthians 14:15; Philippians 4:6; Acts 4:23-31; 1 Timothy 2:5.)

3. Giving

>>>Read 1 CORINTHIANS 16:1,2.<<<
*22* How did the church obtain financial income? (a) raffles and bingo, (b) bake sales and rummages, (c) collections, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
*23* When were the collections taken up? (a) on the seventh day of the week, (b) on the first day of the week, (c) as often as possible. Answer: ______.
*24* How did the members decide how much to give? Answer: Each one gave according as he had ______.
The church took up collections from the members on the first day of the week. Each member gave generously according to prosperity. The church never used tithing (requiring 10%), nor man-made fund-raising methods like bingo, raffles, rummages, etc. (Cf. 2 Cor. 8:1-5; 9:6,7.)

4. Lord's Supper (communion or breaking of bread)

>>> Read 1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-26. <<<
*25&26* What do the bread and cup remind us of? Answer: The bread reminds us of Jesus' ______. The cup reminds us of Jesus' ______.
*27* May we use bacon and eggs on the Lord's table? Answer (yes or no): ______.
We should eat the bread and drink the fruit of the vine in memory of Jesus' body and blood. (Cf. Matthew 26:17-30; Acts 2:42.)
>>> Read ACTS 20:7. <<<
*28* When did the disciples break bread? (a) at Easter and Christmas, (b) on the last day of the week, (c) on the first day of the week. Answer: ______.
*29* How often does the first day of the week occur? Answer (give a number): The first day of the week comes (give a number) ______ time each week.
When God specified memorial feasts, He always told people when to do them. If He said to do it on a certain day of a certain month of the year, it would be an annual feast (Ex. 12:6,14,24ff; Lev. 23:24,27). If He said to do it on a certain day of the month, it would be a monthly observance (Ezek. 46:1,6,7). If He said to do it on a certain day of the week, then it would be observed weekly (like the sabbath - Ex. 20:8-11).
Likewise, God has revealed that disciples had the Lord's supper on the first day of the week, so we should do it as often as that day occurs. The collection and communion occurred on the same day. When churches today practice annual or monthly communion, do they also take up collections only annually or monthly?

For more information about when to have the Lord's supper, see the links at the end of this lesson.

5. Singing

>>> Read EPHESIANS 5:19.<<<
*30* What act of worship is commanded here? Answer: The verse instructs us to ______ and make melody in our hearts to the Lord.
*31* What purpose(s) are accomplished by singing? (a) praising God and teaching others, (b) showing off musical ability, (c) entertainment to draw big crowds, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
Every New Testament passage that mentions music in worship, specifies singing (Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Romans 15:9; Hebrews 2:12; James 5:13). There are two kinds of music - singing (vocal) and playing (instrumental).
*32* Since Jesus expressly says to "sing," are we honoring Jesus if we add another kind of music (playing on instruments)? Answer (yes or no): ______.
To use instruments of music in worship is to follow human authority. It fails to honor Jesus just like bacon and eggs on the Lord's Table.

For more information about instrumental music in worship, see the links at the end of this lesson.

>>> Read HEBREWS 10:25. <<<

*33* What error should Christians avoid? Answer: We should not forsake the ______ of ourselves together.
*34* Would a church be following Jesus as Lord if it worshipped in ways that are not found in the gospel? Answer (yes or no): ______.
If Jesus' church exists today, it must worship by this same pattern.

F. The Work or Mission of the Church

>>> Read ACTS 11:26. <<<

*35* What work did the church in Antioch accomplish? Answer: The church assembled so people could be ______.
The church is the "pillar and ground of the truth" - 1 Timothy 3:15. It teaches the gospel to the lost and edifies the members (see also Acts 11:22; 20:7; Hebrews 10:24,25; Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 4:14-18). The church also cares for its own physically needy members (Acts 4:32-35; 6:1-6; 1 Corinthians 16:1,2; 2 Corinthians 8 and 9; 1 Timothy 5:16).
The primary work of the church is spiritual. It helps people be right with God so they can receive eternal life. If Jesus' church exists today, it is not a social or recreational club nor a general welfare society. Any church that does these other works fails to honor the Lord. (See also John 18:36; 6:63,27; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.)