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ACTS: KINGDOM POWER
Thomas Nelson
Copyright © 2012 Jack W. Hayford
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4185-4926-8
Chapter One
SESSION ONE Gift from the Father
Kingdom Key—Promise of Power
Luke 24:49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.
In the Old Testament, only those uniquely called or anointed of God received the Holy Spirit. But under the New Covenant, Jesus proclaimed that every believer will be given "the Promise of [the] Father" (Luke 24:49), the active, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. By the activity of the Holy Spirit's fullness in the life of a believer, dynamic devotion is possible and the ministry of Christ in and through His church continues.
The Book of Acts summons us to a bold faith. The lives of the men and women in Acts challenge us to believe in our great God to do great things in a great way. The accounts in this book invite us to be risk takers with bold faith—a people who believe steadfastly that God will fulfill everything He has promised in His Word.
Read Matthew 3:11; John 7:37–39; Acts 1:4–8; 2:1–13; 5:32.
Questions:
What is your personal belief concerning the Holy Spirit? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
What is your reaction to the events of the first Pentecost? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
How do you understand the "power" we are to receive through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
Have you experienced the "power from on high" at work in your life or ministry? How so? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
Word Wealth—Witness
Witness, martus (mar'-toos); Strong's #3144: Martus is one who testifies to the truth he has experienced; one who has knowledge of a fact and can give confirming information.
Word Wealth—Power
Power, dunamis (doo'-nam-is); Strong's #1411: Dunamis means energy, power, might, great force, great ability, strength. It is sometimes used to describe the powers of the world to come at work upon the earth and divine power overcoming all resistance. The dunamis in Jesus resulted in dramatic transformations. This is the norm for the Spirit-filled and Spirit-led church.
Kingdom Life—Citizen of God's Kingdom
"The kingdom of God" refers to God's sovereign rule in the universe (see Genesis 1:1). But more specifically it refers to the entry of the prophesied Messiah, the Son of David, who would be the Savior and King of not only Israel, but of all mankind. All nations were promised recipients of this hope (Isaiah 9:6, 7; 11:10; 40:5). John the Baptist announced that the rule of God's King would overthrow the power and rule of all evil—both human and hellish. As God's King, Jesus offers the blessing of God's rule, now available to bring life to every human experience, as well as deliverance from the dominance of either flesh or the Devil.
The first call of the kingdom is to repentance. The implications of biblical repentance are threefold: 1) renunciation and reversal, 2) submission and teachability, and 3) continual shapeability. There is no birth into the kingdom without hearing the call to salvation, renouncing one's sin, and turning from sin toward Christ the Savior (Acts 3:19). There is no growth in the kingdom without obedience to Jesus' commandments and a childlike responsiveness as a disciple of Jesus, yielding to the teaching of God's Word (James 1:21–25). There is no lifelong increase of fruit as a citizen of the kingdom without a willingness to accept the Holy Spirit's correction and guidance.
Read 1 Corinthians 4:20; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 1:5.
Questions:
What do you believe Paul meant when he said, "the kingdom of God is not in word but in power"? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
What do you believe Paul meant by "the power that works in us"? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
In what ways have you experienced transforming kingdom power (the power of the gospel) in your own walk of faith? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
Kingdom Extra
It is the power of the Holy Spirit that makes the kingdom "happen." "The kingdom of God is not in word but in power," wrote the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 4:20), noting that without the dynamic of the kingdom, the word of the kingdom contains no life-changing power. Therefore, when Paul came to Corinth it was not with "persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power" (1 Corinthians 2:4).
When Jesus spoke the "word" or "gospel" of the kingdom, it was always with actualized authority. His words, like those of the apostle Paul, were always confirmed by the liberating power of the Spirit in the lives of people. Changed lives were the fruit of kingdom power, verifying the force of the word of kingdom power. As the apostle Paul put it: "Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart" (2 Corinthians 3:3).
The Word of God and the power of God are both essential. God's Word without the Spirit's power can result in dead orthodoxy. The Spirit without the Word can result in foolish fanaticism. But the Word and the Spirit together result in dynamic transformation. The message of the kingdom is ignited by the Spirit of God and results in dynamic kingdom ministry that genuinely liberates and profoundly transforms people.
Probing the Depths
To truly get a feel for Luke's perspective in the Book of Acts, you can read about the structure in any good commentary. In The Daily Bible Study Series, William Barclay's The Acts of the Apostles has a good treatment of structure on pages 3–7. A more detailed discussion can be found in Richard Longenecker's "The Acts of the Apostles" in Volume 9 of The Expositor's Bible Commentary, pages 231–235.
Scholars don't agree about outlining the Book of Acts, so don't be frustrated by this exposure to the same problems that everyone who studies Acts has to wrestle with. When the Holy Spirit moved the writers of the Bible to record Acts, there was a lot of human and divine creativity going on. Rejoice that God has given this masterpiece in all its complexity to His people for their spiritual edification.
Behind the Scenes
An apostle is someone commissioned for a particular task or role, one who is sent forth with a message. In the New Testament the word denotes primarily the original twelve disciples and secondarily other prominent leaders outside the Twelve. Marvin Vincent records three features of an apostle: 1) one who has had a visible encounter with the resurrected Christ; 2) one who plants churches; 3) one who functions in the ministry with signs, wonders, and miracles. Of course, this defines the founding twelve, but was not true of every New Testament personality referred to as an apostle.
Kingdom Life—Stay Connected
When Jesus sent out His first disciples to proclaim the kingdom, He sent them in pairs (Mark 6:7–13; Luke 10:1–16). He knew they would be exposed to the pressures of the world and the schemes of their enemy, Satan. This is the general pattern of the apostles in the Book of Acts. Peter and John team up in the early chapters (Acts 3; 4). Barnabas went to Tarsus to find Saul to help him minister at Antioch (Acts 11:22–26). The great missionary journeys of Acts were conducted by Barnabas and Saul (soon identified as Paul and Barnabas) and by Paul and Silas. In Paul's later travels, several companions traveled and apprenticed with him (for example, see Acts 20:4). After Barnabas and Paul separated, Barnabas ministered with John Mark (Acts 15:37–39).
A kingdom principle begins to emerge as we look closely at ministry within the early church.
Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.
Questions:
What do you believe to be the core message in Ecclesiastes 4:12? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
In what ways can being in close relationship with another believer foster greater spiritual health and more effective ministry? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
What are the dangers of attempting to walk out your life of faith alone? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
Record Your Thoughts
Amos 3:3 asks the question: "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" In Amos's question, the word "together" means to walk as a unit, as one. Two people walk to the same destination at the same pace and with the same rhythm. They also must have "agreed" to take the walk of unity, as a unit with oneness. Amos is not talking about a chance meeting between people taking a stroll who decide to saunter together. In the original Hebrew, the word translated as "agreed" literally means to "fix upon"; it also means "a summons to a set tribunal at a fixed time and place." The expanded meaning of Amos' words is, "How can two walk in oneness unless they have met and go in the same direction?"
As you walk through the next few days, pay close attention to those relationships you enjoy. One at a time, ask yourself if the unity called for by Amos, and more importantly by Christ (John 17:21), is alive and operative in those relationships. If some of your relationships fail to meet the standard of unity, ask yourself why.
Read over Jesus' entire prayer in John 17 and make note of those things He asked of the Father on your behalf. How much of Jesus' prayer focused on relationships? Why do you think that is? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
Chapter Two
SESSION TWO Kingdom Power Appears
Kingdom Key—Receive the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
On the day He ascended into heaven, Jesus made a promise to the assembled believers. This promise anticipated the Day of Pentecost when they would be "baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:5).
This experience is not to be confused with John 20:22 wherein Jesus told His disciples, "Receive the Holy Spirit." This event took place before the Ascension and was related to the work of the Holy Spirit in spiritual rebirth as promised in John 3:3–5. In Acts 1:5, this Spirit baptism is the empowering for ministry promised in Luke 24:49 when Jesus said, "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."
The focus in Acts 1:5-8 is on the mission of the believers—one that cannot be accomplished without the supernatural Holy Spirit baptism. Jesus' words about the spreading witness of the gospel through the Spirit-filled disciples (Acts 1:8) could only be fulfilled with supernatural power as a result of being baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Read Luke 3:16; John 14:16–18; 15:26; 16:7.
Questions:
The Holy Spirit baptism is referred to as the "promise of the Father." Who is qualified to receive this promise? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
We read in the Word Wealth definition of the previous session the type of the "power" Jesus promised. In what ways have you experienced this power in your own life of faith? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
With this definition in mind, why do you believe Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as the "helper"? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
Word Wealth—Helper
Helper, parakletos (par-ak'-lay-toss); Strong's #3875. A compound word from para, "beside," and kaleo, "to call"; thus the meaning of "called to one's side." The word signifies an intercessor, comforter, helper, advocate, or counselor. In nonbiblical literature, parakletos had the technical meaning of an attorney who appears in court on behalf of another. In addition to imbuing the believer with power, the Holy Spirit leads believers to a greater apprehension of gospel truths (John 14:26). In addition to general help and guidance, He gives the strength to endure the hostility of the world system.
Kingdom Life—A Loyal Witness
To prepare for this session, read Acts 1:1—2:47.
Acting as a witness to an event isn't easy. It takes a long time to prepare a good law enforcement officer to focus on the pertinent information and ignore the unimportant at a crime scene. It takes classes on observation skills and practice sessions spent in observation.
Just so, it took a long time to prepare the original witnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus invested three years of His life in the apostles. He took them everywhere with Him and patiently explained the spiritual dynamics of His kingdom. He sent them out to practice preaching the good news of the kingdom. He saw to it that they witnessed His death and resurrection.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from ACTS: KINGDOM POWER Copyright © 2012 by Jack W. Hayford. Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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