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Bible Characters Class

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Bible Characters Class Bible Characters Class Lesson 1 - Apollos Text: Acts 18:24-28 I) Origin: Apollos is a Jew, born in Alexandria, Egypt…in northern Africa. II) Some personal traits: A) Apollos is described as eloquent. The primary meaning of this is “learned” or very educated; possessing a storehouse of words and a powerful mind. B) He was mighty in the Scriptures. This would seem to imply that Apollos was skilled at using the Old Testament to make arguments religiously. He was capable of convincing people that Jesus is the Christ (see verse 28). C) Apollos was fervent in spirit (v.25). He is said to have been boldly preaching and mightily or vigorously refuting jews (vs. 26 & 28). III) Apollos’ Error For the most part, he knew accurately the way of truth as revealed in the gospel of Jesus; except he was wrong concerning the baptism of John the baptist still being valid. — Two everyday Christians (not an apostle or evangelist) but tentmakers, Aquila & Priscilla, took him aside privately when they learned of his error and instructed him the way of Christ more perfectly. Was it much ado about nothing? Were Aquila and Priscilla a couple legalists? Majoring in minors? If you were Aquila and Priscilla, common tentmakers, upon hearing a highly educated preacher being off track on just one item, would you have approached him to correct him? If you were Apollos, and taken aside and corrected by some “lesser” folks, how would you have taken it? IV) Apollos goes to Achaia (Corinth) Acts 18:27 - 19:1a Paul has planted the church in Corinth and now Apollos goes there and waters it. See I Corinthians 3:6. Truly these two men were co-workers in the vineyard or field. Two other references to Apollos: In I Cor. 16:12 Paul encouraged Apollos to return to Corinth, but he was unwilling or able at the time he was asked. In Titus 3:13, probably late in Paul’s life, Apollos is still faithful and encouraged by Paul. Your Comments & Questions Lesson 2 - Elijah Introduction: A legendary hero of the Bible - appears with Moses & Jesus on the mount of transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-3). Elicits question: Why do the scribes say Elijah must come first? (17:10) The O.T. had closed telling of him coming (Malachi 4:5-6). Jesus says John the Baptist fulfilled the promise (Mt. 17:11-13). Background: Lived about 900 years before Jesus; a prophet of God shortly after the kingdom of Israel divided. Dealt mainly with the northern kingdom called Israel. The king was Ahab, but his queen Jezebel, a ruthless Sidonian woman, bent on not only introducing Baal idol worship, but eliminating the worship of Jehovah, ran the country behind the scenes. Elijah was a country man from the eastern side of the Jordan river, of the area of Gilead, and called a Tishbite (I Kings 17:1). He was a hairy man and wore a leather belt (II Kgs. 1:8). His Story 1. Proclaims a many years long drought to the king until his word (I Kgs. 17:1). He then hides near brook Cherith and fed twice daily by ravens. Brook eventually dries up and sent to a woman in Zarapheth, Sidon (17:8-24) Drought lasted 3 years and 6 months (Lk. 4:25; James 5:17). 2. Jezebel massacres many of God’s prophets. Elijah returns and met by chief-steward of Ahab, Obadiah. He had helped hide some of God’s prophets. Told to tell Ahab of Elijah’s presence. Notice the greeting (18:17). Issues challenge to people and prophets (18:20-21). Mount Carmel test and victory (18:22-40). The prayer for rain (18:41-46) 3. Flees the wrath of Jezebel to the extreme south, eventually as far as Mt. Horeb (19:1-10). God reveals Himself, not in a tremendous display, but a still small voice (11-18). God has work for him to do and there are 7000 still faithful. 4. Next Elijah appears to Ahab after having murdered Naboth to acquire his vineyard (21:17-29) Dogs will lick up his blood and eat the flesh of Jezebel by the wall. Ahab humbles himself. Prophecy fulfilled when after he died, blood washed out of chariot (22:37-38). 5. Ahaziah, the next king, injures himself and seeks to enquire of Baal the outcome. Elijah meets messengers and sends word of death. King pleads by sending captain and fifty messengers for Elijah to come. Messengers killed by fire from heaven. Happens again. Third time spared. (II Kgs. 1) 6. Elijah taken up in a whirlwind and a chariot of fire and mantle falls to Elisha (II Kgs. 2) Lessons: 1. Righteous often accused of being troublemakers 2. Sometimes God seen in small ways, not solely the grand 3. Dismay can quickly follow great successes 4. Solitude and withdrawal not often the answer to fears 5. Man’s impressions of a matter limited and therefore often wrong 6. Prayer is powerful - James 5 7. The ways of the Lord are not the ways of man - Lk. 4:24-27 8. Even the greatest of men of faith are subject to discouragement 9. A good remedy for despair is a new task 10. The zeal for God of Elijah is worthy of imitation Your Comments & Questions Lesson 3 - John the Baptist Introduction: John the Baptist is called that because he baptized people, not because he was a Baptist denominationalist. The Baptist church was not begun until over 1500 years later. Early Years: Luke 1:5-25; 57-80 - Two individuals, Zacharias and Elisabeth are praying for a child, though much older now. One day, Zacharias, who is a priest, is in Jerusalem, burning incense, when an angel named Gabriel appears and this of course troubles him. He is informed he will be having a son, and he is to be named John, and he is to drink no wine or strong drink, but will be filled with the Holy Spirit, and will come in the spirit of Elijah, to help prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. Zacharias struggles to believe this and as a result will be mute for the term of the pregnancy. His ministry: Luke 3:1-6 - Just prior to Jesus coming out as the Messiah publicly, John begins preaching and baptizing folks. We do not know how he got his marching orders, but we do know he is doing God’s business, for Jesus once asks, “Is the baptism of John from God or man?” Jesus knows it is not from man. John’s preaching is two fold…people need to repent and get ready to receive the kingdom of heaven. John’s preaching: Matthew 3:7-10 - His preaching was pointed and fearless…”brood of vipers”…Herod and Herodias, you are sinning. — John’s preaching was humble and unassuming. He truly is the doorkeeper to the kingdom Matthew 3:11-12. He tells Jesus, I need to be baptized of you. — Read John 3:22-36 (esp. 29). He is so happy to hear the voice of Jesus. He says Jesus must increase, and I need to decrease. John’s baptism: It may have not been absolutely new. The Jews had the purification rites and washings. And it was applied to proselytes to the Jewish faith. But, what may be brand new, is that all Israel needs to be immersed in water…and it is not in the temple. Three things involved in John’s baptism… 1. Repentance…unto a changed life 2. Forgiveness of sins…in prospect of the forgiveness by the cross 3. Promise of loyalty to the kingdom that is near. Acts 19 says that people baptized by John’s baptism were to believe on Jesus when he came. John’s imprisonment & death: Mark 6:14-29 - John had told Herod that he had no lawful right to be married to Herodias…she was Herod’s brother Philip’s wife. It has been estimated that he spent 10 months in jail. Matthew 14:1-12…the story of how John is put to death. Your Comments & Questions Lesson 4 - Samson Introductions: Sometimes it is good to advise others contrary to our own experiences if for good. Samson is just such a story. A lot of things he did were not at all exemplary, but good to know and warn others to avoid. Read Judges 13-16 Background: The period of the Judges in early Israelite history is one in which God was ruling and from time to time raised up judges, usually to deliver the Israelites from the mess they often got themselves into. The people slipped back over and over into wickedness and captivity to the Canaanites around them that they had failed to completely destroy or root out of the land. The story of Samson is set in this sort of time and environment. The Israelites are captive to Philistines, who are ruling over them. Chapter 13 overview: There was an Israelite named Manoah, a Danite from a place named Zorah. He and his wife had no children. One day an angel (unawares to her) speaks to the wife that she is going to have a son. She is to have no wine or eat unclean animals, and her son likewise, no wine and also, no razor is to used on his head or hair. He will be a Nazarite from the womb. Chapter 14 overview: Samson goes down to Timnah…sees a woman of the Philistines…and wants her.
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