DOCSLIB.ORG

Senegal Prayers Answered Over the Decades

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Senegal Prayers Answered Over the Decades May 2021 Senegal Prayers Answered over the Decades Uruguay 26 Below Retreats CMML Serving in the Encouraging Youth Meet the Team Center of God’s Will for 15 Years THINKING IT THROUGH BY KEITH R. KEYSER A Body Born for Crisis he world is a dangerous place. Beyond the COVID-19 pan- and strengthen each other so their fellow saints do not suc- Tdemic, economic disruptions, and “wars and rumors of war,” cumb to discouragement or division.8 Christians face the added problem of opposition, suff ering for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake.1 The fi rst century was no diff erent. Prayer: a bulwark against spiritual foes As the early church carried out its mission to “make disciples of The early church answered trials by fervently crying out to all the nations,” God empowered the believers to stand against God in prayer. They met beatings, imprisonments, and threats diverse challenges.2 Happily, the New Testament teaches that with intercession and supplication. While Peter participated in the body of Christ is still well-suited for crises like sickness, per- an angelic jailbreak, the saints assembled in a prayer meeting secution, and geographical disruption. on his behalf; his release elicited thanksgiving from them and gave testimony to the lost.9 Likewise, Paul and Silas greeted im- Hospitality: the antidote to dispersion, loneliness, prisonment with prayer and praise, thereby seeing God rescue and disunity them and save the Philippian jailer and his family.10 Beginning with Stephen’s martyrdom, saints were scattered as gospel seeds, winning souls and planting assemblies in far- Faith: calm amid the storm fl ung places like Antioch.3 Faithful and hospitable fellow be- The fi rst Christians actively trusted the Lord to work through lievers, such as Lydia, Aquila and Priscilla, and Mnason, greatly their diffi culties. When Paul encountered a two-week storm, he helped traveling believers—especially missionaries like Paul.4 looked to God and encouraged his shipmates to believe in the Al- The fi rst believer listed, Lydia, opened her heart and home to mighty. Listen to the apostle preach in the teeth of the tempest: gospel expansion; the second couple, Aquila and Priscilla, built And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss up local churches and encouraged young workers like Apollos. of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by The latter believer, Mnason, is described as “an early disciple,” or me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and alternately, “a disciple of long standing” and “a Christian from whom I serve, saying, “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be the early days,” or even, “one of the original disciples.”5 brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you When he visited Mnason, Paul undoubtedly enjoyed hear- all those who sail with you.” Therefore take heart, men, for ing this insider’s view of the church’s early days. It demonstrates I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, the wonderful interaction between the diff erent generations of we must run aground on a certain island.11 saints. There is no generation gap in the body! Obviously, faith makes anxiety depart. When we look to God, The hymn writer and preacher John Newton opined: “I look our thoughts move from fear to faith.12 With Christ in our ship, upon our old believers here, as misers look upon their gold, with perishing is an impossibility, so we may walk through this per- a mixture of pleasure and pain. I am daily apprehensive some of ilous world confi dent in God’s keeping power and sustaining them will be called home; but I long and pray that, before they grace.13 are removed, others may be raised up to supply their places.”6 Recognizing this truth, let us follow pioneer missionary Clearly, Christianity is meant to be passed on from believer William Carey’s advice: “Expect great things from God. Attempt to believer—older to younger—through the centuries.7 Even great things for God.” Christ’s body was made for worshipping within the same time period, believers must encourage, exhort, and serving amid adversity. n Keith Keyser is a commended worker based in Pennsylvania. 1 Matthew 24:6; John 15:18–16:4. 2 Matthew 28:19. 3 Compare Acts 8:1, 4 and 11:19–26. 4 Acts 16:14; Acts 18:1–3; Romans 16:3–5; 1 Corinthians 16:19. 5 Acts 21:16; Acts 21:16 (NASB); Acts 21:16 (REB); Acts 21:16 (NET margin). 6 John Newton, The Works of John Newton, Vol. 6 (London: Hamilton, Adams, & Co., 1820), 70. 7 2 Timothy 2:2. 8 1 Thessalonians 5:14–15. 9 Acts 12:16–19; see also the prayer and praise following persecution in Acts 4:23–31. 10 Acts 16:25–34. 11 Acts 27:22–26. 12 Isaiah 41:13–14; Philippians 4:6–7. 13 Mark 4:35–41. Vol. 50, No. 5. Christian Missions in Many Lands (ISSN 0744-4052) is published eleven times a year by Christian Missions in Many Lands, Inc., Belmar, New Jersey. Periodical postage paid at Belmar, New Jersey, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send United States address changes to Christian Missions in Many Lands, Inc., PO Box 13, Spring Lake, NJ 07762. Send Canadian address changes to MSC Canada, 101 Amber Street, Suite 16, Markham, Ontario L3R 3B2. MSC Canada publication agreement Number 40026478. All correspondence, including address changes, gifts for missionary work, and for expenses should be sent by Canadian readers to MSC Canada, 101 Amber Street, Suite 16, Markham, Ontario L3R 3B2 and by United States readers to Christian Missions in Many Lands, Inc., PO Box 13, Spring Lake, NJ 07762. Copyright © CMML. All rights reserved. COVER PHOTO: Friends in Senegal—Nathan & Priyanka Bramsen 2 MISSIONS www.CMML.us When God’s Word Sounds Forth A Look at Prayers Answered over the Decades BY NATHAN BRAMSEN ne Friday evening in Saint Louis, Senegal, after another City of Saint Louis tough day with much resistance to the Gospel from Fast forward 37 years to January 13, 2021. With great antici- OMuslim contacts, friends, and neighbors, a missionary sensed pation, Priyanka, my wife, and I stepped off our Delta Airlines God directing his heart to 1 Thessalonians 1:7–8. He read, “So fl ight onto Senegalese soil carrying our one-year-old, Haven that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who Rahab. We looked forward to seeing how the local church was believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, doing and to having our daughter experience my birth country not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your for the fi rst time. After clearing the various airport procedures, faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say we began our fi ve-hour trip to Saint Louis—the major fi shing anything.” The day was November 18, 1983. The missionary was port and former capital of French West Africa and the city of my my father, Paul Bramsen. birth. From my infancy until I was about 16, my family called At this point, more than two years had passed since he and Saint Louis “home.” my mother, Carol, (Missionary Prayer Handbook Day 28) had Though fi shing the seas is a physical, economic blessing to many moved to Senegal as missionaries, and they had not yet seen there, my soul’s encouragement lay in observing the Senegalese any Senegalese turn from Islam to Christ. The passage became believers who fi sh for the souls of their people in this desertic West his heart’s cry for the work in northern Senegal and formed the African nation. What a joy to see local Senegalese who had come basis of his specifi c prayer: Lord, may the church in Saint Louis to faith in Jesus Christ in my youth now mature in the faith, abid- be an example to all in Senegal who believe, and may Your Word ing in Christ, and walking in the light with a vision and passion for sound forth from here in the surrounding regions and in every seeing their own people place. reached with the Gospel. Soon, the Enemy began to intensify his attacks of discour- agement. On November 21, a young man who had shown in- terest in the Gospel and his friends showed up at the reading room my parents operated. He mocked the Gospel and my fa- ther, saying, “Just go back to America, because Saint Louis is the strongest Islamic town in Senegal, and no one will ever believe your message!” Later, he came back by himself and told my dad, “If I had some gasoline, I’d love to pour it on your books and light a match to it.” The battle was well underway. Three-and-a-half more years Top: Haven high-fi ves a group of street would pass before my parents saw one soul come to true faith children, who live on the streets and, often, work for Islamic religious leaders. in Jesus Christ, yet their prayer remained the same. Though I Above (R–L): In January, the Bramsen fam- wasn’t born at the time of that discouraging episode, their faith ily arrived in Senegal, where Nate was born and raised; On their trip, the Bramsens— impacted my life and trajectory. including one-year-old Haven—built new relationships and renewed old friendships.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Acts: Lesson 17
    ACTS: LESSON 17 XVII.PAUL'S THIRD PREACHING TOUR - PART 2 (MACEDONIA - JERUSALEM) (20:1-21:16). A. Paul travels through MACEDONIA into GREECE giving much exhortation (20:1-2a). B. Paul changes plan of departing straight for Syria after learning of Jewish plot - returns through MACEDONIA (20:2b-5). 1. Seven traveling companions journey on to wait for Paul in Troas. C. Paul, Luke and company sail from PHILIPPI to TROAS (20:6-12). 1. Paul joins disciples on first day of the week to break bread. 2. Paul brings Eutychus back to life after the young man fell out of third story window during Paul's preaching. D. Paul travels by land and meets his traveling companions in ASSOS (20:13-14a). E. Paul and companions sail to MITYLENE, CHIOS, SAMOS and MILETUS on successive days (20:14b-38). 1. Paul in desiring to be in Jerusalem by Pentecost passed by Ephesus (14b-16). 2. Paul exhorts Ephesian elders in Miletus (17-38). F. Paul and company sail straight unto COS, RHODES unto PATARA (21:1-2). 1. In Patara Paul finds ship sailing for Phoenicia. G. Paul and company pass by the left of CYPRUS unto TYRE (21:3-6). 1. Disciples warn Paul not to go to Jerusalem. H. Paul and company sail to PTOLEMAIS and salute the brethren in one day's stay (21:7). I. Paul and company meet the evangelist Philip in CAESAREA (21:8-14). 1. Agabus prophecies that Paul will be bound in Jerusalem. 2. Paul determined to go to Jerusalem and even die for the name.
    [Show full text]
  • The Jewish Presence in Cyprus Before Ad 70
    SCRIPTA JUDAICA CRACOVIENSIA * Vol. 7 Kraków 2009 Zdzisław J. Kapera THE JEWISH PRESENCE IN CYPRUS BEFORE AD 70 In the time of Sergius Paulus (Acts 13, 7), Cyprus was inhabited by indigenous Cypriots, Greeks (from Greece and Egypt), Phoenicians, some Romans (few in comparison with other groups), and a large community of Jews. What is surprising is the almost total absence of Greek (or Aramaic) synagogue inscriptions, especially since we know from the Acts of the Apostles and other sources that a substantial group of people of Jewish origin was living on the island.1 G. Hill2 and T. B. Mitford3 suggested some decades ago that the first Jews settled in Cyprus in the time of Ptolemy Philadelphus. According to the Talmudic sources, they were very probably obliged to supply wine annually for the services in the Jerusalem Temple.4 However, today we are able to date the first Jewish settlers as early as the fourth century BC. Found in ancient Kition were three Phoenician inscriptions with evidently Jewish names: Haggai, son of Azariah, and Asaphyahu.5 Commercial contacts are later confirmed by finds of Hasmonaean coins in Nea Paphos.6 The first epigraphical proof is provided by a Greek inscription from Kourion of a late Hellenistic date, where a Jew named Onias is mentioned.7 The next attestation of Jews, also of the late Hellenistic or early Roman period, comes from a text dealing with permanent habitation of Jews in Amathus. According to Mitford the text seems to concern “the construction in cedar wood of the doorway of a synagogue” in that city.8 If the Jews built a synagogue, they had a community there.
    [Show full text]
  • The Messenger
    TheWeekly Worship Guide of MessengerThe Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, Atlanta, Georgia Sunday, October 18th, 2020 – Κυριακή, 18 Οκτωβρίου 2020 Sunday of St. Luke the Evangelist Κυριακή Λουκά του Ευαγγελιστού Luke the Apostle and Evangelist, The Holy Martyrs Marinos the Elder, the 40 youths martyred by the sword, The Hieormarytr Mnason, Bishop of Cyprus, the New Martyrs Gabriel and Cyrmidoles of Egypt, And the Righteous Ascetic Father John of the Euphrates River Today’s Trisagion Found on page 127 of the Divine Liturgy Book 1 Year Trisagion for Phillip Yoannides Young Saint Luke the Evangelist About the person of St. Luke we do not know much. In the books of the New Testament, though we find references to him, there is not any detailed information about him. St. Nicodemus the Athonite (18th century AD), gathered all the available biblical and historical information about St. Luke. He was born in Antioch, Syria. He was a doctor. He also liked to paint. Our Church regards him as the first iconographer, who painted an icon of the Theotokos. As doctor he was very well known for his skills. St. Paul baptized Luke into the Christian faith. St. Paul in his letters often speaks about an illness which troubles him and most likely he chose Luke to be with him because he was in need of a doctor. Besides his medical services, St. Luke was proved St. Paul’s most dedicated follower. St. Paul writes: “Only Luke is with me” (2 Ti 4:11). St. Luke wrote two Books of the New Testament, the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.
    [Show full text]
  • A Biographical Study of Luke
    Liberty University Scholars Crossing New Testament Biographies A Biographical Study of Individuals of the Bible 10-2018 A Biographical Study of Luke Harold Willmington Liberty University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/nt_biographies Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Willmington, Harold, "A Biographical Study of Luke" (2018). New Testament Biographies. 24. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/nt_biographies/24 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the A Biographical Study of Individuals of the Bible at Scholars Crossing. It has been accepted for inclusion in New Testament Biographies by an authorized administrator of Scholars Crossing. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Luke CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY I. The ministry of Luke A. He was a co-worker with the Apostle Paul. 1. Traveling with Paul during the second missionary journey a. Luke joined Paul, Silas, and Timothy at the city of Troas (Acts 16:8, 10). b. He ministered to Lydia and a demoniac girl at Philippi (Acts 16:14-18). c. For some reason, neither he nor Timothy were beaten and thrown into prison as were Paul and Silas (Acts 16:19-34). 2. Traveling with Paul during the third missionary journey a. Luke again joined Paul at Troas, as he had during the previous trip (Acts 20:6). b. He participated in a prayer meeting on the seashore at Tyre (Acts 21:4-6). c. He visited with Philip the evangelist and his four daughters at Caesarea (Acts 21:8-9).
    [Show full text]
  • MNASON: a FAITHFUL DISCIPLE Acts 21:16
    MNASON: A FAITHFUL DISCIPLE Acts 21:16 If I were to ask what you know "is immortalized in eight words." Only about the Apostle Paul, most of you could eight words in the original Greek are respond in some way. You would say he written about this man. Yet, what an was a Pharisee, that he took some intriguing picture is painted. missionary journeys, that he wrote some The text is a little confusing about of the books of the New Testament, that where he lived , but apparently he lived in he had a dram~tic conversion experience Jerusalem. When Paul returned from his on the Damascus road . All of us know Gentile mission to Jerusalem, where something about Paul. anything that threatened the Jewish The same goes for Simon Peter. exclusiveness was looked on with Mention his name and we picture a rough suspicion, Mnason opened his home to fisherman called by Jesus to be a Paul. His willingness to be Paul's host disciple. Peter was loud and aggressive. shows Mnason's gracjous hea.o and He always had something to say. He tried hos itable s iri and also coosidecahle to walk on water once. He preached at qourage_in light of the situation. Pentecost and 3,000 were saved. His Notice the phrase used to describe nickname was "Rock." We all know Mnason in verse 16 The KJV calls him something about Simon Peter. "an old disciple." The RSV refers to him To a lesser degree we could all as "an early disciple." The TEV says that come up with some information about Mnason was one "who had been a James and John and Andrew and John believer since the early days." In the New the Baptist and Zacchaeus.
    [Show full text]
  • Acts Chapter 21
    1 SERIES: A SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF ACTS ACTS CHAPTER 21 “JOURNEYING TOWARD JERUSALEM” We are “surveying” not studying in detail these chapters in the book of Acts. A survey is “An overview of an area or subject; a general analysis.” We have been engaged in a general overview of the book of the Acts of the Apostles. The material is not an in-depth, verse-by- verse study of the book but a “get-acquainted” tour intended to whet one’s appetite for a more analytical examination of this important transitional contribution to the literature of the New Testament. This 21st chapter is a segment out of the life of the Apostle Paul that is fast paced, as he is moving from city to city and from one surprising situation to another, with many different persons walking into and out of his life. This chapter can teach us much about how a dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ lives trustfully day by day. An Hour at The Beach. Chapter 20 ended down by the waterside and we read that “He knelt down and prayed with them all. Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.” (Acts 20:36-38) This is a scene of such sweet sorrow. After the beach prayer meeting at Miletus with the elders who had come from the church in Ephesus; after the holy hugs and tearful departure, Paul went aboard ship and sailed away into a storm, not a storm upon the sea but a storm in a city – the city of Jerusalem – the city of peace which, for Paul was not to prove true.
    [Show full text]
  • Disciple Bible Passages
    Appendix F - Disciple Passages from the Bible Is. 50:4 ¶ The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples, That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. Matt. 10:24 ¶ “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. Matt. 10:25 “It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! Matt. 10:42 “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” Matt. 13:52 And Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” Matt. 27:57 ¶ When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:27 “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
    [Show full text]
  • Acts 21 - John Karmelich
    Acts 21 - John Karmelich 1. Before, we begin, I want you to know I’ve struggled more with Chapter 21 than any other chapter in Acts. Once you understand the issues, it leaves more questions than answers. a. The debate centers around whether or not Paul was doing God’s will. If I took all my favorite scholars who have written commentaries or given sermons on this chapter, they are split down pretty much right the middle on this issue. Therefore, no matter which view I teach, I am strongly disagreeing with some of my mentors. With that simple problem ahead of us ☺, let me explain further. 2. The great application to you and me in Chapter 21 is about "The will of God versus the will of man". Among the questions Christians constantly ask themselves are "Am I doing God’s will?" or "Is this something Jesus would approve of? "Am I being like Jesus in my conduct?" On the surface this chapter is about Paul going to Jerusalem and people warning him not to go. The main debate question is whether or not Paul was in God’s will. The lessons we can learn from this chapter can affect our attitude toward discerning God’s will. a. Have you ever wondered why the New Testament is not just the 4 gospels? After all, we worship Jesus as God, why would Paul’s and the apostles' opinions count for anything. (I’m being a little cynical, but I’m making a point ☺.) There is a cult called the "Jesus-only movement" which goes only by what Jesus said, and not the other apostles.
    [Show full text]
  • Luke, the Detailed and Compassionate Evangelist
    2/17/2016 13a. Luke, the Compassionate and Detailed Evangelist “Although Matthew is divided into more chapters than Luke, Luke’s account of the ministry of Jesus Christ is the longest of the four canonical Gospels in actual length . Although Luke clearly drew upon Mark and has much in common with Matthew, Luke’s Gospel also contains a large amount of unique material. Furthermore, its style and sensitivities—particularly toward women, Gentiles, and the poor and oppressed generally—set it apart from the other synoptic Gospels.” (Holzapfel, Huntsman, and Wayment, Jesus Christ and the World of the New Testament, 108) Cappella Tornabuoni, “St. Luke the Evangelist,” 1486‐90 “Lord, I Would Follow Thee” (hymn no. 220) 1. Savior, may I learn to love thee, 3. I would be my brother's keeper; Walk the path that thou hast shown, I would learn the healer's art. Pause to help and lift another, To the wounded and the weary Finding strength beyond my own. I would show a gentle heart. Savior, may I learn to love thee‐‐ I would be my brother's keeper‐‐ (Chorus) 4. Savior, may I love my brother Lord, I would follow thee. As I know thou lovest me, Find in thee my strength, my beacon, 2. Who am I to judge another For thy servant I would be. When I walk imperfectly? Savior, may I love my brother‐‐ In the quiet heart is hidden Sorrow that the eye can't see. Who am I to judge another? 13a. Luke, the Compassionate and Detailed Evangelist 2/17/2016 2 13a.
    [Show full text]
  • Greek Orthodox Bible : New Testament
    THE EASTERN - GREEK ORTHODOX BIBLE : NEW TESTAMENT Presented to Presented by Date – Occasion THE EASTERN - GREEK ORTHODOX BIBLE NEW TESTAMENT THE EASTERN / GREEK ORTHODOX BIBLE BASED ON THE SEPTUAGINT AND THE PATRIARCHAL TEXT NEW TESTAMENT ALSO KNOWN AS THE CHRISTIAN GREEK SCRIPTURES With extensive introductory and supplemental material The EOB New Testament is presented in memory of Archbishop Vsevolod of Scopelos (†2007) Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople And in honor of His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah Primate of the Orthodox Church in America ABBREVIATIONS AND CODES Indicates words added for clarity and accuracy but which may not [ ] be in the Greek text. For public reading, these words can be included or skipped Indicates words added for theological clarity and accuracy. For { } public reading, these words should be skipped Indicates words that may have been added in the Byzantine textual tradition for the purpose of clarification, harmonization or liturgical < > use and which are present in the PT, but which may not have been part of the original manuscripts ANF/PNF Ante-Nicene Fathers / Post-Nicene Fathers BAC Being as Communion, John Zizioulas CCC Catechism of the Catholic Church Modern “eclectic” texts or reconstructed "critical texts" (United CT Bible Societies Text (UBS) or the Nestle-Aland Text (NA)) CTC Called to Communion, Joseph Ratzinger EBC Eucharist, Bishop, Church, John Zizioulas EOB Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible HBB His Broken Body, Laurent Cleenewerck HE Ecclesiastical History (Eusebius) (Paul Maier’s edition) KJV King James Version (sometimes called Authorized Version) Greek translation of the Old Testament known as the Septuagint LXX which is the basis for the main English text of the EOB/OT TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTORY SECTION ABBREVIATIONS AND CODES ..............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • THE LIFE and LETTERS of PAUL by Boyce Mouton
    THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF PAUL by Boyce Mouton Many years ago I read an 850 page book “The Life and Epistles of St. Paul” by Conybeare and Howson. That book impacted my life in a very profound way. While this book is not like theirs in length, or scholarship, it was their monumental effort that inspired it. The word “scholar” and “school”, as you know , come from the Greek word “schole” which means “leisure”. In much of the world today “school” is still a luxury denied to many. In fact, most people in the world do not have the time or information for profound study. It is hoped that this small volume, though it is not scholarly, will still be of some help for those who labor in the trenches of world evangelism. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this work is to help understand the way the Holy Spirit worked in the life of the Apostle Paul. Hopefully this will help us to be more effective in our own service. The primary source of this information will come from two sources: 1. The book of Acts. 2. The letters Paul wrote. In the course of our study we will try to place Paul’s inspired letters in a chronological sequence with the book of Acts. Paul was inspired by God to write more books of the Bible than any other man. Perhaps a broader and deeper understanding of him will help us understand the working of God in our own lives.. CHAPTER 1 THE FULLNESS OF TIME “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law .
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding the Book of Acts
    UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF ACTS by Charles F. Baker President Emeritus – Grace Bible College Grand Rapids, Michigan Grace Bible College Publications Grand Rapids, Michigan 49509 UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF ACTS Copyright Ó 1981 by Grace Bible College Publications, 1011 Aldon Street, S.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49509. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any way without written permission from the publisher, except for brief excerpts in magazine reviews, etc. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Baker, Charles F. Understanding the Book of Acts Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. Bible. N. T., Acts – Commentaries. I Bible. N.T., Acts. English. 1981. II. Title. BS2625.3.B32 226’.607 85-769 ISBN 0-912340-03-7 AACR2 Printed in the United States of America By Grace Mission Press 2 3 Table of Contents Page INTRODUCTION 11 CHRONOLOGY OF THE ACTS PERIOD 15 SECTION ONE: THE GOSPEL TO THE JEWS ONLY, Chapters 1 – 9 19 I. PRE-PENTECOST EVENTS: 1:1-26 22 A. Introduction to the Book, 1:1-5 22 B. The Final Commission, 1:6-8 23 C. The Ascension, 1:9-11 24 D. Successor of Judas Chosen, 1:12-26 24 II. PETER’S MINISTRY IN JERUSALEM, 2:1-7:60 25 A. The Day of Pentecost, 2:1-13 25 B. Peter’s Pentecostal Sermon, 2:14-42 27 1. Those Addressed 27 2. The Time of the Sermon 27 3. Pentecost the Fulfillment of Prophecy 27 4. The Resurrection of Christ Attested 28 5. The Invitation 29 6.
    [Show full text]