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  • Acts 4:32-5:42

  • Acts 4:35 – “Lay them at the apostles’ feet” means they put things under control of the apostles. The money was specifically given to needy Christians.

  • Acts 5:1-11 – Ananias and Sapphira

    • Acts 5:3 – “Satan filled your heart” is a figure of speech (compare James 5:4; Romans 6:16). Satan didn’t physically take control of them.

    • These phrases are used interchangeably:

      • “lie to the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:3)

      • “lied … to God” (Acts 5:4)

      • “put the Spirit of God to the test” (Acts 5:9)

    • The text makes a distinction between money that is “one’s own” and that which is “common” (Acts 4:32). Chapter 5 makes the same distinction (Acts 5:2, 4). This is good to remember when thinking about the use of the treasury.

  • Acts 5:17-42 – “they laid hands on them”

    • Note the difference between the people and the leaders:
Regular People Leaders
Who were they afraid of? “great fear … none of the rest dared to associate with [the apostles]” (Acts 5:11, 13) “afraid of the people” (Acts 5:26)
Attitude toward apostles “held them in high esteem” (Acts 5:13) “filled with jealousy” (Acts 5:17)
Actions with apostles “all with one accord … more believers … constantly added” (Acts 5:12, 14) “put them in a public jail … strict orders not to continue teaching … intended to kill them … flogged them” (Acts 5:18, 28, 33, 40)
  • The regular people and leaders both had access to the same information but had opposite responses to the apostles.
    • Acts 5:41-42 – This is the attitude we should have about persecution!

For further study, see also:

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  • Luke 6:42-7:50
  • Luke 7:1-10 – This centurion was a Gentile, apparently a man of some means. He showed great faith, so much so that Jesus complimented him. Compliments from Jesus were rare!
  • Luke 7:11-17 – When Jesus did miracles, Jesus usually used His power to help people rather than doing some other great work that would not affect them.
  • Luke 7:16 – “Visit” here means that God sought out and helped His people. It is not a casual social visit.
  • Luke 7:18-23 – John certainly already knew Jesus was the Messiah, as he has previously said himself. John sent these men to strengthen their faith.
  • Luke 7:29 – Those who were baptized accepted the will of God and so justified Him and glorified Him.
  • Luke 7:34 – This is not saying that Jesus drank alcohol. It is simply contrasting Jesus’ diet with the austere diet of John the Baptist.
  • Luke 7:37-50 – This woman did what she could. We don’t always do what we can, but that should be our goal!

For further study, see also:

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  • Introduction
    • Psalms 139:1-3, 13-16 – God knows us at every place and every time.
    • Jeremiah 1:5
  • When does life begin?
    • Life begins in the womb at conception.
    • Brephos (baby): Luke 1:39-44; 2:12, 16 – Same word used for baby after birth and before birth.
    • Huios (son): Luke 1:57, 36 – Same word used before and after birth.
    • Syllambano (conceive): Luke 1:36, 24, 31; 2:21
    • Exodus 21:22-25 – God demanded protection for the unborn child. The child was alive!
      • Yeled [child/youth]yatza [go out, come out, bring out]
      • Does not mean “miscarriage” like nephel (Job 3:16; Psalms 58:8; Ecclesiastes 6:3) or shakol (Exodus 23:25; Hosea 9:14)
  • What does that mean regarding abortion?
    • It means abortion is murder because it deliberately ends an innocent life.
      • Genesis 1:26-27; 9:6
      • Romans 1:29
      • James 2:26
  • Doesn’t a woman have a right to make choices about her own body?
    • No, not if those choices break God’s laws. Biblically, we should start with the understanding that we belong to God.
    • Romans 6:11-13; 12:1-2
    • Matthew 16:24-25; 25:14-30
    • Luke 17:10
    • I Corinthians 6:15-20
  • Scott Klusendorf

For further study, see also:

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  • Acts 4:1-31

  • Revelation 2:9-10

  • Acts 4:8 – Compare Peter’s actions in Luke 22:54-62.

  • Acts 4:7, 10, 12, 17, 18, 30 – “By the name of Jesus Christ”

    • The Greek word for name (onoma, 3686) can certainly refer to one’s appellations (“Jesus”, “Peter”, etc.), but it often refers to the person, not just their name. That can include the person’s authority, reputation, power, and so forth. Examples:

      • Matthew 10:22

      • Matthew 12:21

      • Matthew 19:29

      • Matthew 28:19

      • Luke 10:17

      • Luke 10:20

      • Luke 24:47

      • John 1:12

      • John 2:23

      • John 17:6

      • Acts 2:21

      • Acts 2:38

      • Acts 3:6

      • Acts 3:16

      • Acts 4:7

      • Acts 4:10

      • Acts 4:12

      • Acts 4:17

      • Acts 4:18

      • Acts 4:30

    • Acting in the name of Jesus is more than just saying His name. It’s acting by His authority.

    • Ephesians 1:20

  • Acts 4:24 – Contrast this demonstration of faith with Moses’ behavior in Exodus 5:22-23.

  • Acts 4:25 – See Psalms 2:1-12.

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  • Luke 6:1-42

  • Luke 6:3-4 – The Sabbath was made for the benefit of man. There were exceptions to the general rule of refraining from work on the Sabbath.

  • Luke 6:12 – The length of Jesus’ prayers was governed by the subject of the prayer. Selection of the apostles was a very important decision and warranted much prayer.

  • Luke 6:20 – This is referring to those who are poor in spirit, not those who are physically poor. Compare Matthew 5:3.

  • Luke 6:29 – See John 18:22-23. Jesus was simply saying not to repay evil in kind.

  • Luke 6:30 – Compare II Thessalonians 3:10. The giving in this context is to fill a need. It is not in a business context.

  • Luke 6:37

    • See John 7:24. We are to judge with righteous judgment.

    • See Luke 17:3. We can’t forgive a man that won’t repent.

  • Luke 6:38 – Give with generosity and you will receive blessings in return.

For further study, see also:

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