Elizabeth George - Relying on the Power of the Spirit: Acts

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Acknowledgments

As always, thank you to my dear husband, Jim George, M.Div., Th.M., for your able assistance, guidance, suggestions, and loving encouragement on this project.

RELYING ON THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT

Copyright 2015 Elizabeth George

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97402

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

ISBN 978-0-7369-3701-6 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-7369-4120-4 (eBook)

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Contents

A CTS 1

A CTS 2

A CTS 3

A CTS 4

A CTS 5

A CTS 6

A CTS 7

A CTS 8

A CTS 9

A CTS 10

A CTS 11

A CTS 12

A CTS 13

A CTS 14

A CTS 15

A CTS 15:3616:40

A CTS 17

A CTS 18

A CTS 19

A CTS 20

A CTS 2122

A CTS 23

A CTS 24

A CTS 2526

A CTS 2728

I n my book A Woman After Gods Own Heart , I describe such a woman as one who ensures that God is first in her heart and the Ultimate Priority of her life. Then I share that one crucial way this desire can become reality is by nurturing a heart that abides in Gods Word. To do so means that you and I must develop a root system anchored deep in Gods Word.

Before you launch into this Bible study, take a moment to think about these aspects of a root system produced by the regular, faithful study of Gods Word:

Roots are unseen Youll want to set aside time in solitudeunderground if you willto immerse yourself in Gods Word and grow in Him.

Roots are for taking in Alone and with your Bible in hand, youll want to take in and feed upon the truths of the Word of God and ensure your spiritual growth.

Roots are for storage As you form the habit of looking into Gods Word, youll find a vast, deep reservoir of divine hope and strength forming for the rough times.

Roots are for support Do you want to stand strong in the Lord? To stand firm against the pressures of life? The routine care of your roots through exposure to Gods Word will cultivate you into a remarkable woman of endurance.

Im glad youve chosen this study out of my A Woman After Gods Own Heart Bible study series. My prayer for you is that the truths you find in Gods Word through this study will further transform your life into the image of His dear Son and empower you to be the woman you seek to be: a woman after Gods own heart.

In His love,

ACTS 1

A s you journey through the book of Acts, you will follow the thrilling progress of the birth of the church and its spread throughout the regions bordering the Mediterranean Sea over a 30-year time span.

In reality the book of Acts could be entitled The Acts of the Holy Spirit. This book of the Bible could be seen as volume 2 in the ongoing story of the life and ministry of Jesus. What Jesus began in the Gospel of Luke in a limited physical body, He continues in Acts through the unlimited power of His Spirit working in and through His followers.

But in truth, the activities of the book of Acts have never ended. Its a story of what Jesus began to do and teach (Acts 1:1). Now, over 2000 years later, you are asked to continue the work that Jesus and the early church began. The baton has been passed on to you. Relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, you too are asked to pass on to others what Jesus began.

Gods Message

1. Read Luke 1:1-4. Who wrote this Gospel, and what was his purpose?

2. Read Acts 1:1-5 and answer the following questions:

Compare Acts 1:1 with Luke 1:1-4. What additional information do you receive from this second book written by Luke?

What did the risen Savior do (verse 3)?

What did He teach (verse 3)?

What twofold command did He give (verses 4-5)?

3. Read Acts 1:6-11 and the disciples concerns in verse 6.

What answer did the Lord give them (verse 7)?

Describe the geographical progression that the gospel message would take (verse 8).

Where would the power come from for this worldwide mission?

Briefly describe the events of verses 9-11. (Theologians refer to what happened in these verses as the ascension.)

4. Now read Acts 1:12-14 and list the three groups of people who responded to the instructions of the men in white.

What were they doing?

5. Read 1:15-25 and briefly describe what takes place.

and Your Hearts Response

Base your faith on facts. Christians are often accused of foolishly taking a giant leap of faith in the dark. Luke, however, gives just the opposite view. He points to the verifiable fact that Jesus appeared to hundreds of people over a period of 40 days after His resurrection. Armed with the reality of His resurrection, His faithful followers went out and boldly preached Jesus to the world. How should knowing that your faith is supported by solid historical facts help you as a witness for Jesus?

Know your Bible. As you look again at Peters speech in the upper room (Acts 1:15-25), he quotes numerous verses from the Old Testament. His thoughts and speech centered on his knowledge of the truths of Scripture. What are you doing to deepen your knowledge of Scripture? What difference should this make in your daily life and actions?

Relying on the Power of the Spirit

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you are part of a rich heritage that started at the beginning of recorded history in the Garden of Eden. When all seemed to be lost, God promised to send someone who would defeat Satan. The Old Testament predicted the coming of this Savior, the Messiah. The Gospels then told the story of His coming and His death for the payment for the sins of the lost. And the book of Acts now describes His empowering of His people to take this message of salvation to a lost world.

You, like the apostles and early believers, have been given the truththe good news about the only way to God, the message of eternal life, through Jesus Christ. And like these early Christians, you are to share this message with boldness and love. Jesus has promised that His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, will give you the power you need to be His witness. The baton has been handed to you. Take it willingly! And rely on the power and strength of Gods indwelling Spirit as you run the race.