The Book of Acts: Keys for Supernatural Living - Barry Bennett (via video) Charis Bible College IN

Test Review/Class Recap

Introduction:  The book of Acts is a book that demonstrates that the power of God is available to the church and its purpose is that we might reach the world with the Gospel.

The Supernatural is a lifestyle. News Flash:  God’s power is still available.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forevermore. 

Lesson 1 – The Need for Miracles

The purpose of miracles is to separate men from dead religion, superstition and fear, and convert them to the worship of the living God.

I.  The Need for Miracles

Without miracles, we simply have a dead religion. So yes, there is still a need for miracles.

II. The Foundation for Miracles

A miracle is God’s love touching man’s need.

Arguments will NOT produce true believers.  One miracle will do more to advance God’s Kingdom than years of theological debates. 

Miracles are the proof that Christ has truly risen from the dead.  Without the power/proof (2 Timothy 3:5), we simply have a dead/empty religion.

III. Miracles follow the Gospel

God confirms His Word with signs following (Mark 16:15-20)

Lesson 2 – The Power of the Message

I. Book of Acts

The Book of Acts is a continuation of the Gospel of Luke.  The first part of the Book of Acts is primarily about Peter (Acts 1-12:24), and the second part of the Book of Acts is primarily about Paul (Acts 12:25-28:31)

Since Luke, the author, tells us what happened rather than what should happen today; the Book of Acts would be better described as descriptive rather than prescriptive.  The Book of Acts is history, not law.  For example, Luke tells us seven men were chose to wait on tables (Acts 6:1-6), but Luke does NOT tell us that churches should follow this example today.

The purpose and theme of the Book of Acts could be stated as tracing the progress of the Word of Jesus and the growth of the church from Jerusalem to Rome.

II. The message of the early church

The primary message of the early church was the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

We can expect the same results that the early church in the Book of Acts experienced if we hear like they heard, believe like they believed,  pray like they prayed, act and they acted.

Lesson 3  - The Power of the Spirit

I. The Need for the Spirit

The signs and wonders as wrought by the Spirit represent the ‘witness’ of His life.

Mental arguments will ONLY produce mental believers.  No mental arguments will ever produce true believers; hence the need for the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:1,4-5).

II. The Purpose of the Spirit

The purpose of the baptism of the Holy Spirit causes believers to be witnesses of the resurrected Christ.

The purpose of the Spirit is to take the gospel with power to the nations.  Acts 4:33

Reaching the lost is the true purpose of being filled with the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit enables us to speak in tongues, operate in the spiritual gifts, etc.

Lesson 4 – The Power of the Word

I. The Power of the Word

The early church was marked by the preaching of the Living Word which transformed lives. 

The Apostles place a premium, utmost importance, on giving themselves wholly to receiving and administering the Word of God.  The Apostles delegated the day to day affairs of the church to capable others. (Acts 6:2, 4).

God confirms His Word with signs following.  Philip in Acts 8:5, 14-15 is one example of this.

II. The Prevailing Word

His Word is His power; keep speaking His Word. Jeremiah says His Word is like a hammer. (Jeremiah 23:29).

Keep sowing the Word.  Sow the Word in the morning, Sow the Word in the evening.  Ecclesiastes 11:6.

III. The Living Word

God sends His Word to heal us (Psalm 107:20).

The world was created and is sustained by the Word (2 Peter 3:5-7).

We know God through His Word (John 14:23).  The more we know His Word, the more we know God.

God confirms His Word with signs and wonders (Mark 16:20).

V. The Active Word

The early church saw miracles when they spoke the Word (Act 4:31).  Today’s church sees miracles when we speak the Word.  

Lesson 5 – The Power of the Name of Jesus

I. Introduction to The Name of Jesus

II. The Glory of the Name

Everything that God is, stands for, and represents is found in the Name of Jesus.

The Name of Jesus includes every character trait of God including the seven Old Testament Redemptive Names of God:

Jehovah-Jireh “the Lord will provide [a sacrifice]” Genesis 22:13,14 (NT reference Ephesian 5:2)

Jehovah-Rapha “the Lord that healeth” Exodus 15:26 (NT reference Matthew 8:17, 1 Peter 2:24)

Jehovah-Nissi “the Lord our banner [our victory]” Exodus 17:8-15 (NT reference 1 Corinthians 15:57)

Jehovah-Shalom “the Lord our peace” Judges 6:24 (NT reference John 14:27)

Jehovah-Ra-ah “the Lord my shepherd” Psalm 23 (NT reference John 10:11)

Jehovah-Tsidkenu “the Lord our righteousness” Jeremiah 23:6 (NT reference 2 Corinthians 5:21)

Jehovah-Shammah “the Lord is present” Ezekiel 48:35 (NT Reference Matthew 28:20).

III. The Authority of the Name

IV. The Power of the Name

If Jesus was dead, His Name would have NO power.  Since Jesus is NOT dead (He is yet alive), Jesus’ Name STILL have power.

V. Resistance to the Name

VI. Conclusion

Everything is subject to the Name of Jesus, if you have faith in that Name; but repetitively repeating the Name of Jesus (without faith) will NOT give us victory over Satan. 

The Name of Jesus gives believers access to the Father in prayer (John 16:23, 14:12-14).

Lesson 6 – The Power of Prayer

I. The Power of Prayer

aljalstands for, and represents is found in the Name of Jesus.

II. Examples of prayer in the Book of Acts

If Jesus was dead, His Name would have NO power.  Since Jesus is NOT dead (He is yet alive), Jesus’ Name STILL have power.

III. Effective Prayer

The Name of Jesus gives believers access to the Father in prayer (John 16:23, 14:12-14).

Lesson 7 – God’s Heart for the World’

Lesson 8 – The Church

Previously Reviewed

Paul’s Instruction to Timothy – Lawson Perdue (via video) – Lesson 1 – 1 Timothy 1

Charis Bible College IN

Test Review/Class Recap

v.3 I urged you…that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine… It is more than just good biblical doctrine; it is good biblical doctrine AND GOOD biblical CONDUCT!

I practice good biblical doctrine and good biblical conduct!

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.  Abraham would command his son.

v.5 What is the end or goal of Paul’s commandment to Timothy?  The purpose, goal or end of Paul’s commandment is love, which comes from a pure heart, a good conscience and sincere faith.

My goal of teaching is love!  My goal of teaching comes from a pure heart and a good and clear biblical conscience. I teach with sincere, unspotted faith which God has given me (Romans 12:3).

v.11 What has God committed to Timothy and my trust?  I understand that I have been entrusted with this glorious gospel by our blessed God.

1 Timothy 4:13 (King James Version) Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine

I give myself wholly to the glorious Word of God.  I live the glorious Word out in conduct, power and demonstration.

v.18-19 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee…19Holding faith, and a good conscience…

My faith life and conduct challenges believers and non-believers to believe God.

The Book of Acts: Keys for Supernatural Living – Lesson 8 - Barry Bennett (via video) Charis Bible College IN

Test Review/Class Recap

Lesson 8:  The Importance of the church!

The church is God’s  ‘A’ Plan for the world.

  • The church was purchased by His blood (Acts 20:28)
  • The church nurtures and helps perfect (mature) the saints.  (e.g. Paul, Acts 14:23, also Ephesians 4:11)

Reason that the church is important, relevant:

  1. The authority of God resides with His church (Ephesians 1:20-23).  22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, (other references Acts 5:11, Acts 15:22)
  2. The purpose of Christ is realized through His church (Ephesians 3:10) 10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (other references, Paul reports back to the church, Acts 14:27; The church supports missions, Acts 15:3)
  3. The purpose of the life of believers are confirmed in His church Acts 13:1-3, Paul was confirmed as a teacher in the church.  (Other references: Ephesians 4:11-16).
  4. The life of Christ is released through His church As we operate in our giftings, then the more of the life of Christ is released in His church: Ephesians 416From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Other references:  Ephesians 4:25, 5:30).

Five (5) responsibilities or roles of every church

  1. WORD – church should be a place where believers receive the Word! (Acts 11:26).  (Other references:  Acts 14:21, 15:35, 18:11, Acts 20:20).
  2. WORSHIP – should be a natural by-product of the word believers receive at church (1 Corinthians 14:26).
  3. PRAYER – corporate prayer (the whole body) which is very powerful is missing in many of our churches today (Acts 4:24-31).
  4. COMMUNION – breaking bread together was very essential to the first century church and should be essential to our church today!  (Acts 2:42, 20:7).  An environment of community.
  5.  EVANGELISM – (1 Thessalonians 1:5-8)