RELIGIOUS EDUCATION YEAR IINOTES

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THE BOOK OF ACTS-HISTORY

The book in the Bible called “The Acts of the Apostles” is all the great deeds and travels of the disciples. The disciples were also known as apostles. The writer of the book was man called Luke. Luke was also a doctor. St. Luke wrote two books. The first he called “The Good News”. WE call this book today his gospel. It tells us about Jesus, His life and work. The second book “The Acts of the Apostles” is the one we are going to study now. Perhaps this book was written by St. Luke for a Roman solider for a wanted to know more about Jesus and the men who worked for Him.

THE ASCENSION STORY – ACTS 1:6-12

During the forty days from His Resurrection (as His rising from the dead on Easter Sunday is called), Jesus appeared nine times to His disciples. He was seen by over 900 people along with the disciples. When they were feeling sad and uncertain about their beliefs inn Him, because of His appearance, they could see that He was alive. Jesus proved that He was more powerful over everything, even death, which sin and wickedness has conquered.

Jesus wanted time alone with His disciples and took them to the Mount of Olives. He promised that He would always be with them even to the end of the world. Jesus told His disciples that He would leave them, but He would send someone to be with them. Jesus promised the gift of the Holy Spirit. He promised that the Holy Spirit – the comforter- would come to them.

As He was speaking to the disciples, a cloud took Him away from they disciples’ sight. The disciples looked at Jesus as He ascended and behold two men in white clothes stood by them. The men in white clothes asked the disciples why they were looking up to heaven. “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven”.

They told the disciples that the same way that Christ left them, He would return in the same manner. The disciples expected the Jesus to return quickly but they soon realized that God as Jesus has said that He would choose His own time. After the experience, the disciples left the Mount of Olives and returned to Jerusalem.

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The crowd looked upon the disciples with amazement. After the trial and crucifixion of their Master, it had been thought that they would appear downcast and ashamed. Their enemies expected to see upon their faces an expression of sorrow and defeat. Instead of this, there was only gladness and triumph. Their faces were aglow with happiness not born of this earth.

They did not mourn over disappointed hopes, but were full of praise and thanksgiving to God. With rejoicing they told the wonderful story of Christ’s resurrection and His ascension to heaven and their testimony was received by many. The disciples no longer had any distrust of the future. They knew that the Saviour was in heaven, and that His sympathies were with them still.

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THE PENTECOST-ACTS 2:1-6

The day of Pentecost is described in the Acts of the Apostles. It is an account of the beginning of the early Christian Church. It was written by the disciple called Luke.

Pentecost was a Jewish festival which came fifty days after the Passover. Pentecost means “Fiftieth” or “weeks of weeks”. This is a Jewish festival which commemorates the gaining of the Torah to Moses. Many people from many different countries had gathered in Jerusalem for the very important Jewish festival. Many Jews who came from many countries were in Jerusalem for the Pentecost.

After Jesus left earth, His disciples were together in a room in Jerusalem. They felt alone and did not know how they were going to continue to carry on Jesus’ work. They were also afraid that the Roman soldiers would arrest them. As they were seated together in the upper room on the day of Pentecost, suddenly a sound like a blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the entire room where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues (or other languages) as the Spirit enabled them.

The God-fearing Jews from every nation heard the disciples speaking in tongues. They heard the disciples speaking in their own language and were astonished. The Jews thought that the disciples were drunk. However, Peter (the disciple that denied Jesus Christ three times), stood up and told the crowd that the disciples were not drunk, but filled with the Holy Spirit. From that moment onward, the disciples that had been terrified by recent events went out fearlessly to preach the Christian message. The Holy Spirit had the changed the disciples and made them champions to spread the Word of God.

It must be noted that main events that took place during the day of Pentecost were:

The appearance of tongues of fire over the disciples head Sounds of rushing winds entering the room Speaking in tongues or different languages by the disciples

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THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is equal in every way with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit was sent to be the “comforter” or the “helper’. The Christian sees the Holy Spirit as a champion and friend, and is also one who “energizes, “strengthens” and “empowers” the believer in Christ.

The Holy Spirit is also called:

Spirit of God- 1 Corinthians 3:16 Spirit of Christ- Romans 8:9 Spirit of Life- Romans 8:2 Spirit of Truth – John 16:13 Spirit of Grace- Hebrews 10:29 Spirit of Promise- Ephesians 1:13

Christians believe that there are (3) three persons in ONE GOD. This is called the TRINITY. The three (3) persons are:

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1. GOD-The Father:-He made the world and everything in it2. GOD-The Son:-He was sent by the Father into the world to become a

human being and die for the sins of mankind.3. GOD-The Holy Spirit:-Jesus promised that He would send someone into

the world after He left this world and returned to His Father in heaven.

The Holy Spirit came to enter people’s hearts and minds after Jesus ascended to heaven.

CHRISTIANS DO NOT BELIEVE IN THREE GODS BUT ONE GOD. When we (Christians) pray, we speak to God the Father, through God the Son (Jesus) by the power of God (The Holy Spirit).

CONTRIBUTORS TO THE GROWTH OF THE EARLY CHURCH

The work of the early apostles led to the continuous growth of the church, even though Christ had returned to His Father in Heaven. The apostles Peter and John are the names of just a few of the disciples that contributed to the growth of the early church.

They carried out many miracles in the name of Jesus Christ, and healed many people. They walked to many parts of the country and traveled to distant countries preaching and teaching about Christ. An example of the miracles performed by the apostles is the healing of the lame man.

THE HEALING OF THE LAME MAN-ACTS 3:1-10

Peter and John kept their hours of worship as Jews, and went in the temple courts at the ninth hour. They were on the eastern side, at the gate called

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Beautiful. It was so called because it was encased in layers of gold and silver. The disciples saw a lame man who had his begging pitch at the gate. He expected “alms” (money) but Peter gave him his bodily health and strength. It must be noted that the miracle was done “in the name of Jesus Christ”. Peter looked at the lame man and told him:

“Silver and gold have I none, but such as I give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk”.

Peter took the man by his right hand and lifted him up. The lame man leaped up, walked and entered the temple, walking and praising God. The persons in the temple remembered that this was the lame man that used to sit at the gate called Beautiful. They were very amazed to see the lame man walking. However, the powerful act of kindness and helpfulness led to apostles Peter and John being arrested.

The Jewish high priests and other members of the Sanhedrin (a Jewish religious council that consisted of about seventy men) had the disciples arrested for preaching and teaching the people about Jesus Christ and His resurrection. The Jewish rulers, elders and scribes, and Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John and Alexander were gathered in Jerusalem. They asked the disciples in which ‘power’ or by what name, had they healed the lame man. The word ‘power’ in Greek could be interpreted as “magic” and that was punishable by death. However, they could not carry out the death sentence because they had to recommend from Rome. They could carry out civil and religious matters but not the death sentence. The council had asked the disciples a trick question.

However Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and told the Jewish leaders that the Jesus Christ of Nazareth that they had crucified was the name of the man that he had healed the lame man. The boldness of Peter and John amazed the Jewish leaders because they thought that they were unlearned and ignorant. They marveled at the knowledge of the Peter and John, and realized that these men had been with Jesus Christ when he traveled preaching and healing people. They could not say anything against the healing of the lame man because he was standing in front of the members of the Sanhedrin.

The members of the Sanhedrin commanded Peter and John not to speak or preach in the name of Jesus Christ. Peter and John asked the Sanhedrin if they should obey God or man. This bothered the religious leaders. They threatened the disciples and let them go. The Sanhedrin was defeated for the time.

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ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA – ACTS 5: 1-11

Most of the followers of Jesus Christ were sharing their goods. They shared with those that were less fortunate than them. However, there was couple that tried to take advantage of the other followers sharing their possessions. The couple sold a possession and kept back part of the price. Ananais (the husband) took part of the price and laid it at the apostle’s feet. However, Peter asked Ananais

“Why has Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost and to keep back part of the price of the land?”

Peter also told Ananais that it was own possession and he did not have to share it. Peter told Ananais that:

“Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God”.

When Ananais heard these words, he fell down dead and great fear came upon those that heard about these things. Young men were present at this time, and they wound up Ananais’ body and took him and buried him.

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Three hours later, Ananais’ wife called Sapphira came to Peter, but she did not know what had happened to her husband. Peter asked Sapphira:

“Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much?’ and she answered:

“Yes, for so much”.

Peter asked Sapphira why she had agreed with her husband to tempt the Spirit of the Lord. He told her that the same young men that took out her husband would carry her out. She dropped dead on hearing these words. The young men came in and carried out her body. They buried her by her husband. Great fear came upon those who heard these things. This story can be found in Acts chapter 5: 1-11

PETER AND JOHN ARRESTED AGAIN

ACTS 5:17- 42

Yet again, Peter and John continued preaching and teaching about Jesus Christ. The Sanhedrin heard about the apostles and went to the temple and arrested them. They were thrown into prison, but at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors. The angel

told the apostles to go the temple and preach the words of life.

The apostles left the prison and went to the temple and preached the people. At this time, the High Priests sent for Peter and John. When the prison officers went to the prison, Peter and John were not in the cell. The officers returned to the High Priests and told them that Peter and john were not in their cells. One of the officers told the High Priests that the men they were looking for were in the temple preaching.

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The captain and his officers went to the temple and arrested the disciples. They wanted to kill the disciples but on of their members told them not to kill the disciples. The name of the man was Gamaliel, and he told the Council that if the disciples were false, they would fail. He also said if the disciples were true and were of God, there was nothing the Sanhedrin could do to stop them. He told the Sanhedrin that other men had come and called themselves the “Messiah”. The men however, had died and the new doctrine died with them.

The Sanhedrin agreed that Gamaliel was right. They called the disciples, beat them and commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus Christ. They released.

The disciples left the Council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for Jesus Christ’ name. Daily in the temple and in every house, they ceased not to preach and teach about Jesus Christ.

TERM 2

PETER AND DORCAS- ACTS 9:32-42

In a place called Joppa, there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and alms deeds. After a time, she was sick and died. The people in the house washed her body and laid her in the upper chamber. The disciples (those that followed the teaching of Jesus Christ), heard that Peter was in Joppa. The disciples sent two men to ask Peter to hurry to Joppa. When the two men went to Peter, he arose and went with them.

When Peter arrived in Joppa, they brought him into the upper chamber. This was the place where Tabitha’s body was laid. In the upper chamber, all the widows stood by Peter weeping. They showed the coat and garments which Dorcas made for them. Peter put all of the widows out of the room kneeled and prayed. He turned to the body and said:

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“Tabitha, arise”

and she opened her eyes. When she saw Peter she sat up. Peter gave her his hand, and lifted her up. He called all the saints and widows, and presented Dorcas alive. This miracle was known all throughout Joppa and many believed in the Lord.

PETER AND CORNELIUS – ACTS 10: 9- 28

As they went to journey, night came as they approach the city. Peter went up to the housetop to pray about the six hour. He because very hungry but while they made ready the meal Peter fell into a trance. He saw heaven open and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners and let down to the four corners of the earth. Within this sheet, there were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things and fowls of the air. And the voice spoke unto Peter of second time and said:

“What God has cleanse that call not common.” This was done thrice and the vessel was a received up again into Heaven. Peter doubted in himself what this vision should mean. Meanwhile, men sent from Cornelius, asked about Peter and stood before the gate. They asked whether Peter lived at the house. While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said unto him

“Behold, three men seek thee”. “Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them”.

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Peter went down to the men and told them that it was he that they seeked. They told Peter that Cornelius, a man of God, was warned by an Holy angel. The angel told Cornelius to send for Peter to hear his words. Peter called the men into his house and let them stay for the night.

The next day, Peter and the men left to g to Cornelius’ house. Cornelius waited for them and called together all of his friends. As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. Peter took him up and said:

“Stand up; I myself also am a man”

As Peter talked with them he saw many that were come together. He told the men:

“You know that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company or come unto one of another nation. But God has shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”

THE SEVEN DEACONS – ACTS 6: 1-7

As the numbers of followers of Christ increased, there arose a murmuring among the Grecians against the Hebrew widows. The widows were murmuring because they were being neglected in the daily ministry. The twelve called the crowd and said:

“It is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.” The disciples told the crowd to look for seven men that had certain qualities. The men were to be:

Honest Full of wisdom Full of the Holy Spirit

This pleased the crowd and they chose seven men. The names of the seven deacons were:

Philip

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Prochorus Nicanor Timon Parmenas Nicolas Stephen

The crowd chose the seven deacons who had the correct requirements for the continuation of the works of God. The seven deacons were blessed and they helped Peter and John with their ministry to spread the Word of God. Due to the presence and works of the seven deacons, the Word of God spread through Jerusalem greatly and there were many people who were obedient to the faith.

STEPHEN- ONE OF THE SEVEN DEACONS

ACTS 6

ACTS 7:1-60Stephen was one of the chosen deacons that assisted Peter and John in their ministry. Stephen was a well educated man with great faith in Jesus Christ. He had the gift of healing and healed many persons. However, Stephen’s strong faith and views about Jesus began to cause problems between the new religions Christianity and the old religion Judaism.

Many religious Jewish leaders said that Stephen was speaking against God and the Law. He told them that they had killed Christ, the True Messiah, and that angered the Jewish religious leaders. Some of the Jewish leasers paid persons to tell lies of Stephen. These were serious charges and he was sentenced to death by stoning. The false witness that told lies on Stephen were the first ones to throw the sharpest stones.

Stephen’s dying words were those of his master Jesus.

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“Lay not this sin to their charge.”

Stephen was the first Christian martyr.

Saul of Tarsus, who later changed his name to Paul, held the coats of the men who stoned Stephen.

DISCIPLE FOR AFRICA – PHILIP

The main route from Jerusalem leading southwards to Africa , passed through the city of Gaza .Philip ,a disciple of Jesus, was at Gaza , when one day ,God spoke to him .

God told Philip to leave the city and travel along the dusty road .There, God said he would have the chance to do some wonderful work for the kingdom of God. Philip set off and it was not long before he met an African, who was returning from Jerusalem. The man was an important person. At home, he was the treasurer in his Queen’s household. Riding along, in his chariot the man sat back reading. He was reading part of a book written by the prophet Isaiah. The African, was reading the foretelling, by the prophet Isaiah of the birth of Jesus, and how, later, Jesus was to suffer a cruel death.

When Philip saw the chariot coming towards him, he ran to it and spoke to the driver.

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The man stopped his chariot and invited Philip to climb up and sit next to him. For some time the men talked together. Philip telling the African about the wonderful works of God.

Then they set off together soon they came to a roadside pool. The two men climbed down from the chariot and entered the water. After a simple ceremony the African became a baptized Christian. Then the two men said goodbye to each other, the African journeying onwards taking the “Good News of Jesus’ Resurrection” to Africa.

DISCIPLE –BARNABAS

Barnabas was an early Christian mentioned in the New Testament. He sold all his goods and gave the money to the apostles in Jerusalem. Barnabas means “ Son of Consolation or Man of Encouragement”. Sometimes, Barnabas is called “The Son of Encouragement”. This can be found in Acts 4:36. when the church in Antioch began to grow , Acts 11:22 tells us the Apostles in Jerusalem decided to send Barnabas there to help the church out.

In Acts 14:14, Barnabas was the man who introduced Paul to the circle of disciples. While the Jews wanted to kill Saul and the early Christians were afraid of him (because he persecuted Christians), Barnabas was a friend of Saul. There are many qualities that showed that Barnabas was a good disciple. He was a good example of discipleship. Here are some qualities that showed that Barnabas was a good disciple:

Honesty Sympathetic Spirit-filled

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Possessed the gift of exhortationThe qualities of Barnabas can be found in:

Acts 9:26-27 (forgiving/ loving) Acts 4:36-37 (giving) Acts 11:24 (good man, full of the Holy Spirit/ Ghost, full of Faith) Acts 11:23 (encouraged the people of Antioch)

His good qualities encouraged the growth of the early church. It must be noted that Barnabas’ first name was Joses. He contributed to the growth of the early church through his work as:

Disciple Teacher and Mentor Missionary / Apostle

The characteristics of Barnabas was mentioned before but his character as a mentor is very outstanding. Barnabas was a mentor and did the following:

Care about those who follow them Convey wisdom and skilled through modeling, coaching and eventually by

driving over responsibility to the followers Correct the follower

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