The New Testament tells the story of Jesus, the promised Christ, and the beginning of His church. In it, we find the good news of the Kingdom of God, our King’s teaching, the revelation of God’s nature and character, and what it means to follow Christ. We hope that our study of the New Testament books helps you understand the love of God more fully and to love Him and others with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.
Here we encounter Ananias and Sapphira, a married couple who brazenly lie to Peter in connection with a gift they gave to the church. They are each struck dead by God for lying, provoking great fear of God in the church. We take this graphic story as an opportunity to take a good look at
The apostles boldly proclaim the gospel message, getting them arrested twice, thrown in prison, and beaten. Jesus was courageous. The apostles were courageous. Are we courageous? In this lesson we consider the bold message that was preached, examples of courage in the Scriptures, and why God expects His people to be bold. We also consider
Should Christians follow the commands of religious or government leaders, when such commands contradict the words of God? We see the apostles' attitude in Acts 5: “We must obey God rather than men”. We consider how this principle was applied by David Lipscomb and other Christians in the Restoration Movement at the time of the
We Must Obey God Rather than Men; Selecting the Seven (Acts 5:29 and 6:1-7) View Lesson
We Must Obey God Rather than Men; Selecting the Seven (Acts 5:29 and 6:1-7) View Lesson
Here we listen to one of the greatest speeches in all of Scripture: Stephen’s bold speech to the Sanhedrin. In it, Stephen lays out the long history of their Jewish forefathers rejecting God’s deliverers and concludes, “You are just like your fathers!” After delivering his blistering rebuke, Stephen is stoned to death. In this lesson we
Stephen Preaches and Becomes the First Christian Martyr (Acts 6:8-7:60) View Lesson
Stephen Preaches and Becomes the First Christian Martyr (Acts 6:8-7:60) View Lesson
In this chapter we see the gospel spreading to Samaria. Then both Simon the Sorcerer and the Ethiopian eunuch are converted. Topics we consider in connection with these accounts include receiving the Holy Spirit, what happens if one commits serious sin after becoming a Christian, and the mode of baptism in the early church. Teaching
Simon the Sorcerer and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8) View Lesson
Simon the Sorcerer and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8) View Lesson
If we want to understand the gospel that Paul preached, we need to start with the story of his own conversion and the message he preached to unbelievers. Only after that should we proceed to his letters. In this lesson we examine the three accounts of Paul’s dramatic conversion story, all found in Acts. In the
Here we see in Tabitha, who Peter raised from the dead, a tremendous example of a godly woman. However, are the same qualities equally revered in Christian women today? Next, we come to the conversion of Cornelius, opening the gospel door to the Gentiles. Cornelius is described as a “righteous” man, with a life characterized
Tabitha Raised and the Conversion of Cornelius (Acts 9:26-11:18) View Lesson
Tabitha Raised and the Conversion of Cornelius (Acts 9:26-11:18) View Lesson
Persecution scatters the disciples as far as Antioch in Syria, destined to become a famous missionary base for spreading the gospel to the east and west. There the disciples were first called Christians: a new name that one early Christian writer saw as fulfilling an Old Testament prophecy. We then return to Jerusalem, where Herod Agrippa
Gospel to Antioch; an Angel Rescues Peter (Acts 11:19-12:25) View Lesson
Gospel to Antioch; an Angel Rescues Peter (Acts 11:19-12:25) View Lesson
As church leaders fasted, the Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Paul for a special missionary trip. On the island of Cyprus, Paul encounters a false prophet and issues a graphic rebuke. Is it ever appropriate for us to rebuke others like this? At Pisidian Antioch we find the most detailed gospel sermon by Paul
Certain Jewish Christians demand that the Gentile believers be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses. In response, the apostles and elders convene in Jerusalem to resolve the dispute. Understanding this conflict is crucial to understanding passages in several of Paul's letters, including Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and Romans. In this passage we also see how