In this study, Wayne Stewart will look at the beginning of the church which we are a part of today. The Acts provides the history of Israel and Gentiles in how they had a relationship with Jesus Christ after his death, burial and resurrection. At what point in time did God give specific instructions to the Gentiles apart from Israel? This study will look at this question and help you understand the significance of finding out the answer.
The lesson on November 26, 2017 was part 1 of "Mid-Acts or Acts 28?". This is the first lesson on the study of this question, when did the church of which we are a part of today begin? Mid-Acts or Acts 28? Wayne takes the time to provide a backdrop for this issue and explains the Acts period and provides the highlights of actions during this 40 year period after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A person of significant interest is Saul who was persecuting Christians on behalf of the Chief Priests of Israel. Saul received permission from them to pursue those in Damascus who believed the same way when Christ Jesus interceded his trip on the road and made him the Apostle to the Gentiles in Acts 9. If you have never heard of the position of Acts 28 before, this lesson is a great foundation that lays out the argument in a simple way and gives us a foundation for the lessons to follow. The scripture reading was from 1 Corinthians 2:1-8 KJV
The lesson on December 3, 2017 was part 2 of the "Mid-Acts or Acts 28?" study. In this lesson Wayne continues to describe the timeline related to the Acts period, from Acts 2, then 9, then 13 or 17. It is usually agreed upon within the Mid-Acts groups that Acts 2 is not where the Church began because that was when the Holy Spirit was given at Pentecost. Mid-Acts believers range from Acts 9 thru 17 but there is a problem because Israel is still going because it is Jew first, even when you read of the gospel Paul was preaching in Romans (which was written late Acts period). The Church which The Lord Jesus Christ is head is not part of Israel or the Old Testament scriptures or the prophets but a new revelation after Acts 28. This revelation was not evolved out of the Acts but something totally new, hidden in God before the foundation of the world. The scripture reading was from Romans 11:1-5 KJV
The lesson on December 10, 2017 was part 3 of "Mid-Acts or Acts 28?". This lesson focused in on looking at the bodies of believers in the Acts period and comparing it to the one body that is in Ephesians which was written after Acts 28. We learned that there were many bodies during the Acts that had attributes which enabled a member to be part of the head, whereas the one body in Ephesians is when Christ is the head. The bodies identified in 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 are not the same body described in Ephesians 3. This is a new body created with Christ as the head and did not evolve out of the bodies in Acts. The body consists of believing Gentiles and believing Jews... effectively creating "Jewntiles” group which is totally new where no one group has the advantage. It is well said in Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." The scripture reading was from Romans 12:1-5 KJV
The lesson on December 17, 2017 was part 4 of the "Mid-Acts or Acts 28?" study. Before Wayne got into the study, he made a commentary on Christmas and the pagan components of this holiday and how some Christians don't celebrate Christmas in that it is tainted with pagan traditions like the Christmas tree and Santa Claus. Wayne makes a point that in today's world where it is trying to eliminate God and Jesus that if we don't use this time of year to witness about Christ and how He became flesh and dwelt among us, we are losing an opportunity. This week Wayne recaped the lesson last week where we learned of the one body in Ephesians 4 is a new creation, not being that of the bodies mentioned in the Acts, particularly the ones in 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12. He then takes us to the two hopes which is where he personally identified the reason to move to the Acts 28 understanding. If you compare the hope in Acts to the hope in Ephesians after Acts 28, there is a clear distinction and one that should get your attention. The scripture reading was from 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 KJV
The lesson on January 7, 2018 was part 5 of the "Mid-Acts or Acts 28" study. This lesson studied the Greek word "musterion" which is "mystery" and looked at the first occurrence Matthew 13:11 where we learn there are many mysteries in scripture. You must always study which mystery from its context and never assume when you read the word mystery as they are all referring to the same thing. in fact, the mystery in 1 Corinthians 2:7 is an Acts usage of the term compared to the mystery of Ephesians 3:9 which is a post-Acts occurrence. In the Ephesians Mystery, we learn that it was hid in God vs. the Corinthians mystery is was hid in the Old Testament. These are two separate mysteries. We also studied how the Manifestation of Truth found in Romans 1:19; 3:21 and 16:26 are all showing a mystery that was hidden is scripture and revealed during the Acts. This is not the mystery of Ephesians 3:9. In Ephesians 3:10, we learn how we are being used to teach principalities and powers in heavenly places the manifold wisdom of God. Is it possible that these principalities and powers are the source of UFO's? Wayne talks about the UFO phenomenon and how this may be explained by Ephesians 3:10. The lesson ended with an emphasis on Romans 16 and how it is the same as Romans 3 and not the same as Ephesian 3. The scripture reading was from Romans 3:19-22 KJV
