July 30- August 5, 2000
MEMORY VERSE: “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.” Acts 8:4.
STUDY HELP: Ministry of Healing, 102–107.
INTRODUCTION: “God’s servants should be minutemen, ever ready to move as fast as His providence opens the way. Any delay on their part gives time for Satan to work to defeat them. His commandment-keeping people are to stand constantly in readiness for service. Those who are really representatives of Christ are working for the good of others. They delight in advancing the cause of God both at home and abroad. They are seen and heard, and their influence is felt.” Christian Service, 244.
“We Cannot but Speak”
1 How did Peter and John express their necessity to witness for Christ? Acts 4:20.
NOTE: “Christ’s living agents, those who have tasted and found that the Lord is good, should reveal Him in words, in actions, in cheerfulness, in patience, in long-suffering, in hopefulness, in joyousness. ‘Blessed are your eyes, for they see’ the marvelous love of God; ‘and your ears, for they hear’ the precious words of Him who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And we must see to some purpose, that we may present the glad tidings,—show that it is glad tidings. Put off the spirit of heaviness. Speak of the mercy, the goodness, and the love of Jesus; for ‘we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’” Signs of the Times, December 7, 1891.
2 After being threatened by the authorities, what prayer did the early Christians pray and how was it answered? Acts 4:29–31.
NOTE: See Acts of the Apostles, 67, 68.
“Full of Faith and of the Holy Spirit”
3 What qualification did Stephen have for his work for Christ? Acts 6:5.
NOTE: “What is needed now are men chosen of God and precious who will go forth full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the gospel, calling upon God for His grace to aid them in their work. The Lord has warned us that a large number of believers should not congregate in one place. Let men go out in the name of the Lord, humble and devoted, as colporteurs and canvassers to sell the books that bring light to the souls of those who know not the truth. When this is done, there will be seen striking instances of conversion.” Bible Training School, April 1, 1906.
4 When Stephen was called upon to testify to his faith, what did his hearers see in his face? Acts 6:15.
NOTE: “The Saviour of the world was revealed to him as looking down from Heaven upon him with the deepest interest; and the glorious light of Christ’s countenance shone upon Stephen with such brightness that even his enemies saw his face shine like the face of an angel.” Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, May 3, 1881.
“The Bible Christian is a man of principle, sober, watchful, prayerful, a man full of faith and good works. He is not seeking the prominence of the hill, but is firm, established, strengthened, settled. It requires a sound conscience to do the works of Christ. It requires consistent and holy living. By much prayer, watching unto prayer, self-denial, the true Christian lifts the cross of Christ and follows in His footsteps. He walks with God, not with Satan. A Christian is the world’s light, and the only Bible that many…can read.” Manuscript Releases vol. 18, 279.
“And Preached Christ unto Them”
5 During the persecution that followed Stephen’s death, what did his colleague Philip do? Acts 8:5.
NOTE: “Philip left Jerusalem, and preached a risen Redeemer in Samaria. Many believed, and received Christian baptism. Philip’s preaching was marked with so great success, and so many were gathered into the fold of Christ, that he finally sent to Jerusalem for help. In answer to this petition, the church sent Peter and John to his assistance, who labored in Samaria with wonderful results. They now perceived the meaning of Christ, when He said, ‘Ye shall be witnesses unto Me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.’” Spirit of Prophecy vol. 3, 301, 3026.
6 What further work was Philip called to do? Acts 8:26–38.
NOTE: “This Ethiopian represented a large class who need to be taught by such missionaries as Philip—men who will hear the voice of God and go where He sends them. There are many who are reading the Scriptures who cannot understand their true import. All over the world men and women are looking wistfully to heaven. Prayers and tears and inquiries go up from souls longing for light, for grace, for the Holy Spirit. Many are on the verge of the kingdom, waiting only to be gathered in. An angel guided Philip to the one who was seeking for light and who was ready to receive the gospel, and today angels will guide the footsteps of those workers who will allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify their tongues and refine and ennoble their hearts. The angel sent to Philip could himself have done the work for the Ethiopian, but this is not God’s way of working. It is His plan that men are to work for their fellow men.” Acts of the Apostles, 109.
“By Two and Two”
7 How did the Lord send out His disciples to work for Him? Mark 6:7.
NOTE: See Desire of Ages, 350.
8 How did the Lord teach His disciples to live by faith? Mark 6:8, 9.
NOTE: “If our hearts are touched by His love, the question of compensation will not be uppermost in our minds. We shall rejoice to be co-workers with Christ, and we shall not fear to trust His care. If we make God our strength, we shall have clear perceptions of duty, and unselfish aspirations; our life will be actuated by a noble purpose, which will raise us above sordid motives.” Gospel Workers, 114.
“At Midnight Paul and Silas Prayed and Sang Praises”
9 What was the initial outcome of the ministry of Paul and Silas in Philippi? Acts 16:22–24.
NOTE: “‘Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted,’ Christ continued, ‘and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.’ All this the Christians suffered. Fathers and mothers betrayed their children; children betrayed their parents; friends delivered their friends to the Sanhedrin. Until he himself was converted, Saul of Tarsus was exceedingly bitter against all who believed in Christ. He then began to preach Christ and Him crucified, and the enemies of the gospel caused him and Silas to be whipped, and thrown into prison.” Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, December 20, 1898.
10 What was the reaction of the two imprisoned witnesses to their plight? Acts 16:25.
NOTE: “It is an exalted privilege to be connected with Jesus. In every condition of trial, we may have the consolation of His presence. We may live in the very atmosphere of heaven. Our enemies may thrust us into prison, but prison walls cannot cut off the communication between Christ and our souls. One who sees our every weakness, who is acquainted with every trial, is above all earthly powers; and angels can come to us in lonely cells, bringing light and peace from heaven. The prison will be as a palace, for the rich in faith dwell there; and the gloomy walls will be lighted up with heavenly light, as when Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises at midnight in the Philippian prison. Bunyan was confined in Bedford jail; and from thence issued a light that has illuminated the pathway to the celestial city.” Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, April 15, 1884.
“They Took Him unto Them”
11 What lessons can we learn from the ministry of Aquila and Priscilla? Acts 18:2, 3, 25, 26; Romans 16:3, 4; 1 Corinthians 16:19.
NOTE: See Acts of the Apostles, 355.
12 What other examples of humble helpers does the Bible reveal? Romans 16:1, 2; 1 Corinthians 16:15; Colossians 4:12, 13; 2 Timothy 4:11.
NOTE: “The Lord designs that we shall care for the interests of our brethren and sisters. The apostle Paul has given an illustration of this….Phoebe entertained the apostle, and she was in a marked manner an entertainer of strangers who needed care. Her example should be followed by the churches of today.” Testimonies vol. 6, 343, 344.
“That which will make our churches vigorous and successful in their efforts, is not bustle, but quiet, humble work; not parade and bombast, but patient, prayerful, persevering effort.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 130.