Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

In our last lesson we took time to look at God's promises to call Israel back to Himself and His promises to use Israel as a beacon of gospel light into the world. We also read about Jesus' compassion for Gentiles even as He sent His disciples to preach the gospel to the house of Israel only. Then, we ended by looking at the significance of Peter receiving the keys to the kingdom of heaven.  We took time to gain this context for Acts 10, which most would agree is Peter's first use of the keys. A certain centurion comes into view. Acts 10:1  There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,  Luke alerts us that an important change is about to take place by using the words "a certain man."  As we study the Bible we discover how God uses simple phrases or words like these, to highlight something that we need to understand. Peter was still in Joppa which was a notable fishing community.  Caesarea  was ab...

Up to this point in the book of Acts, the gospel has been preached almost  exclusively to the Jewish people. Philip did preach to the Ethiopian eunuch and before that, preached the gospel in Samaria.  Israel had gone astray from their God.   Jeremiah 50:4-6  In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.  5) They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.  6) My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.  The prophet Jeremiah spoke often about Israel's moral failures and idolatrous tendencies. He tells us that Israel will one day come to Zion (J...

Luke's account of Saul's conversion comes to an end, for now. All of God's churches experienced much needed relief from fierce persecution, spearheaded by Saul, before his conversion to Christ. Now, churches had some space to focus on ministry within the local churches, and opportunities for evangelization outside of the church.  Believers were edified, grounded in their faith, on their way to becoming mature saints who bear fruit for Christ. Acts nine closes out with two more miracles done by Peter.  Peter travels to Lydda Acts 9:32  And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.   Since the churches were at rest, the apostles used this interval of peace to visit all of the many congregations. They wished to build them up on their most holy faith.  Peter passed through all quarters. As an apostle he was not the resident pastor of any one church. Rather, he was like a visiting pastor for m...

I want to wish all of our readers around the world a blessed and safe Christmas week.  Many of us will be traveling and anticipating spending time with close family and dear friends. May we magnify our Lord Jesus Christ during moments of cherished time together with our loved ones. Our church is having a Christmas Eve service which is a joyous and contemplative service. I wish the same for all of you.  Please remember to pray for Christians around the world who are persecuted for their faith, that our wonderful God would place a hedge of protection around them.  Please remember to share the living truth of God's eternal word with other people that you come in contact with because scripture is what God uses to change lives.  Finally, please pray for America. The spiritual needs in our country are vast so it is best to follow the pattern of Paul in the text below. 1 Timothy 2:1-4  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and g...

Saul was born again on the road to Damascus and his life was changed forever by Jesus Christ. After receiving the gospel by direct revelation from Jesus, Saul returned to Damascus, preaching Christ boldly.  Jewish religious leaders reacted the same way they did in Jerusalem with Jesus. They sought to kill Saul and the disciples helped him escape to Jerusalem. Barnabas advocated for Saul and he was joined with the apostles and disciples remaining in Jerusalem. Saul's bold preaching of Christ stirred up enemies.  Acts 9:29,30  And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.  30) Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus .   Saul again spoke boldly. The words "spoke boldly" means speaking with freedom and without restraint as the Holy Spirit guided him. It means preaching with bold assurance and confidence in the gospel of Jesus Chri...

A Name that is above all other names! You shall call His name Jesus! Luke 1:30-33  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.  31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.  32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:  33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.  Here is the origin of the name "Jesus." Normally, a baby would be named after a favorite relative, but in this instance, God picked out the name for His Son. The angel told Mary "You shall call His name Jesus."  The name "Jesus" literally means "Jehovah saves" and it connects Jesus Christ to Jehovah of the Old Testament.   Is this important? Yes! The first time the name Jehovah is used is when God appeared to Moses in a burning bush (Exodus 3:14...