Pauline

Q3. (Acts 1:14) While we know that individual prayer is powerful (James 5:16b) … "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Jesus indicates that group prayer is even more powerful (Matthew 18:19). "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." How would you describe what was happening with this "Fellowship of the 120"? They were all united under one roof and praying together - there would have been a tight bond that would have developed between Jesus' followers and now there would have been more of a reason to stay together (to encourage each other, etc.) now that He was "gone" - no doubt they were fearful, as there were doubts and fears even when He was performing miracles and such on earth right in front of them. Was the appearance of the 2 men in white apparel while Jesus was ascending a coincidence? I don't think so, perhaps it was a confirmation that God knew the onlookers needed to re-emphasize the fact that Jesus was going to return to restore again the kingdom to Israel (vs 6 says they were asking and in vs 7 Jesus says it wasn't for them to know) - pretty awesome if that is the case - that God foresaw that need and sent 2 witnesses to confirm what Jesus had said He was going to do, but later!) Have you ever been part of a group praying like this? I have and it was very powerful and there were many answered prayers, but I have to confess it was many years ago - I have spent 20 years a prodigal outside the will of God, Jesus has drawn me back into the fold recently to which I am eternally grateful (I believe it was through my parents continuous intercessory prayer that helped, and I thank God for them too). Do you value prayer enough to gather with others to pray? I long for that fellowship again but with COVID it is difficult - I am currently joining in with an online group, am new to the city and looking for a home church to be with regularly - prayer is essential - Jesus prayed continuously with his disciples, for his disciples and for Himself. There is a need for spiritual battles to be won and group prayer strengthens our position against the wiles of the devil and binds us closer (there is strength in numbers) - we never know who may be encouraged and that is part of our mission here too - the lifting up of each other as Jesus commanded (love your neighbour as thyself) - we are one body in Christ (John 17:21 - Jesus prays that we all may be one referring not to an "organization" but a spiritually united body) and we owe it to one another and to Him - the author and finisher of our faith Paul in his letters to the churches began with "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you" (Colossians 1:3); "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers (1 Thessalonians 1:2) (meaning more than one person was praying for them, or so it seems) How much of your church's "prayer meeting" is spent in actual prayer? The online body to which I am tuned into on Wednesday nights, open with one to two hymns, a scripture reading and the rest of the time is spent, going over the needs of the small congregation, for our government, specific news concerns and I am looking forward to meeting them in person some day !

Q2. (Acts 1:8) What kinds of power does Jesus offer us in the Holy Spirit? To be witnesses In what ways does Acts 1:8 function as an outline or blueprint of the Book of Acts? This verse is the thread of the remainder of the Book of Acts in that it tells of the advancement of the Gospel throughout the world and the beginnings of the church body through the power of the Holy Spirit, not only to the Jews present but to the Gentiles as well. Where do you and I fit in to fulfilling Acts 1:8? We are continuing the work of Jesus that He started, that the disciples and other believers continued, in advancing the kingdom to His and the Fathers' glory through the empowerment of the person of the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:4-8 Q1. (a) Jesus' disciples are not to leave Jerusalem and return to their homes because Jesus promised that they would be "baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence" (later/soon)". (confirmed in Luke 24:49). As a down payment the indwelling Spirit is the security deposit for the salvation of all believers (Ephesians 1:13, 14). (b) In what ways does the Spirit's coming represent: A filling? Acts 4:4 .. And they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this (the Holy Spirit) that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. (Acts 2:33) There is an implied filling as when one pours out something there needs to be a receptacle in which that "something" needs to poured into. In this case the Holy Spirit (the something) is poured into the approximately 120 persons present (the receptacles). When Peter addresses the crowd in Chapter 2 he refers to the prophet Joel ... "and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh ... " A coming upon? In Luke 24:49 - Jesus says "and, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Strongs' definition (G1746) - endyō - "endued" gives the impression of being enveloped by the Holy Spirit ἐνδύω endýō, en-doo'-o; from G1722 and G1416 (in the sense of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively):—array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on. A baptism? The baptism of the Holy Spirit seals and immerses the believer in the presence of God at the moment of their belief in Christ (different from water baptism which is an outward and public sign of discipleship). John the Baptist baptized and ceremonially washed Jews' sins away in a ritual bath (mikvah) in the Jordan river.