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Q1. (Acts 17:27-31; Romans 1:19-20; 2:14-15; Acts 4:12) How close is God to non-believers? Is he working in them? Since God shows forbearance for sins of non-believers, why do Christians act so judgmental? How should we act? Is faith in Jesus necessary for salvation? He is knocking on the door of their hearts.Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, [then] I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me." Yes, I believe that He is: 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. Because we are people; even though we are forgiven, we are still influenced by the world, the flesh and the devil. Judgment is for Jesus, but we still step in and bring that ourselves. It is a sin and harmful to the work that God is doing. We should love them, not their sin. Yes, absolutely necessary.

Q4. (Romans 3:25; 5:6-8; 8:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Mark 10:45; 1 Peter 3:18a) What is the Substitutionary Atonement? How is this such good news? How does it give us assurance in our struggles with sin? a. Christ dying for our sins. b. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Now when God looks at me, He sees the righteousness of Christ. c. He substituted Himself in our place and paid for all sins for all time.

Q3. (1 Corinthians 1:18, 23-24; Romans 1:16; Acts 17:2-3) Why might Paul be tempted to underemphasize a "crucified Messiah" when preaching to the Jews? Why are we sometimes tempted to tell others how great it is to follow Christ while not telling them the other aspects of the gospel? Why is it so important that we are honest about the gospel? a. Because Christ was a stumbling block to the Jews. They were expecting bold, powerful conquering king, not a carpenter's son from Nazareth. b. If we highlight all the positives and leave out anything that scary or negative, we think people might be more likely to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. c. For one thing, we need to tell people the truth. There isn't anything to be ashamed of in the message of salvation. Tell people about Jesus, who He is and what He has done and how He has changed your life. It seems a lot easier to write than to do. All people need Jesus!

Q2. (Acts 16:25; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Why do you think we are commanded to "Rejoice always"? What is our natural tendency when we're under stress? What does rejoicing and thanking have to do with faith? In what circumstance do you find difficulty praising God? a. Because if we don't, we have already lost the battle. The battle belongs to the Lord. We need the get in line with His will and He will see us through whatever situation we find ourselves in. So we are to rejoice because we know that God is in control, no matter what the situation. b. To complain, to be fearful, or angry; to handle it our way. c. Well, faith is believing in something not seen. And is counter intuitive to the culture we live in. Rejoicing and praising or thanking God when things aren't going well is also counter intuitive in our society. Our reaction to a bad situation, (rejoicing/thanking) is showing our faith in God and believing that He has this situation under control; that we need to keep our eyes on Him. d. I guess when I see situations in life where lawlessness and evil prevail time and time again and there seems to be no end to it. It doesn't stop me from praising Him but I realize that I'm not God and do not comprehend the world as he does.

Q1. (Acts 16:1-3) Why does Paul circumcise Timothy, even though his principles don't require him to? Why does Paul "become all things to all people" (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)? In what ways does the path of serving Jesus require humility rather than demanding our rights? a. Because Timothy has a Jewish mother and the Jews that live in the areas they were to bring Jesus Christ to knew that Timothy's father was a Greek. b. So salvation would come to as many people (Jews and Gentiles) as possible, as well as honoring the calling Paul received from Christ. c. Philippians 2:5-9 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name. Jesus was our example that Paul modeled very well for us in ministry of the early church. It's all about Jesus and not us. He must be lifted up and glorified, not us, so that all that will come may come to Him.

Q4. (Ephesians 2:13-15; Galatians 6:16) In what sense are believers in the Messiah the "New Israel"? Who makes believing Gentiles one with believing Jews? Who makes believing Protestants one with believing Catholics? a. Jesus established a new covenant of grace that replaced the old covenant of the Law. This new covenant includes both Jews and Gentile, together, in equal standing under the Lord. There is no separation or preference between Jew and Gentile. So now all who trust in, rely upon and cling to Jesus as their Lord and savior are the New Israel. b. Jesus c. Jesus

Q3. (Acts 13:48; Romans 10:13-15) How does an understanding of God's pure grace fit together with the idea of predestination? How might a belief in predestination make us lazy with regard to evangelism? Does God "need" us to bring salvation to the world? I don't believe that it does. Predestination says that God grace (salvation) goes those He has chosen but Romans 10:13 says: "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." That God chooses all and His grace is for everyone. If we believe that God chooses those who are to be saved or unsaved, we could begin to think: what difference does it make to take the message of Christ into the world. That God has already predetermined the outcome, whether we evangelize or not. God has called us to take the message of Christ (salvation) to the world. God will take care of the salvation part. It is a divine miracle (and mystery) of God when a person goes from a life of darkness into His glorious light. From unbelief to belief. Praise God!!

Q2. (Ephesians 2:8-9) What is a simple definition of "grace"? Why aren't legalism and "works" to please God compatible with grace? What part does our faith have to do with our salvation? God's unmerited favor (Ephesians 2: 8-9) For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Grace is God's gift, we can't earn it. Legalism and works are our way of trying to earn or improve our relationship with God. Salvation is a gift from God, probably the greatest example of God's grace. We didn't earn it, nor could we ever earn it. We can't do anything to deserve it. But we have to believe (faith) (Romans 10:9) and accept God's gift of salvation to receive it

Q1. (Acts 15:1,5) What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations? That believers in Jesus Christ had to be circumcised in order to be saved. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. I would think a few things for sure. Eventually, no one would be (good enough) to be saved. There would get to be a tier system, where a person's standing within the congregation would be measured by their pedigree and all their good works. Congregations and denominations would want to possibly add to the requirements for a person to be saved, as they did to the Law in the OT. The Law can not save anyone; nor can it be kept by anyone. Romans 3:23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.

Q4. (Acts 13:43b) Why is "continuing" or "abiding" in the faith so important? What does Jesus' Parable of the Sower teach about "continuing" (Matthew 13:5-6, 20-21)? Why do new believers need basic instruction and discipling before the task of evangelism is complete? (Acts 14:21b-22) As Paul has said, we must run the race and we must finish the race strong. He understood this as he was "urging them to continue in the grace of God." It teaches us that if our faith is not cultivated and watered and tended to continually, that it is possible for it to wither away and die out altogether. Everyone needs strengthening, encouragement, as well as instruction to continue on in faith. No one faith walk in static; I am convinced that you are either moving forward or sliding back. Paul, when the Lord took him to Arabia, I'm sure he received much instruction, strengthening as well as encouragement before he came back to Damascus. And was ready to serve as God's missionary.

Q3. How do Paul's gospel presentations to pagans in Lystra (Acts 14:16-17;) and Athens (Acts 17:16-34) differ from his typical message in the synagogues? What common ground does Paul build on with pagan audiences? How will you need to contextualize the gospel in your particular area to build on common ground? Paul spoke to them as children of God but not God's chosen people or a people who had a long heritage with God, as in the OT. And that God was the creator of all things. Also that God doesn't live in man made temples or is He served by human hands. Or is He likened by man in gold or stone images. That God is calling all to repentance and has fixed a day for judgment of all men through Jesus who He raised from the dead. You would need to know as Paul did, who you were speaking to; Paul relied on the Holy Spirit to guide Him in all His ministry work. Paul comments on this in these verses, 1 Corinthians 0:22-23 I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel; that I may share in its blessings.

Q2. In evangelizing people, how does God use power encounters (in Paphos, Crete, Acts 13:6-12) and signs and wonders (Acts 14:3 in Iconium)? Are miracles enough to produce saving faith on their own? If not, what else is needed? Have you seen signs and wonders with evangelism? If not, why do you think that is? God uses them at His discretion. He knows when these power encounters as well as signs and wonders are needed. And what their purpose is, far beyond what we are able to see. And they have the desired effect on unbelievers and believers alike. He uses them to bring glory to Himself. No. Faith. Because often times Jesus was performing miracle of many kinds and all you heard was show us another sign so we can believe. We have to process what we have seen with our eyes (and heard, tasted, smelled, or touched) in our minds and that leads on into our hearts. When it gets there, we can make a decision to believe or not to believe. Faith in that which is not understood or always seen. Christ is the author and the one who perfects our faith. So God's part in this is a divine mystery to me. Yes.

Q1. (Acts 13:14-41) What "common ground" does the gospel of Jesus have with Judaism? How does Paul's approach in the synagogues reflect building on this common ground? What is the essence of the gospel? (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) They both worship the same God. They both share the same heritage, the Old Testament, and can agree that it is the very word of God. Along with that, they share in the knowledge that the Old Testament foretold of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus. By starting in the beginning, and going through Old Testament scriptures talking about things that happened that his Jewish audience can agree on, as well as some of the ones who feared God. He tells of scriptures that foretold the coming of the Messiah Jesus. Then he told them that Jesus, who died on a Roman cross, is the messiah. Paul told them about the resurrection, how God raised Him and how He appeared to His disciples, the very one who are now His witnesses to the people. And that His body didn't see decay as David's body did. Through Him forgiveness of sin is proclaimed. That through Him you can be truly free; something the Law could never accomplish. Don't miss out! That Christ died for our sins and was buried and raised on the 3rd day.

Q4. (1 Corinthians 9:16-17) How does Paul view his call to preach? How much choice is involved for him? How much honor? How should this understanding affect our understanding of God gifting and calling us for ministry? What is the opposite of faithfulness when it comes to using God's gifts? That he had a responsibility to preach the gospel and was compelled by Christ to do so. Very little choice; he can do it voluntarily or against his will, but he is going to do it. Very little or none; "I have nothing to boast of" We should be like Paul, if God calls us to ministry and gifts us then we should thank Him for choosing us and step up and serve in that capacity. Unfaithfulness: Ouch!! That smarts!! That's when we don't us or refuse to use the gifts He has given us. And we don't serve or use our gifts and someone else has to step up and take our place.

Q3. (Acts 13:1-3) Why are the church leaders in Antioch seeking God through corporate prayer and fasting? How does God respond to their seeking? Why do you think we don't do more of this sort of thing today? What was the importance of this to the church at large? To the chosen missionaries? They are seeking God for His direction on what they are to do next. Who they should send and where. He speaks to them through the Holy Spirit. "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." I think that we are more concerned in a general sense with having people come to church; sing worship music, listen to the sermon, have a closing prayer and/or song and let the congregation get on with their lives. We seem to fear or think they won't come back if we keep them too long. We have created a formula that many churches accommodate and this formula leaves no time for the Holy Spirit to work as He did in Acts 13. Maybe because we fear or don't understand the Holy Spirit and how He works, so we leave Him out. It was everything: they sought the Lord for what to do next and the Holy Spirit told them who to send and where to send them. If the church at large isn't doing this (church today) then they are flying blind and by there own knowledge and in their own strength. Once again we are leaving the Holy Spirit out. The importance to the chosen missionaries is the same as above: "they fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." Seems like the right way to commission God's servants to do His work. If the church isn't doing this it is not following the example of the 1st century church and not getting it right

Q2. (Galatians 2:11-16) Why does Paul call out Peter publicly in Antioch? What is the reason for Peter's hypocrisy? What is the central issue on which Paul feels they must not compromise? Why is it so important? By calling him out publicly, Paul also calls out those of the party of circumcision without having to mention names. They know who they are. Peter's actions carry much influence with those who are Jewish in the congregation. ("even Barnanbas was carried away by his hypocrisy") By calling him out, he shines the light on Peter's sin for all to see, as well as reminding Peter of the vision he had in Acts 10:9-16. Peers pressure, the old ways, wanting to please men over God. Fear- "fearing the party of the circumcision." The fact that they no longer live under the Law. It has no power to save. They now are under the covenant of grace. Faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone. It unites all Christ followers as one body.

Q1. (Acts 9:30; Galatians 1:15-17) Why do ambitious Christians struggle so much when they don't seem to be doing anything important? Why is patience with God's plan so important to growth? Why is a period of spiritual formation so important to future leadership? To listening for God's voice? Because they (or we) want to be doers rather than ones that wait around for God's will or His perfect timing. We see the need (or perceived need) and feel like doing something is better than sitting back doing nothing. Or nothing of any Kingdom consequence. Also we are fleshly humans and our pride wants us to be recognized for our good works. Any ministry we might be involved in needs to be God inspired and God led. If we take off and leave God behind, we will be ministering in our own strength and not God's. This plan will not work or work for very long or be sustainable. We need to wait on the Lord and His timing. We may just not be ready. God can teach us much about what He wants us to do if we will just, be still and know that He is God. He may need to grow us spiritually, mature us for the job at hand. He might want us to seek good counsel from other believers to further grow us spiritually. As we pray earnestly in the Holy Spirit there could be good opportunities to hear God's voice. God can speak to us in many ways. Prayer, His Word, other believers, praise music, sermons and of course: He just speak to us!

Q4. (Philippians 3:9; Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4) Abraham had been a moon-worshipper. According to Genesis 15:6, how does he come into right relationship with the God who created all? How can a person today become righteous by faith? What is involved in really "trusting" Christ? By believing in the Lord. Believed from the Hebrew verb aman ("to confirm, affirm"), an "amen" to God's promise in verse 5. God confirms it as He reckoned it to him as righteousness. Romans 8:16 says, "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children." The same way: by trusting in, relying on, and clinging to Christ, and His righteousness. When we realize that we are all sinners, separated from God because of our sin. Christ died for our sin and everyone else's for all time. So we believe Romans 10:9, "that if you confess with our mouth that Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. and we rely upon the righteousness of Christ and not our own. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Q3. (Philippians 3:7-8) How do legalism and the resulting spiritual pride prevent us from trusting in Christ by faith, and knowing him? How has your pride in yourself kept you from drawing closer to Jesus? Legalism is a system where I work towards doing everything just right. As I am able to jump through all these hoops with perfection, I become prideful and puffed up and begin to look down on those who are unable to reach my level of perfection. My faith is in the system and my ability to follow it perfectly. There is no grace in legalism. Faith in Jesus Christ removes the system. I no longer trust in my works or perfection but I now trust in Christ. My faith is in Him. In his perfection and his work on the cross, that paid for all my sins and put me in right standing with God. The two don't mix: one is about rules and the other is about relationship. One is trusting in our obedience to rules to save us; the other is trusting in, relying on and clinging to Jesus to save us. I have, especially when I get ahead of God or try to do things in my own strength rather than relying on God: His wisdom, His will and His strength. The end result is never what it could have been if I had taken a back seat to Jesus"s leadership.

Q2. (Acts 9:10-18) Why do you think God sends Ananias to Paul rather than revealing directly? Why does Ananias argue with God? Why does it take courage to obey? What does Ananias do and say? Have you ever had God guide you to talk with someone and minister to him or her? Have you followed through? By sending Ananias He connects Saul directly (fellowship) with the Damascus church. God will spend much time refining Paul when he goes to Egypt and over the next 30 years. This is also a faith builder for both Ananias and Judas as they witness firsthand how God can bring a man from dark to light as well as a man from persecutor to church leader. Saul's reputation has preceded him. He knows about Saul the persecutor of The Way. (Imprisonment, arrest, death) He is probably afraid that Saul might still turn on him and the local church. Possibly mot even wanting to be associated with anyone of Saul's character and reputation. Because of Ananias's fear. He greets Saul as brother, (in the Lord) tells him about his vision, lays hands on him and baptizes him. Yes, with prayer. Yes, but not always. I can sometimes be fooled into thinking that it wasn't from God and not act.

Q1. (Acts 9:4-5; 26:14) Why does persecuting Christ's people constitute persecuting Christ himself? What kinds of goads or prods have you seen God use on you to move you along Christ's path? When you "kick against the goads" is it harder on you or on God? As you said earlier Pastor Ralph, when we show goodness and love to others, we are doing these unto Christ. So the same holds true when we persecute or do evil to God's people, we are doing the same to Him. The realities of my sin or behavior. Other believers commenting on what I should be doing, rather than what I am doing. More than anything else, a conviction from the Holy Spirit on what I am doing or not doing, as opposed to what I should be doing. Me for sure, because I am missing out on the abundant life that I would have if I was obedient to the will of Christ.

My name is Tad and I live in the North Georgia Mountains. I have taken other studies by Pastor Ralph and have enjoyed and benefited from them. God is Good! Glad to get started with this study. I have always been so fascinated by the life of Paul. God Bless everyone as we study God's word together.

Q4. (5:13-14) What does it tell us about the status of the Lamb that he is worshipped alongside "him who sits on the throne"? That He is God, worthy of all glory, honor, and praise, forever and ever! Amen!

Q4. (2 Thessalonians 3:9-16) Why do so many churches avoid exercising any church discipline? There are probably many reasons; possibly that don't know it or understand it, so they fear it. They don't know the scripture that supports it, or how to apply it. Or there is disagreement among the congregation on discipline and how it should be applied. Maybe they fear they will lose part of the church if they discipline someone. It was a tough issue then and remains so today. What is the result of a thoughtful and appropriate application of church discipline? It promote a healthy church, and addresses or removes what could potentially damage or cause severe problems in the future. Builds condidence in the church's leadership. What is the result of neglect of church discipline? The church could fail to grow and thrive and to be scripturally sound. I think that sin not dealt with leads to more sin. Others are misled when they see something wrong that is not handled properly, or even recognized as being wrong. They lose confidence in the leadership of the church, and may decide to move on to another church.

Q3. (2 Thessalonians 3:10) If we were to follow Paul's rule, "If a man will not work, he shall not eat," wouldn't that allow people to starve? I don't think so. If people know that they can do nothing and still be fed and housed; some will do nothing. But under that rule, even if they are lazy, when they get hungry, they will work. It sounds harsh. What are the positive results of this rule? But its not; but in todays culture we are use to seeing able bodied people choose not to work and take advantage of a system designed for those who can't work. This rule not only motivated people to work and better themselves, but it also exposes their sin of lazyness and give them a chance to confess and repent of it. And to find that there is joy and statisfaction in work, that God created us to work and to not be idle. God's ways are alway good and for our best interest. To whom in a Christian community would this rule apply. To those who are able to work. To whom would it not apply? To those who are not capable of working.