B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #69
B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #69
February 27, 2006
I Cor. 16:9 For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
NEWS – Pastor Angowi of the Lutheran Church of East Africa reports that they held a worship service of thanking God for the church’s registration on Jan. 29th with over 500 people in attendance at Moshi, Tanzania. Another result of this service was eight new members. We rejoice with our brothers.
LENT On March 1st we begin the season of Lent this year. May this be a time for all of us of deep and conscious realizing of the enormity of our sin. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it? Jer. 17:9 And may we see in our dear Lord the deep and abiding answer to our sin. O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! Rom. 11:33 He will again have compassion upon us, He will tread our iniquities under foot. Thou wilt cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19
Major Sermons in Acts
Several important sermons and speeches are recorded in the Book of Acts. Over twenty are included with the majority coming from Peter (7 total) and Paul (11 total). Below are listed the more significant.
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Speech Theme Biblical
Reference ____________________________________________________________________________________________
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Peter to crowds Peter’s explanation of the meaning of Pentecost Acts 2:14-40
at Pentecost
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Peter to crowds The Jewish people should repent for crucifying the Messiah Acts 3:12-26
at the temple
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Peter to the Testimony that a helpless man was healed by the power Acts 4:5-12
Sanhedrin of Jesus
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Stephen to the Stephen’s rehearsal of Jewish history, accusing the Jews Acts 7
Sanhedrin of killing the Messiah
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Peter to Gentiles Gentiles can be saved in the same manner as Jews Acts 10:28-47
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Peter to church at Peter’s testimony of his experiences at Joppa and a Acts 11:4-18
Jerusalmen defense of his ministry to the Gentiles
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Paul to synagogue Jesus was the Messiah in fulfillment of Old Testament Acts 13:16-41
at Antioch prophecies
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Peter to Salvation by grace available to all Acts 15:7-11
Jerusalem council
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James to Gentile converts do not require circumcision Acts 15:13-21
Jerusalem council
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Paul to Ephesian Remain faithful in spite of false teachers and persecution Acts 20:17-35
elders
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Paul to crowd at Paul’s statement of his conversion and his mission to Acts 22:1-21
Jerusalem the Gentiles
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Paul to Sanhedrin Paul’s defense declaring himself a Pharisee and a Acts 23:1-6
Roman citizen
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Paul to Paul’s statement of his conversion and his zeal for the Acts 26
King Agrippa gospel
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Paul to Jewish Paul’s statement about his Jewish heritage Acts 26:17-20
leaders of Rome
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ACTS
With the introduction to Acts in 1:1-2 it is clear that Acts iS the companion volume to the Gospel of Luke. While we call this book the Acts of the Apostles, it is more so the acts of the Holy Spirit. Luke’s strong emphasis is on the ministry of God Himself, the Holy Spirit working in and through the Apostles. There are what I like to call ‘bookmarks’ in Acts: 6:7 “And the Word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith,” 12:24 “But the Word of God grew and multiplied,” 19:20 “So the Word of the Lord grew and prevailed mightily.” In these three passages scattered throughout the book we are reminded that it was all done by the power of God through His living Word. It is a living Word because the Holy Spirit comes with the Word. As we follow the recorded history in Acts, we see it happening as Jesus said at His ascension, ” .and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.” 1:8
Outline
I Jerusalem. 1:1-8:3: Appearances, commission, and ascension of the risen Lord. Matthias chosen to take the place of Judas. Pentecost. Signs and wonders performed by the apostles; the choice of the seven helpers. Stephen, witness and martyr.
II Judea, Samaria and on to Antioch of Syria. 8:4-12:25: Philip in Samaria and with the Ethiopian official. Conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus. Peter in coast cities of Lydda, Joppa, and Caesarea. The planting of the Gospel in Antioch of Syria.
>III Throughout the Roman empire with Paul.13:1-28:31:
1. First missionary tour. 13:1-14:28
2. The Jerusalem conference.15:1-35
3. Second missionary tour.15:36-18:22
4. Third missionary tour. 18:23-21:16
Paul a prisoner in Jerusalem, Caesarea, and Rome.21:17-28:31
Nearly one-fifth of Acts consists of speeches, primarily from Peter, Stephen, and Paul. Common to each of the speeches is the earliest framework of Gospel proclamation.
1. The promises of God in the OT are now fulfilled.
2. The Messiah has come in Jesus of Nazareth, who did good and mighty works by the power of God, was raised from the dead, and now reigns by the power of God, and will come again to judge and give the new home for eternity.
3. All who hear should repent and be baptized.
HIGHLIGHTS – CLCK Etago
In the Kisii Area of Kenya our brothers are working at six stations with a total membership of 150 adults and 114 children. Kisii and Masai catechisms are used to instruct the people in the truths of God’s Word. In a report from Pastor Enosh and the council they state, ” Philippians 4:13 ‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me’, Luke 1:37 ‘For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Thanks to the Lord for enabling the light of Christ through the CLC mission to penetrate to the interior parts…Etago CLC is situated in the South Eastern part of Kenya…Kisii is in the highland part of Kenya where we have so many hills…Due to the high rate of HIV/AIDS spread in Kenya, so many children are left orphans. In a school for the orphans…Up to this time, the school is in standard two. The classes are: pre-unit, Standard I and II…And Standard III for next year.” The school has 88 children taught by three teachers. Each year the Etago congregation hopes to build one classroom until eight are finished as the school.
Last year work was started at the sixth station at Olegumi among the Masai. They are still worshiping either under a tree in good weather or in a house when it rains. Masai Bibles and catechisms were given. At the Kenuchi station recently nearly 40 people indicated a desire to join the congregation. They will have to go through the catechism and other materials to make sure they understand what is taught by the church.
Pastor David Koenig