Click here to prepare for the study of God's word.

Galatians 5:16-23 teaches that at any moment we are either walking by the Holy Spirit or according to the sin nature. Walking by the Spirit, enjoying fellowship with God, walking in the light are virtually synonymous. During these times, the Holy Spirit is working in us to illuminate our minds to the truth of Scripture and to challenge us to apply what we learn. But when we sin, we begin to live based on the sin nature. Our works do not count for eternity. The only way to recover is to confess (admit, acknowledge) our sin to God the Father and we are instantly forgiven, cleansed, and recover our spiritual walk (1 John 1:9). Please make sure you are walking by the Spirit before you begin your Bible study, so it will be spiritually profitable.

Acts (2010)

Acts (2010)

September 2010 - March 2014

This study covers the book of Acts. The title, "Acts of the Apostles," distorts the thrust of the book. Only two apostles are the focus of the book, Peter, then Paul. John is mentioned as is James, but the others are not. The more appropriate name should be "Acts of the Holy Spirit". Because the Holy Spirit is the one performing the Acts, by empowering the early church, specifically, through Peter, then Paul, to take the message of the risen Messiah from the Upper Room in Acts 1, to Paul's private house prison room, in Acts 28.

To the uttermost parts of the earth ...

Video DVDs of these lessons can be ordered here and here.

To view all video Bible studies in the Acts series, click here (Vimeo) or here (YouTube).

To listen to this series as a podcast, copy and paste the following URL into your podcast software.
www.deanbibleministries.org/podcasts/2013acts.xml
 
Tue, Feb 28, 2012
Passage: Acts 6:1
Series: Acts (2010)
Duration: 1 hr 3 mins 50 secs
Tue, Mar 20, 2012
Passage: Acts 6:1
Series: Acts (2010)
Duration: 1 hr 3 mins 54 secs
The focus is the expansion of the church and how it was addressed by the apostles with the Holy Spirit working behind the scenes. This was not a smooth process. In fact, it led to hostile reactions, the death of Steven and persecution from the Jewish leadership. Ultimately, it forced upon the new church a scattering which led them to do what Jesus had commanded, to be witnesses in Judea and beyond. Does the process of legitimate growth sometimes bring growing pains and difficult change?

In order to confront the problem of the inequity of distribution of aid to widows the apostles were challenged to become leaders whose skills were based on Biblical principles. What are essential leadership skills? The solution to this problem is the beginning of the idea of split roles in the church, the teaching ministry (spiritual) and the ministering to needs of the congregation (physical). In both, the key idea is service based on humility. A committee of seven was selected to minister to these physical needs. What do you think were the qualifications for those seven to minister to the physical needs of the new church?
Tue, Mar 27, 2012
Passage: Acts 6:3-15
Series: Acts (2010)
Duration: 1 hr 4 mins 12 secs
Resolution to the problem of distribution of aid to the widows introduces us to the seven men (more specifically Stephen), chosen by the new church on the basis of their qualifications of a Spirit-filled life resulting in wisdom. These qualities were manifested in their spiritual vitality, consistent walk and reputation among the body. Taking care of the less fortunate within a community is an individual responsibility, a volitional choice from the application of God’s Word which God doesn’t subvert by taking over the reins of our life. Leadership serves people not personal gain. Spiritual maturity discerns the difference. The result of the selection of these men was a division of authority which allowed pastors and administrators to focus on their number one priority.
Tue, Apr 03, 2012
Passage: Acts 6:11-7:60
Series: Acts (2010)
Duration: 1 hr 5 mins 50 secs
Tue, Apr 10, 2012
Passage: Acts 6:11-7:60
Series: Acts (2010)
Duration: 1 hr 6 mins 45 secs
Passages in Stephen’s message are sometimes used by unbelievers as evidence of the Bible being full of contradictions. Inspiration and inerrancy of scripture is the cornerstone of belief in the Christian faith. Christians believe that the Bible is “God-breathed,” that the Holy Spirit supernaturally directed human writers in order that they “exhale” His Word exactly as God intended. This applies only to the original manuscripts. We no longer have these original documents, but Pastor Dean demonstrates how the discovery of what we do have can be discerned, compared and validated so that what might appear on the surface to be a discrepancy may be fit consistently with the inerrancy of the text without compromising the integrity of God's Word.
Tue, Apr 17, 2012
Passage: Acts 1-12
Series: Acts (2010)
Duration: 1 hr 1 mins 36 secs
In Acts 1–7 we see the birth of the church, its growing pains and persecution by the Jewish leaders. By chapter 8, this persecution forces believers to leave Jerusalem and trust God to expand the church. The gospel spreads through Philip’s ministry. Saul is converted, but not trusted at first because of his history of persecution of the church. God leads Peter to the Gentile Cornelius who believed and received the Holy Spirit. Herod Agrippa instigates another reign of persecution but he soon dies and the Word of God “grew and multiplied.” It is God’s work to grow the church, not man’s accomplishment.
Tue, Apr 24, 2012
Passage: Acts 8:1-8
Series: Acts (2010)
Duration: 1 hr 3 mins 57 secs
Tue, May 01, 2012
Passage: Acts 8:9-18
Series: Acts (2010)
Duration: 1 hr 5 mins 43 secs
Tue, May 08, 2012
Passage: Acts 8:9-18
Series: Acts (2010)
Duration: 55 mins 39 secs
Tue, May 15, 2012
Passage: Acts 8:9-18
Series: Acts (2010)
Duration: 1 hr 5 mins 15 secs
Click here for the "Cruel Logic" YouTube video shown at the beginning of this class.