Synoptic Gospels Bible Study Lesson 10

Synoptic Gospels Bible Study Lesson 10 Questions

1.      Read Mt 28:15-20. What is this Scripture know as? Who was this scripture written for?

In Matthew 28:15-20, Jesus commands his followers to make disciples. In this passage, Jesus calls us to not only speak the Gospel but to also develop relationships with others so they can learn how to imitate Jesus Christ in their own lives. Matthew 28:15-20 is known as the Great Commission. As the last recorded personal directive of the Savior to his disciples, it holds great significance to all followers of Christ.

2. Read Acts 1:8. How does this Scripture relate to Mt 28:18-20? Who gives the power? What is the power?

In other words the apostles knew that the Old Testament promise of the outpouring of God's Spirit was a promise for the last days when God would establish his kingdom on the earth and restore his people. at the Last Supper Jesus Jesus had told them that the kingdom would be restored to Israel—they themselves would sit on thrones as rulers along with the Son of Man over a renewed and believing Israel. The Bible tells us that everyone who believes in Jesus has the Spirit. This means that everyone who believes is a witness. Spirit-filled people – and that's you and me – are witnessing people. God gives us the Spirit. And with the Spirit we are given the power, the courage, the strength, to be witnesses. When apostles received the Spirit they received the power to tell, the power to witness, the power to pass on the good news of the Gospel. Mt 28:18-20 contains what has come to be called the Great Commission is to is “make disciples. The Great Commission is enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are to be Christ's witnesses, fulfilling the Great Commission in our cities (Jerusalem), in our states and countries (Judea and Samaria), and anywhere else God sends us (to the ends of the earth).

3. John the Baptist said one was coming to baptize with spirit and fire. Acts 1:8 speaks of baptism of spirit. When will be the baptism of fire?

John the Baptist came preaching repentance and baptizing in the wilderness of Judea, and he was sent as a herald to announce the arrival of Jesus, the Son of God (Matthew 3:1-12). He announced “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11).

After Jesus had risen from the dead, He instructed His apostles to “…wait for the Promise of the Father which you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:4-5). This promise was first fulfilled on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), and the baptism of the Spirit joins every believer to the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). But what about the baptism with fire?

Some interpret the baptism of fire as referring to the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was sent from heaven. “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them” (Acts 2:2-3). It is important to note that these were tongues as of fire, not literal fire.

Some believe that the baptism with fire refers to the Holy Spirit’s office as the energizer of the believer’s service, and the purifier of evil within, because of the exhortation “Do not quench the Spirit” found in 1Thessalonians 5:19. The command to the believer is to not put out the Spirit’s fire by suppressing His ministry.

A third and more likely interpretation is that the baptism of fire refers to judgment. In all four Gospel passages mentioned above, Mark and John speak of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but only Matthew and Luke mention the baptism with fire. The immediate context of Matthew and Luke is judgment (Matthew 3:7-12; Luke 3: 7-17). The context of Mark and John is not (Mark 1:1-8; John 1:29-34). We know that the Lord Jesus is coming in flaming fire to judge those who do not know God (2 Thessalonians 1: 3-10; John 5: 21-23: Revelation 20:11-15), but praise be to God that He will save all that will come and put their trust in Him (John 3:16)! Baptism of the Holy Spirit1 is a term used to describe a movement of the Spirit upon and/or within a believer usually sometime after the person is saved.  Baptism of the Spirit occurs at salvation.

4. After Jesus’ resurrection how many days did He remain on earth? When and where did He ascend? What did the angels say about His coming?

The Bible tells us that after He rose, He ascended 10 days before the holiday of Pentecost.  We know that Jesus died during Passover.  That would mean over a period of about 40 days, which is a very interesting Biblical number.

He appeared to the Disciples at various times, and Paul talks about Him appearing to two on the road to Emmaus.  He appeared to Peter privately – we don’t know about that meeting, but it’s mentioned.  He appeared in the Upper Room on two different occasions.  He appeared by the sea and He appeared on the mountain when He ascended.  So over a period of 40 days, He appeared to the Disciples after the Resurrection.

Angels were God's messenger they were used to announce the coming of Jesus into the world – both at his birth and to tell Jesus' friends that he had come back to life. The angel who announced Jesus Christ's resurrection was one of two angels present in his tomb on the first Easter. His resurrection announced by angels to a few women. An angel rolled back the stone and told the women that Jesus was risen (Matthew 28:2-5). The women saw one or two angels inside the tomb (Mark 16:5; Luke 24:4, 23; John 20:11). Jesus said that angels will again play a major role when he returns.

5. In Acts when did the Spirit come? In what visual form did it come? What were the comments of the crowd?

The Day of Pentecost marked a turning point in the early Christian church. Pentecost, a Jewish feast, was celebrated 50 days after Passover, and pilgrims had come to Jerusalem from all over the world to celebrate the event.

The 12 apostles were gathered together in a house when a terrific wind came from heaven and filled the place. They saw tongues that looked like fire, that separated and came down on each of them.

Immediately the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, who caused them to speak in tongues. The crowds of visitors were astonished because every pilgrim heard the apostles speaking to him or her in their own foreign language

Before his ascension into heaven, Jesus had promised his disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit to give them strength and wisdom to spread the gospel throughout the world. (Acts 1:8)

The apostles' ability to address these foreign visitors in their own languages was a miracle from God. After they were filled with the Holy Spirit, the 12 did many other miracles and wondrous signs.

Some accused the apostles of being drunk.

The Apostle Peter stood and addressed them, saying they were not drunk. It was only nine o'clock in the morning. Then, empowered by the Holy Spirit, Peter preached boldly to them, explaining about Jesus Christ and God's plan of salvation.

The crowd was so moved when Peter told them of their part in Jesus' crucifixion that they asked the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37, NIV).

The right response, Peter told them, was to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. He promised that they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

6. Peter’s first sermon on the day of Pentecost brought what response? What was the question they asked Peter? What was his response?

At Pentecost, the disciples witness the birth of the New Testament church in the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell all believers. Thus the scene of the disciples in a room at Pentecost commences with the beginning of the Holy Spirit’s work in the church with the conclusion of Christ’s earthly ministry in the upper room before the crucifixion. Another aspect of the Day of Pentecost is the miraculous speaking in foreign tongues which enabled people from various language groups to understand the message of the apostles. In addition is the bold and incisive preaching of Peter to a Jewish audience. The effect of the sermon was powerful, as listeners were “cut to the heart” (Acts 2:37) and instructed by Peter to “repent, and be baptized” (Acts 2:38). The narrative concludes with three thousand souls being added to the fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayers, apostolic signs and wonders, and a utopian community formed in which everyone’s needs were met.

7. What was a common element of John the Baptist preaching, Jesus' preaching and Peter's? Do you hear that element in preaching today?

In Luke 3:3-4, we are told, "And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." Also in Matthew 3:1-3, "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Jesus himself said in Matthew 4:17: From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Even Peter emphasized on repentance. Peter  replied, "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Very few people talk about repentance today.

8. The Bible says we have been given the “power" for salvation. Power over sin, power to resurrect. Give a Bible reference for each.

Jesus died on the cross so our sins could be forgiven but without His resurrection, God’s power to be a victor over sin and sin’s penalty would appear uncertain.

The Bible says that Jesus died for the sins of the world – but without the resurrection there would be no justification of our sins.

Romans 4:25 - He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.

Without Christ it is impossible to have forgiveness of sins and at death it is impossible for one to enter heaven.

Romans 6:9, "Christ rose from the dead and will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him".

The Resurrection secured our victory over death as well and "lifted us up from the grave into glory along with Christ, where we sit with him in the heavenly realms

Romans 6:5: For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Romans 8:11 – “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.”

Romans 6:6,14 :Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

9. Is this power automatic or do we have to seek/yield to it? Explain your answer.

But this does not mean that every person is automatically saved.This is not automatic, for one must receive Christ. Salvation has always been through making a free will decision to trust God's promise concerning the person and work of the Messiah savior. One must accept Christ's work on his behalf by personal trust. since Christ paid for the sins of the whole world, it is God's responsibility to make the information about this salvation available. This is called the "drawing" of God by which He convicts through the Holy Spirit that man needs to trust in Christ. If someone has failed to trust in Christ during his lifetime on earth, his name is blotted out of the book of life and he will spend eternity separated from the Godhead in the lake of fire.

10. Read Rom 6:1-4,6,11, & 13 and relate them to (1) knowledge - understanding (2) reason - decision (3) acting - will
Which of these steps could be considered works? Explain

Romans 6 deals with:

v.1-not continuing in sin;
v.2-not living in sin;
v.4-walking in newness of life;
v.6-not serving sin (being a slave to it);
v.10-11-living unto God;
v.12-not letting sin rule over us;
v.13-serving God with our bodily members;
v.14-not being under the dominion of sin;
verses 19 and 22-holiness. The three key words in Romans 6 are these: 1) KNOW (v.3,6,9); 2) RECKON (v.11); 3) YIELD (v.13). First, the believer must KNOW THE FACTS! These facts center upon the death and resurrection of Christ (the facts of justification centered upon the very same gospel facts also--Rom. 4:25). These facts center upon what Christ has already accomplished by His death and resurrection (His FINISHED WORK). The emphasis is not upon what I do but upon what Christ has already done! Secondly, the believer must RECKON or COUNT ON THESE FACTS (consider them to be true). Faith is the key! Faith fixes itself upon the facts of God’s Word and counts them as true! Faith says "Amen" to the facts of God’s Word. Faith says, "Yes it is true. I am dead to sin and I am living unto God! I rejoice in this fact!" (compare verse 11). Thirdly, the believer in Christ is to  YIELD or present his bodily members to God as one who is ALIVE FROM THE DEAD (v.13). As a new creature in Christ he realizes that all that he has is to be presented to the service of the King of Kings!