February 28, 2016

Sunday School

Acts 8

• After Stephen was stoned to death, Christians were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria except the apostles.
• Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He entered house after house, dragging men and women out and put them in prison.
• Philip went down to Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. He worked many miracles and the city felt great joy.
• Simon practiced sorcery in Samaria and people thought of him as being a great man saying, "This man is called the Great Power of God!" But when Philip preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus and baptized men and women Simon was intrigued.
• Simon followed Philip wherever he went.
• When the apostles heard that Philip was preaching the message of God's, they sent Peter and John to Samaria so that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
• Peter and John laid hands on the Samaritans and they received the Holy Spirit.
• When Simon saw this, he offered Peter and John money, saying, "Give me this power too, so that anyone I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit."
• Peter told him, "May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought the gift of God could be obtained with money! You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."
• Simon said, "Please pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me."
• Philip was instructed by an angel to go south down from Jerusalem to Gaza. There, Philip met an Ethiopian Eunuch reading the prophet Isaiah but didn't understand its meaning.
• Philip interrupted the meaning. He then baptized the Eunuch in the water and when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of Lord carried Philip away and the Eunuch didn't see him any longer. But he rejoiced anyway. 

Chapter 9

• Saul went to the high priest requesting letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the "Way" he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
• As Saul traveled toward Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" "Who are You, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting," Jesus replied. "But get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do."
• When Saul was helped to his feet, he was blind. He was lead into Damascus and didn't eat or drink for three days.
• Ananias was sent to Saul by Jesus.
• When Ananias places his hands on Saul, something like scales fell from his eyes and Saul regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. When he had eaten, he regained his strength.
• Saul began to preach about the Son of God.
• Peter healed Aeneas who had been bedridden for eight years. Peter said, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed."
• In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (translation Dorcas). She was always doing good works and acts of charity. She fell ill and died.
• Tabith was washed and placed in an upper room. 
• Peter was sent for and when he arrived, saw the widows weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was alive. Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed and turning toward the body said, "Tabitha, get up!" She opened her eyes, saw Peter and sat up. Peter helped her to stand and called in the widows and presented her alive.

No church service today!!