Acts - The Early Church - NIV

1. Jesus Returned to Heaven.

Acts 1:6-8 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" [7] He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own ________________. [8] But you will ____________ power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my ________________ in ________________, and in all Judea and ____________, and to the ends of the earth."

Jesus returned to heaven where He continued His ministry for His people.

2. The Apostles Devoted Themselves to Prayer While They Waited in Jerusalem.

Acts 1:12-14 Then they returned to ________________ from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. [13] When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, ___________________ and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. [14] They all joined ______________ __________________ in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his ______________.

What can be learned from this? ____________________________

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3. The Apostles Replace Judas.

Acts 1:15-26 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) [16] and said, "Brothers, the ________________ had to be ________________ which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David __________________ Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus-- [17] he was one of our number and shared in this ministry." [18] (With the reward he got for his __________________, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. [19] Everyone in ________________ heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) [20] "For," said Peter, "it is written in the book of Psalms, " 'May his place be ______________; let there be no one to dwell in it,' and, " 'May another take his place of __________________.' [21] ________________ it is ________________ to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, [22] ________________ from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his _____________________." [23] So they ______________ two men: Joseph called ________________ (also known as Justus) and Matthias. [24] Then they prayed, "Lord, you know __________________ heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen [25] to take over this ________________ ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs." [26] Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven ______________.

What can be learned from this? ____________________________

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4. Pentecost.

Acts 2:1-4 When the day of ________________ came, they were all together in one place. [2] ______________ a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were ____________. [3] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that ________________ and came to rest on each of them. [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit ____________ them.

Acts 2:5-13 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. [6] When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in _____________________, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. [7] Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? [8] Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? [9] ________________, Medes and Elamites; ________________ of ___________________, Judea and __________________, Pontus and Asia, [10] Phrygia and ________________, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome [11] (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs--we hear them ________________ the wonders of God in our own tongues!" [12] Amazed and ________________, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" [13] Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."

Acts 2:14-17 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in ________________, let me explain this to you; listen ________________ to what I say. [15] These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! [16] No, this is what was spoken by the ____________ Joel: [17] " 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and ________________ will ______________, your young men will see ____________, your old men will dream dreams.

Acts 2:21 And ______________ who calls on the name of the Lord will be _________.'

What kinds of languages were the disciples speaking when they spoke in languages other than their mother tongue? ______________________________________________________________.

5. Peter Preaches.

Acts 2:22-36 "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of ______________ was a man accredited by God to you by ______________, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. [23] This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by ____________ him to the cross. [24] But God raised him from the dead, ____________ him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. [25] David said about him: " 'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. [26] Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue ______________; my body also will live in hope, [27] because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. [28] You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your ______________.' [29] "______________, I can tell you ___________________ that the ________________ David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. [30] But he was a ____________ and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his ___________________ on his throne. [31] Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the _____________________ of the Christ, that he was not ________________ to the grave, nor did his body see decay. [32] God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all ________________ of the fact. [33] ____________ to the right hand of God, he has ______________ from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. [34] For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, " 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand [35] until I make your ____________ a ________________ for your feet." ' [36] "Therefore let all Israel be ____________ of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you ________________, both Lord and Christ."

Notice that Peter quotes the Old Testament which was their only scripture.

6. The People Respond.

Acts 2:37 When the __________ heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "______________, what shall we do?"

How did the people respond to Peter's preaching? _____________________________________________________.

7. Peter Makes a Call.

Acts 2:38-40 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] The promise is for you and your ______________ and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." [40] With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save __________________ from this ____________ __________________."

What can be learned from this? ____________________________

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8. Many Were Baptized.

Acts 2:41-42 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. [42] They devoted __________________ to the apostles' teaching and to the __________________, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

How many were baptized as a result of their preaching? __________.

9. All Things in Common.

Acts 2:43-47 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and __________________ signs were done by the apostles. [44] All the ________________ were together and had __________________ in common. [45] Selling their ___________________ and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. [46] Every day they ________________ to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, [47] praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

How do we know that the church kept growing? _____________________________________________.

10. Peter Gave What He Had.

Acts 3:1-5 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon. [2] Now a man ______________ from birth was being carried to the temple gate called ________________, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. [3] When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. [4] Peter looked ______________ at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" [5] So the man gave them his ________________, ________________ to get ________________ from them.

Acts 3:6-10 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of ______________, walk." [7] Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and ________________ the man's feet and ankles became strong. [8] He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. [9] When all the people saw him walking and praising God, [10] they __________________ him as the same man who used to sit ____________ at the temple gate called ________________, and they were filled with wonder and ________________ at what had ______________ to him.

11. Peter Preached about Jesus and Called on Them to Repent.

Acts 3:11-18 While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called ________________ ________________. [12] When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? [13] The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has ________________ his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. [14] You disowned the Holy and ________________ One and asked that a murderer be ______________ to you. [15] You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are ________________ of this. [16] By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this ______________ healing to him, as you can all see. [17] "Now, ______________, I know that you acted in ________________, as did your leaders. [18] But this is how God ________________ what he had ______________ through all the ______________, saying that his Christ would suffer.

Acts 3:19-21 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of __________________ may come from the Lord, [20] and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus. [21] He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore __________________, as he ______________ long ago through his holy ______________.

Acts 3:22-26 For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to __________________ he tells you. [23] Anyone who does not listen to him will be __________________ cut off from among his people.' [24] "Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have ______________ these days. [25] And you are heirs of the prophets and of the ______________ God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all ____________ on earth will be blessed.' [26] When God raised up his ____________, he sent him first to you to bless you by ____________ each of you from your wicked ways."

12. Peter's Preaching Made Some of the Officials Very Unhappy.

Acts 4:1-4 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the ________________ came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. [2] They were greatly ________________ because the apostles were teaching the people and ___________________ in Jesus the _____________________ of the dead. [3] They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. [4] But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five ______________.

13. The Rulers Wanted to Know Why They Were Preaching?

Acts 4:5-7 The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in ________________. [6] Annas the high priest was there, and so were ______________, John, Alexander and the other men of the high ______________ family. [7] They had Peter and John brought before them and began to ______________ them: "By what power or what name did you do this?"

Acts 4:8-12 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! [9] If we are being called to account today for an act of ______________ shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, [10] then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of ______________, whom you ________________ but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. [11] He is " 'the stone you ______________ ______________, which has become the ______________. ' [12] ________________ is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

14. They Could Tell Jesus Had Had and Affect on Peter and John.

Acts 4:13-18 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were __________________, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. [14] But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. [15] So they ordered them to withdraw from the ________________ and then ________________ together. [16] "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "________________ living in ________________ knows they have done an ___________________ miracle, and we cannot deny it. [17] But to stop this thing from ________________ any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." [18] Then they called them in again and ________________ them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

Acts 4:19-22 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. [20] For we cannot help ______________ about what we have seen and heard." [21] After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were ______________ God for what had ______________. [22] For the man who was _____________________ healed was over forty years old.

15. The Apostles Were Happy to Witness for Jesus.

Acts 4:23-24 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and ______________ all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. [24] When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "________________ Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and __________________ in them.

Acts 4:29-30 Now, Lord, ______________ their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. [30] Stretch out your hand to heal and perform __________________ signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

16. The Place Where They Gathered Together Shook as it was Filled with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 4:31-33 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. [32] All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his ___________________ was his own, but they shared __________________ they had. [33] With great power the apostles ________________ to testify to the _____________________ of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.

Acts 4:34-35 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales [35] and put it at the ______________' feet, and it was ___________________ to anyone as he had need.

Acts 4:36-37 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called ______________ (which means Son of _______________________), [37] sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.

17. Ananias and Sapphira Sold Some Property.

Acts 5:1-6 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife ______________, also sold a piece of ______________. [2] With his wife's full ________________ he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the ______________' feet. [3] Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for ______________ some of the money you ______________ for the land? [4] Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your ______________? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." [5] When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had ______________. [6] Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and ____________ him out and buried him.

Acts 5:7-11 About three hours later his wife came in, not ____________ what had ______________. [8] Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price." [9] Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." [10] At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, ____________ her dead, ____________ her out and buried her beside her husband. [11] Great fear __________ the whole __________ and all who heard about these __________.

Acts 5:12-16 The apostles ________________ many __________________ signs and wonders among the people. And all the ________________ used to meet together in Solomon's ________________. [13] No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. [14] _____________________, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. [15] As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. [16] Crowds gathered also from the towns around ________________, bringing their sick and those ________________ by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.

What can be learned from this? ____________________________

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18. The Apostles are Rescued.

Acts 5:17-21 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the ________________, were filled with ______________. [18] They ______________ the apostles and put them in the public jail. [19] But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. [20] "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life." [21] At ______________ they ____________ the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates ____________, they called together the Sanhedrin--the full ______________ of the elders of Israel--and sent to the jail for the apostles.

Acts 5:22-24 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, [23] "We found the jail ______________ locked, with the guards ______________ at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside." [24] On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were ____________, ________________ what would come of this.

Acts 5:25-26 Then someone came and said, "Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts ______________ the people." [26] At that, the captain went with his ______________ and brought the ______________. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.

Acts 5:27-32 Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the ________________ to be __________________ by the high priest. [28] "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled ________________ with your ______________ and are __________________ to make us guilty of this man's blood." [29] Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! [30] The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead--whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. [31] God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give __________________ and ___________________ of sins to Israel. [32] We are ________________ of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."

Acts 5:33-39 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. [34] But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the ________________ and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. [35] Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, ______________ ________________ what you intend to do to these men. [36] Some time ago Theudas appeared, ______________ to be ______________, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were ________________, and it all came to nothing. [37] After him, Judas the ______________ appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were ________________. [38] ________________, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. [39] But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find __________________ ______________ against God."

Acts 5:40-42 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. [41] The apostles left the ________________, ________________ because they had been counted worthy of ________________ disgrace for the Name. [42] Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and ___________________ the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

19. As the Church Grew Larger They Needed Better Organization.

Acts 6:1-7 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them __________________ against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily _____________________ of food. [2] So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. [3] Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this _________________________ over to them [4] and will give our ________________ to prayer and the ministry of the word." [5] This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, ______________, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. [6] They ________________ these men to the ______________, who prayed and laid their hands on them. [7] So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in ________________ ________________ rapidly, and a large number of priests became ______________ to the faith.

20. Stephen, One of the Deacons, was Filled with the Spirit of God.

Acts 6:8-10 Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and __________________ signs among the people. [9] __________________ arose, however, from members of the ________________ of the Freedmen (as it was called)--Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the ________________ of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, [10] but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

Acts 6:11-15 Then they secretly ________________ some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak words of ________________ against Moses and against God." [12] So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. [13] They produced false ________________, who ________________, "This fellow never stops ______________ against this holy place and against the law. [14] For we have heard him say that this Jesus of ______________ will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us." [15] All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked ______________ at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

21. The High Priest Asked Stephen to Explain Himself and He Gives the Council a Very Good Bible Study.

Acts 7:1-5 Then the high priest asked him, "Are these charges true?" [2] To this he replied: "______________ and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory ______________ to our father Abraham while he was still in ___________________, before he lived in Haran. [3] 'Leave your country and your people,' God said, 'and go to the land I will show you.' [4] "So he left the land of the ________________ and settled in Haran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living. [5] He gave him no ___________________ here, not even a foot of ground. But God ______________ him that he and his ___________________ after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no child.

Acts 7:8-12 Then he gave Abraham the ______________ of _____________________. And Abraham became the father of Isaac and ___________________ him eight days after his birth. Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs. [9] "Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him [10] and rescued him from all his ______________. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the ______________ of ____________ king of Egypt; so he made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace. [11] "Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, ______________ great ________________, and our fathers could not find food. [12] When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit.

Acts 7:13-15 On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh ____________ about ______________ family. [14] After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family, seventy-five in all. [15] Then Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our ____________ died.

Acts 7:17-19 "As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt greatly increased. [18] Then another king, who knew nothing about Joseph, became ruler of Egypt. [19] He dealt _______________________ with our people and ________________ our ___________________ by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die.

Acts 7:20-22 "At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months he was cared for in his father's house. [21] When he was placed outside, ________________ daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. [22] Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the ________________ and was ______________ in speech and action.

Acts 7:23-29 "When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his fellow Israelites. [24] He saw one of them being __________________ by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. [25] Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. [26] The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were ______________. He tried to ________________ them by saying, 'Men, you are ______________; why do you want to hurt each other?' [27] "But the man who was ___________________ the other pushed Moses aside and said, 'Who made you ruler and judge over us? [28] Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian ________________?' [29] When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he ____________ as a ________________ and had two sons.

Acts 7:30-34 "After forty years had passed, an angel ______________ to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. [31] When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to look more closely, he heard the Lord's voice: [32] 'I am the God of your ____________, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.' Moses ______________ with fear and did not dare to look. [33] "Then the Lord said to him, 'Take off your ____________; the place where you are ______________ is holy ground. [34] I have indeed seen the __________________ of my people in Egypt. I have heard their ______________ and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.'

22. God Sent Moses to Lead Them Out of Egypt but They Didn't Want to Follow Him.

Acts 7:35-38 "This is the same Moses whom they had ______________ with the words, 'Who made you ruler and judge?' He was sent to be their ruler and ________________ by God himself, through the angel who ______________ to him in the bush. [36] He led them out of Egypt and did wonders and __________________ signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for forty years in the desert. [37] "This is that Moses who told the __________________, 'God will send you a prophet like me from your own people.' [38] He was in the ______________ in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he ______________ living words to pass on to us.

Acts 7:39-40 "But our fathers ____________ to obey him. Instead, they ______________ him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. [40] They told Aaron, 'Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt--we don't know what has ______________ to him!'

Acts 7:41-42 That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and held a ___________________ in honor of what their hands had made. [42] But God turned away and gave them over to the worship of the ______________ bodies. This agrees with what is ____________ in the book of the ______________: " 'Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the desert, O house of Israel?

Acts 7:43-45 You have lifted up the shrine of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile' beyond Babylon. [44] "Our ___________________ had the tabernacle of the ________________ with them in the desert. It had been made as God ______________ Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. [45] Having ______________ the tabernacle, our fathers under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It ______________ in the land until the time of David,

23. David Wanted to Build House for God.

Acts 7:46-50 Who enjoyed God's favor and asked that he might provide a ______________ place for the God of Jacob. [47] But it was Solomon who built the house for him. [48] "____________, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the ____________ says: [49] " 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my ________________. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my ____________ place be? [50] Has not my hand made all these things?'

24. Stephen Called the Leaders of His Day Stiffnecked.

Acts 7:51-53 "You stiff-necked people, with _______________________ hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! [52] Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not ________________? They even killed those who ________________ the coming of the ________________ One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him-- [53] you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it."

Acts 7:54-56 When they heard this, they were furious and ____________ their teeth at him. [55] But ____________, full of the Holy __________, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and _________ standing at the right hand of God. [56] "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

Acts 7:57-60 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, [58] dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. ________________, the ________________ laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. [59] While they were ____________ him, ____________ prayed, "Lord Jesus, ____________ my spirit." [60] Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

25. After the Stephen was Stoned the Church Members Began to Scatter.

Acts 8:1-3 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great ___________________ broke out against the church at ________________, and all except the apostles were ________________ __________________ Judea and Samaria. [2] Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. [3] But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

Acts 8:4-8 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. [5] Philip went down to a city in Samaria and __________________ the Christ there. [6] When the crowds heard Philip and saw the __________________ signs he did, they all paid close ________________ to what he said. [7] With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many __________________ and cripples were healed. [8] So there was great joy in that city.

Acts 8:9-13 Now for some time a man named Simon had ________________ sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, [10] and all the people, both high and low, gave him their ________________ and ________________, "This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." [11] They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. [12] But when they believed Philip as he ______________ the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. [13] Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip __________________, __________________ by the great signs and ______________ he saw.

26. Peter and John Were Sent to Samaria.

Acts 8:14-19 When the apostles in ________________ heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. [15] When they ____________, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, [16] ____________ the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been ______________ into the name of the Lord Jesus. [17] Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they ______________ the Holy Spirit. [18] When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he ____________ them money [19] and said, "Give me also this ability so that ______________ on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

Acts 8:20-25 Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! [21] You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. [22] Repent of this __________________ and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. [23] For I see that you are full of __________________ and captive to sin." [24] Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me." [25] When they had ________________ and __________________ the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to ________________, ________________ the gospel in many ________________ villages.

27. Philip was Led by the Spirit to Visit with the Ethiopian.

Acts 8:26-29 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road--the desert road--that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." [27] So he started out, and on his way he met an ________________ eunuch, an ________________ official in charge of all the ______________ of Candace, queen of the ________________s. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, [28] and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the ____________. [29] The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."

Acts 8:30-34 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you __________________ what you are reading?" Philip asked. [31] "How can I," he said, "unless someone ______________ it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. [32] The eunuch was reading this passage of ________________: "He was led like a sheep to the ________________, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. [33] In his ___________________ he was ______________ of justice. Who can speak of his ___________________? For his life was taken from the earth." [34] The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?"

Acts 8:35-38 Then Philip began with that very passage of ________________ and told him the good news about Jesus. [36] As they ______________ along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" [37] [Phillip said,you may be baptized if you believe with all your heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he ______________ and said, I believe.] [38] And he gave orders to stop the ____________. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

Acts 8:39-40 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way ________________. [40] Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, ________________ the gospel in all the towns until he reached ______________.`.

28. Saul Really Worked to Destroy the Early Church.

Acts 9:1-2 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest [2] and asked him for letters to the __________________ in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as ________________ to ________________.

Acts 9:3-9 As he neared Damascus on his journey, ______________ a light from heaven flashed around him. [4] He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you ________________ me?" [5] "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are ___________________," he ____________. [6] "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." [7] The men ________________ with Saul stood there __________________; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. [8] Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see ____________. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. [9] For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink ______________.

Acts 9:10-12 In ______________ there was a ______________ named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he ______________. [11] The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on ______________ Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. [12] In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."

Acts 9:13-18 "Lord," Ananias ______________, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in ________________. [14] And he has come here with ________________ from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name." [15] But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the ______________ and their kings and before the people of Israel. [16] I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." [17] Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "____________ Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who ______________ to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." [18] ___________________, ________________ like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was ______________,

Acts 9:19-22 And after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the ________________ in Damascus. [20] At once he began to preach in the __________________ that Jesus is the Son of God. [21] All those who heard him were __________________ and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in ________________ among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as ________________ to the chief priests?" [22] Yet Saul grew more and more ______________ and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.

Acts 9:23-25 After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him, [24] but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. [25] But his ________________ took him by night and ____________ him in a basket through an ____________ in the wall.

29. Barnabas Took an Interest in Saul.

Acts 9:26-30 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not ________________ that he really was a disciple. [27] But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in ______________ he had ______________ __________________ in the name of Jesus. [28] So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, ______________ boldly in the name of the Lord. [29] He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. [30] When the ______________ learned of this, they took him down to ______________ and sent him off to Tarsus.

30. The Church Enjoyed Peace and was Built up.

Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was _____________________; and __________________ by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

Acts 9:32-35 As Peter ______________ about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. [33] There he found a man named Aeneas, a ________________ who had been ________________ for eight years. [34] "Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat." ___________________ Aeneas got up. [35] All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

31. A Good Woman of the Church Died.

Acts 9:36-38 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when __________________, is Dorcas ), who was always doing good and ____________ the poor. [37] About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an ______________ room. [38] Lydda was near Joppa; so when the ________________ heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!"

Acts 9:39-41 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and ____________ him the robes and other ______________ that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. [40] Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. ____________ toward the dead woman, he said, "____________, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. [41] He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the ________________ and the widows and ________________ her to them alive.

Acts 9:42-43 This became known all over Joppa, and many people ______________ in the Lord. [43] Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a __________ named Simon.

32. Cornelius of Caesarea and Peter's Interesting Dream.

Acts 10:1-8 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a ________________ in what was known as the Italian Regiment. [2] He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave __________________ to those in need and prayed to God ________________. [3] One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He __________________ saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!" [4] Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel ______________, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a ______________ offering before God. [5] Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. [6] He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea." [7] When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his ______________ and a devout soldier who was one of his __________________. [8] He told them __________________ that had ______________ and sent them to Joppa.

Acts 10:9-16 About noon the ________________ day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. [10] He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being ______________, he fell into a trance. [11] He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. [12] It ________________ all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as ______________ of the earth and birds of the air. [13] Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat." [14] "Surely not, Lord!" Peter ____________. "I have never eaten anything impure or ____________." [15] The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." [16] This ______________ three times, and ___________________ the sheet was taken back to heaven.

Acts 10:17-20 While Peter was ________________ about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. [18] They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was ____________ there. [19] While Peter was still ______________ about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three men are ____________ for you. [20] So get up and go downstairs. Do not ______________ to go with them, for I have sent them."

Acts 10:21-23 Peter went down and said to the men, "I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?" [22] The men replied, "We have come from ________________ the ________________. He is a ________________ and God-fearing man, who is ________________ by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say." [23] Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the ______________ from Joppa went along.

Acts 10:24-27 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was ________________ them and had called together his ________________ and close friends. [25] As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in ________________. [26] But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself." [27] Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large ________________ of people.

33. Peter Now Understood the Dream God Had Given Him.

Acts 10:28-33 He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to ________________ with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. [29] So when I was sent for, I came without raising any ________________. May I ask why you sent for me?" [30] Cornelius ______________: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. ______________ a man in shining ____________ stood before me [31] and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and __________________ your gifts to the poor. [32] Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' [33] So I sent for you ___________________, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the ______________ of God to listen to __________________ the Lord has ________________ you to tell us."

Acts 10:34-43 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show __________________ [35] but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. [36] You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. [37] You know what has happened throughout Judea, ________________ in Galilee after the baptism that John preached-- [38] how God ______________ Jesus of ______________ with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. [39] "We are witnesses of __________________ he did in the country of the Jews and in ________________. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, [40] but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. [41] He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen--by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. [42] He ________________ us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God ________________ as judge of the living and the dead. [43] All the ______________ testify about him that ______________ who ______________ in him ______________ ___________________ of sins through his name."

Acts 10:44-48 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. [45] The ___________________ ________________ who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the ______________. [46] For they heard them speaking in tongues and ______________ God. Then Peter said, [47] "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have ______________ the Holy Spirit just as we have." [48] So he ____________ that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

34. Peter Explained to the Church in Jerusalem What Happen in Caesarea.

Acts 11:1-3 The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. [2] So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the ___________________ believers __________________ him [3] and said, "You went into the house of un___________________ men and ate with them."

Acts 11:4-11 Peter began and ________________ everything to them ________________ as it had happened: [5] "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw ________________ like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. [6] I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, ______________, and birds of the air. [7] Then I heard a voice telling me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' [8] "I replied, 'Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever ____________ my mouth.' [9] "The voice spoke from heaven a second time, 'Do not call ______________ impure that God has made clean.' [10] This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. [11] "Right then three men who had been sent to me from ______________ ____________ at the house where I was ____________.

Acts 11:12-14 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six ______________ also went with me, and we ____________ the man's house. [13] He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. [14] He will bring you a ____________ through which you and all your ________________ will be saved.'

Acts 11:15-18 "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the ________________. [16] Then I __________________ what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' [17] So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who ______________ in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?" [18] When they heard this, they had no further __________________ and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the ______________ __________________ unto life."

Acts 11:19-26 Now those who had been ________________ by the ___________________ in __________________ with Stephen ______________ as far as ________________, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. [20] Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. [21] The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people ______________ and turned to the Lord. [22] News of this reached the ears of the church at ________________, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. [23] When he arrived and saw the ______________ of the grace of God, he was glad and __________________ them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. [24] He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. [25] Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, [26] and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The ________________ were called __________________ first at Antioch.

Acts 11:27-30 During this time some prophets came down from ________________ to Antioch. [28] One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit ________________ that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) [29] The ________________, each ________________ to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. [30] This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

35. Herod Began Making More Trouble for the Church.

Acts 12:1-5 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to ________________ them. [2] He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. [3] When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he ________________ to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of __________________ Bread. [4] After ________________ him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the ______________. [5] So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was ________________ praying to God for him.

Acts 12:6-10 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was ______________ between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and ______________ stood guard at the ______________. [7] Suddenly an angel of the Lord ______________ and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. [8] Then the angel said to him, "Put on your ____________ and ____________." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. [9] Peter ______________ him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really ________________; he ____________ he was seeing a vision. [10] They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate ____________ to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

Acts 12:11-15 Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from __________________ the Jewish people were _____________________." [12] When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. [13] Peter knocked at the outer ______________, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. [14] When she __________________ Peter's voice, she was so ________________ she ran back without opening it and ________________, "Peter is at the door!" [15] "You're out of your mind," they told her. When she kept ________________ that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel."

Acts 12:16-17 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. [17] Peter ______________ with his hand for them to be quiet and ________________ how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell James and the ______________ about this," he said, and then he left for another place.

36. Peter's Disappearance Caused Trouble for the Soldiers.

Acts 12:18-19 In the morning, there was no small ________________ among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. [19] After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be ______________. Then Herod went from Judea to ______________ and stayed there a while.

37. Herod Accepted the Worship of Some of the People.

Acts 12:20-23 He had been __________________ with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. Having secured the support of Blastus, a trusted ______________ servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they ______________ on the king's country for their food supply. [21] On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and ________________ a public address to the people. [22] They ____________, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man." [23] ___________________, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

Acts 12:24-25 But the word of God continued to increase and spread. [25] When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they ______________ from ________________, taking with them John, also called Mark.

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