The Acts of the Apostles - Part 1

Acts Chapter 4

Now read the fourth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles and then answer the questions in this lesson.

Here is some information about the names and terms that appear in this chapter:

Annas and his son-in-law Caiaphas were high priests during the time of Lord Jesus. John and Alexander were probably sons of Annas.

The captain of the temple was a Jewish priest, who was responsible for maintaining order in the temple.

The Sadducees were a religious party of the Jews, many priests belonged to them, including Annas and Caiaphas. Another party were the Pharisees.

The Sanhedrin was the highest court of the Jews, composed of priests, elders, and scribes. It had 70 members, most of whom belonged to the parties of the Sadducees and Pharisees. The incumbent high priest presided over the Sanhedrin.

1

What did the Sadducees not believe in?

Read Acts 23:8 for this:

Your response:

2

What made the priests, the captain, and the Sadducees so angry? (Acts 4:1-2)

Your response:

That the apostles   the people.

That they preached by Jesus the   from the   .

3

The apostles proclaimed the resurrection from the dead. Christ has been raised from the dead first.

In 1 Corinthians 15:20 and 23, He is called the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Your response:

Who will be resurrected from the dead?
How are these referred to in the first letter to the Thessalonians?
When will this coming be?
Those who have fallen asleep in Christ, the dead in Christ. (1 Thessalonians 4:13,16)
When the LORD comes for the rapture (taking away) of His own.
Those of Christ at His coming. (1 Corinthians 15:23)

The Word of God speaks of two resurrections: the first and the second resurrections. The Lord refers to them as the resurrection of life (first) and the resurrection of judgment (second):

Wonder not at this, for an hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice, and will go forth; those that have practiced good, to resurrection of life, and those that have done evil, to resurrection of judgment. (John 5:28-29)

  • The Lord says: All people will come forth from the graves, so all will rise.
  • The first resurrection of life includes: the firstborn Christ Himself and then those who are of Christ at His arrival for the rapture.
  • This rapture also includes the believers living on earth at this time: They will be transformed and ascend to heaven together with the dead, who have experienced the resurrection (Philippians 3:11).
  • The first resurrection ends at the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom: “the rest of the dead did not live until the thousand years had been completed. This is the first resurrection.” (Revelation 20:5). It is unequivocally stated: This is the first resurrection.
  • And it is added: “Blessed and holy he who has part in the first resurrection: over these the second death has no power; but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will reign with him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:6) !
  • When this kingdom of Christ's rule has come to an end, the final judgement arrives at the great white throne (Revelation 20:11).
  • For this judgment, all people still in death will rise: “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is that of life. And the dead were judged out of the things written in the books according to their works.” (Revelation 20:12).
  • This second resurrection is the Resurrection of Judgment. For all people who are judged: their names are not written in the Book of Life. They will be thrown into the lake of fire to suffer eternal punishment, the second death.

Which resurrection will you be a part of?

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Bible course: The Acts of the Apostles - Part 1

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