Wednesday Night Bible Study - April 17, 2013

1. Deeds, Claims and Promises of Jesus.
Read John Chapters 19 & 20

1. Jesus said : Peace be unto you: as my Father has
__________me, even so I send _____________.

2. Then He breathed on them and said "Receive the
________________.

3. Jesus said: Whosoever sins you remit, they are
______________unto them: and whosoever sins you retain,
they are ___________________.

4. Thomas said: Except I shall see in His _________ the
print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His ____________,
I will not __________________.

5. And ________________other signs truly did Jesus in the
presence of His disciples which are not written in this_______.

6. These things have been written so that you may believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that in that
__________you may have ___________through His name.

2. Inheritance in Christ

Read the epistle of 1 Peter

The letter is addressed to believers who had been scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. Harassment from Roman officials had forced Christians to flee to these distant territories. Peter encouraged these suffering believers to follow the example of Christ. His persecution and death -- and subsequent resurrection -- provided assurance and hope of the future.

Some of the main themes of the epistle:

a. The basis of the believer's hope is Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead. He alone provides salvation and the promise of eternal life.
b. Jesus is the living stone who serves as the foundation for the faith of believers. Those who place their faith in Him are delivered from their sins. They become part of God's "royal priesthood, an holy nation" that bears witness of Him and His kingdom to others.
c. Believers are to use Jesus and His suffering to endure persecution for His sake with a willing and joyous spirit.
d. Respectful and humble behavior by wives might lead their unbelieving husbands to the Lord.
e. Believers are to be united in the Lord, to practice humility and love, and to resist the temptation to seek revenge against those who are causing them pain and suffering.
f. The reason for His suffering was "that He might bring us to God." He is now exalted at God's right hand. All earthly powers and authorities are subject to Him (Rev.19:1-6).
g. Peter appeals to believers to practice love and hospitality toward others, thus serving as "good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
h. It should not surprise Christians that they are called on to suffer persecution for their faith. According to Peter this is actually a badge of honor (Hebrews 12:3-11). Just as Christ's suffering was the prelude to His glorification with the Father, so it will be for all believers.

Affirmations - (Repeat and Meditate on These as You Go throughout the Day)

Christ personally bore my sins in His own body on the cross , so that I might cease to live for sin and begin to live for righteousness. It was the suffering which he bore which has healed me. (1 Peter 2:24)

I have received a spiritual gift to serve others faithfully, administering God’s grace. When I speak I speak words that seem to come from God; I help as though every order was done at God’s orders, so that in everything God may receive the glory through Jesus Christ since to Him belongs all glory and power for ever and ever.

(1 Peter 4:10,11)

3. DunamisLife

They Shall Be Filled

1 Corinthians 15:4,6 -- And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures. After that, He was seen of above five hundred brethern at once.

Before you can receive the fire of the Spirit, you must want it. Perhaps that is why only 120 appeared out of 500 brethern in the upper room.

Into Action

Name 3 things that you do daily to pursue the action of the Holy Spirit in your life.

4. The Deeper Life
Read, pray, and meditate on the following: http://bit.ly/Z3X6ej

5. Quiz Answers

1. sent, you
2. Holy Spirit
3. remitted, retained
4. hands, side, believe
5. many, book
6, in faith, life