Every day brings new challenges, sometimes we are faced with shocking news or devastating tragedy and as we reel from overwhelming emotions it's hits us as the most natural question in the world: if God is good and all-powerful, why do we suffer at all? We start to ask questions that follow that thought, is God unwilling to help or is He indifferent or is He not able to help?

The Bible does make one thing clear. God will not take our free will. And it teaches one universal truth. God is love. (1 John 4:16)

Other references covered in our study: Hebrews 4:15, Psalms 34:18, Isaiah 63:9, Matthew 25:41-45, Psalms 56:8, Hebrews 2:9, Isaiah 53:4-6, Psalms 13:1-6, Revelation 6:10, Genesis 6:5-6, Exodus 3:7-10, Genesis 3:21, 1 Peter 2:21-24, Matthew 4:11

A study in the Book of Acts 17:29-33 - Paul leaving Athens

Book of Acts 18:1-4 - Paul traveling to Corinth and meeting Priscilla and Aquila

Diving into the Bible - Book of Acts 17:10-28

Discussing these verses using other Bible texts to form the foundation of our understanding.

A study discussion and Bible dive into the Book of Acts, Chapter 16:35 to 17:9

It has been a question that's been raised by many people over generations. And still common today. Does anyone have the power or authority to block us from Heaven? Or deny us access to God? What does the Bible say about forgiveness and salvation?

How do we test if something is true? We look at history and what the Bible says. Does it line up with evidence? What does the Bible say about past and future events?

We dive into the Bible to find out if the Holy Spirit is real? What does Jesus say about the Holy Spirit? What evidence can we find to discover the truth today?

May Christians don't practice what the Bible teaches. They call themselves Christians but they don't even practice what they preach. Why should we bother to listen to what they have to say about God?

We go back the the Bible for answers of why should we listen to people who talk about God. And how to find out what is truth and what isn't.

We go back to the Bible to answer the question of why pray? Why ask God for anything if He already knows everything? 

Why do we believe what we believe? Why are we Christian?

We took a look at key topics that provide the foundation of our beliefs. And we took a dive into the Bible which is the source of our faith.

The Passover, and Jesus' fulfilment of the Sacrificial law. What does the Bible say about Jesus' sacrifice? What did Jesus mean when He said He would be "Under the earth?"

The Sabbath day, when did it begin? Is it important? What does the Bible say about the Sabbath?

What is the Sabbath and when did the observance of the Sabbath begin?

Has it ever changed?

Continuation of what the Bible says about the Kingdom of Heaven.

A common belief is that if we're good, if we do good and don't hurt anyone, then we should go to Heaven when we die.

What does the Bible say? Where is Heaven and Who does it belong to? Who rules the Kingdom of Heaven?

The final study on what God is doing about our world's pandemic called Sin. Why do we believe God exists when there is so much suffering in this world?

Our Bible study group dives into the Bible to find the answer to this question.

The question of why a loving God would allow so much suffering is an important question and the Bible gives many insights and answers. 

The Bible is our source of Truth, and the key to growing our faith.

To find the answers to this deep question is found through more Bible study and prayer. God is open to our questions, and He promises this;

"Ask Me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come." Jeremiah 33:3 NLT

"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." James 1:5 NLT

We are taught that God is loving, that He cares, so why is there so much evil and suffering in the world?

Our Bible group raised this question, so we go into the Bible for answers.

If we all believe in Jesus Christ and we all accept the Bible as our source of truth, why are there so many different Christian churches?

Where did all these denominations come from?

Our Bible study group raised this question, so we look to the Bible for answers.

The world was made perfect, Adam and Eve were created and were without sin. If God knew what the Devil would to, and so much suffering would happen in the future because of sin, why didn't God destroy the Devil before He created Adam and Eve?

Our Bible study group raised this question, so we went to the Bible for answers. 

Acts 16:16-34

1 John 4:1-3, Deuteronomy 18:10, 1 Samuel 28:8, John 14:6, Mark 9:25-26, Luke 16:13, Acts 18:2, Acts 12:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Romans 10:9, Acts 2:37-41, 1 Peter 1:8-9

Acts 16:1-15

1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Matthew 2:13, Acts 8:29, John 16:13, Nehemiah 13:19, Acts 10:28

Acts 15:19-41

Exodus 34:14, Leviticus 18:22-25, Leviticus 17:10-12, Matthew 18:15-17, Matthew 5:37, James 5:12

Acts 14: 23-28 - Appointing the Elders

Titus 1:5-9

Acts 15:1-18 

Genesis 17:10-14, Galatians 3:28-29, Ephesians 2:8-9, Amos 9:11-12

Acts 14: 1-22 - Paul and Barnabas preach God's message in Iconium and many become believers in Christ. God gave them the power to do signs and wonders. But there were Gentiles and Jews who were against them, planned to stone them. They leave and travel away.

Paul heals a crippled man in Lystra. Others witness this and believe Paul and Barnabas are Greek gods. They are distressed by the people's belief and argue boldly they are not. They are human. They tell the people the Good News, but their message is not received. The Jews who had planned to stone them in Iconium, won the crowds in Lystra. They stoned Paul but God sustained him. His work was not finished.

Matthew 18:6, 2 Corinthian 12:12, Matthew 10:34-36, Mark 5:34, Hebrews 11:6, Luke 4:8, 1 Peter 5:8, Luke 4:43 and James 1:2-4

Acts 13:16-52 - History lesson. Prophecies that point to Jesus as the Messiah. Fulfilment of prophecy. Forgiveness of Sins. 

Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 53:5 & 7, Matthew 9:1-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Romans 1:16, 2 Timothy 3:12

Acts 12:15- Acts 13:15

Peter is freed and led out of the prison by an angel. He goes to John Mark's mother's house where the believers have gathered to pray for his release. 

The guards are sentenced to death by Herod Agrippa for losing Peter. 

Herod leaves Judea. Later he boasts about being a god and oppresses the leaders of other nations. He dies.

Revelation 13:6, John 10:31-33, John 17:17, 1 Timothy 2:7, Matthew 7:15-20, 1 John 4:1-3

How do we determine Prophecy? What does the Bible say?

Acts 11:25- Acts 12:14

God prepares His people.

Unleavened Bread is representative of Jesus. Leaven, yeast was seen as sin.

Daniel 2:20-22, Matthew 16:6 & 12, Mark 10:27

Acts 11:1-24

Peter must explain to the Jews in Judea why he is meeting with the uncircumcised. 

James 3:16, Romans 2:25-29, Exodus 12:48-49, 1 John 4:1-3, Galatians 3:26-29, Matthew 28:19-20

Simon Peter's vision is explained when he meets the men that Cornelius has sent. Cornelius has sent the messengers because an angel had instructed him to call for Simon Peter and where to find him.

Peter understands the vision of the unclean animals. No people are to be considered unclean. In their customs, Jewish people don't associate with outsiders, calling them unclean. To God, no one who seeks Him is unclean.

Cornelius sends messengers to Peter in Joppa, to call him to Caesarea. 

How Joppa is mentioned in Bible history as a seaport. Prophet Jonah was sent as a witness to the Gentile city of Ninevah. 

Simon Peter is called to witness to Gentiles in Caesarea. 

Paul takes the Gospel out Asian Minor. 
Peter and the resurrection of Dorcas.
Peter, the disciple of Jesus, and the dream of the unclean animals. 
Peter called to Cornelius and his household.

Saul becomes Paul. Returns to Jerusalem to be with other believers but they are afraid of him.

In Christ we are a new creation. The old self is gone, the new one is here. 
God had big plans for Paul. 

Saul's conversion experience.

Philip and the Ethiopian. Isaiah 53. 
Saul's conversion. Jesus calls us individually. 

Philip, Jesus' disciple and Simon the sorcerer.  Philip and the Ethiopian.

Philip in Samaria.

Stephen's Defense. A history lessons in how the Jewish people treated the prophets.

Acts 20:13-24
Paul's journey back on the way back to Jerusalem. 

Acts 21: 17-32
Paul travels to Jerusalem. Reports have travelled ahead of Paul about his teaches. Misinformation and false accusations have been made. The Jews from Asia stir up trouble in the temple to have Paul killed.

Acts 21:1-16
The Holy Spirit speaks in multiple ways. The people warned Paul of what was to come. How do we test that a prophet speaks from God? 

Acts Chapter 20: 25-38
Paul has delivered the message of Salvation and Hope. He says farewell and warns the believers to be watchful. 

Acts Chapter 13:16-52.
Patriarchs and prophecy. Proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. Sins are forgiven by Jesus.

We have all experienced the grief of losing a loved one. What does the Bible say about what happens when we die?

Recorded 30th June 2020

In order to answer the question on what is Hell, we must establish the state of an individual. Are we mortal or immortal?

The Bible is our reference. The Holy Spirit is our Guide. He will lead us into Truth. John 16:13

Recorded 21 July 2020

Bible study into the topic the Mark of the Beast.
Part Two

Scripture is our reference and the Holy Spirit is our Guide.
He will lead us into Truth. John 16:13

Bible Study on the topic of The Mark of the Beast.
Part One.

Scripture is our reference and the Holy Spirit is our Guide.
He will lead us into Truth. John 16:13

Group Study - Bible Dive into the early Christian faith.
Reading through Acts Chapter 7:8-39 and connecting Scripture

- Stephan preaches to the Sanhedrin
Reminding them of God's promise to Abraham and how that promise was kept through the ages.

Group study - Bible Dive into the early Christian faith.
Reading through Acts 5:37 to Acts 6:4 and connecting Scripture

- The release from the Council of Pharisees
- Dissension amongst the Grecian Jews and Hebrews.

Group study - Bible Dive into the early Christian faith.
Reading through Acts 5:27-36 and connecting Scripture

- Peter and the apostles before the Council
- Gamaliel's caution

Group study - Bible Dive into the early Christian faith.
Reading through Acts 4:32 to Acts 5:4

- United faith, common property
- Ananias & Sapphira

Group study - Bible Dive into the early Christian faith.
Reading through Acts 5:16-22 and connecting Scripture

- The high priest and Sadducees conspire against the apostles and have them arrested.

Group study - Bible Dive into the early Christian faith.
Reading through Acts 5:4-15, and connecting Scripture

- Ananias & Sapphira, sin against the Holy Spirit
- The healing of the sick in Temple courtyard.

Group study - Bible Dive into the early Christian faith.
Reading through Acts 4:8-22

- Peter and John warned not to preach or testify of Jesus
- Peter and John released

Group study - Bible Dive into the early Christian faith.
Reading through Acts 3:19 - 4:7

- Call for repentance
- Peter and John arrested by the temple guards.
- The leaders who condemned Jesus, deliberate over Peter & John. 

Group study - Bible Dive into the early Christian faith.
Reading through Acts 3:1-18

- Healing the Lame man at the temple gate
- Peter preaches in the temple's Outer Court
- Jesus, the Promised One

Group study - Bible Dive into the early Christian faith.
Reading through Acts 2:42-47

- The disciples learned from Jesus, now they taught new followers.
- The daily practices of the Christians.

Group study - Bible Dive into the early Christian faith.
Reading through Acts 2:29-41

- Christ the Living Saviour. The Promised Messiah
- First converts

Group study - Bible Dive into the early Christian faith.
Reading through Acts 1:12- 2:28
-Appointment of Matthias
-Pentecost
-Holy Spirit gifts
-Peter's sermon

Group study - Bible Dive into the early Christian faith. Introduction into the Book of Acts, reading through Chapter 1: 1-11.

Covering Jesus' Ascension, the appointment of Matthias, and waiting for the promise of the Comforter (the Holy Spirit).