The Bible Study Program (audio)

Luke now recounts what took place with those who first embraced Jesus as Lord and Savior, how they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and the prayers.

With a large crowd gathering, Peter points back to King David, who foresaw that the Messiah would be resurrected and that what the crowd witnessed—the tongue speaking and praise of the apostles—was the work of the Holy Spirit.

Peter defends the accusation that the “tongue speaking” is due to drunkenness by saying it is only 9 am, then he goes to Joel chapter 2 saying what is seen is prophetic. Then he moves on his first sermon showing that what was observed is a fulfillment of prophesy.

With the gathering of the disciples, the Holy Spirit fell on them and they began to speak in other tongues, which amazed them all. Those non-followers of Jesus thought the speakers were drunk.

The apostles, again met in the “upper room” in a house in Jerusalem where they had often gathered, and Peter stared it was necessary to replace Judas who betrayed Jesus, and the “lot” fell on Matthias, a person who had been with them from the early days.

The Twelve, now Eleven, gathered together, in the presence of Jesus, wanted to know when the kingdom of God would be restored to Israel. Jesus told them to wait in the city until the Holy Spirit would empower them.

Luke, the Gentile author of the Gospel of Luke, educated as a physician, undertakes to write a history of the early church. His first volume is the Gospel of Luke, the only account of Jesus’ life written by a non-Jew.

To conclude his letter to the Ephesians, he urges putting on the full armor of God, from the helmet to the sword, and more. Then the ending, a final greeting, and we see Luke’s care for those who will read his epistle.

Paul urges children, basically those still living at home, to obey their parents, and also exhorts parents to treat their children in a godly manner. In that era, 1st century Common Era, about 1/3 of the population were slaves, and Paul writes so that both master and slave treat each other in a Christlike manner.

Marriage among Gentiles, and it is to these Paul is writing, was a far cry from the original intent of the Creator, which Paul now presents to his Gentile (Greek cultured) readers.

Paul now describes how Christians are to live their lives as children of God, walking in love, and this is “agape” love, this love that led Jesus to die for our sins on the cross.

Paul, writing primarily to Gentile Christians, brings them much of what is presented in Exodus 20 with its 10 Commandments, translating these key points.

One of the most profound passages in all of Paul’s letters, here the basic nature of the church—the Body of Christ—is described, along with its functions.

Paul prays that those who follow Jesus in Ephesus and the larger region will understand the depths of love the Father has for all those who are in Christ.

Jesus, crucified, buried on Friday, that day known as “Good Friday,” was raised on the third day, Sunday. He did not raise Himself, but was raised from the dead by God the Father and then appeared first to Mary Magdalene and several other women, then to His disciples.

Paul, a prisoner in a Roman prison, writes to the Church at Ephesus, speaks of the mystery of the Gospel, that word of forgiveness and salvation, now also given to and presented to Gentiles.

Paul explains that Jews and Gentiles are now One in Christ. Paul in Acts 21 is even arrested in the Temple for bringing a Gentile inside it. Now all this has changed as salvation belongs to both Jew and Gentile.

To his readers, both the believers in Ephesus and beyond, Paul makes it clear that no one is forgiven and given the gift of eternal life by anything a person can do. The greatest gift is eternal life, given to us by Him alone.

Paul, while in prison in Rome, about the year 62 AD, has heard of the faithfulness of other churches and sends out a letter to encourage these followers of Jesus.

Paul greets the saints in Ephesus and speaks of the believers blessing they have in Christ, as He chose us to believe in Him. Then proceeds to explain the nature of what we inherit in Christ Jesus.