Partakers Christian Podcasts

8. Church Begins - Forward in Unity Acts 15v13-35   James, the brother of Jesus and writer of the epistle of James, was not an apostle. He delivered the coup-de-grace to the Judaism argument with a direct appeal to the Word of God. God had already spoken on the matter! Quoting Amos 9v11-12, James reminded them that the prophet had declared that 'David's fallen tent' was be restored and that this would involve the in gathering of all the Gentiles who bear the Lord's name' (Acts 15v16-18). This is fulfilled, James says, in all that Peter had described (Acts 15:14). The church of Jesus Christ was all along intended to encompass both Jew and Gentile and, one by one without discrimination, they are brought to the same faith by the same Lord. The gospel is for all nations. This, James showed, was 'the mind of God", in the Scripture'. 1. Deliverance Proposed The Lord's brother then proposed the motion that was to become the finding of the Jerusalem Council. This consisted of two main parts: The first was the defini

7. Church Begins - Problems Arise Right mouse click or tap here to save this Podcast as a MP3. Acts 15:1-4 "Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can't be saved."  Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.   They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers.   When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all things that God had done with them. At its beginning, the apostolic church was one church under the unitary leadership of the apostles.  It had an expanding eldership, often called presbyters, bishops or overseers.' From earliest days, the church had a simple but well-de

6. Church Begins - Paul is sent Right mouse click or tap here to save this Podcast as a MP3. Acts 9:10-31 “Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.” 9:11 The Lord said to him, “Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying, 9:12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.” 9:13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem. 9:14 Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel. 9:16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” 9:17 Ananias departed, and enter

5. Church Begins - Paul's Conversion Acts 9:1-6 But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,  and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he travelled, it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him. He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He said, "Who are you, Lord?"  The Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  But rise up, and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do."  The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one. Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank. The conversion of Paul is perhaps the most famou

4.  Church Begins - Let's Get Organized Today we go back to the beginning of Acts 6.  So far in the book of Acts, we can see that the Church has come under attack by the world (through persecution) and satan (through deceit & moral compromise). A new crisis has appeared.  Unable to destroy the church by way of persecution and deceit, satan now tries to create a split in the church by getting believers to argue and fight with each other.  If satan had succeeded in creating an implosion within this church, the only church in existence at the time, then the effects could have been devastating.  I have had people tell me they want a church without any form of organizational structure.  If a church has no organizational and leadership structure then it will soon have chaos instead of harmony, and will collapse rather than grow.  Of course, some leaders are corrupt or make wrong decisions as we have seen already, but Godly leaders will not be corrupt and as we shall see, make decisions that are wise and based

3. Church Begins - Persecution Right mouse click or tap here to save this Podcast as a MP3. The world was changing, particularly for the Jewish people.  They were still under the rule of the odious Romans, in the land God had given them.  For centuries they had been expectant of a Messiah, a King, to rise up and rid them of the Roman oppressors.  When the Messiah, Jesus Christ, did come - they missed Him.  They had misunderstood what the Messiah was to do.  The Messiah was not to lead a political revolution as they thought, but rather lead a spiritual revolution, bring people back into relationship with God.  The worldview of the Jewish people needed to be changed.  When worldviews need wholesale change of focus, problems arise.  The embryonic church, followers of Jesus Christ the Messiah, was soon to feel pressure to change back. Its not long into the book of Acts, and therefore the history of the church, that persecution arises.  We see the first stages of this persecution in Acts 4v1-4. "As they spoke t

2. Church Begins - Power & passion Right mouse click to save this Podcast as a MP3. 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth." 1:12-14 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. When they had come in, they went up into the upper room, where they were staying; that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Acts 2:1-2  Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place.   Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. As we saw last ti

1. Church begins - Catalyst Jesus' resurrection is the catalyst for the mission of the church, beginning with the disciples and throughout history.  Indeed, the growth and spread of the church, is a proof of the historical fact of Jesus' physical resurrection or rising from the dead.  Having been raised from the dead, Jesus' mission to earth is coming to an end and shortly He will be returning to the right hand of the Father. Before He does so though, He has some more words to say to His disciples.  Lets read Acts 1v1-12 for what happened between His resurrection and ascension. The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking about God's Kingdom. Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, "Do

  Easter Part 7 Jesus meets people today As we have seen, the good news is that Jesus is still living. The remainder of the four Gospels and the beginning of the book of Acts tell us a little more of what Jesus did before He ascended into the heavens. But Jesus still meets with people at the present time. How does He do this? Jesus walks with us, where ever we go and in particular in the darkest periods of our life. Just as he did with the two people on the road to Emmaus, he walks with those who proclaim to follow Him (Mark 16:12-13, Luke 24:13-32). Jesus speaks whenever the Bible is faithfully preached and read from, just as He opened the eyes of those on the Emmaus road when He explained the Scriptures (Luke 24:27). Jesus meets us in the Communion or Lord’s Supper, with the bread and wine, which symbolise His flesh and blood as an act of remembrance of what He did for humanity. But that is not the end, because Jesus has promised that He is coming again. Not as a baby next time, but as an all conquering

Easter Part 6 Significance and consequences of Jesus' Resurrection Significance 1 The resurrection of Jesus Christ provided the central theme for the sermons and teaching in the early church (Acts 1:22; Acts 4:33, Acts 17:18) and certainly within Paul-ine theology. But what significance is there in Jesus’ resurrection? Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all, as to the child bor

Easter Part 5 Dealing with doubts concerning the resurrection Yet people still doubt. Let us say Jesus didn’t rise from the dead. Surely the authorities, both Jewish and Roman, would have produced his dead body in order to quench this new movement! But they didn’t, and the reason they didn’t is because there was no body to produce! Would the disciples have really risked death for telling and maintaining a lie about the risen Jesus? They were beaten, confused, defeated and dispersed men until they saw Jesus truly did rise from the dead. After seeing Him, they were transformed and victorious people.   I have had people say to me that somebody (even the disciples) stole the body. Hardly likely, and if that had occurred, for what reason? How would they have got past the Roman Guard and moved the stone a great distance from the tomb? This very reason is what the Jewish authorities tried to perpetuate by way of a bribe: “Now while the disciples of Jesus were going, behold, some of the guards came into the city

Easter Part 4: Jesus is Alive! 1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”’ 8 Then they remembered his words. 9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did n

  Easter Part 3: Why did Jesus go to the Cross? All human beings, in their natural state, are born sinners and have rebelled against God (Romans 3:23). However, because of Jesus’ death on the cross God offers forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7), Peace (Romans 5:1) and reconciliation with Himself, so that we are no longer His enemies (2 Corinthians 5:19). Through the cross of Jesus Christ, and only through the cross, we are made just before God (Romans 3:24-26), it cleanses us from sin (1 John 1:7) and makes us right before Almighty God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Because of the Cross of Jesus Christ, we can have direct access to God (Ephesians 2:18) and Jesus Christ intercedes for us (Hebrews 2:17-18). Because of Jesus Christ’s death on a Roman cross, all those who follow Him have freedom from the power of slavery to sin (Galatians 5:1) and freedom from the power of the devil (Hebrews 2:14). None of the above things are true if a person does not follow Jesus. The cross of Jesus Christ is amazing love in action and is ig

  Easter Part 2: Jesus’ Trial, Crucifixion, Death and Burial These words were spoken of the coming Messiah, by the prophet Isaiah centuries before Jesus Christ. See, my servant will act wisely he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness (Isaiah 52:13-14) Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:10-11) Jesus Condemned 1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and ag

  Easter Part 1: Jesus Prepares & Serves 1. Jesus Prepares 12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, ‘Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ 13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, ‘Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, “The Teacher asks: where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.’ 16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me – one who is eating with me.’ 19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, ‘Surely you don’

“Jesus - our hope” ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:1-6) A good Christian friend of mine recently died. I am sure you know others as well. My friend is now more alive than ever before! Why? Because Jesus was his hope. Let us learn together today at how and why Jesus Christ can be our hope! Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our Partakers books! Please do click or tap here to visit our Amazon site!

Exploring The Bible 24. New Testament Gospel of John - A.D. 80-90   G'day and welcome to our series, "Exploring the Bible" This is also the title of our latest book available on Amazon by clicking here or visiting PulpTheology.com Key Verses: John 1:1-5 John 20:28-31  John was writing his Gospel sometime after the other three writers, probably about AD 90. He had built up a considerable fellowship of disciples for whom he was now writing, so he is more concerned with the meaning of what happened than the facts behind the events. He presents the person and work of Jesus Christ in such a way that everyone should believe in Him as the Son of God, the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. John’s argument portrays Jesus as the God-Man. John records miracles and messages that affirm both Jesus’ deity and humanity. He builds his record around Jesus’ public ministry, private ministry, the cross, and the resurrection. The result is a Gospel worthy of much careful thought and meditation. Click or Tap here to listen

Exploring The Bible 24. New Testament Gospel of Luke - AD 60-61   G'day and welcome to our series, "Exploring the Bible" This is also the title of our latest book available on Amazon by clicking here or visiting PulpTheology.com Key Verses: Luke 1:3-4 Luke 19:10   Luke presents Jesus as the God-Man, a saviour for the entire world. He writes primarily for Gentiles in the Roman and Greek world. He does this from a broad vantage point that is compatible with the fact that he is himself Greek. Luke traces Jesus’ incarnation, introduction, public ministry, rejection, subsequent teaching in view of His rejection, the cross, resurrection and ascension. Even though a Gentile, Luke emphasizes the kingdom program, with Israel's place in the kingdom, but he makes it clear that the kingdom is for all people. Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file ~ You can now purchase our Partakers books! Please do click or tap here to visit our Amazon site! Click or tap on the appropriate link below to s

Psalm 24 1 The earth is Yahweh’s, with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell therein. 2 For he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the floods. 3 Who may ascend to Yahweh’s hill? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive a blessing from Yahweh, righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face—even Jacob. Selah. 7 Lift up your heads, you gates! Be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory will come in. 8 Who is the King of glory? Yahweh strong and mighty, Yahweh mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, you gates; yes, lift them up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory will come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? Yahweh of Armies is the King of glory! Selah. Click or Tap here to listen to or download this as an audio mp3 file

Psalm 45 45:1 My heart overflows with a noble theme. I recite my verses for the king. My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer. 45:2 You are the most excellent of the sons of men. Grace has anointed your lips, therefore God has blessed you forever. 45:3 Strap your sword on your thigh, mighty one: your splendor and your majesty. 45:4 In your majesty ride on victoriously on behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness. Let your right hand display awesome deeds. 45:5 Your arrows are sharp. The nations fall under you, with arrows in the heart of the king’s enemies. 45:6 Your throne, God, is forever and ever. A scepter of equity is the scepter of your kingdom. 45:7 You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows. 45:8 All your garments smell like myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad. 45:9 Kings’ daughters are among your honorable women. At your right hand the queen stand