Acts of the Apostles – Living Education

Course Overview

Welcome to Acts of the Apostles. This course focuses on the growth and development of the early church, and the travels and ministry of the Apostle Paul. The course explores the book of Acts in its historical and contextual setting. The book contains an underlying chronological path which helps trace the growth and the development of the Church in the regions Paul served—Asia Minor, Greece, and Italy. It also provide insight into the interactions between the apostles as they carried out their work and the details of the CE 49 Apostolic Conference at Jerusalem.

The Apostle Paul’s ministry included three apostolic tours in the regions of Asia Minor and Greece where he evangelized, raised up congregations and ordained elders—The First Apostolic Tour (47-48 CE), The Second Apostolic Tour (50-52 CE), and The Third Apostolic Tour (53-57 CE). As the book of Acts ends with Paul’s civil confinement in Rome (under a form of house arrest) ca. 60 CE, the question remains as to where Paul traveled immediately after his release. The Learn More shares light interesting topic that we hope students will find engaging.

INTRODUCING THE INSTRUCTOR AND THE COURSE

The Instructor

Dr. Meredith was one of the first evangelists ordained by Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong in 1952 and spent 64 years in the Work that Christ began through Mr. Armstrong. He was active in the Work until his death on May 18, 2017. The Living Church of God, which Dr. Meredith raised up, has more than 350 congregations in 55 countries worldwide.

The Course

God gave the Holy Spirit to His Church on the Day of Pentecost in 31 CE. It had been an unforgettable 50 days for Christ’s disciples. Their Teacher had come back from the dead after a brutal execution, and had taught them for 40 days. In one instance, more than 500 people saw Him (1 Corinthians 15:6). The disciples ate with Him, talked with Him and even touched the wounds where His body had been pierced. But that was not all. After 40 dramatic days of instruction, the Savior ascended into the clouds, while His disciples watched with wonder and amazement. But He did not leave them alone—He promised to give them something that would empower them with spiritual vitality they had never before experienced (Luke 24:49).

Luke describes Christ’s encouraging words. “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now’” (Acts 1:4–5). This momentous 50th day was the day of Pentecost—the day of miracles—the day the New Testament Church began!

“Acts of the Apostles” reviews the account of the early days of the New Testament church, through the eyes of Luke. Listen to Dr. Meredith as he follows Luke’s account of these exciting days, almost 2,000 years ago.

Unit One: The Church Begins

Unit Two: Apostolic Tour

Unit Three: Paul’s Imprisonment

Course Structure

The lectures in this course by Dr. Roderick C. Meredith, Presiding Evangelist of the Living Church of God, are expositions of the Book of Acts, using the New King James Version, providing students with a verse-by-verse analysis and explication. The content proceeds chronologically as that is how Acts was laid out by its author Luke. The focus is on the literal content and meaning of the written text in its first-century context. Use this opportunity to make notes in your Bible.

Please note that “Acts of the Apostles” is organized differently than our previous course, “Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ”.

Lectures

All the lectures are grouped together. This will allow you to watch or listen to all the lectures from this unit at your convenience, without interruption. In addition to the video and audio media, there are three study questions to whet your appetite for the lecture, followed by the written transcript, and a quiz review following the transcript.

Learn More

We’ve placed additional information related to this lesson under theresources tab. This includes a variety of items that will further your study, in conjunction with the lectures.

Final Quiz

This section of the unit challenges you to review what Dr. Meredith taught in this lesson, and take the final quiz of the unit. This is your chance to test your knowledge and show what you know! We’ve also included a scripture review to practice a selection of memory scriptures taken from the lessons.

The Church Begins

August 15, 2019/in LivingEd - Online Learning /by Editorial Staff

God gave the Holy Spirit to His Church on the Day of Pentecost in 31 CE. It had been an unforgettable 50 days for Christ’s disciples. Their Teacher had come back from the dead after a brutal execution, and had taught them for 40 days. More than 500 at one time had seen Him (1 Corinthians 15:6). The disciples ate with Him, talked with Him and even touched the wounds where His body had been pierced. But that was not all. After 40 dramatic days of instruction, the Savior ascended into the clouds, while His disciples watched with wonder and amazement. But He did not leave them alone—He promised to give them something that would empower them with spiritual vitality they had never before experienced (Luke 24:49).

Luke describes Christ’s encouraging words. “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now’” (Acts 1:4–5). This momentous 50th day was the day of Pentecost—the day of miracles—the day the New Testament Church began! What happened on that amazing Day of Pentecost in 31 CE?

On the day of Pentecost Jesus’ followers were seated (Acts 2:2) in a building. The notion of them meeting in the “Upper Room” where Jesus instituted the Christian Passover is a myth. The Temple Court, a single structure about one quarter of a mile in circumference, was a massive complex with hundreds of rooms. The colonnade at the southern wall, known as the Royal Stoa or Solomon’s Portico, was its probable venue as it was open toward the Temple court. Its exposed access allowed for people in the Royal Stoa to be easily seen and heard from the outside the colonnade. The apostles then were immediately accessible to Jews and proselytes gathered for the festival.

Introduction

Lectures

Learn More

Conclusion

Apostolic Tour

August 15, 2019/in LivingEd - Online Learning /by Editorial Staff

When the Apostle Paul and his traveling companions arrived in Jerusalem in 57 CE for Pentecost, with the gifts from the churches of Greece and Asia Minor, the brethren “welcomed them gladly” (Acts 21:17). The next day he and his companions met with James, the presiding apostle at Jerusalem, and the headquarters elders. The sense of it is that this was a private meeting. Paul gave a full report telling “in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry” (Acts 21:19). The response by James and all the elders as recorded in Acts 21:20-25 deserves some thoughtful analysis. Luke appears to have summarized various comments and advice into a single overall statement as follows:

“You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality” (Acts 21:20-25).

Introduction

Lecture

Learn More

Conclusion

Final Quiz

Paul’s Imprisonment

August 15, 2019/in LivingEd - Online Learning /by Editorial Staff

“You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality” (Acts 21:20-25).

When the Apostle Paul and his traveling companions arrived in Jerusalem in 57 CE for Pentecost, with the gifts from the churches of Greece and Asia Minor, the brethren “welcomed them gladly” (Acts 21:17). The next day he and his companions met with James, the presiding apostle at Jerusalem, and the headquarters elders. The sense of it is that this was a private meeting. Paul gave a full report telling “in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry” (Acts 21:19). The response by James and all the elders as recorded in Acts 21:20-25 deserves some thoughtful analysis. Luke appears to have summarized various comments and advice into a single overall statement as follows:

Introduction

Lecture

Learn More

Conclusion

Final Quiz

Please Log In

Please log into your learning portal and enroll in this class for free.

Login

Course: Acts of the Apostles
Category: Biblical Studies
Skill Level: Basic
Number of Lessons: 13 Lessons
Price: Free
Language: English

Watch lectures

You can watch and listen lectures with our app (more information).

Links

Transcriptions

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the programs intended for?

The online program is for members and attending prospective members of the Living Church of God. There are no age restrictions beyond the ability to read and study the Bible. Internet access, an individual email address and a MyLCG account are required.

How much does the online program cost?

The goal of the Living Church of God is to provide educational materials for its members at no cost; therefore, there is no tuition charge to take a Living Education-Online course.

Am I able to move through the online course at my own pace?

The “active” online course will run on a particular time schedule, however, you can move at a slower pace and finish the course even after it is no longer the “active” course being offered. However, when the course completes its designated schedule, it is no longer actively supported.

Need Help?

Course Overview

INTRODUCING THE INSTRUCTOR AND THE COURSE

The Instructor

The Course

Course Structure

Lectures

Learn More

Final Quiz

The Church Begins

Introduction

Lectures

Learn More

Conclusion

Apostolic Tour

Introduction

Lecture

Learn More

Conclusion

Paul’s Imprisonment

Introduction

Lecture

Learn More

Please Log In

Course: Acts of the Apostles

Category: Biblical Studies

Skill Level: Basic

Number of Lessons: 13 Lessons

Price: Free

Language: English

Watch lectures

Links

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the programs intended for?

How much does the online program cost?

Am I able to move through the online course at my own pace?

OUR INITIATIVES

WHO WE ARE

HEADQUARTERS

Course Overview

INTRODUCING THE INSTRUCTOR AND THE COURSE

The Instructor

The Course

Course Structure

Lectures

Learn More

Final Quiz

Introduction

Lectures

Learn More

Conclusion

Introduction

Lecture

Learn More

Conclusion

Introduction

Lecture

Learn More

Please Log In

Share

Watch lectures

Links

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the programs intended for?

How much does the online program cost?

Am I able to move through the online course at my own pace?

OUR INITIATIVES

WHO WE ARE

HEADQUARTERS