READING • ACTS 2
The course is ending, but Bible study is not
You have now reached the final lesson of this course. The purpose of these lessons has never been simply to give you information. They have aimed to help you open the Bible for yourself, understand the gospel, and decide how you will respond to God’s call in the Lord Jesus Christ.
What has this course been about?
Throughout the course we have studied the doctrines and practical teaching of the Bible. The lessons have introduced and explained these subjects, but the authority does not belong to the lessons themselves. The important thing has been to read the Bible passages and test what has been taught against the Word of God.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
2 Timothy 3:16 • King James Version
The Bible is not intended merely to increase our knowledge. God’s Word calls men and women to know Him, to understand His purpose, to believe the gospel and to allow that knowledge to change the direction of their lives.
Looking back over what you have learned
During these sixty lessons you have encountered the main themes of the Bible and many of the people through whom God revealed His purpose. You have considered Abraham and David, Israel and the prophets, the life and teaching of the Lord Jesus, and the work of his apostles.
THE COURSE HAS SHOWN
WHY IT MATTERS
The gospel is found throughout Scripture
The good news of God’s Kingdom and salvation in Christ is rooted in both the Old and New Testaments.
Israel is important in God’s purpose
The history of the Jewish people, the promises and the prophets help us understand God’s continuing purpose with the earth.
Jesus is the Son of God
His sinless life, death and resurrection are central to God’s way of salvation.
Jesus will return to the earth
The Christian hope looks forward to resurrection, judgement and the establishment of the Kingdom of God.
God calls for a response
Knowledge becomes meaningful when it leads to faith, repentance, baptism and a changed life.
Knowledge by itself is not the destination
Bible knowledge is valuable because it brings us face to face with God’s invitation. The question at the end of the course is therefore not only “What have I learned?” but also “What will I do with what I have learned?”
What does it mean to become a Christian?
In the New Testament, becoming a Christian was not simply adopting a label or joining a religious organisation. People heard the gospel, believed it, repented, were baptised and then began a new life as disciples of Jesus.
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12 • King James Version
The call of Christ is the same in every country. Culture, language and circumstances vary greatly, but the gospel does not provide different ways of salvation for different peoples. Every disciple is called to the same Lord, the same hope and the same basic pattern of faith and obedience.
Why are there so many churches?
A thoughtful student may naturally ask why people who use the same Bible belong to so many different churches and hold so many different beliefs. Christian history contains many divisions, traditions and competing interpretations. The existence of those divisions does not remove our personal responsibility to examine Scripture carefully.
Paul warned that there would be times when people would prefer teachers who confirmed what they wanted to hear rather than accepting sound teaching. His warning gives us a principle that remains useful: religious teaching must be tested by the Bible rather than accepted merely because it is popular, old, new or widely practised.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;”
2 Timothy 4:3 • King James Version
“And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
2 Timothy 4:4 • King James Version
This course has presented a Christadelphian understanding of the Bible. You should continue to check that understanding for yourself. Like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, receive teaching thoughtfully and search the Scriptures to see whether it is so.
The question becomes personal
The gospel eventually brings each of us to a personal question. The Bible does not only describe what is wrong with the world; it also speaks about what is wrong within us. We all need God’s forgiveness and the salvation He offers through His Son.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
Romans 3:23 • King James Version
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 • King James Version
Recognising our need does not mean becoming hopeless. It means recognising that we cannot direct our lives independently of God and still reach the life He offers. Jeremiah expressed this dependence clearly:
“O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.”
Jeremiah 10:23 • King James Version
“What shall we do?”
Acts 2, the reading for this lesson, records the preaching of Peter in Jerusalem. His hearers came to understand that they had to respond personally to what they had heard. Their question was simple and urgent: “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,”
Acts 2:38 (excerpt) • King James Version
The same sequence has appeared throughout this course. First comes hearing and understanding the gospel. Then comes belief, repentance and baptism. Baptism is not the finishing point. It is the beginning of a life in Christ.
STEP
WHAT IT MEANS
Understand
Continue learning the essential teaching of the gospel from Scripture.
Believe
Become personally convinced that God’s Word is true and that His promises will be fulfilled.
Repent
Acknowledge sin and turn towards a new way of life under the teaching of Jesus.
Be baptised
Be immersed in water into Christ, identifying with his death and resurrection.
Continue
Read, pray, remember Christ, meet with fellow believers and keep growing as a disciple.
Do not be pressured
Baptism is too important to be the result of pressure, excitement or a desire to please another person. You may need time to think, ask questions and study particular subjects again. That is entirely appropriate. The aim is not to hurry you into a decision but to help you reach a decision based on understanding and conviction.
Questions are welcome
If some parts of the course remain difficult, tell your tutor. Ask about anything you do not understand or anything with which you disagree. A sincere question is not a failure of faith; careful examination is part of responsible Bible study.
Practical next steps
The original form of this course was designed for postal correspondence. Today the method of contact may be different, but the next steps remain essentially the same.
1. Review Lessons 1-59. Mark important passages in your Bible and make a list of questions or subjects you want to study again.
2. Tell your tutor what you have thought about the course. Explain which lessons helped you most and which subjects still need clarification.
3. Continue reading the Bible every day. If you use the Bible Companion plan, it takes you through the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice in a year.
4. Ask to be put in contact with Christadelphians if there is an ecclesia or group reasonably near you. Meeting believers gives opportunities for further study, worship and fellowship.
5. Ask for additional reading on subjects that especially interest or concern you.
6. If you want more instruction before baptism, ask your tutor about the next course or other suitable study material. The original course recommends The Milk of the Word, a further 125-lesson Bible course.
7. If you now believe the teachings studied in the course and are seriously considering baptism, tell your tutor clearly that you would like to discuss the next stage.
What happens if I ask for baptism?
Lesson 31 explained the meaning of baptism. Before baptism, it is important that a person understands the essential gospel, knows what baptism represents and has considered the practical commitment involved in becoming a disciple of Jesus.
The source course explains that a student who asks for baptism will normally have further discussion or questions about Bible teaching and Christian life. Christadelphians will then arrange personal contact where possible so that the student can talk through these matters. The exact arrangements may vary according to country and circumstances.
“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?”
Acts 8:36 • King James Version
New Testament baptism is immersion in water. If a person is ready and suitable arrangements can be made, baptism can take place wherever there is enough water for this purpose. The important things are understanding, faith, repentance and the sincere decision to belong to Christ.
After baptism
A baptised believer becomes part of the worldwide family of brothers and sisters in Christ. Where there is a local ecclesia, the new disciple can share its worship, teaching, fellowship and weekly Breaking of Bread. Where believers are isolated, contact, teaching material and encouragement can still help them maintain their life in Christ.
Baptism does not mean that every difficulty disappears or that the disciple will never fail. It means beginning a new life in which we seek to follow Jesus, ask God for forgiveness when we sin, grow in understanding, serve others and wait for the return of the Lord.
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead ... even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:4 (excerpt) • King James Version
The end of the course - and the beginning of the journey
Reaching Lesson 60 is an achievement, but the Bible cannot be completed in the way that a course can. There will always be more to learn. Continue reading, comparing passages, praying for understanding and putting the teaching of Christ into practice.
If you are not yet ready for baptism, continue studying. If you need help, ask for it. If you believe the gospel and have decided that you want to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, then do not allow the end of the course to become the end of your response.
Your next step
Contact your tutor by the method you normally use - email, message or post. Say what you now believe, ask any remaining questions, and explain whether you wish to continue studying, meet Christadelphians or begin preparing for baptism.
VERSE TO LEARN • ACTS 2:38
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”
Christadelphian Bible Mission • Box CBM, 404 Shaftmoor Lane, Birmingham B28 8SZ, UK
CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE MISSION • 5
CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE MISSION • 5