“…May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?”

Acts 17:19

There was once a very intelligent professor that went around to different towns giving lectures.  He was an atheist and he often shared his views hoping that others would agree with him in his thinking.  He was so knowledgeable that at the end of every lecture he would open it up for questions.  He had all confidence that he would be able to answer any question.  On one occasion when he opened it up for questions a man rose and came to the front.  He reached into his pocket and took out an orange and began to peel it.  The professor inquired concerning his question.  There was no response.  The man just continued to peel his orange.  Once it was peeled he began to eat it.  The professor became annoyed and told the man, “Either ask your question or sit down!”

The man responded, “Can you tell me whether this orange is bitter or sweet?”

The professor growing more annoyed with each moment answered, “How do I know whether the orange is bitter or sweet?  I have not tasted it!”

The man replied, “That is my point.  How can you stand there and tell this group of people what Jesus tastes like unless you have tasted Him for yourself?” 

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”  (Psalm 34:8)

This lesson is about a variety of questions in the Book of Acts that were asked by people who have tried (tasted) the goodness of the Lord or those who needed to do so.

In Acts 8 we find a deacon (local church leader) directed by the Spirit to draw closer to an Ethiopian in a chariot.  The deacon heard him reading the Bible and asked, “Understandest thou what thou readest?”

The Ethiopian answered with a question, “How can I, except some man should guide me?” (8:31) He invited Philip into his chariot.

The Ethiopian had been reading from Isaiah 53:7-8 and asked, “I pray thee, of whom speakest the prophet this? Of himself, or of some other man?” (8:34)

The deacon having a wealth of knowledge of the Scriptures and an anointing of the Spirit, began to preach JESUS at the very same Scripture.

Obviously the deacon talked of the salvation plan because the Ethiopian said,  “Here is water. What doth hinder me to be baptized?”  (8:36)

That day the Ethiopian was baptized right there.  Perhaps, this man was responsible for taking the gospel back to Ethiopia.  Look at the tremendous revival the nation of Ethiopia is experiencing now.

In Acts 2 we see that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is poured out on about one hundred and twenty who waited for it in an upper room in Jerusalem. Such excitement was created when they heard them speaking in tongues in languages from all over the world.  In addition, a great atmosphere of praise and worship was manifested on that day.

These happenings caused the Jews to ask, “…What meaneth this?”  (Acts 2:12) The answer became the first sermon preached in the New Testament Church.

Peter began to explain that they were not drunk but this was the promise spoken by Joel in Joel 2:28-29.  His sermon concluded with the salvation plan in Acts 2:38.

This plan was only given after a group of convicted people were pricked in their heart and said,  “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37)

The same answer can be given to any one who becomes convicted of their sins and asks, “What shall we do?”

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:37-39).

In Acts 4:7, members of the Jewish Counsel asked Peter and John, “By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?”  These men knew quite well in whose name this miracle had been accomplished.  In Acts 4:2 we see that they were grieved that they preached through Jesus the resurrection of the dead.  Peter begins to preach a sermon on the name of Jesus concluding with “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) The disciples were convinced that salvation could only be found in the name of Jesus Christ.

In Acts 9:4 it is Jesus who asks a question. “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”  Saul asks, “Who art thou, LORD?”  (It seems like he already knew the answer before he asked the question, doesn’t it?)  Jesus responds, “I am JESUS whom thou persecutest.”

In Acts 10 we see the Holy Spirit being poured out on Cornelius and those gathered in his house.  It was the man of God who asked the question,  “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?”  The response is in the action recorded in Acts 10:48, “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” 

Anyone who has the baptism of the Holy Spirit should go one step further and be baptized in Jesus name as commanded in Acts 2:38 and Acts 10:48.

On the other hand, not being baptized in Jesus name could be a hindrance to some receiving the Holy Ghost.  In Acts 19 Paul met some believers and said to them, “Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” (Verse 2)  These people hadn’t even heard of the Holy Ghost.  This meant that they had not heard that the Spirit was being poured out on believers.  Paul, in trying to figure out how they might not have heard of the baptism of the Holy Ghost, asked the second important question.  “Unto what then were ye baptized?”  (19:3)  These disciples had been baptized under John’s ministry.  In Acts 19:5 we read that “…they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”  As a result, they immediately received the Holy Ghost.

The Phillipian Jailer received a great testimony of God’s power when a great earthquake took place, and the prison doors were thrown open (Acts 16:25-34).

His question was, “…Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (16:30) Millions of people have asked this question throughout history.

This man was instructed to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31).  That very night, he and his entire household were baptized.

As you study through the Book of Acts you will come to the understanding of the answer to the question, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  You must believe, repent of your sins, be baptized in Jesus name, and receive the Holy Spirit.

I trust that you will not be like the last individual we want to mention in this lesson.  He is mentioned in Acts 26:27-29.  The Apostle Paul is being tried before King Agrippa.  However, it seems that King Agrippa is really the one on trial.  Paul says, “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets?” (26:27) Agrippa answers, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” (26: 28)  Paul’s answer is suitable for both Agrippa and all of us, “I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.”  (26: 29)

It’s time to be totally persuaded! Jesus is coming soon!

Answer the following questions given in the Book of Acts.  Use both the answers given in Acts and/or your own words.  Where appropriate, also record the action or response involved.

1. “Men and brethren, What shall we do?”  (Acts 2:37)  Response: _________________

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2. “Who art thou, Lord?” (Acts 9:5)_______

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3. “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized?”  (Acts 10:47)  Response/Action: _____________________

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4. “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?”  Response/Action (Acts 19:2)

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5. “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Response/Action)  (Acts 16:30)__________

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6. “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets?” (Acts 26:27)_________________

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7. “Here is water.  What doth hinder me to be baptized?” Response/Action  (Acts 8:36)  

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8. “What meaneth this?”  Acts 2:12_______

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9. By what power or by what name have ye done this? (Acts 4:7) ___________________

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