"A Study of the book of Acts" by Hiram Kemp - Part 12

August 30, 2026 - Sunday AM Bible Class This episode is the final Bible class of the quarter, taught by Hiram with Neal as co-instructor, walking through Acts 20–28 and highlighting the recurring challenges every church faces. Starting in Acts 20 the class examines Paul’s ministry rhythm—how he deliberately encouraged other believers (spending months building people up), modeled a ministry of encouragement, and prioritized fellowship. Key topics covered include: the ministry of encouragement (Acts 20:1–3; Proverbs 12:25; Romans 12:8), the centrality of corporate worship and the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11; Hebrews 10:24–25), and practical ways to view worship as fellowship rather than entertainment—participation, mutual exhortation, and sacrificial giving (2 Samuel 24:24). The class then turns to the harsh realities Paul faced: false accusation and misrepresentation in Jerusalem (Acts 21), how Christians should respond when misunderstood (gentleness, patient instruction from 2 Timothy 2:24–26; avoid mocking, vengeance, or endless complaining), and the long-term effects of slander that can upend lives while still serving God’s purposes. Listeners also hear about the challenge of evangelism and handling rejection—Paul’s bold, Christ-centered preaching before rulers like Felix, Festus, and Agrippa (Acts 24–26) shows that faithful proclamation does not always produce immediate conversions, but the evangelist is successful when he shares the gospel faithfully (Philippians 1:29; Matthew 5:10–12). Practical takeaways include: cultivate a ministry of encouragement (look for the overlooked; speak life when you see good), prioritize face-to-face worship and mutual participation, give and serve in ways that cost you something, respond to false accusations with humility and instruction rather than anger, and persist in evangelism without equating faithfulness to immediate results. The episode closes by challenging listeners to write Acts 29 in their community—consider what legacy the local congregation will leave and how each member will rise to these timeless challenges.   Duration 44:52