Messiah Baptist Church of Baesa, Inc.

Wednesday Bible Study

www.messiahbc.com

May 7, 2025

Church Member called "BELIEVERS"

Please find out what were the early church members called. ______________ (Acts 5:14)

Acts 5:14 “And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.”

During that time, can you give the numbers of the members of the early church? ___________ (Acts 4:4)

Acts 4:4 “Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.”

After these five thousand people heard the Word of God, find out what these men also did? _______ (Acts 4:4).

Acts 4:4 “Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.”

A genuine believer is evident when person gladly receives the Word of God.

Acts 2:41 “Then they that ______ ______ his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

Acts 2:41 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

Peter preached the Word of salvation to them and were baptized and the same day there were three thousand persons added to them.

Those who had received His Word were baptized. What a picture, that they did not just hear the Gospel, they welcomed the good news. This marks quite a reversal from the experience of Jesus described by John in John 1:11 “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

The word “receive” in Greek “apodechomai” from “apo” means from then “dechomai” means to take from another for oneself, to receive, to welcome. The same way when you receive or welcome a visitor or guest into your house. It means to receive kindly or hospitably of God’s Word, to receive or embrace heartily.

Only Luke uses “apodechomai” in the New Testament - Luke 8:40; Luke 9:11; Acts 2:41; Acts 18:27; Acts 21:17; Acts 24:3; Acts 28:30.

James uses the root verb “dechomai” in a similar sense in James 1:21 “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”

If receive means to welcome, therefore what do believers receive or welcome into their lives? _____ (Acts 8:14)

Acts 8:14 “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:”

That is why the believers should receive and welcome the Word of God as God’s Word according to I Thessalonians 2:13.

I Thessalonians 2:13 “not as the _____ of _____, but as it is in truth, the word ___ ______, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

There are some people who might say, “I never believe that all what Paul said in his writings because Paul was just a man like me, and therefore all what he wrote are only the words of a man, and a man can mistakes, so it is not reliable.”

How would you encounter that person by using Paul’s words in I Corinthians 14:37 and I Thessalonians 4:15? ________

I Corinthians 14:37 “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.”

I Thessalonians 4:15 “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep”

Do you welcome the Word of God in your life and at home of your heart as your especial guest?

I received the Word of God with joy and gladness in my heart, how about you?

A person who received the Word of God with joy and gladness in the home of his heart and mind and life (Deuteronomy 6:6; Joshua 1:8; John 15:7; Psalm 1:2; Psalm 119:11; and Colossians 3:16).

Are you excited in welcoming the Word of God in your heart and mind and life by receiving them like a guest in your home or do you close the doors of your heart and mind whenever you hear the Word of God?

Why were the Jewish believer in Berea more noble than those Jewish believer in Thessalonica? _______ (Acts 17:11).

Acts 17:11 “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they ________ the ______ with all _________ (eagerness) of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

Acts 17:11 “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

Find out how often these Berean believers search the Scriptures? ____________ (Acts 17:11).

Acts 17:11 “and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

What Jesus wants us to do with the Scriptures? ______ (John 5:39).

John 5:39 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

How often do you personally search the Scriptures? _____

Read the following Scriptures and match them different groups of believers who received the Word of God.

1. ________ Berean Believers A. I Thessalonians 1:6; I Thessalonians 2:13

2. ________ Samaritan Believers B. Acts 11:1

3. ________ Thessalonian Believers C. Acts 8:14

4. ________ Gentile Believers D. Acts 17:11-12

The unbelievers do not want to welcome or received the truth of the Word of God into their hearts.

The unbelievers hate and reject the truth (God’s Word – John 17:17) as described in II Thessalonians 2:10.

II Thessalonians 2:10 “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they _______ not the love of the ______, that they might be _______.”

II Thessalonians 2:10 “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

The unbelievers are judged because they believed not the truth.

II Thessalonians 2:12 “That they all might be damned who ______ ___ the _____ but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

II Thessalonians 2:12 “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

On the other hand, find out what those who were chosen to salvation (true members of Christ’s church), who welcome or received the word of God believed? _________ (II Thessalonians 2:13).

II Thessalonians 2:13 “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”

Illustration of the unbeliever in Luke 8:13.

This description of the unsaved people who “received the Word with joy,”, was a very controversial and confusing for others with regards to eternal security of the believer. Noticeably, the reception of these person did not last for long. It means the Word of God did not find a permanent home in the hearts. This person embraced or welcome the truth at first, but when difficulties in life comes, this person rejected the truth. This person held the truth temporary for only a short time. Complete the missing words in order to know why this person is an unbeliever.

Luke 8:13 “They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, ______ ___ _____ _____ ____; and these have __ ___, which __ __ ____ _____, and in time of temptation ___ ____.”

Luke 8:13 “They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.”

Those believers or received and welcome the truth (Word of God).

1. They are those who realized that God’s promised in the Bible is wonderful.

2. They are those who want to see interestingly in their home the verses that Pastor mentioned if it is really so.

3. They are those pupils who said that the verses in the bible help them to be better student at school.

4. They are those who want to read next chapter at home that follows chapter that Pastor is discussing in church.

5. They are those who want to ask their Sunday school teacher because they didn’t understand Pastor’s explanation.

6. They are those taking notes of the preaching because it helps them to listen attentively.

7. They are those who read the three or four chapter each day, in order to finish the whole bible in a year.

8. They are those who read the Bible and Christian books to their family members who enjoys and blessed.

9. They are those who indeed find memorizing bible verses enjoyable and blessing.

10. They are those who realized whenever they read the Bible they’re reading God’s love letter as personal message.

11. They are those who enjoy taking every opportunity to share gospel of salvation to their family and other people.

Those who do not received and welcome the truth (Word of God).

1. They are those who want the Pastor to stop in his preaching or teaching so they can immediately get home.

2. They are those who feel bored in Sunday school for all they do is study the bible.

3. They are those who give excuses why do not read the bible everyday because they are busy for other things.

4. They are those who expects that the church service is over before the sportsfest they want to watch begins.

5. They are those who said have no time to think bible verses because they have many other things to think about.

6. They are those who would not come to church if their Parents would not tell them to come to church.

7. They are those who said why still come to wed. mid-week service because for them attending Sunday is enough.

8. They are those who receive the Word of God with joy at the beginning but stop because of persecution.

9. They are those who are willing to go to church because the only reason their friends are in the church.

10. They are those who regrets being always in the church because they missed their favorite TV shows on Sundays.