Peter and Evangeline (“Vangi”) started their journey of faith with simple acts of obedience that they clearly identified in Scripture. Yet hearing God’s voice remained a mystery. Peter heard others talk so easily about hearing from God, but he wondered how it worked, “Do they actually hear a voice? Is it a feeling?"
Then he found himself reading in Acts 15 about the apostles and elders sending some chosen men out to minister in Antioch, and was riveted by these words:
“... it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,” (Acts 15:25 NKJV) and then again later, “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us ...” (Acts 15:28 NKJV)
It seemed good to them?! They weren't even really sure, but they went out, and the work was blessed. He could certainly relate to that. “If something seemed good to me, and the Holy Spirit was involved, I was willing to give it a go.”
Not long after, loading the family into the car for Sunday church, Peter had an odd sensation, a sudden strong impression that he should give his banker friend Roy £15. It seemed good to him initially, but then he began to talk himself out of it. “What could he possibly need with such a small amount of money? I’ll look stupid.”
When He saw Roy at church he eventually worked up the courage to give him the money. He crumpled up the bill, and stuck out his hand “Roy, I feel I should give this to you.”
“Pete, why did you do this?”
“Well, it seemed like the right thing to do.”
“My wife and I are facing a huge decision right now, and this morning I said ‘Please, Lord, let something really unusual happen in church this morning.’ And here you walk up to me and give me £15!”
Questions
- Have you ever had an experience of an odd sensation or impression to bless someone like Peter had? What was your response? How did it turn out?
- According to 1st Kings 19:11-13, how did God speak to the prophet Elijah? Perhaps more interestingly, how did he NOT speak to him? What can this teach us about ways that God can communicate?
- In Acts 15:24-29, What was the situation in which the apostles needed to hear from God? To what degree do you think that "being assembled with one accord" factored into their decision?
- What are your observations on the apostle's instructions in Acts 15:28-29? What can this teach us about what "seems good to the Holy Spirit"?
Bible Study Verses
Acts 15: 24-29
24 For as much as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
1 Kings 19: 11-13
11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:
12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
