berean challenge & FELLOWSHIP

Acts 17:10-1210 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now these people were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12 Therefore, many of them believed, along with a significant number of prominent Greek women and men. 

GUIDELINES & INSTRUCTIONS

1. Complete a thorough reading and exegesis of the assigned Scriptures. The word exegesis means to to study and dig the actual meaning out of the text. These Scriptures relate directly and indirectly to the questions involved in the rapture of the Church. If you discover addition Scriptures in the New Testament that relate to the challenge, please include them in your study as well. Send me a text referring to the Scriptures that should be added in the list below.


2. When your exegesis of the New Testament texts are complete, consider Old Testament texts
(cf., Daniel) as you deem appropriate to the process of understanding the answers to this challenge.


3. Prepare for a Berean Fellowship (a mutual examining of the scriptures on the assigned date).
Plan on sharing a simple meal (fully potluck) and about two hours to examine this Scriptures in "noble effort to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11)!


4. The examination of the scriptures during the Berean Fellowship will be limited to the Scriptures themselves and original languages. We will NOT discus or listen to sermons or teachings from tv personalities, preachers, YouTubers, or podcasters, etc. We will only examine the Scriptures. 


5. I, your Pastor-Teacher, will exercise my full authority (1 Corinthians 16:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 4:13; 5: 17; Hebrews 13:17, 24) in guiding the challenge and fellowship. I will in no way force my beliefs on any member of the Body of Christ at Christ Church (1 Peter 2:8; 5:1-4) nor those who may be observers only. I will not correct and treat anyone shamefully who disagrees with me on matters that are non-essential. However, I will unapologetically confront and address all heretical teaching on what is considered essential and Gospel-priority. I will use my full authority to ensure that all who engage are responsible in their understanding of God's Word and require all to prove their belief in obedience to the Scripture, the Gospel, and the Holy Spirit. 


- Christopher A. Perry

CHALLENGE 1: The Rapture of the church

DECEMBER 1, 2024, 5 PM - PART I

Study the list of scriptures below in preparation for this Berean Fellowship series. 


DECEMBER 15, 2024, 12:00 PM - PART II

Special assignment: do a critical reading of Matthew 24-25.


FEBRUARY 2, 2025, 12:30 PM - PART III

Special assignment: do a critical reading of Mark 13; Luke 21.


MARCH 9, 2025, 12:30 PM - PART IV

John 3:36; 5:25-29; 6:39-40; 11:24; 14:1-3, 28-29; Acts 1:6-8, 9-11; Romans 1:18-19; 2:5-8; 3:5-8; 4:15; 5:6-11; 8:18-25; 9:22; 12:19; 


BIBLICAL TEXTS TO STUDY FOR OUR NEXT SESSION:

Matthew 3:7; 10:16-20, 23; 16:27-28; 23:34-39; 24–25 (24:15-30; 24:36-39; 24:40-42); 25:1-13; 26:64; Mark 8:38; 13; 14:62; Luke 12:39-59; 17:20-37; 21:7-38; John 3:36; 5:25-29; 6:39-40; 11:24; 14:1-3, 28-29; Acts 1:6-8, 9-11; Romans 1:18-19; 2:5-8; 3:5-8; 4:15; 5:6-11; 8:18-25; 9:22; 12:19; 1 Corinthians 1:4-9; 15 (50-58); 2 Corinthians 1:14; 4:13-14; 5:9-10, 20; Ephesians 2:3; 4:30; 5:6; Philippians 1:6; 3:20-21; Colossians 3:4-6;
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; 2:16, 19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:1-28; 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 10; 2:1-12; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 2:11-13; 4:1, 8; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 9:23-28; 10:19-39; James 5:7-8; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 4:12-13; 5:4; 2 Peter 3:3-7; 8-13; 1 John 2:28-29; 3:2; 4:17; Jude 1:14-16 (cf., Matt 16:27; Mark 8:38;
Luke 9:26); Revelation 1:4-7; 3:3, 6–18; 4:1; 11:12; 12:1-17; 13:5-7; 16:15; 19:11-16; 20:1-15 (4-6); 21:8; 22:20.


I will use the NASB 2020 for this challenge. You may use the translation of your preference. 


Key questions for this Berean Challenge:

  1. What is the rapture?
  2. Does Jesus know more about the "end" than Paul?
  3. Does Paul know more about the "end" than Jesus?
  4. Does John know more  about the "end" than Jesus or Paul?
  5. Is the rapture of the Church and the return of Jesus the same event?
  6. Who will be raptured?
  7. When will the rapture take place?
  8. Will the rapture take place before, during, or after the Great Tribulation?

This document provides a brief sketch of Scriptures related to the belief of the rapture of the church, the second coming of Jesus, and the coming judgment of God. This document is not exhaustive and does not provide comprehensive exegesis and commentary to argue for a specific theological position. This document provides comment for discussion and to prompt additional study. 


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