This study was first taught on November 15, 2020

Topic: Have You Been With Jesus?: What it Means

(use the audio to study)

---

Background
Last week, we looked at “The Rejected Stone”. In the course of the witness/defence of Peter and John before the Sanhedrin, they mentioned an age-long scriptural proverb, “The stone the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone”. In application, they pointed out that Jesus Christ is the rejected stone, and they (the Sanhedrin), the builders who rejected Him.

Today, we find many church leaders acting in the mold of the Sanhedrin, rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ, as they turn their backs on the true gospel in favour of a false prosperity gospel, which is no gospel at all! We also noted that the building are the believers in Christ who must understand that without Jesus Christ, there is no salvation, and they are nothing! We, thus, admonished us not to be Israel in the wilderness who missed the Rest of God because of unbelief and hardness of heart!

Scripture Text(s)
Acts 4:7-13
Peter and John gave an impassioned defence, shaming the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin on their part were wroth at the impetuosity/effrontery of Peter and John and wondered where such a disposition had come from, given that they were not literate in letters neither were they trained in religion nor by any of the well-respected Rabbis. Finally, they got to realize that Peter and John had been companions or close associates of Jesus—Himself unlearned by their standard (<strong>John 7:15</strong>).

For our study, we shall be looking at the conclusion which wrested, as it were, the amazement of the Sanhedrin, in the form of a question . . .
There is a distinction to be made between being with Jesus, being to Jesus, being to see Jesus, and being to hear Jesus. What we are focusing on is the being with Jesus and what it means or portends.
Matthew 11:28; John 7:37; 3:1ff; 12:20-21; 7:46ff; Mark 3:13-15; John 1:29-42; Luke 5:1-11; John 6:60-71; Genesis 5:21-24; Mark 14:43-46; 1 John 3:7-18; John 3:34; 2 Kings 2:15; Numbers 11:16-17; 2 Corinthians 3:16-18; 6:11-18; 7:1-2; John 14:23-24.

Conclusion
The question, “Have you been with Jesus?”, is about whether we are having constant and consistent interaction/fellowship with the Lord, whether we are in a vibrant and ongoing personal relationship with Him, whether we have surrendered to Him in our hearts (<strong>Isaiah 66:1-2</strong>), and whether we are living the crucified/resurrected life—living by the power of the Holy Spirit (<strong>Romans 6:5-18</strong>).

Put differently, we can ask, Are you intimate with Jesus? Has He rubbed off on you? Can you be mistaken for Him (<strong>John 1:6-8</strong>)? Can or does the Lord confide in you (<strong>2 Corinthians 12:2-4; Jeremiah 23:18</strong>)? An affirmative answer to any of these questions is an indicator that we have been, and are still being with Jesus!

---

Back to all Bible Study Outline List