Lessons From Acts Lesson 3 Gospel spreads to

Lessons From Acts Lesson 3: Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12)

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) • Review of Acts 7 – Stephen: one of the 7 that were chosen – Did great signs and wonders • Jewish leaders could not resist him • Set up false witnesses – Covered the full Jewish history and brought it home to them. – Stoned with the consent of Saul – What Stephen saw

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) • Preview of Saul – 7: 58 – witnesses laid their coats at the feet of young man named Saul – 8: 1 – Saul consented to the death of Stephen – Persecution begins and scatters disciples throughout Judea and Samaria – Saul at the forefront of this persecution

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) Philip (one of the 7 chosen) went down to Samaria

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) • Philip preached Christ to them (8: 5 -8) – ‘Seeing the miracles’ which Philip did – They heeded the things spoken by Philip – Great joy in the city • Simon the Sorcerer (8: 9 -13) – Previously well known and was thought a man with the power of God – He believed and was also baptized

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) • Peter and John sent to Samaria (8: 14 -25) – Laid hands on those there so they could receive the Holy Spirit – Simon saw this and tried to buy the same ability and was rebuked by Peter • Philip sent by the an angel of the Lord to the road from Jerusalem to Gaza (8: 26)

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12)

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) • Philip met an Ethiopian eunuch of great authority under Queen Candace of Ethiopia (8: 27 -34) – He was returning from worshipping in Jerusalem – He likely had seen or heard of the great things happening there – He was reading in Isaiah 53 (9: 32 -33) • Philip taught him Christ from that scripture forward (8: 35)

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) • Ethiopian man said “see, here is water…” – Where did Philip mention baptism? • “If you believe, you may” • The good confession: “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (8: 37) • Eunuch baptized and went on his way rejoicing. • Philip “caught up” by the Spirit and found in Azotus (miles away)

Saul goes to Damascus

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) • Going there with letters from the high priest to bind and bring those of “the Way” to Jerusalem (9: 1 -2) • Jesus had a different plan (9: 3 -16) – Bright light, Jesus speaks to him and gives him instructions – Paul led (blind) to Damascus – Ananias fearful but obedient to his vision – Saul a “chosen vessel” to the Gentiles, kings and Israel.

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) • Ananias meets Saul (9: 17 -25) – Saul fasting and praying for 3 days before they meet – Ananias speaks to and touches him and his vision returns – Immediately he was baptized and begins preaching, proving Jesus was the Christ – Disciples skeptical at first, Jews eventually plot to kill him but he escapes with help

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) • Saul comes to Jerusalem (9: 26 -31) – Disciples would not receive him – Barnabas took Saul to the apostles – He spoke boldly in the name of Jesus • Brethren sent him to Caesarea and on to Tarsus for his safety • Churches throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) • Peter’s ministry in the areas surrounding Jerusalem (9: 32 -43) – Went to Lydda, healed Aeneas – Then called to Joppa where Dorcas had died, raised her – Many believed on the Lord – Peter stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) • Vision of Cornelius (10: 1 -8) – Vision to a Gentile – Devout, generous, God-fearing man and household – Prayers heard answered – Told to send for Peter which he did • Peter’s vision (10: 9 -20) – Vision of lawfully “unclean” animals – Peter told to kill and eat

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) • Peter’s vision (cont’d) – Peter refuses saying they are unclean but is told God has cleansed them and not to call them “unclean”. Repeated 3 times • Servants of Cornelius arrive and Paul leaves with them (10: 17, 21 -24) • Upon meeting Peter, Cornelius bows and worships him but Peter quickly corrects him

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) • Peter explained his hesitance based on the law, but also what he learned from his vision • Peter preached “the Message” but used “they killed Him” here • While preaching, Holy Spirit came on all of them. The Jewish among them were amazed at this • Peter commanded they be baptized and they were

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) • Peter has now truly learned that “the Message” is for both Jew and Gentile • Now others need to learn this. • Jews in Jerusalem confronted him about associating with these Gentiles (11: 2 -3) • Peter recounts his vision and what happened there (11: 4 -15) • “Then he remembered” (11: 16) • “…who was I that I could withstand God? ”

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) • Gospel continues to spread now to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch (to Jews mostly) and great numbers are believing • Barnabas is sent to Antioch (11: 22 -24) – He encourages the brethren • Barnabas goes to Tarsus to get Saul and brings him to Antioch (11: 25) • Disciples called Christians first at Antioch (11: 26)

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) • Agabus, from Jerusalem, comes to Antioch and prophesies about the famine to come. • Saul and Barnabas chosen to take collected “relief” to Judea – Pattern • Each gave of their own ability • Sent via trusted messengers • Given to the elders

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) • Herod caused trouble with the church – Kills James the brother of John – Seized Peter and put him in prison with 16 soldiers to keep him until after the Passover • Constant prayer offered for Peter by the church (12: 5, 12) • Angel of the Lord woke Peter, the chains fell off and he was led out of the prison • Peter thought it was a vision until he was out

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) • Lessons/Patterns – Evangelism • Not for selfish gain (Simon) • Opportunity (Ethiopian eunuch) – Zeal • Can be misplaced (Paul) if not of truth – Gospel is for all (Jew, Gentile…everyone) • Peter and Jewish Christians in Jerusalem – Giving • Pattern for financial relief collection and delivery (Judea)

Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8 -12) – Prayer • Church earnestly/constantly praying for Paul • Many gathered for the purpose of prayer