DOCSLIB.ORG

Lesson #7 (Chapters 11 & 12) Peter Explains Baptizing Gentiles and The

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Lesson #7 (Chapters 11 & 12) Peter Explains Baptizing Gentiles and The Lesson #7 (Chapters 11 & 12) Peter Explains Baptizing Gentiles and the Church Grows Peter Reports to the Jerusalem Church: Acts 11 1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began and explained it to them in order: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. 6 Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ 10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 11 And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. 13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?” 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” The Church is Scattered into Antioch of Syria 19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. I. Saul of Tarsus RE-ENTERS the Acts narrative HERE in chapter 11; He had been “waiting for God’s direction … II. The Biblical Principle of Waiting A. Moses tended sheep on the plains of Midian for 40 years (until age 80) B. David was anointed King by Samuel, then David waited 13 years before he reigned as King C. Elijah confronted the “evil empire” then stayed at the brook Cherith for 1½ years; then he moved to obscure Zarephath D. Joseph, would-be- Prime-Minister of Egypt: but first he would be slave, house-boy, accused rapist, and prison dweller E. Esther would courageously face her husband to King (Persia); but she first spent years in the shadows --- waiting F. How does your resume read? … Typically God’s way has a lot of “waiting in it” Psalms 27:14 NIV Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalms 37:7 NIV Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him. Psalms 37:34 NIV Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you. Psalms 62:5 NIV Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Psalms 91:1 NIV He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalms 94:17-19 NIV Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Isaiah 40:31 NIV Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 49:23 NIV Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed. Hosea 12:6 NIV You must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always. G. “Hurry” is rarely in scriptures; “hurry up” is more in our vocabulary because WAITING goes against human nature III. Finding Saul in the Shadows A. Saul in Tarsus for 5 or 6 years; Paul will later reflect on what he learned Romans 8:25 NIV But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. B. Our culture says just the opposite: “If you’ve got it, FLAUNT it” … “Go for it” … “You deserve it” … “Name recognition is everything” (no reference to the depth of your character or motive of your actions) IV. Meanwhile, A Revival is Happening among Gentiles without Saul’s Help\ V. Church was growing by leaps and bounds: Acts 11:19-21 NIV Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. Acts 11:22 NIV News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. A. Barnabas (from Cyprus – Acts 4:36) knew culture, people, an encourager B. “Saul will fit right in” … and he did! The Church MULTIPLIED Acts 11:23,24 NIV When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. C. If you want to grow the church, bring people to the Lord VI. Meanwhile, Saul of Tarsus was likely hunkered down in a cave near Tarsus! (Much later, Paul will recall what was happening to him! … 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 NIV I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know — God knows. And I know that this man — whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows — was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. 2 Corinthians 12:7,9-10 NIV To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me … But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. VII. The Time for Saul to Emerge from the Shadows A. Antioch is swelling with new converts to Christ and Barnabas needs help Acts 11:25-26 NIV Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. B. Saul made a difference because Saul was DIFFERENT … in the shadow of the Almighty he had been humbled Four Principles for Waiting: 1st: When God prepares a person for effective ministry, He includes what the person would rather omit – (a period of WAITING!) 2nd: As God makes a person wait, He shows that person is that he/she is not indispensable – that’s humbling! 3rd: While hiding the person away, He reveals new dimensions the Word (The Bible)– giving understanding! 4th: When God finally chooses to use the person, it comes at a time least expected, when he/she feels least qualified (more effective!) 27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • FROM PENTECOST to PRISON Or the Acts of the Apostles
    FROM PENTECOST TO PRISON or The Acts of the Apostles Charles H. Welch 2 FROM PENTECOST TO PRISON or The Acts of the Apostles by Charles H. Welch Author of Dispensational Truth The Apostle of the Reconciliation The Testimony of the Lord's Prisoner Parable, Miracle, and Sign The Form of Sound Words Just and the Justifier In Heavenly Places etc. THE BEREAN PUBLISHING TRUST 52A WILSON STREET LONDON EC2A 2ER First published as a series of 59 articles in The Berean Expositor Vols. 24 to 33 (1934 to 1945) Published as a book 1956 Reset and reprinted 1996 ISBN 0 85156 173 X Ó THE BEREAN PUBLISHING TRUST 3 Received Text (Textus Receptus) This is the Greek New Testament from which the Authorized Version of the Bible was prepared. Comments in this work on The Acts of the Apostles are made with this version in mind. CONTENTS Chapter Page 1 THE BOOK AS A WHOLE............................................................... 6 2 THE FORMER TREATISE The Gentile in the Gospel of Luke ........................................ 8 3 LUKE 24 AND ACTS 1:1-14........................................................ 12 4 RESTORATION The Lord’s own teaching concerning the restoration of the kingdom to Israel .......................................................... 16 The question of Acts 1:6. Was it right?............................... 19 The O.T. teaching concerning the restoration of the kingdom to Israel .......................................................... 19 5 THE HOPE OF THE ACTS AND EPISTLES OF THE PERIOD................ 20 Further teaching concerning the hope of Israel in Acts 1:6-14............................................................... 22 6 THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE ACTS AND ITS WITNESS Jerusalem - Antioch - Rome................................................ 26 7 RESTORATION, RECONCILIATION, REJECTION The three R’s.....................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Study of Acts – Discussion Notes Chapter 12
    Study of Acts – Discussion Notes Chapter 12 Introduction Most likely you will see yourself in Acts 12. Chapter 12 will teach us much about how we should pray and how we should respond to what we perceive as unanswered prayer. As we have already seen, our Lord delights in surprising us with answers and events that are beyond our imagination. Often, while we are praying expecting very little, God has already done something great. Sometimes what God does is so great that we have a hard time accepting it as being the answer to prayer. Chapter 12 gives us a moment to chuckle at the church and thus chuckle at ourselves. Content 1. James Martyred and Peter Jailed (vs. 1‐5). What was Jesus’ nickname for John and James (Mark 3:17)? Son’s of Thunder. Why do you think Jesus gave them this nickname? Consider the woman at the well, Zacchaeus or Nicodemus and you will have the answer to that question. Jesus knows the heart of all men and women. He does not have to wait to hear our testimony. He knows our personality and our inner most thoughts. He knew James and John were men who possessed thunder‐like qualities. On one occasion, Jesus and His disciples were traveling through Samaria on their way to Jerusalem when they ran into trouble. Jesus attempted to find accommodations for the night in one place but was met with opposition from the villagers, simply because His destination was Jerusalem—a result of Jew‐Samaritan prejudice. “When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?’” (Luke 9:54).
    [Show full text]
  • Acts 12:1-25 – Date: the Events in This Chapter Occur Exactly 13 Years After the Resurrection
    Acts 12:1-25 – Date: The events in this chapter occur exactly 13 years after the resurrection. The Great Famine occurred in 44 AD. This is when Queen Helena from northern Mesopotamia came to help the Jews. Herod Agrippa I died in 44 AD. James would have been decapitated in 43 AD. Paul and Barnabus would have arrived in Jerusalem in 43 AD with financial aid for the believers. Focus: God protects church and eliminates the political threat. Question: Why does James get killed, but Peter receives angelic assistance? 12:1 – King Herod Agrippa I Grandfather was Herod the Great Grandmother was Mariamne, the Hasmonean princess, Herod the Great’s favorite wife. Father was Aristobulus who was born in 10 BC, but drowned in the baths at Jericho by Herod’s soldiers on Herod’s orders because Herod consider the son of a Hasmonean princess a threat to his Jewish crown. Agrippa was 3 years old at the time Agrippa was raised in Rome and grew up with the future Roman Augustus 31 BC-14 AD (“friend” of Herod Great) emperor Claudius (41-54 AD) Tiberius 14-37 AD Friend of his son Drusus and Drusus, the son of the current emperor Tiberius (14-37 AD) Caligula 37-41 AD Friends of Caligula Agrippa overspent his money and returned to Israel poor and held Claudius 41-54 AD Grew up together Nero 54-68 AD no significant position Agrippa had become friends with Caligula who became emperor in 37 AD. Emperor and friend Caligula gave Agrippa the title “king” and placed him in charge of territory in northern Israel in 37 AD When Herod Antipas (ruled Galilee, Perea; decapitated John Baptist) died in 39 AD, Caligula added Galilee and Perea to Agrippa’s territory.
    [Show full text]
  • Work of the Spirit Lesson
    Acts Chapters 11 and 12 Lesson 9 FIRST DAY: Review and Overview 1. What did God draw your attention to in Acts 10? 2. Don’t be dismayed when you experience spiritual warfare! Spiritual opposition arises when we are being effectively used by God. This is clearly demonstrated in our text this week. The Apostle Peter was used by God to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. After a revival broke out, he was brought before the church council in Jerusalem. There, Peter testified of the glorious work of the Holy Spirit. Not long after Peter was exonerated by the council, King Herod threw him in prison. However, God was not through with the apostle; He had even greater plans to accomplish! In fact, God used the opposition against Peter to increase his effectiveness and spread the Gospel further. As you read Acts 11 and 12 take special note of how God used spiritual opposition for His glory. Write a title for each section: a. Acts 11:1–18 b. Acts 11:19–30 c. Acts 12:1–17 d. Acts 12:18–25 3. Ask God to help you persevere to victory through any spiritual opposition this week. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. Acts 11:23 ©2013 Calvary Chapel Women’s Ministries—3800 S. Fairview Rd., Santa Ana, CA 92704. http://women.cccm.com SECOND DAY: Read Acts 11:1–18 1. What did the apostles and brethren in Judea hear? Acts 11:1b 2.
    [Show full text]
  • The Conversion of Paul Acts 8:26-40
    Acts 2:1-15 - The coming of the Holy Spirit Acts 3:1-10 - Peter heals a crippled beggar Acts 4:1-21 - The apostles are imprisoned Acts was written by a chap called Luke, yes the same guy who wrote Luke’s Gospel. In fact, Acts is kind of like a part 2, picking up the story where the Gospel ends. Acts 8:26-40 - Philip preaches to the Ethiopian We think Luke was a doctor – Paul calls him doctor in his letter to the Colossians and the way Luke describes some of the healings and other Acts 9:1-19 - The conversion of Paul events makes us think he was an educated man and most likely a doctor. Acts 9:19-25 - Paul in Damascus Our best guess is that it was written between AD63 and AD70 – that’s Acts 9:32-43 - Aeneas healed & Dorcas brought back to life more than 1,948 years ago. It was written not long after the events described in the book and about 30 years after Jesus died and was raised Acts 10:19-48 - Peter and Cornelius to life again. Acts 12:4-11 - Peter arrested and freed by an angel Luke himself tells us at the beginning of his Gospel that he wanted to write about everything that had happened – he was actually with Paul Acts 13:1-3 - Paul and Barnabas sent off on a few of his journeys. He says that the book is for Theophilus (easy for you to say!), we think he was a wealthy man, possibly a Roman Acts 14:8-18 - Paul heals the crippled man in Lystra official.
    [Show full text]
  • 5 Inspiring Lessons from the Life (And Death) of Dorcas Heather Adams | Contributing Writer 2021 24 May
    5 Inspiring Lessons from the Life (and Death) of Dorcas Heather Adams | Contributing Writer 2021 24 May Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Ridofranz “In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas)...” (Acts 9:36a). Dorcas is mentioned only briefly, in the New Testament book of Acts. Yet she has been the subject of poems, paintings and even stained-glass art pieces. In the Catholic faith, feasts have been observed in her honor, along with other women who were very active in ministry for the early church. Why is there so much admiration for someone who only appears once in Scripture? Part of the reason can actually be found in the reaction of those that knew her, as they saw her illness and death. The story of this Godly woman offers insights for Christians who want to make a real difference in their communities. Who Was Dorcas? Dorcas, or Tabitha, lived in Joppa, an important port city overlooking the Mediterranean sea. She kept busy there as a seamstress, and her days were filled with activities that brought relief to the needy, especially widows. The fact that so many gathered to mourn her hints at how well-known and respected she must have been. And it was the widows’ affection for her that led them to seek the Apostle Peter’s help. He may have responded to their pleas in part because he had heard of her important work for the Lord in that area. The account of Dorcas is found in Acts 9:36-42. It occurred when Peter was staying in Lydda as he travelled around the region encouraging “the Lord’s people” (Acts 9:32).
    [Show full text]
  • Give Glory to God Acts 12:20-24 Glory; Death; Herod; God’S Preservation 7/29/18; Grace Church of Lockeford; 414; #48
    Give Glory To God Acts 12:20-24 Glory; Death; Herod; God’s Preservation 7/29/18; Grace Church of Lockeford; 414; #48 Introduction “This is for the purpose of showing how the persecution of Agrippa I subsided.”1 “The early church had no “political clout” or friends in high places to “pull strings” for them. Instead, they went to the highest throne of all, the throne of grace. They were a praying people, for they knew that God could solve their problems. God’s glorious throne was greater than the throne of Herod, and God’s heavenly army could handle Herod’s weak soldiers any day or night!”2 “Having set the innocent Christian leader free, God now put the guilty Jewish Roman leader to death.”3 1. Because Glory Is His By Right Of Preservation v. 20 Having made – πείθω (peithō) persuade; convince. To persuade v. — to cause somebody to adopt a certain position, belief, or course of action. Verb, aorist, active, antecedent participle, plural, nominative, masculine. “Perhaps the famine (Ac 11:28) made them the more urgent for reconciliation.”4 “If Judea was able to supply food to its neighbours in any quantity, this was clearly not the time of the famine mentioned in 11:28–30 (cf. 12:19, 25 notes on the dating of these events).”5 “Made their friend (πεισαντες [peisantes]). First aorist active participle of πειθω [peithō], to persuade. Having persuaded (probably with bribes as in Matt. 28:14).”6 “People cannot rate themselves higher than they deserve without opposing God, who commands all flesh to keep silence so that he may retain the preeminence.”7 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Acts 12:25–14:28 Is the Record of Paul's First Missionary Journey
    1 Ted Kirnbauer (rev. 6/23/15) Acts 13 6/7/15 Acts 12:25–14:28 - Paul’s First Missionary Journey The map at the end of this document is helpful in tracing Paul’s steps. 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, taking along with them John, who was also called Mark. 13:1 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. After Barnabas and Paul (accompanied by John Mark) had finished their journey to Jerusalem for famine relief for the churches in Judea (Acts 11:29-30), they went back to Antioch (12:25). In 13:1 the leadership at the church in Antioch is mentioned. It consisted of five men who were prophets and teachers. Antioch was a cosmopolitan city and these five men also pictured the ethnic and cultural diversity of Antioch. Barnabas was from the island of Cyprus. Saul was educated in Jerusalem but was born in Tarsus (in the eastern part of modern day Turkey). Simeon was called Niger (which means black or dark skinned), and he was probably a black North African. Lucius was from Cyrene (North Africa); Manaen belonged to the elite Roman society that occupied Israel, and was a childhood friend of Herod the tetrarch. 13:2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 13:3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
    [Show full text]
  • ACTS 12:4 – Floyd Nolen Jones, Th.D., Ph.D
    EASTER - PASCHA – ACTS 12:4 – Floyd Nolen Jones, Th.D., Ph.D. A typical “problem” or “unfortunate translation” offered against the King James Bible is found in Acts 12:4 where the Greek word “pascha” (πασχα) is rendered “Easter” instead of “Passover”. Although “Passover” is the usual correct rendering, the context of Acts 12:1-4 is unmistakable that it should not so be translated in this instance. Modern versions translate “pascha” as “Passover” here and in so doing rather than correcting a mistake, they actually insert one. As the King James is the only English translation available today that has made this proper distinction, the apparent error sets it clearly apart from and above all others (the 1534 William Tyndale, the 1557 Geneva Bible, the 1539 Great Bible [Cranmer’s], the 1568 Bishops’ Bible as well as other pre-King James English versions also read “Easter”). Pascha occurs 29 times in the New Testament. The KJB translators rendered it “Passover” the other 28 places in which it appears. As there was no Greek word for Easter at that time, the Holy Spirit also chose pascha at Acts 12:4. Here the reader is reminded of the meticulous procedure to which the King James Bible was subjected and the large number of different scholars throughout England that critiqued its production. The point is that these learned men clearly knew that “pascha” normally should mean “Passover” – for they so translated it the other 28 times. Therefore, Acts 12:4 is neither a mistranslation nor an oversight! It is the result of a deliberate calculated decision on the part of many dedicated Christian scholars of the first rank.
    [Show full text]
  • Spiritual Liberation
    SPIRITUAL LIBERATION by Father Frank Marangos “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.” Acts 12:7 Christians who trust in God are spiritually liberated. This is one of the lessons that can be gleaned from a thoughtful reflection of the scriptural account of Saint Peter’s miraculous escape from imprisonment (Acts 12). In fact, one may correctly assert that it was the angel of trust – of faith in God – that liberated Peter from his bodily fetters. Trust delivered Moses and his fellow Israelites from the pursuing Egyptians at the Red Sea. Trust sustained Joseph while he languished in Pharaoh’s prison. Trust gave young David victory over Goliath and answered Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the whale. It was this same trust in God that emboldened the Apostle Peter’s faith before the Sanhedrin and finally unlocked the iron gate of his unjust captivity. The detailed story of Saint Peter’s chained imprisonment is described in the 12th chapter of the Book of Acts. King Herod Agrippa, the grandson of Herod the Great, was fearful of the early Christian community. In fact, he murdered James, the brother of John the Evangelist, and imprisoned Peter. Agrippa was so terrified of Peter’s societal influence, that he had him shackled between two heavy chains and guarded by a garrison of “four quaternions (16) of soldiers” (Acts 12:4-6). Miraculously, on the night prior to his execution, an angel was sent by God to release Peter from his harsh confinement.
    [Show full text]
  • Acts 12: 1-19 Rev
    “Yes, We Really Do Mean Abolition”: Acts 12: 1-19 Rev. Kaeley McEvoy Westmoreland Congregational UCC Sunday, August 2, 2020 During my last year of seminary, I shared a classroom with 20 incarcerated women at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in Bedford Hills, New York. Bedford Hills is the largest maximum security women’s prison in New York State and houses 900- 1,000 women each year. Once a week a group of 12 students from Union Seminary, and our Professor, Dr. Lisa Thompson, would get in a large van and drive the 45 minutes down the Taconic parkway from upper Manhattan to the prison facility. After moving through three sets of security stations, checking ids, metal detectors, for three hours on Wednesdays, the learning corridor of the prison became a classroom of shared experience. My classmates at Bedford Hills were smart. Like did all of their reading, highlighted the thesis statements, smart. They were also funny. Like abs hurt from laughing funny. And because Bedford Hills has a seeing eye dog training program, some of the women also had dogs beside them in our classroom. Every week, there would be one or two moments, when I would forget that we were in a maximum security prison. A dog would successfully sit for the first time and our class would collectively cheer. Once a dog let out a bark precisely after a student finished a presentation and we all laughed. Each week the dogs would share a slobbery welcome with their tongues and my classmates and I would likewise ask each other how we were doing this particular week.
    [Show full text]
  • Notes on Acts 11Ish to 12Ish Acts 11:19-21 – The
    Notes on Acts 11ish to 12ish Acts 11:19-21 – The Church in Antioch: The Gospel proclaimed to Hellenists Connection back to 8:1, after the martyrdom of Stephen and the great persecution chased disciples of Jesus out of Jerusalem to the regions of Judea and Samaria Now we hear of this evangelism outreach to Phoenicia, Cyprus (home of Barnabas), and Antioch, but at first the Word was spoken only to Jews (11:19) Then some men of Cyprus and Cyrene spoke to the Hellenists too “Hellenists,” either means “Greek-speaking Jews” or “Greeks,” that is Gentiles or (non- Jews). Which is more likely? Their message: Jesus is Lord (not Jesus is the Christ) (11:20) Acts 11:22-24 – Jerusalem sends Barnabas to Antioch Barnabas was originally from Cyprus (Acts 4:36-37), later Barnabas spoke up for Saul in Jerusalem (9:27) Barnabas sees God’s grace, and is glad; he exhorts them to remain faithful to the Lord Barnabas was a good guy (no one else in Acts described this way) – full of the Holy Spirit and of faith A great many were added (Acts 2:41, 47, 5:14) to the Lord Acts 11:25-26 – Barnabas brings Saul to Antioch As numbers increase in Antioch, Barnabas gets Saul from Tarsus (9:30) to help For a year Saul and Barnabas teach the people In Antioch, the disciples were first called Christians Acts 11:27-30 – Antioch sends Barnabas and Saul with relief to Jerusalem Prophets in Acts (11:27, 13:1, 21:10) Agabus foretells a great famine which took place in the time of Claudius (r.
    [Show full text]