Unstoppable Power to Rescue Acts 9:32-43

Introduction Theme of Acts: The Unstoppable Advance of the Good News of the Kingdom

Acts 9:1-19a Saul’s conversion. The persecutor of Jesus becomes a citizen of the Kingdom of God Acts 9:19b-31 Saul the persecutor becomes Saul the preacher of the Good News of the Kingdom Acts 9:32-43 Peter heals Aeneas and raised Tabitha Acts 10 Peter declares Good News to Cornelius Acts 11:1-18 Peter answers for his actions Acts 11:19-30 Barnabas and Saul go to the church in Antioch Acts 12 James is martyred | Peter escapes from prison Acts 13-14 Barnabas and Saul sent of first missionary journey and return Acts 15 Peter defends Paul and Barnabas in the Jerusalem Acts 16 Mostly about Paul

Introduction Power over: Sin Disease Death External Jewish persecution Internal Jewish opposition External Roman persecution

Unstoppable power to rescue from disease (Aeneas) and death (Tabitha) Healing tapering off Why miracle at this time? Result of healing: (1) rejoicing (2) more believed Result and purpose need not be the same

Jesus healing paralyzed man Luke 5  24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.

Jesus raising little girl Mark 5 After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”).

Peter is authenticated of God’s apostle But to whom? Aeneas implied a disciple (Acts 9:32) Tabitha definitely a disciple (Acts 9:36 The result of miracles probably not the purpose for miracles to authenticate Peter Purpose is seen in what follows – the conversion of Cornelius

The Unstoppable Power that Rescues the Enemies of the Kingdom God rescues a Roman soldier of the Italian Regiment God earlier rescued Saul Today: God rescued Mosab Hassan Yousef

Mosab Hassan Yousef

s/o Hassan Yousef

Video (27:44-32:00)

The Unstoppable Power over Social Rejection Acts 9 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon. Tanning is dirty, smelly work Tanning not ceremonially defiling Tanning social looked down upon

The Unstoppable Power over Social Rejection Conversely, ceremonially clean because of the water source for cleansing Picture of Peter: accepts social humility but ceremonially clean

Conclusion The Unstoppable Power of the Good News of the Kingdom is not fiction. William Ramsey Adolf von Harnack The case of Rufus

Conclusion Mark 15 21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. Romans 16 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.

Conclusion Today, the Good News continues to win enemies of the King to a new life. (e.g. Mosab Hassan) When we do not hear God  when we are not ready for the answer