Acts of the Apostles, #4 The Expansion of the Church to the Gentiles (to the remotest part of the world) Acts 11: :16

This section of 11: :16:  begins with the establishment of the Church at Antioch.  records that the disciples there were first called “Christians”.  and we see Antioch becoming the new center of the expansion of the Church.

But we also see that:  although Paul generally appealed “to the Jew first”, it was the Gentile (both proselytes & heathen) that comprised the greatest response.  it was general Jewish rejection /Gentile acceptance that fueled the growth of the Church independent of Judaism.

Key Points of the Story from chp.11:  Remember how the chapter began, vv (covered this morning).  Connections to previous texts: -v.19a > 8:4 -v.19b > chp.10 -v.20 > 11:18  The Church at Antioch became the first center of the Gentile Church. So, here we go.

Key Points of the Story from chp.11:  The famine predicted, vv  This famine was and would further become an opportunity of uniting of Jew and Gentile, vv > Rom.15:25-27.

Key Points of the Story from chp.12:  The Persecution in Jerusalem continues. >Herod (Agrippa I- grandson of Herod the Great who ruled when Jesus was born, see also chp.26) “laid hands on some who belonged to the church, in order to mistreat them.” >He killed James and arrested Peter, vv.2-3 >Peter’s miraculous escape, vv.5-23 >Herod died, but the church grew! vv.24-25

Key Points of the Story from chp.13:  The Beginning of the First Missionary Journey of Barnabas and Saul/Paul. >Events in Cypress: Elyamus & Sergius Paulus, vv.4-12 >Paul Preaches at Antioch of Psidia: (vv.13-42) -traces the history of Jesus from the birth of the nation in Egypt > Jesus. -Sweet Refrain: Jesus crucified, raised, witnessed, & forgiveness proclaimed.

Key Points of the Story from chp.14:  Problems/Persecution in Iconium, vv.1-5  They fled to Lycoania, Lystra, & Derbe, vv.6-7: -Paul & Barnabas worshipped for healing a lame man, vv a Sermon ensues, vv Jews from past cities arrive & stir up the crowd > Paul stoned, vv.19ff

Key Points of the Story from chp.15:  Gentiles & Circumcision becomes a problem in the Church. >Judean men came to Antioch and taught the essentiality of circumcision of Gentiles, vv.1ff. >The Church sends Paul & Barnabas to Jerusalem, vv.2-5. >Apostles & Elders of the Church made a decision based on inspired testimony and scripture, vv >The Second Mission Journey was begun to revisited the churches previously established, vv.36ff.

Key Points of the Story from chp.16:  We’re introduced to Timothy at Lystra, vv.1-5.  The Gospel is preached in Europe: the Macedonian Call, vv  The Conversion of Lydia, vv  Paul & Silas jailed, vv  Their Jailer is converted, vv

Key Points of the Story from chp.17:  Success and trouble at Thessalonica, vv.1-9.  The Noble Bereans, vv  The “Unknown God” of the Athenians, vv

Key Points of the Story from chp.18:  Aquilla & Priscilla and the work at Corinth, vv  The completion of the Second Journey, vv  The Third Journey begun, vv.23-28: >Apollos corrected at Ephesus by Priscilla & Aquila.

Key Points of the Story from chp.19:  The Events at Ephesus: > the baptism of John’s disciples, vv.1-6 > the success at Ephesus, vv.8-12 > the seven sons of Sceva, vv > Demetrius & the Silversmiths stir up the city against Paul, vv > Paul departs for Macedonia, 20:1

Key Points of the Story from chp.20:  The Third Journey Continues: >He went through the Macedonian region, > & spent three months in Greece, vv.2-3 > Some of the company he sent ahead to Troas, vv.4-5. > Upon arrival in Troas, he “broke bread” with the disciples and preached a long time, vv >He spoke to the Ephesian Elders, vv

Key Points of the Story from chp.21:  Paul continues pressing back to Jerusalem: > He visits brethren along the way at Tyre and Ptolemias, vv.1-7. > And stops off in Caesarea at the house of Philip, vv.8-9. > It is while there that Agabas (a prophet from Jerusalem, cf.11:28) warned him not to enter Jerusalem, vv.10-16, to no avail.