Lesson 2: Gospel Spreads to Jerusalem Acts 3-7 Lessons From Acts

What Promise did Jesus make? (Acts 1:8) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 2) You shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem

Quarter Overview

Peters 2 nd Sermon (Acts 3) Lame man begs Peter see’s an opportunity – Silver and gold have I none but … Immediately his feet and ankles … – leaped up, stood, and walked—praising God People filled with wonder – They knew this 40+ year old man (4:22) – People “ran” to see

Peters 2 nd Sermon (Acts 3) Why do you marvel? – God’s Power (Not Ours) You denied the Holy One and the Just – You asked for a murder – Killed the Prince of life – You did it in ignorance – God foretold this

Peters 2 nd Sermon (Acts 3) The Message – God Sent Him – You Killed Him – God Raised Him – We are witnesses Now repent and be converted – Every soul who will not hear … Every Prophet since Samuel has foretold To you first (Jew)

Peter and John Arrested (Acts 4) Rulers furious and arrested them Many heard and believed (5,000 men) All the rulers come out (v. 5-6) By what power do you do this? – Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit … – Let it be known to you all and to all the people of Israel it is by the name of Jesus – “The Message” inserted (v. 10)

Peter and John Arrested (Acts 4) Rulers dilemma – Marveled at the boldness of the “uneducated and untrained men” – Must stop the spread (5,000 men) – Commanded them not to speak “at all” nor teach in the name the name of Jesus Peter and John response? Ac 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

Peter and John Arrested (Acts 4) So they threatened them more and sent them away Peter and John reported the happenings to their company – Prayed for boldness – Prayed for the signs continue What do you think about God’s response v31

Sharing and Deceiving (Acts 5) What happens at the end of chapters 2 & 4? Ananias and Sapphira deceive – Wanted the praise and credit – Actions show their true selves Great fear falls on the church and all who heard these things

Conflict Continues (Acts 5) Many signs and wonders Christ the watershed (v ) – Some dared not join (fear) – Believers Increases Brought sick  “lest the shadows” – They were all healed

Conflict Continues (Acts 5) High Priest w/ Sadducees were filled with indignation and arrested them again – Angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, released them and told them to go stand in the temple and preach. Council called for them and …. – Apostles are gone (doors closed, guards in place) – Preaching in the Temple – Brought them in quietly

Conflict Continues (Acts 5) Did we not tell you to stop this – You have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine intending to “bring His blood on us” Response – We should obey God rather than man – “The Message” (v ) Gamaliel’s advice Beat and released – Rejoiced they were counted worthy to suffer – Continued preaching daily

Servants (Acts 6) Widows were being neglected Apostles summoned disciples – We need to be about the Word – You seek out men to put over this need – We will devote ourselves to pray and the word Seven chosen Focus

Servants (Acts 6-7) Stephen (one of the selected men) – Did great wonders and signs False witnesses brought against him Stephen begins with Abraham and shows how this is all the plan of God Stephen ends with “you stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resisted the Holy Spirit, as your fathers did, so do you. – They killed those who prophesied of Jesus

Servants (Acts 6-7) They were cut to the heart and gnashed at their teeth – He preached – They screamed and “stopped their ears” They stone Stephen Stephen – I see heavens opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God – Lord, receive my spirit – Do not charge them