Bellringer Could you live in a communal society? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of living in one? Could you live in a communal society? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of living in one?

The Church Grows

Persecution of the Church After the death of Stephen, Jewish persecution of the church intensified After the death of Stephen, Jewish persecution of the church intensified Christians had to flee Jerusalem Christians had to flee Jerusalem Taught the gospel as they ran Taught the gospel as they ran Helped the church to grow faster and larger than it had before the persecution Helped the church to grow faster and larger than it had before the persecution

Philip One of the deacons One of the deacons Fled to Samaria Fled to Samaria Preached the gospel to the Samaritans Preached the gospel to the Samaritans Many Samarians became Christians Many Samarians became Christians

Simon the Sorcerer Converted by Philip Converted by Philip Peter and John came to lay hands on the converts Peter and John came to lay hands on the converts Simon saw their power and tried to buy it Simon saw their power and tried to buy it Condemned by Peter for trying to buy the gifts of God Condemned by Peter for trying to buy the gifts of God

Ethiopian Eunuch Phillip met an Ethiopian Eunuch returning from a visit to Jerusalem Phillip met an Ethiopian Eunuch returning from a visit to Jerusalem The eunuch was an apostate (Jewish convert) The eunuch was an apostate (Jewish convert) Eunuch was studying from Isaiah Eunuch was studying from Isaiah Philip talked to him and converted him Philip talked to him and converted him

Conversion of Saul Saul was the main persecutor of the early church Saul was the main persecutor of the early church Had a vision of Jesus one day on his way to arrest Christians in Damascus Had a vision of Jesus one day on his way to arrest Christians in Damascus Saul was left blind Saul was left blind

Paul Saul converts and regains his sight Saul converts and regains his sight Saul is known as Paul from this point forward Saul is known as Paul from this point forward Saul is Hebrew Saul is Hebrew Paul is Greek Paul is Greek Jews saw him as a traitor and became angry at Paul Jews saw him as a traitor and became angry at Paul

Escape from Damascus Damascus Jews planned to kill Paul Damascus Jews planned to kill Paul Paul had to escape Damascus from in a basket lowered over the wall at night Paul had to escape Damascus from in a basket lowered over the wall at night Paul went to met the apostles and other disciples in Jerusalem Paul went to met the apostles and other disciples in Jerusalem Apostles did not trust Paul Apostles did not trust Paul Barnabas defended Paul Barnabas defended Paul

Cornelius A Roman Centurion A Roman Centurion Had a vision to send for Peter Had a vision to send for Peter Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius during Peter’s visit Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius during Peter’s visit Cornelius and is family are the first Gentile (non-Jewish) Christians Cornelius and is family are the first Gentile (non-Jewish) Christians

Jews vs. Gentiles Jewish Christians did not like what Peter had done Jewish Christians did not like what Peter had done Thought the Jews were still God’s chosen people Thought the Jews were still God’s chosen people Peter defended his actions Peter defended his actions Jewish/Gentile conflicts existed in the church for years Jewish/Gentile conflicts existed in the church for years

Antioch A major city in Asia Minor (Turkey) A major city in Asia Minor (Turkey) Had a large Gentile Christian population Had a large Gentile Christian population Apostles sent Barnabas to visit them Apostles sent Barnabas to visit them Barnabas sent for Paul after he arrived at Antioch Barnabas sent for Paul after he arrived at Antioch Followers of Jesus were first called Christians at Antioch Followers of Jesus were first called Christians at Antioch Antioch became a major city in growing the church Antioch became a major city in growing the church

Herod’s Persecution Herod Agrippa I started a persecution of the church to make his Jewish subjects happy Herod Agrippa I started a persecution of the church to make his Jewish subjects happy First government sponsored persecution First government sponsored persecution Beheaded the Apostle James, imprisoned Peter Beheaded the Apostle James, imprisoned Peter Herod died after calling himself God and was eaten by worms immediately on his death Herod died after calling himself God and was eaten by worms immediately on his death

Acts Quiz During which Jewish festival did the church start? During which Jewish festival did the church start? Who gave the first gospel sermon? Who gave the first gospel sermon? What type of society can the first century church be classified as? What type of society can the first century church be classified as? Who was the first Christian martyr? Who was the first Christian martyr? What did Simon the sorcerer do wrong according to Peter? What did Simon the sorcerer do wrong according to Peter? Describe the conversion of Saul. Describe the conversion of Saul. Who was the first Gentile convert to Christianity? Who was the first Gentile convert to Christianity? What city did the word Christian originate in? What city did the word Christian originate in? Who sponsored the first government persecution of the church, and which apostle was killed during this persecution? Who sponsored the first government persecution of the church, and which apostle was killed during this persecution?