1. Persecution of the Church – Part 2 Acts 8:1-9:4318
Persecution of the Church – Part 2
Acts 8:1-9:43

2. Outline - Acts I. The Ministry of Peter – Acts 1:1-12:19
Peter’s 1st Sermon – Acts 1:1-2:47
Peter’s Post Pentecost Ministry – Acts 3:1-4:37
Persecution of Peter & Apostles – Acts 5:1-42
Persecution of the Church - 1 – Acts 6:1-7:60
Persecution of the Church - 2 – Acts 8:1-9:43
Peter Preaches to the Gentiles – Acts 10:1-12:25

3. Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death
Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
- Acts 8:1

4. 2 Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him
2 Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.
- Acts 8:2-3

5. Saul’s Persecution
Agreed with Stephen’s killing
Wanted to destroy the church
In charge of violent campaign

6. 4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. 6 The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing.
- Acts 8:4-6

7. 7 For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 So there was much rejoicing in that city.
- Acts 8:7-8

8. Philip “empowered” through the laying on of hands by the Apostles
Philip “empowered” through the laying on of hands by the Apostles. (Acts 6:6)

9. 9 Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; 10 and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.”
- Acts 8:9-10

10. 11 And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.
- Acts 8:11-12

11. Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.
- Acts 8:13

12. Magic and Occult: Practices
Enchantments – Magical Arts – Deut. 18:10-12
Witchcraft – Soothsaying – II Ch. 33:6
Sorcery – Witchcraft – Jer. 27:9
Divination – Fortune Telling – I Kings 17:17
Wizardry – Male Witch – Ex. 22:18

13. Magic and Occult: Practices
Necromancy – Séances/Communication w/ Dead – I Ch. 10:13-14
Charming – Casting Spells – Isa. 19:3
Stargazing – Astrology – Isa. 47:12-15
Imagery – Use of occult symbols and imagery for decoration and branding

14. 14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 8:14-15

15. 16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 8:16-17

16. The Spirit dwells within a Christian (Acts 2:38)
Holy Spirit
Indwelling
The Spirit dwells within a Christian (Acts 2:38)
Empowering
The Spirit gives you power to perform miracles, heal, speak in tongues.

17. Indwelling → Baptism Empowering → Laying on of hands by the Apostles

18. Indwelling Holy Spirit → Gospel → Disciples Empowering Holy Spirirt → Apostles → Disciples

19. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
- Acts 8:18-19

20. 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.
- Acts 8:20-22

21. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.” 24 But Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
- Acts 8:23-24

22. Speaking in Tongues
The ability to speak in a human language not previously know or studied by the speaker.

23. Gall of bitterness bondage of iniquity
Prisoner of your inward sin =

24. 34 The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. 36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?”
- Acts 8:34-36

25. 37 [And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may
37 [And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] 38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.
- Acts 8:37-38

26. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
- I Peter 2:9

27. 1 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
- Acts 9:1-2

28. 3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
- Acts 9:3-4

29. 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.” 7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
- Acts 9:5-7

30. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
- Acts 9:8-9

31. 10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying,
- Acts 9:10-11

32. 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem;
- Acts 9:12-13

33. 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;
- Acts 9:14-15

34. 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake
16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
- Acts 9:16-17

35. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; 19 and he took food and was strengthened.
- Acts 9:18-19

36. Saul’s Conversion Called – Miraculously Taught – The Gospel
Baptized – To remove sin (Stephen + other killings)
Ministers – Too soon

37. Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”
- Acts 9:20

38. All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?”
- Acts 9:21

39. 22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ. 23 When many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him,
- Acts 9:22-23

40. 24 but their plot became known to Saul
24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.
- Acts 9:24-25

41. When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
- Acts 9:26

42. But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.
- Acts 9:27

43. 28 And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death.
- Acts 9:28-29

44. 30 But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. 31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.
- Acts 9:30-31

47. Peter’s Ministry
Travelling throughout the region performing miracles and preaching the gospel
His miraculous power was unlimited
He was a shepherd/proclaimer not CEO/administrator

48. Lessons
All roads lead to Jesus

49. We all become Christians in the same way
Lessons
All roads lead to Jesus
We all become Christians in the same way
→ Baptized
Samaritans → Baptized
Simon → Baptized
Eunuch → Baptized
Saul → Baptized

50. Reading Assignment Acts 10:1-12:25