1. The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 14 – Preaching, Persecution, And Perseverance
Sunday – November 12, 2017
Many of the slides used in this presentation are prepared by Joe Price and are used and adapted with his permission.

3. Speaking Boldly in the Lord, Acts 14:3
Purposes of gospel preaching
Produce faith that leads to salvation, 14:1; Romans 10:13-15 (“call upon”); 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (“through our gospel”); Hebrews 5:9 (“obey him”); James 2:17-26 (“not only by faith”)
Oppose faithlessness, 14:13-18 (“vain things”)
Strengthen the souls of the disciples, 14:22
“to support further, i.e. reestablish” (Strong)
Use the teaching opportunities God gives, 14:27; Ephesians 6:19-20 (“speak boldly”)
Verse 3 – for “boldly” (used 35 times in NT) see also Acts 4:3, 29, 31; 9:27, 29; 13:46; 18:26; 19:8; 28:31 (9 other times in Acts)
Verse 22 – for “confirming,” “strengthening” (used four times in NT) see also Acts 15:32, 41; 18:23
Verse 27 – for “opened a door” see also I Corinthians 16:9 and II Corinthians 2:12

4. Speaking Boldly in the Lord, Acts 14:3
Persuasive gospel preaching is built upon:
Careful reasoning from the Scriptures, 14:1 (13:16-41)
Reasoning and explaining, Acts 17:2-3 (Thessalonica)
Speaking truth and reason, Acts 26:24-25 (defense before Festus)
Reason and result: Faith “in the power of God,” not men, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

5. Speaking Boldly in the Lord, Acts 14:3
Persuasive gospel preaching is built upon:
Miraculous validation, 14:3; Mark 16:20 (“confirming the word”)
It is revelation from God, Galatians 1:11-12 (“through revelation”)
Miraculous validation of God’s power and approval, 14:8-10; Acts 3:6 (“walk”)
Irrefutable evidence, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (“demonstration”); Hebrews 2:3-4 (“signs and wonders”)
Revelation – Matthew 16:17 (“revealed it unto thee”); Luke 2:26 (“revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit”); I Peter 1:10-12 (“To whom it was revealed …”); I Corinthians 2:9-10 (“unto us God revealed them”); Ephesians 3:1-7 (“by revelation was made known unto me”); Revelation 1:1 (“The Revelation of Jesus Christ …”); Galatians 3:22-23 (“which should afterwards be revealed”); Romans 1:16-19 (“the gospel … is the power of God …”); I Corinthians 14:12 (“zealous of spiritual gifts”) (see also verses 6, 26, and 30) – Revelation will cease – I Corinthians 13:8-10 (“when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away”); James 1:25 (“the perfect law”)