1. The Faith is Defended and Extended

2. Contending for the Faith, 11:1-18 Peter’s conduct is challenged, 11:3 Peter’s conduct is challenged, 11:3 Peter explained with a deliberate and detailed narrative, 11:4-18 Peter explained with a deliberate and detailed narrative, 11:4-18 The brethren are satisfied and agree, 11:18; cf. 15:8-9 (Gal. 3:11-12, 26-27) The brethren are satisfied and agree, 11:18; cf. 15:8-9 (Gal. 3:11-12, 26-27) 2

3. Contending for the Faith, 11:1-18 A pattern to follow when disputes arise, Jude 3 A pattern to follow when disputes arise, Jude 3 1)When in doubt, ask! 11:3; 1 Ths. 5:21 2)When questioned, give a Bible answer, 11:4; 1 Pet. 3:15 Deliberate and thorough, 1 Pet. 4:11 Deliberate and thorough, 1 Pet. 4:11 Trust God’s word to be enough, 2 Tim. 3:16-17 (7) Trust God’s word to be enough, 2 Tim. 3:16-17 (7) 3

4. Contending for the Faith, 11:1-18 A pattern to follow when disputes arise, Jude 3 A pattern to follow when disputes arise, Jude 3 3)When answers are given, compare them to God’s word, 11:18 (1 Jno. 4:1, 6; 1 Ths. 5:21-22); Acts 17:11 4)Accept and conform to the truth, 11:18; Acts 17:12 4

5. The Gospel Goes Northward, 11:19-26 Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, 11:19-20 Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, 11:19-20 – Phoenicia: Present-day Lebanon – Cyprus: Island off coast of Phoenicia – Antioch: Capital city of province of Syria 3 rd largest city in Roman Empire (~200,000) 3 rd largest city in Roman Empire (~200,000) – Dispersed Jewish Christians had been preaching only to Jews – Significant shift, 11:19-20 5

6. 6 Cyrene The Gospel Spreads Northward Acts 11:19-26

7. The Gospel Goes Northward, 11:19-26 Many Gentiles converted, 11:21; Eph. 2:17-18 Many Gentiles converted, 11:21; Eph. 2:17-18 – Note: Believing and turning are two distinct things, Jno. 1:12; Acts 10:35 News spreads and the Jerusalem church sends a worker, 11:22-24 News spreads and the Jerusalem church sends a worker, 11:22-24 – How a church works in evangelism: Send a preacher! 7

8. The Gospel Goes Northward, 11:19-26 Barnabas, 11:23-26 Barnabas, 11:23-26 – Rejoiced, 11:23 – Responded, 11:23 – Reinforced, 11:24-26 – Retrieved, 11:25-26 – Remained, 11:26 8

9. The Gospel Goes Northward, 11:19-26 Disciples called Christians, 11:26 Disciples called Christians, 11:26 – Followers of Christ; “of, pertaining to, belonging to” – Called: “to be called or named” (Robertson) – Identified with the Hebrew Messiah – Hellenists (rather than the Jews) most likely identified the disciples with the Hebrew Christ, cf. Acts 24:5; 28:22 9

10. Relief Sent to Needy Brethren, 11:27-30 Approaching famine, 11:27-28 Approaching famine, 11:27-28 – Claudius Caesar (A.D. 41-44) – Judean famine recorded, A.D. 41-48 Faith produced free-will giving to relieve fellow saints, 11:29-30 Faith produced free-will giving to relieve fellow saints, 11:29-30 – Gentiles, Gal. 3:28; Rom. 15:26-27 – Relief sent to Judea – Not only Jerusalem – Delivered by Barnabas and Saul, 12:25 (26:20) 10

11. 11 Cyrene Relief Sent to Needy Christians in Judea Acts 11:27-30

12. Dramatic advances into Gentile regions Jerusalem persecution continues…Acts 12