1. Lesson 3: Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) Lessons From Acts

2. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) Review of Acts 7 – Stephen: one of the 7 that were chosen – Did great signs and wonders Jewish leaders could not resist him Set up false witnesses – Covered the full Jewish history and brought it home to them. – Stoned with the consent of Saul – What Stephen saw

3. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) Preview of Saul – 7:58 – witnesses laid their coats at the feet of young man named Saul – 8:1 – Saul consented to the death of Stephen – Persecution begins and scatters disciples throughout Judea and Samaria – Saul at the forefront of this persecution

4. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) Philip (one of the 7 chosen) went down to Samaria

5. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) Philip preached Christ to them (8:5-8) – ‘Seeing the miracles’ which Philip did – They heeded the things spoken by Philip – Great joy in the city Simon the Sorcerer (8:9-13) – Previously well known and was thought a man with the power of God – He believed and was also baptized

6. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) Peter and John sent to Samaria (8:14-25) – Laid hands on those there so they could receive the Holy Spirit – Simon saw this and tried to buy the same ability and was rebuked by Peter Philip sent by the an angel of the Lord to the road from Jerusalem to Gaza (8:26)

7. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12)

8. Philip met an Ethiopian eunuch of great authority under Queen Candace of Ethiopia (8:27-34) – He was returning from worshipping in Jerusalem – He likely had seen or heard of the great things happening there – He was reading in Isaiah 53 (9:32-33) Philip taught him Christ from that scripture forward (8:35)

9. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) Ethiopian man said “see, here is water…” – Where did Philip mention baptism? “If you believe, you may” The good confession: “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (8:37) Eunuch baptized and went on his way rejoicing. Philip “caught up” by the Spirit and found in Azotus (miles away)

10. Saul goes to Damascus

11. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) Going there with letters from the high priest to bind and bring those of “the Way” to Jerusalem (9:1-2) Jesus had a different plan (9:3-16) – Bright light, Jesus speaks to him and gives him instructions – Paul led (blind) to Damascus – Ananias fearful but obedient to his vision – Saul a “chosen vessel” to the Gentiles, kings and Israel.

12. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) Ananias meets Saul (9:17-25) – Saul fasting and praying for 3 days before they meet – Ananias speaks to and touches him and his vision returns – Immediately he was baptized and begins preaching, proving Jesus was the Christ – Disciples skeptical at first, Jews eventually plot to kill him but he escapes with help

13. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) Saul comes to Jerusalem (9:26-31) – Disciples would not receive him – Barnabas took Saul to the apostles – He spoke boldly in the name of Jesus Brethren sent him to Caesarea and on to Tarsus for his safety Churches throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified

14. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) Peter’s ministry in the areas surrounding Jerusalem (9:32-43) – Went to Lydda, healed Aeneas – Then called to Joppa where Dorcas had died, raised her – Many believed on the Lord – Peter stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner

15. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) Vision of Cornelius (10:1-8) – Vision to a Gentile – Devout, generous, God-fearing man and household – Prayers heard and answered – Told to send for Peter which he did Peter’s vision (10:9-20) – Vision of lawfully “unclean” animals – Peter told to kill and eat

16. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) Peter’s vision (cont’d) – Peter refuses saying they are unclean but is told God has cleansed them and not to call them “unclean”. Repeated 3 times Servants of Cornelius arrive and Paul leaves with them (10:17, 21-24) Upon meeting Peter, Cornelius bows and worships him but Peter quickly corrects him

17. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) Peter explained his hesitance based on the law, but also what he learned from his vision Peter preached “the Message” but used “they killed Him” here While preaching, Holy Spirit came on all of them. The Jewish among them were amazed at this Peter commanded they be baptized and they were

18. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) Peter has now truly learned that “the Message” is for both Jew and Gentile Now others need to learn this. Jews in Jerusalem confronted him about associating with these Gentiles (11:2-3) Peter recounts his vision and what happened there (11:4-15) “Then he remembered” (11:16) “…who was I that I could withstand God?”

19. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) Gospel continues to spread now to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch (to Jews mostly) and great numbers are believing Barnabas is sent to Antioch (11:22-24) – He encourages the brethren Barnabas goes to Tarsus to get Saul and brings him to Antioch (11:25) Disciples called Christians first at Antioch (11:26)

20. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) Agabus, from Jerusalem, comes to Antioch and prophesies about the famine to come. Saul and Barnabas chosen to take collected “relief” to Judea – Pattern Each gave of their own ability Sent via trusted messengers Given to the elders

21. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) Herod caused trouble with the church – Kills James the brother of John – Seized Peter and put him in prison with 16 soldiers to keep him until after the Passover Constant prayer offered for Peter by the church (12:5, 12) Angel of the Lord woke Peter, the chains fell off and he was led out of the prison Peter thought it was a vision until he was out

22. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) Lessons/Patterns – Evangelism Not for selfish gain (Simon) Opportunity (Ethiopian eunuch ) – Zeal Can be misplaced (Paul) if not of truth – Gospel is for all (Jew, Gentile…everyone) Peter and Jewish Christians in Jerusalem – Giving Pattern for financial relief collection and delivery (Judea)

23. Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) – Prayer Church earnestly/constantly praying for Paul Many gathered for the purpose of prayer