1. The Gospel in Motion February 10, 2013

2. Acts 8:1-3 1 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. 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.

4. Remember what Jesus had told the apostles. Acts 1:6-8: So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Remember what Jesus had told the apostles. Acts 1:6-8: So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Note the oddity: He had told the apostles but they were the ones who stayed. Note the oddity: He had told the apostles but they were the ones who stayed. From the context here and Acts 11, it seems that the target of the persecution was the Hellenists Christians. From the context here and Acts 11, it seems that the target of the persecution was the Hellenists Christians.

5. Acts 11:19-20: So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. Acts 11:19-20: So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. It may be that the apostles staying was less a matter of Jerusalem being their “base” and more a matter of their not being Hellenistic. At any rate, the church in Jerusalem from this point on seems to be almost entirely Hebrew in composition. It may be that the apostles staying was less a matter of Jerusalem being their “base” and more a matter of their not being Hellenistic. At any rate, the church in Jerusalem from this point on seems to be almost entirely Hebrew in composition.

6. The Burial of Stephen “Devout” men. Original term used most often to describe Jewish men, and in Acts most often Jewish Christian men. “Devout” men. Original term used most often to describe Jewish men, and in Acts most often Jewish Christian men. Made “loud lamentation” over him. Made “loud lamentation” over him. –The Mishnah specifically forbade making lamentation over executed individuals. Obviously these early Christians are already moving away from the traditions of the Jewish religion. –Remember the contrast from the reaction to the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira. –It does appear that the death of Stephen was not a deterrent to their open expression of their faith!

7. Acts 8:4-8 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. 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.

8. About Philip One of the seven (a deacon?) from chapter 6. One of the seven (a deacon?) from chapter 6. Obviously, deacons should be able to preach! Seven men, and two of them did! Obviously, deacons should be able to preach! Seven men, and two of them did! Not much else is known. How God can use the little recognized!! Not much else is known. How God can use the little recognized!!

9. Samaria

10. The significance of going there Not merely due to its being “next door”, though that alone would make sense. Not merely due to its being “next door”, though that alone would make sense. A long standing “feud” between Samaria and Israel. A long standing “feud” between Samaria and Israel. –Traces back to the isolation of Judah from the “ten tribes to the north” in the settlement period –After the defeat of the northern Kingdom be Assyria in 726 BC, people were deported, and settlers were sent in to occupy the land. –They intermarried with those left, and the resulting offspring were considered “half-breeds” by both nations –They clung to the Jewish faith, but build their own place of worship on Mt Gerizim. Their actions in worship were all but indistinguishable from the Jews. –Even in Jesus time, the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans. (John 4:9) –Where better to begin spreading the Gospel than among those with whom you have not been getting along! What city did he visit? Perhaps Gitta, a city Josephus identifies as the birthplace of Simon. What city did he visit? Perhaps Gitta, a city Josephus identifies as the birthplace of Simon.

11. About his preaching 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. Verse 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. Verse 6 Lets look at the power and purpose of signs. Lets look at the power and purpose of signs.

12. What were they? They are called: They are called: “Mighty works” Mark 6:2 “Mighty works” Mark 6:2 “Wonderful things” Matthew 21:15 “Wonderful things” Matthew 21:15 “Glorious things” Luke 13:17 “Glorious things” Luke 13:17 “Strange things” Luke 5:26 “Strange things” Luke 5:26 Their importance can be seen in that Jesus is Himself called a “sign” in Luke 11:30 Their importance can be seen in that Jesus is Himself called a “sign” in Luke 11:30

13. Who did them? Jesus did “many signs” John 11:47 Jesus did “many signs” John 11:47 The apostles. Acts 2:43 and 5:12 The apostles. Acts 2:43 and 5:12 Paul and Barnabas. Acts 14:3 Paul and Barnabas. Acts 14:3 Stephen. Acts 6:8 Stephen. Acts 6:8 Here Philip Here Philip And the Seventy in Luke 10:17ff And the Seventy in Luke 10:17ff Interestingly, it is specifically noted of John the Baptist that “he did no signs” in John 10:41 Interestingly, it is specifically noted of John the Baptist that “he did no signs” in John 10:41

14. The Power of Signs Different signs had different significance to different people (I Corinthians 14:22), but all signs were given to point men to the truth. Different signs had different significance to different people (I Corinthians 14:22), but all signs were given to point men to the truth. Men “followed Jesus, because they beheld the signs which he did” John 6:2 Men “followed Jesus, because they beheld the signs which he did” John 6:2 These signs were to confirm for man that the one who did them was indeed speaking for God. Hebrews 2:1-4 These signs were to confirm for man that the one who did them was indeed speaking for God. Hebrews 2:1-4 It is the nature of man to desire proof for the authority which one claims. Remember when Jesus cleansed the temple, the Jews wanted a sign that he had authority to do so. (John 2:18&19) It is the nature of man to desire proof for the authority which one claims. Remember when Jesus cleansed the temple, the Jews wanted a sign that he had authority to do so. (John 2:18&19)

15. Look how effective they were Not just that they handled an immediate problem, for those “problems” arose again. Not just that they handled an immediate problem, for those “problems” arose again. So, the real value of a sign was not in what it did, but in what it “signified” about the one who performed it. So, the real value of a sign was not in what it did, but in what it “signified” about the one who performed it. So, Nicodemus says, “We know you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do the signs you do except God be with him.” John 3:2 So, Nicodemus says, “We know you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do the signs you do except God be with him.” John 3:2 John says, “many believed on his name, beholding the signs which he did.” John 2:23 John says, “many believed on his name, beholding the signs which he did.” John 2:23

16. Three terms “Miracles”—the nature of what was done. A miracle is something which cannot occur as it just did! Not like the birth of a baby, but a setting aside of the law of nature. “Miracles”—the nature of what was done. A miracle is something which cannot occur as it just did! Not like the birth of a baby, but a setting aside of the law of nature. “Signs”—the purpose of the thing done. This is the why behind it all. “Signs”—the purpose of the thing done. This is the why behind it all. “Wonders”—the affect the event had on those that beheld it. “Wonders”—the affect the event had on those that beheld it.

17. Please Remember: Today: “we walk by faith, not by sight” II Corinthians 5:7 Today: “we walk by faith, not by sight” II Corinthians 5:7 We have the record of these events occurring to confirm our faith. “These are written that you might believe, and that believing you might have life in his name.” John 20:31 We have the record of these events occurring to confirm our faith. “These are written that you might believe, and that believing you might have life in his name.” John 20:31 Jesus said to Thomas, “blessed is he who has not seen, yet has believed.” John 20:29 Jesus said to Thomas, “blessed is he who has not seen, yet has believed.” John 20:29