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Acts Class Schedule

5/11/2014 Acts 8:1-24 Saul Persecutes the Church & Philip Witness 1

5/18/2014 Acts 8:25-40 Saul Persecutes the Church & Philip Witness 2

5/25/2014 Acts 9:1-31 Saul Conversion

6/1/2014 Acts 9:32-43 Peter Ministry

6/8/2014 Acts 10:1-22 Peter with Cornelius & Great sheets

6/15/2014 Acts 10:23-48 Peter preaches to the Gentiles

6/22/2014 Acts 11:1-18 Peter defends his ministry to the Gentiles

6/29/2014 Acts 11:19-30 Antioch Church witness

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The next major section of Acts: 6:8 to 9:31

Three significant events in the life of the church

• The martyrdom of Stephen - Acts 6:8- 8:3

• The ministry of Philip - Acts 8:4-40

• The conversion of Saul of Tarsus (Paul) – Acts 9:1-31

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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.

Acts 8:1 - 3

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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 apostlesSaul (Paul) was in hearty agreement with putting him to death

hearty agreement - to take pleasure with others, hence, to approve – see Acts 22:20

What a contrast to Paul’s later statement ? see 1 Tim 1:15, Phil 3:7-8And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem

“Since Stephen was a Hellenistic Jew, the Hellenistic JewishChristians were probably the main targets of this antagonism.” Constable

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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

and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles

scattered - to scatter abroad (dia - through, speirō - to sow) the regions of Judea and Samaria was the initial scattering but later to other areas as stated in Acts11:19

except the apostles (may have been in hiding in Jerusalem)

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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.

Stephen is buried by devout (reverencing God) men

But Saul (Paul) began ravaging the church

ravaging - to ravage, waste, make havoc of

-entering house after house -dragging off both men and women by their feet along the street (Wuest)

-he would put them in prison

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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.

Acts 8:4 - 8

• The initial actions in the book of Acts take place in & around Jerusalem (Acts 1:1-8:3)

• Acts 1:8, “…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…” 1

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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.

remember “the scattered” were the church at Jerusalemexcept the Apostles

preaching - to bring or announce glad tidings (Eng., "evangelize") - see Acts 8:12, Rom 1:15

•preaching the word lit: bringing the good news of the Word (Wuest)

Philip (one of the 7 appointed by the Apostle) went down to the city Samaria

proclaiming (to preach, to herald, proclaim) Christ

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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.

The crowds in Samaria and Philip preaching

•the crowds were with one accord

•the crowds were giving attention to Philip

•The crowds heard and saw the signs which he was performing

Who were the Samaritans ?

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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.

The crowds in Samaria and Philip preaching (cont.)

•heard & saw the signs (attesting miracles – Acts 5:12)

• many had unclean spirits which came out of them

• many who were paralyzed or lame were healed

•So there was much rejoicing in the city of Samaria

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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." 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. 13  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 8:9 - 13

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Simon the magician is converted (Acts 8:9-11) part 1

•Simon was practicing magic in the city

• astonishing the people of Samaria,

• claiming to be someone great

• all (smallest to greatest) were giving attention to him

•the Samaritan people were saying:

• "This man is what is called the Great Power of God”

• for a long time astonished them with his magic arts

• they kept on giving him attention

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Simon the magician is converted (Acts 8:12-13) part 2

•Samaritans believed Philip preaching the good news • the kingdom of God (gospel of the Kingdom)• the name of Jesus Christ (gospel of Substitution)

• they were being baptized, men and women alike

•even Simon himself believed

• after being baptized - he continued on with Philip

• he observed signs taking place• he observed the great miracles taking place• he was constantly amazed

15V. Peterman 9/18/2011 Law & Grace series

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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. 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 8:14 - 17

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the apostles who were in Jerusalem •heard that Samaria had received the word of God•they sent them Peter and John •who after they came down•prayed for them •that they might receive the Holy Spirit•for Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them •they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus•Then they began laying their hands on them•and they were receiving the Holy Spirit

Peter and John sent to Samaria

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Chapter 2 8 10 19

Prior & Concurrent Conditions & Expressions

Jews in Jerusalem

Samaritans in Samaria

Gentiles in Caesarea

John the Baptist's Disciples in Ephesus

Sound of wind X      

Tongues of fire X      

Speaking in tongues X   X X

Laying on of hands   X   X

Spirit received after believing X X   X

Spirit received upon believing     X  

Prayer X X    

Tarrying (waiting) X      

Receiving the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts *

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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." 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. 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." 25  So, when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

Acts 8:18 - 23

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Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed •through the laying on of the apostles' hands •then he offered them money •saying "Give this authority to me as well so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

•But Peter said to him•"May your silver perish with you, •because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! •You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.”

Simon’s sinful actions – part 1

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But Peter said to him (cont.)•"Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.”

•"For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity."

But Simon answered and said• "Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."

Simon’s sinful actions –part 2

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• So, when they (Peter & John) had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord,

• they started back to Jerusalem• and were preaching the gospel to many

villages of the Samaritans

Peter and John return from Samaria