## Study of the Book of Acts - Part 15

Tonight we continue our study of the book of Acts. Remember we are using the Scriptural outline for the book found in 1:8.

(Acts 1:8b) "…Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Tonight we begin to look at the development of Christianity to the Uttermost Part of the Earth.

I. Christianity in Jerusalem 1:1-8:3

A. The risen Lord 1:1-26 B. Pentecost 2:1-47 C. The Healing of a Lame Man 3:1-26 D. The beginning of persecution 4:1-37 E. Purging the Church 5:1-42 F. Conflict within the Church 6:1-7 G. Stephen - The First Martyr 6:8 - 8:3

II. Christianity in Judea and Samaria 8:4- 12:25

A. Christians scattered and the ministry of Philip Acts 8:4-40 B. The Conversion of Paul 9:1-31 C. The Conversion of Gentiles 9:32-11:30 D. The Persecution of the Church at Jerusalem 12:1-24

III. Christianity to the Uttermost Part of the World 13:1-28:31

A. The First Missionary Journey 13:1-14:28

1. Events in Antioch v 1-3

2. Events in Cyprus 13:4-12

3. Events in Galatian cities 13:13-14:20

a. At Perga

b. At Antioch of Pisidia

c. At Iconium 14:1-6

1) Paul and Barnabas went into the synagogue to speak v 1

a) The synagogue - the place of assembly

b) It was the social center of the community

c) Its functions were: for worship and instruction for teaching Adults and Children the law for funerals for discussion of community problems

d) It was a natural place to begin when they entered any new city

e) A great multitude of Jews and Gentiles believed the message!

2) More opposition - NOTE: Satan never opposes someone who is sitting on the seat of 'do-nothing' but Paul and Barnabas were seeing multitudes come to know Christ

3) They didn't back off when things were difficult v 3 - they continued speaking boldly in the Lord

a) Their boldness came from the filling of the Holy Spirit

b) Signs and wonders confirmed the message and the messenger

4) The city was divided over them - their opposition made plans to have them stoned v 4-5

5) Paul and Barnabas found out about the plot and they left Iconium for Lystra and Derbe v6

NOTE: This is the second time that a plan against Paul's life had been spoiled. cf. 9:23-25 (in Damascus) not by coincidence but God protected and moved them on to minister elsewhere

d. At Lystra v 7-20a

1) Ministry at Lystra v 7-10

a) Preaching the gospel

b) Healing the sick - NOTE: Paul perceived that he had faith to be healed - consider this man's condition

1] Impotent in his feet - unable to walk right

2] Crippled from birth - born with fallen nature of Adam

3] Never walked - completely new experience for this man

c) Pictures man without the gospel

2) Misplaced worship v 11-18

a) After witnessing the miracle of the lame man healed, the people mistook Paul and Barnabas for their pagan gods!

b) According to Greek legend, Zeus and Hermes had visited before in the likeness of men

c) They prepared to offer sacrifice unto them

d) When Paul and Barnabas realized what was happening they tried to stop it and point them in the right direction

e) They directed them to the Creator and Sustainer of all life

f) They barely prevented them from blaspheming God through their misplaced worship

3) Opposition comes again v 19-20

a) Jews from Iconium and Antioch had followed Paul and Barnabas to Lystra

b) What they were unable to accomplish elsewhere they were successful at Lystra - they stirred up the people up against them and stoned Paul!

NOTE: Paul had been tenacious in his attack against Christianity even to the point of consenting to the stoning of Stephen - now the situation is reversed and Paul becomes the object of pursuit and wrath against Christianity.

c) The custom was to kill the victim and then drag them outside the city for the dogs and other beasts to devour - this they did to Paul

d) Was he dead? I believe so - I doubt if this angry mob would stop short of sure death - but God miraculously raised him up

e) As the disciples stood round about him - perhaps praying? - he rose up went into the city and on the next day left with Barnabas for Derbe (Definitely not the actions of one who had been stoned except for God's wondrous working power!)

4. Events on the return to Antioch. 14:21-28

a. After a great meeting in Derbe they returned to the cities of Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch

b. Why would they go back to where the opposition had been so great? v22-23

1) They confirmed and encouraged the believers warning them of persecution and tribulation to come

2) No 'pie in the sky' gospel but reality!

3) They ordained elders - Pastors - in every church through prayer and fasting - NOTE: churches calling Pastors

c. They bypassed Cyprus and sailed directly back to Antioch - anxious to share with them God's blessings among the Gentiles

Next time: The Council at Jerusalem