## Study of the Book of Acts - Part 16

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

d. At Lystra v 7-20a

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

B. The Council at Jerusalem 15:1-35

1. The Dissension v 1-5

a. "Except ye be circumcised ...ye cannot be saved" v 1

1) The attack of Satan in close on a victory of God

2) Since He was unable to overcome them on their first missionary journey he launched an inside attack

3) 'Certain men' - Judaizers - those who wanted to keep the law and combine it with Christianity - came to the church at Antioch with this new restriction upon their faith

b. Paul and Barnabas dispute and debate with them over this false doctrine v 2-4

1) It was "no small dissension and disputation"

2) Unable to resolve it at Antioch they decide it is necessary to go to Jerusalem and report the problem to the Apostles and elders for their decision

3) As they traveled they would stop in the cities along the way relating the good news of Gentile converts

NOTE: They were "brought on their way by the church". They did not travel straight through or stay in the Holiday Inns - it was the local congregations who fed them and met their needs as they journeyed - the result was great joy among the brethren.

c. At Jerusalem v 4-5

1) As they began to report to the church at Jerusalem the Judaizers brouht up their point of circumcision

2) NOTE: It wasn't a matter of voluntary observance but they made it a 'must'

2. The discussion v 6-18

a. After much discussion on the matter Peter reminded them of how God used him to take the gospel to the house of Cornelius (v 6-7) Note: 10 years earlier

b. Peter declares that God has already answered the questions about Gentile salvation (v 8-11)

c. Paul and Barnabas were given an opportunity to finish their report on their first missionary journey (v 12)

d. James - most likely the half-brother of Jesus - was obviously the spokesman for the Jerusalem church

1) He was the Pastor of the church but there were many of the Apostles and elders gathered here

2) He relates that what Peter has said is in accordance with the Scriptures of the Prophet Amos 9:11-12

(Amos 9:11-12) In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.