Acts 9-12 Journal

In chapters 9-12 we find four major events that all push the gospel forward to reach farther and farther.

First, we see the violent, threat breathing, enemy of the gospel Saul converted as he meets Jesus on the road to Damascus. We see this man’s ministry in the latter parts of the book of Acts. God uses him in extraordinary ways. His conversion is a big deal, a person far from God, even an enemy of God is converted and becomes a missionary. If this can happen then we truly know that anyone can turn, we know that no one is to far gone.

First, we see the violent, threat breathing, enemy of the gospel Sual is converted as he meets Jesus on the road to Damascus. This man’s ministry will be seen in the latter parts of the book of Acts. He is used by God in extraordinary ways. His conversion is a big deal, a man far from God, even an enemy of God is converted and becomes a missionary. If this can happen than we truly know that anyone can convert, we know that no one is to far gone.

Second, we find Peter has a vision from God that in translation means the Gentiles can receive the gospel. Now apparently even though the disciples were told go into all the world, they had only been reaching out to fellow Jews. God gives this vision as a kick in the seat to Peter! Go to them they are ready to receive! “Do not call unclean what I have called clean”! Peter receives this vision preaches to Cornelius and those with him, and they convert, and more than that they receive the Spirit. The church leaders are then forced to come to terms that the gospel is truly for all.

Second, we find Peter has a vision from God that in translation means the gentiles are able to receive the gospel. Now apparently even though the disciples were told go into all the world, they had only been reaching out to fellow Jews. God gives this vision as a kick in the seat to Peter! Go to them they are ready to receive! “Do not call unclean what I have called clean”! Peter receives this vision preaches to Cornelius and those with him and they convert, and more than that they receive the Spirit. The church leaders are then forced to come to terms that the gospel is truly for all.

Third, we find that the persecution has continued and now even one of the Apostles James has been killed. James becomes the first of the 12 to die for their message. This is huge! We now find that these men are willing to die for the gospel, this is a very important example from the leaders to the rest of the church. James has set the example to Christians for all of History that we are not living for this life but the next!

Third, we find that the persecution has continued and now even one of the Apostles James has been killed. James becomes the first of the 12 to die for their message. This is huge! We now find that these men are willing to die for the gospel, this is a very important example from the leaders to the rest of the church. James has set the example to Christians for all of History that we are not living for this life but the next!

Fourth, Herod is struck down by God. Herod is struck down by the angel of the Lord for not giving glory to God. He also burst open with worms from the inside! Gross! The message here? Give God Glory! So what happens when God strikes a person down? Does the gospel stop? Nope, it says “the word of God increased and multiplied.”

Fourth, Harod is struck down by God. Harod is struck down by the angel of the Lord for not giving glory to God. He also burst open with worms from the inside! Gross! The message here? Give God Glory! So what happens when God strikes a person down? does the gospel stop? Nope, it says “the word of God increased and multiplied.”

What I take from these chapters is that God takes his word seriously! He wants the gospel shared to all, and he has commanded us to do so! He will use things that we do not expect or that we would pick to get it done. I would not have thought the enemy of the gospel would become the greatest missionary of all time. He uses a vision of food to get a hungry church leader’s attention about how serious he is about reaching the ends of the earth. He uses the death of one of his main leaders to show the church what they are living for. And he uses gut-busting worms to multiply his word!

What i take from these chapters is that God takes his word seriously! He wants the gospel shared to all and he has commanded us to do so! He will use things that we do not expect or that we would pick to get it done. I would not have thought the enemy of the gospel would become the greatest missionary of all time. He uses a vision of food to get a hungry church leader’s attention about how serious he is about reaching the ends of the earth. He uses the death of one of his main leaders to show the church what they are really living for. And he use gut busting worms to multiply his word!

Do I take Him seriously about his desire that none should perish and that he does love the whole world? Do I take seriously his command to preach to all of creation, to make disciples and be his witness? No, not enough, I like Peter am often comfortable with what’s easy. Maybe it’s time we get a figurative kick in the seat. I have Commissioned you! GO!

Do I take Him seriously about his desire that none should perish and that he truly does love the whole world? Do I take seriously his command to preach to all of creation, to make disciples and be his witness? No, not enough, I like peter am often comfortable with what’s easy. Maybe it’s time we get a figurative kick in the seat. I have Commissioned you! GO!

Harods death