Outreach of the Church
Notes
Transcript
Outreach of the Church
The Jewish leaders had Stephen stoned to death. The more they persecuted the Christians, the more the church grew. The fire of the Holy Spirit could not be put out. The prophet Jeremiah had this burning in his bones. This persecution caused the Christians to be spread to the surrounding cities, preaching the gospel wherever they went. tells us:
The Jewish leaders had Stephen stoned to death. The more they persecuted the Christians, the more the church grew. The fire of the Holy Spirit could not be put out. The prophet Jeremiah had this burning in his bones. This persecution caused the Christians to be spread to the surrounding cities, preaching the gospel wherever they went. tells us:
9 But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!
9 But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!
The Persecution of the Early Church—vv. 1–4
The Persecution of the Early Church—vv. 1–4
The Persecutors—Saul was pleased with the death of Stephen. As the result of this persecution, the church was scattered.
The Persecutors—Saul was pleased with the death of Stephen. As the result of this persecution, the church was scattered.
“1 Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.”
“1 Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.”
1 Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.
Christian Pity—The friends of Stephen mourned for him. They also had a funeral for him. “(Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.)”
Christian Pity—The friends of Stephen mourned for him. They also had a funeral for him. “(Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.)”
2(Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.)
Was there Christian Persecution? Saul enjoyed the persecution of the Christians. The persecution made the Christians stronger in the Lord. “But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.”
Was there Christian Persecution? Saul enjoyed the persecution of the Christians. The persecution made the Christians stronger in the Lord. “But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.”
3But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.
Persecution caused Christians to start Preaching. This persecution caused the Christians to go everywhere preaching the gospel. But the believers (not just preachers, teachers, evangelists, but the believers.) who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.
Persecution caused Christians to start Preaching. This persecution caused the Christians to go everywhere preaching the gospel. But the believers (not just preachers, teachers, evangelists, but the believers.) who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.
4But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. The promise of was fulfilled.
II. The Preaching—vv.
II. The Preaching—vv.
The Christians were Preaching—vv. 5–13
The Christians were Preaching—vv. 5–13
Philip preached of Jesus—no politics, no social gospel, no civil rights, but of Jesus! “Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah.”
Philip preached of Jesus—no politics, no social gospel, no civil rights, but of Jesus! “Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah.”
5Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah.
Many People were listening and drawn to this preaching. The people “gave heed” to Philip’s words and the many miracles which were done in the name of the Lord. “Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did.” “7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.”
Many People were listening and drawn to this preaching. The people “gave heed” to Philip’s words and the many miracles which were done in the name of the Lord. “Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did.” “7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.”
8So there was great joy in that city.
God’s Power through the Holy Spirit. The people who were bound by Satan were set free. Various types of sickness were healed by God’s power.
God’s Power through the Holy Spirit. The people who were bound by Satan were set free. Various types of sickness were healed by God’s power.
D. Peace—v. . There was great joy in the city.
D. Peace—v. . There was great joy in the city.
“12 But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.”
“12 But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.”
E. Problem—vv. . Simon used witchcraft to deceive people.
E. Problem—vv. . Simon used witchcraft to deceive people.
12 But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.
F. Purging—vv. . Many people believed.
F. Purging—vv. . Many people believed.
The Apostles begin praying. They prayed that the people might receive the Holy Spirit. “14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. 15 As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit.”
The Apostles begin praying. They prayed that the people might receive the Holy Spirit. “14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. 15 As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit.”
“ The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
“ The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. 15 As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit.
A. Sent—vv. . The apostles sent John and Peter to Samaria.
A. Sent—vv. . The apostles sent John and Peter to Samaria.
16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.
They prayed that the people might receive the Holy Spirit.
Then comes the Receiving of the Holy Spirit.
Then comes the Receiving of the Holy Spirit.
1. Realization—v. . They had not yet received the Holy Spirit. They were baptized in water, but not the Holy Spirit.
1. Realization—v. . They had not yet received the Holy Spirit. They were baptized in water, but not the Holy Spirit.
“ The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
“ The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
2. Reception—v. . Peter and John laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
2. Reception—v. . Peter and John laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.
The Problem, greed, power, personal gain.
The Problem, greed, power, personal gain.
Evil Desire, Simon saw the power of the Holy Spirit and wanted it for selfish gain. He offered money for this gift.
Evil Desire, Simon saw the power of the Holy Spirit and wanted it for selfish gain. He offered money for this gift.
“18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19 “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”
“18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19 “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19 “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”
Simon wanted power and fame. Peter showed him his wrong, that money could not buy this power, and warned him to repent of his sin.
Simon wanted power and fame. Peter showed him his wrong, that money could not buy this power, and warned him to repent of his sin.
“20 But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21 You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22 Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts,”
“20 But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21 You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22 Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts,”
20 But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21 You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22 Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts,
Peter then claims Damnation for Simon “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!” Simon asked for prayer. We do not know if he repented of his sin or not.
Peter then claims Damnation for Simon “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!” Simon asked for prayer. We do not know if he repented of his sin or not.
24 “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!” Simon asked for prayer. We do not know if he repented of his sin or not.
Simon’s temptation is still with us today. Many seek God’s power for personal benefit and spiritual pride. Any gift or talent God may give to us is for advancement of the kingdom of God. Never should we use the power of God for selfish gain. Some Christians boast of their praying, Bible reading and generosity.
Simon’s temptation is still with us today. Many seek God’s power for personal benefit and spiritual pride. Any gift or talent God may give to us is for advancement of the kingdom of God. Never should we use the power of God for selfish gain. Some Christians boast of their praying, Bible reading and generosity.
AMEN
AMEN