Acts of the Apostles (2)

You will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth

Recap

Acts Begins with Jesus preparing his people and we see the theme verse for Acts

Acts 1:8 CSB

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

We saw the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples, and they began to witness in Jerusalem, and we see that persecution being laid upon the disciples and Stephen was martyred which caused the disciples to witness in Judea and Samaria.

This week week we will see the beginning of the witness to the ends of the earth.

Church at Antioch

In Antioch we see an interesting group gathered worshiping the Lord.

The Holy Spirit told them that Barnabas and Saul were to be set apart for work.

They fasted, prayed and laid hands.

Fasting - The practice of abstaining from food (and probably drink). This could be done as an expression of remorse for wrongdoing, as an expression of mourning for a loss, or as a spiritual discipline meant to help one focus on spiritual matters.

Praying - The practice of communicating with God.

Laying of Hands - Placing ones hands on another as a symbol of blessing, or as a symbol of commission and authority.

Paul and Barnabas Travel

What we will see is that Paul and Barnabas will travel; visiting and worshipping in the Jewish synagogues.

Cyprus

Paul and Barnabas also had the companion of John (That is John-Mark)

While they were in Cyprus they met a Jewish false prophet Bar-Jesus who was with Paulus the proconsul (governor- senatorial province). This sorcerer tried to turn Paulus from the Christian faith, but Paul rebuked him and with the power of the Holy Spirit caused this false prophet to be blind.

What I would like for us to take away from this is the reality that there does exist today some who would be false prophets or of a false belief (paganism, witchcraft, wicca, earth-centered worship) that would try to pull people form their faith. This

Ultimately, I don’t want to get lost in the ideas of the sorcerer views, but what we see is that people will see the teaching of the Lord and that is what wins people over to the Lord. (Think Gandalf, I am not a mere conjurer of cheap tricks)

Paul’s Sermon in Antioch of Pisidia

Paul then travels to Perga and John Mark returns to Jerusalem (store this in because later this will be important to us)

They arrive in Antioch of Pisidia and they ask Paul to speak a word of encouragement.

Paul Gave a sermon that began very similarly with Peter’s sermon to the church at Jerusalem where they established the history of the Jewish people and from God delivering them from Egypt to the rule of King David. From the Line of David came Jesus, Jesus fulfilled prophecies and being rejected and condemned by the rulers, and being killed on a tree, buried, and raised from the dead never to die again.

The key verse is

Acts 13:38–39 CSB

Therefore, let it be known to you, brothers and sisters, that through this man forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you. Everyone who believes is justified through him from everything that you could not be justified from through the law of Moses.

People were indeed encouraged by their preaching and desired to hear more from Paul and Barnabas, and so did most of the town. The Jews became jealous and were opposing Paul.

Acts 13:46–47 CSB

Paul and Barnabas boldly replied, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Isaiah 49:6 CSB

he says, “It is not enough for you to be my servant raising up the tribes of Jacob and restoring the protected ones of Israel. I will also make you a light for the nations, to be my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

The gentiles rejoiced when they heard this, but Paul and Barnabas were expelled by the Jews

They shook the dust off their feet.

Observe the Transitions

Transition from Law to Grace

Transition to include Gentile

Transition from Jewish focus to Gentile focus

Iconium, Lystra, Derbe

In Iconium we see the pattern repeated

Paul and Barnabas enter synagogue -preach the Gospel

Many came to believe

The few who did not were angered and created division from the gentiles towards Paul

Paul and Barnabas are driven out

Now we will add the attempt to stone them

Paul and Barnabas flee to Lystra where what worked before goes wrong

_ Paul and Barnabas heal a man lame from birth

_ Paul and Barnabas are mistaken for gods Paul (Hermes) and Barnabas (Zeus)

_ The people try to worship Paul and Barnabas

_ Paul attempted to stopped their worship

Acts 14:15–17 CSB

“People! Why are you doing these things? We are people also, just like you, and we are proclaiming good news to you, that you turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to go their own way, although he did not leave himself without a witness, since he did what is good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.”

Science - general revelation

Psalm 19:1–4 CSB

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun.

_ Jews from Antioch and Iconium show up and won the crowds then stoned Paul, dragged him out of the city and left him for dead.

They traveled to Derbe and were more successful there as they preached the gospel and made many disciples

Paul and Barnabas travel back through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch where they encouraged the disciples

Acts 14:22 CSB

strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”

They appointed elders in every church and prayed with fasting.

They returned to Antioch where they reported everything that happened. Especially that the door of faith was now open to the gentiles.

To the ends of the earth

Remember our theme verse ?

Acts 1:8 CSB

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

We have now hit the halfway point in the Book of Acts where we see the Church that Jesus established has witnessed in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and now we see the beginning of the witness to the ends of the Earth.

Practices and Applications

Church Practices

Fasting -he practice of abstaining from food (and probably drink). This could be done as an expression of remorse for wrongdoing, as an expression of mourning for a loss, or as a spiritual discipline meant to help one focus on spiritual matters.

Praying - The practice of communicating with God.

Preaching- The practice of speaking a message loudly for a large number of people to hear.

Laying of Hands - Placing ones hands on another as a symbol of blessing, or as a symbol of commission and authority.

Personal Worship Practices

Fasting

Praying

Share the Word

Encourage other disciples

Applications

1. Stand for the Truth of God’s from His word.

Know his Word

Reject false teachers

2. Stand firm as you go through your faith

expect trials

encourage one another