ACT 4 Jesus Christ, now reigning in Heaven builds His Church as the channel for proclaiming salvation to every nation. God Establishes a New Channel for.

ACT 4Jesus Christ, now reigning in

Heaven builds His Church as the channel for proclaiming salvation

to every nation.

God Establishes a New Channel for Redemption

The World Situation

World Centralization: Rome ruled – Pax Romana World Cultural Oneness: Rome was eclectic, combining the

best of the existing cultures into one. World Trade and Communication: The Greek language

was used internationally and there was freedom to trade in every area.

World Degeneration: Out of the 2,000 Lords in Rome there were 1,300,000 slaves (650-1). Thousands of lives were sacrificed in the arena for entertainment. Tacitus said, “the spirit of the times was to corrupt and be corrupted”

Mingling of World Religions: a migration of gods and idols from the Orient, the Babylonian confusion of deities and religious cults, the State gods, Greek gods, and mystery cults blended together. Rome became a venerator of all deities, a cauldron of mixture.

A New Channel is Promised: The Church

Jesus says – “I will build My church.”

(Matthew 16)

The Great Commission – Matthew 28:18-20

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the

age.“

No Such Commission in the Old Testament

Scene 1

Notice the difference between a nation and the church:Nation Church

Exclusive Universal

National (Jewish) International (Gentile)

One Particular Location Local-indigenous

Political Non-Political

God dwelt in a temple building God dwells in believers

The Old Channel, Israel, is “Set Aside” not “cast away” (Romans 11:1)

Scene 2

The redemptive instrument is the Church.

The Bible uses several figures to describe the Church:

The pillar and ground of the truth.

1Tim. 3:15I write so that you may know how you ought

to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God,

the pillar and ground of the truth.

The Church holds forth the word of God and the gospel of salvation.

2

What would have happened if Israel as a nation had tried to

take the Gospel to

another nation?

2

It would have been an invasion by a foreign nation.

Once the political element was removed, the Lord’s

people could go to any nation as Christ’s “ambassador”

while remaining politically neutral.

2

Overview

Jesus Builds this New Channel from the Seeds of

Israel

Acts 1-7 8-12 13-28 Jerusalem Antioch

Rome Jewish transitionGentile Peter

Barnabas Paul

Scene 3

The Church is BornThe Church is Born

• Just before Jesus ascended to the Just before Jesus ascended to the Father He instructed the disciples not Father He instructed the disciples not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; He said, "you have heard from Me;

• You shall receive power when the You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

When the Day of Pentecost had fully When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in come, they were all with one accord in

one place. one place. (About 120 disciples)(About 120 disciples)

And suddenly there came a sound from And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind,

and it filled the whole house where they and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they one sat upon each of them. And they

were all filled with the Holy Spirit and were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as began to speak with other tongues, as

the Spirit gave them utterance. the Spirit gave them utterance.

And there were dwelling in Jerusalem And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound under heaven. And when this sound

occurred, the multitude came together, occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.heard them speak in his own language.

Then they were all amazed and marveled, Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, …how is it that we saying to one another, …how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which hear, each in our own language in which we were born? -we hear them speaking we were born? -we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works in our own tongues the wonderful works

of God."of God."

Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you…this is what was spoken by the prophet you…this is what was spoken by the prophet

Joel:Joel:

'And it shall come to pass in the last days, 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,says God,

That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

Your young men shall see visions,Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My And on My menservants and on My

maidservantsmaidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days;I will pour out My Spirit in those days;

And they shall prophesy.And they shall prophesy.

I will show wonders in heaven aboveI will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath:And signs in the earth beneath:

Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness,The sun shall be turned into darkness,

And the moon into blood,And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and Before the coming of the great and

awesome day of the Lord. awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to passAnd it shall come to pass

That whoever calls on the name of the That whoever calls on the name of the LordLord

Shall be saved.'Shall be saved.'

"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did miracles, wonders, and signs which God did

through Him in your midst, as you through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know--Him, being delivered yourselves also know--Him, being delivered

by the determined purpose and by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death…This Jesus God has raised up, of death…This Jesus God has raised up, of

which we are all witnesses. which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of Therefore being exalted to the right hand of

God, and having received from the Father God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured

out this which you now see and hear. out this which you now see and hear. "Therefore let all the house of Israel know "Therefore let all the house of Israel know

assuredly that God has made this Jesus, assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

Now when they heard this, they were cut to Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of

the apostles, "Men and brethren, what the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?“shall we do?“

Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to Spirit. For the promise is to you and to

your children, and to all who are afar off, your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." as many as the Lord our God will call."

Then those who gladly received his word Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three were baptized; and that day about three

thousand souls were added to them.thousand souls were added to them.

The Church has been The Church has been born!born!

• 3,000 souls.3,000 souls.• Men and women from all around the Men and women from all around the

known world have been gathered in.known world have been gathered in.• The transition from the nation of The transition from the nation of

Israel to the Church has been made!Israel to the Church has been made!

What Now???Acts 2:42

They continued steadfastly in the

apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

3

The church continued to grow and to flourish in

Jerusalem.

The focus of the early Church was primarily in

Jerusalem under the guidance of Peter.

3

The rapid growth of the Church

120 Devoted to Prayer – Acts 1:15

3,000 Added

That Day – Acts 2:41

5,000 Men Heard and

Believed – Acts 4:4

More Believers Added – Acts 5:14

Disciples

Increased – Acts 6:1

3

The Church needed to be organized. Acts 6

Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and

said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and

serve tables.

Therefore, seek out from among you seven men of good

reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

3

The saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose

Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, (& five others) whom they set before the

apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples

multiplied…

3

We will give ourselves

continually to prayer and

to the ministry of the

word.

3

They Continued in the

TempleHowever, God had to move them

out into the world.

The Temple was part of spiritual-political Israel.

If the Church was to be

established in every culture, it must move out

to other lands.

3

The rapid growth of the Church provided a strong base for a thrust into other areas.

3

God moves them out to Judea and

Samaria

Persecution

– Acts 7

3

Steven was martyred for his faith in Christ…they stoned Stephen as he

was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.“

Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he

fell asleep.

3

Persecution At that time a great

persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem;

and they were all scattered throughout the regions of

Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

(Acts 8)

3

Example: what was produces as a result of the Church being scattered? -Acts 8

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached

Christ to them.

And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the

miracles which he did.

3

The gospel begins to reach the

Gentiles

The conversion of Paul – Acts 9

Peter is sent to Cornelius – Acts 10

3

In his defense of preaching the gospel to the gentiles, Peter said, “if God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed

on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"

When the Church “heard these things they became silent; and

they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."

3

The first Jew/Gentile Church was

established in the city of Antioch Acts

11

Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word…and a great number believed and turned to

the Lord.

3

Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in

Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.

When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should

continue with the Lord.

3

(Barnabas) was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added

to the Lord.

Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to

Antioch.

So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called

Christians in Antioch.

3

From Antioch they began to send men to

other cultures.

3

Paul and Barnabas are sent out.

“Now in the church that was at Antioch there were

certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, …and

Saul.

As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy

Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and

Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on

them, they sent them away.”

God is building His God is building His Church from heaven, Church from heaven,

through the work of the through the work of the Holy SpiritHoly Spirit.

Paul’s First Missionary Journey Acts 13-14

• Paul and Barnabas are sent out to preach –

• Their M.O. was to minister in the synagogue first.

• Paul and Barnabas minister:

• Island of Cypress.

• Antioch of Pisidia.• Acts 13:48-49 And as many as had been

appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s First Missionary Journey Acts 13-14

• Iconium – • Now they went together to the synagogue of the Jews,

and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.

• Derbe, and Lycaonia.

• Listra – • Paul is stoned by unbelieving Jews from

Antioch & Iconium.

• Paul and Barnabas Return home to Antoich and report on their journey –

Paul’s First Missionary Journey Acts 13-14

They sailed back to Antioch, where they had been

commended to the grace of God for the work which

they had completed.

They gathered the church together, they reported all

that God had done with them, and that He had

opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. So they

stayed there a long time with the disciples.

First Church Council

Because of the great number of gentiles that were Because of the great number of gentiles that were being added to the church a council was held to being added to the church a council was held to determine their relationship to the Mosaic law.determine their relationship to the Mosaic law.

The conclusion…The conclusion…It seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon It seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.keep yourselves from these, you will do well.

FarewellFarewell

Paul’s Second Missionary Paul’s Second Missionary JourneyJourney Acts 15:26-18:21Acts 15:26-18:21

Paul chose to take Silas with him this Paul chose to take Silas with him this

time.time.

– Paul also picked Timothy Lystra.Paul also picked Timothy Lystra.

They traveled back to the Churches They traveled back to the Churches

that had been established on the first that had been established on the first

journey.journey.

– Acts 16:5 So the churches were Acts 16:5 So the churches were

strengthened in the faith, and increased in strengthened in the faith, and increased in

number daily. number daily.

Paul’s Second Missionary JourneyPaul’s Second Missionary Journey Acts 15:26-18:21 Acts 15:26-18:21

It would seem that Luke began traveling with Paul It would seem that Luke began traveling with Paul

in Troas. in Troas.

Philippi.Philippi.

Thessalonica.Thessalonica.

Berea.Berea.

Athens.Athens.

Corinth.Corinth.

Ephesus.Ephesus.

And when he had gone up and greeted the And when he had gone up and greeted the church (Jerusalem), he went down to Antiochchurch (Jerusalem), he went down to Antioch. .

Acts 18:22 Acts 18:22

Paul’s Third Missionary Paul’s Third Missionary JourneyJourney Acts 18:22 - 21:16Acts 18:22 - 21:16

Strengthening the Disciples – Acts Strengthening the Disciples – Acts 18:22-2318:22-23

All of Asia Reached – Acts 19:8-10All of Asia Reached – Acts 19:8-10

At the close of this journey Paul is At the close of this journey Paul is arrested in Jerusalem and is taken to arrested in Jerusalem and is taken to

Rome to stand trial before Cesar.Rome to stand trial before Cesar.

The Missionary Value of ActsThe Missionary Value of Acts

• The church as a “whole” was a missionary The church as a “whole” was a missionary society.society.

• Paul chose strategic places, centers like Paul chose strategic places, centers like Antioch, Corinth, Ephesus, Athens, Rome.Antioch, Corinth, Ephesus, Athens, Rome.

• Churches were established to be self-governing, Churches were established to be self-governing, self-supporting and self-perpetuating.self-supporting and self-perpetuating.

4

The Great Commission continues until The Great Commission continues until Jesus Christ says to stop Jesus Christ says to stop

We have been living in Act 4, in the history We have been living in Act 4, in the history of God’s redemption of the world, for the of God’s redemption of the world, for the

past 2000 years.past 2000 years.God will end Act 4 dramatically, by way of God will end Act 4 dramatically, by way of

the rapture of His churchthe rapture of His church..

This will introduce the transition to the This will introduce the transition to the Kingdom Age we call the MillenniumKingdom Age we call the Millennium

The Great Commission The Great Commission Continues With Us!Continues With Us!

ACT 4ACT 4

God builds the Church from heaven, through God builds the Church from heaven, through the holy Spirit. Acts-Today.the holy Spirit. Acts-Today.– Israel is set aside, and the Church becomes the Israel is set aside, and the Church becomes the

new Channel for God to save the world.new Channel for God to save the world. – Church born in Acts 2Church born in Acts 2– The Church spreads from Jerusalem, to Judea, to The Church spreads from Jerusalem, to Judea, to

Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth.Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth.– The Church Age ends with the rapture of the The Church Age ends with the rapture of the

Church.Church.

The tribulation period is a transitional period The tribulation period is a transitional period from the Church age to the kingdom age.from the Church age to the kingdom age.