Lesson 4: Gospel spreads to uttermost parts of the world—part 1 (Chapters 12-18) Lessons From Acts.

Lesson 4: Gospel spreads to uttermost parts of the world—part 1 (Chapters 12-18)

Lessons From Acts

Gospel spreads to uttermost parts of the world—(Chapters 12-18)

• Herod came down to Caesarea• He was angry with those from Tyre and Sidon

but they sought peace• He gave a great oration before them• “the voice of a god and not of a man”• Because he did not give glory to God he was

stricken, eaten with worms, and died

Acts 12:25 – 13:3•Barnabus, Saul and John Mark are at Antioch•Barnabus and Saul are listed among the Prophets and teachers•They are called out by the Holy Spirit to go on a mission

Acts 13:5 And when they were at Salamis, they

preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to

their minister.

•Paul blinded the sorcerer Elymas because he withstood Saul when he attempted to convert Sergius Paulus •Sergius Paulus believed

Perga: This city is located in the region of Pamphylia. It was here that John Mark departed company with Paul and Barnabas and returned to

Jerusalem (Acts 13:13).

•They went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day. •When invited to speak, (Acts 13:16-41)

•Started where they were at …•Spoke of the history of the Jews •The seed promise (of a Savior) - was fulfilled in Jesus• What was the basic Gospel message?• Many believed (13:43)

•The Gentiles asked Paul to “preach the same words to them” (Acts 13:42-44)

• Almost the whole city came•The Jews were envious and spoke against him, •Paul and Barnabas “grew bold”

•Jews – “judge themselves unworthy of everlasting life”•Turned to the Gentiles (they rejoiced)

•In a rage, the Jews expelled Paul and Barnabas from their city (Acts 13:50).

Iconium: •After being expelled from Antioch, Paul and Barnabas found many willing to believe in the city of Iconium (Acts 14:1). •But once again some Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds.

•So they stayed there a long time•Spoke boldly•Performed signs and wonders

•The city was divided and those hostile to Paul and Barnabas were planning to abuse and stone them•So they fled to Lystra and Derbe (Acts 14:2-6).

•Paul heals a lame man •The result of this miracle was unexpected: the people thought Paul and Barnabas to be gods.

•They called Barnabas-> Zeus•They called Paul ->Hermes because he was the chief speaker

• Paul and Barnabas were so disturbed they tore their clothes

•We are men just like you•Stop these useless things•Multitude became more excited

•Jews follow to stirred up trouble•Paul is stoned and drug out of the city (thought to be dead)

Ac 14:21 And when they had And when they had preached the gospel to that preached the gospel to that

city and made many disciplescity and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium,

and Antioch,

Ac 14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they they returned to Lystra, Iconium, returned to Lystra, Iconium,

and Antioch,and Antioch,

• Strengthened the souls of the disciples• Exhorted them to continue in the faith

• We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.

• Appointed Elders in every church• Prayed with fasting• Commended them to the Lord

Ac 14:24-25 And after they had passed through Pisidia,

they came to Pamphylia. Now when they had preached the when they had preached the

word in Pergaword in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

Ac 14:26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had

been commended to the grace of God for the work which they

had completed.

Ac 14:27 Now when they had come and 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.

Ac 14:28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

Gospel spreads to uttermost parts of the world—(Chapters 12-18)

• Acts 15 – Conflict over circumcision/law– Some from Judea came to Antioch teaching

circumcision and law-keeping necessary for salvation

– Paul and Barnabas had “no small dispute” with them

– It was decided that Paul and Barnabas should go to Jerusalem to ask the apostles and elders

– Paul and Barnabas shared their joy about the Gentiles along the way

Gospel spreads to uttermost parts of the world—(Chapters 12-18)

• Acts 15 – Conflict over circumcision/law– News of the Gentiles shared in Jerusalem but

Pharisees opposed.– Peter spoke of his lesson regarding the Gentiles– James concurred and suggested guidelines

• Abstain from things offered to idols• Abstain from blood and things strangled• Abstain from sexual immorality

– These were written and distributed to Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia

We don’t know Paul’s exact stops here but can you think

of a reason why he would stop in Tarsus?

• Who do we pick up in Derbe or Lystra?• Mother a Jew and father a Greek• Paul circumcised Timothy

What is Paul’s purpose in visiting these churches again?

Paul wants to preach in Asia but

what happens?

Next, Paul wants to preach in

Bithynia but what happens?

What happens at

Troas?

Who joins them at Troas? Acts 16:10 (hint: “we”)

Now who is traveling together? Paul, Silas,

________ and _________

Samothrace

Neapolis Paul’s Time in Philippi• Lydia• Young Girl, what happened?• What happened in Prison?• What did the jailor do?

•According to Acts 17:1, who stayed at Philippi?•Why would someone need to stay behind?

In Thessalonica•Where did they go to preach?• After 3 Sabbaths, Paul succeeded in converting several.• Who was converted? (17:4)• What did the unbelieving Jews do?

Why were the Bereans more noble or fair minded?

How did Paul leave the City? Why?

14: Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea, but both Silas and Timothy remained in Berea

•In addition to the Jews and Gentiles, Paul deals with Philosophers•Where did Paul preach first?•Where did the Epicureans and Stoics take Paul?•What did they like to hear about in Athens?

•May we know this “new” doctrine•What object did Paul see in the city that he used to teach them?•How did he use the “Unknown God” idol to teach?

Corinth was a port city from two directions.

Corinth was a very immoral city!

Acts 18•Paul stayed with Aquila & Priscilla in Corinth

• Why?•He reasons in the __________•Timothy and Silas join him•When opposed in the synagogue, he shook his garments and said, “Your blood be upon your own heads”

•From now on I will go to the Gentiles•He stayed with Justus•Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed•Paul has a vision, “Do not be afraid, speak on …”

•Continues for 1.5 years•Paul arrested for teaching contrary to the law.•The Gentiles beat Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, before the judgment seat

•Galilio takes no notice

•Paul is received in Ephesus•He is asked to stay longer•He says he must return to Jerusalem for the feast.

•He leaves Aquila and Priscilla with them•I will return to you, God willing