Acts continues Jesus! We continue Acts!
Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off for all whom the Lord our God will call. With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, Save yourselves from this corrupt generation. Acts 2
While Peter was still speaking these words about Jesus, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The Jewish believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
During Jesus earthly ministry Your sins are forgiven. Matthew 9 Your faith has saved you: go in peace! Luke 7.50 Today you will be with me in Paradise. Luke 23.43 He gave them power and authority Luke 9.1 Before the cross, resurrection, ascension, outpouring of the Spirit Before Acts 2
the cross, resurrection, ascension, outpouring of the Spirit Coming Day of the Lord, resurrection, new creation! Acts 2 full story of the Good News proclaimed for the first time! Believe Jesus is God s Messiah, crucified but raised Change sides because the risen Jesus is Lord Be baptized into forgiveness of sins, the new side Receive the Spirit Jesus Presence, the future, power New community of God s people in Christ
the cross, resurrection, ascension, outpouring of the Spirit Coming Day of the Lord, resurrection, new creation! Acts 8 full story of the Good News proclaimed in Samaria for the first time! Believe Jesus is God s Messiah, crucified but raised Change sides because the risen Jesus is Lord Be baptized into forgiveness of sins, the new side Receive the Spirit Jesus Presence, the future, power New community of God s people in Christ
the cross, resurrection, ascension, outpouring of the Spirit Coming Day of the Lord, resurrection, new creation! Acts 10 full story of the Good News proclaimed (officially) to Gentiles for the first time! Believe Jesus is God s Messiah, crucified but raised Change sides because the risen Jesus is Lord Be baptized into forgiveness of sins, the new side Receive the Spirit Jesus Presence, the future, power New community of God s people in Christ
the cross, resurrection, ascension, outpouring of the Spirit Coming Day of the Lord, resurrection, new creation! Acts 19 full story of the Good News proclaimed for the first time to followers Believe Jesus is God s Messiah, crucified but raised Change sides because the risen Jesus is Lord Be baptized into forgiveness of sins, the new side Receive the Spirit Jesus Presence, the future, power New community of God s people in Christ
the cross, resurrection, ascension, outpouring of the Spirit Coming Day of the Lord, resurrection, new creation! Acts 2 full story of the Good News proclaimed for us! Believe Jesus is God s Messiah, crucified but raised Change sides because the risen Jesus is Lord Be baptized into forgiveness of sins, the new side Receive the Spirit Jesus Presence, the future, power New community of God s people in Christ
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. Acts 11
News of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Acts 11
During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the believers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. Acts 11
It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing Peter over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. Acts 12
God escalates it again God escalates it more awesome and beautiful works Jesus Christ is Lord and darkness is not Darkness escalates: propaganda campaigns, rage, violence Darkness tries to put it out: Concealment, lies, intimidation God does something public, awesome and beautiful to show that Jesus Christ is Lord
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas (from Cyprus), Simeon called Niger (African?), Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (a Judaean who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul (from Tarsus, in Asia Minor). While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
To be continued