Blog (Page 22)

The apostles and brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles received the word of God. The circumcision party criticized Peter, but Peter explained the events of chapter 10. When they heard all about it they glorified God saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” The persecution of the church scattered believers as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch – they only talked to Jews. Some spoke to Hellenists preaching the Lord Jesus, and…

Cornelius (at Caesarea) and his house feared God. In a vision an angel of God said to send men to Joppa to bring Peter. He did this. The next day as they were approaching Joppa Peter became hungry, he fell into a trance and saw a sheet descending from heaven with all kinds of animals. A voice said, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat.” Peter refused because it was unclean. The voice said 3 times, “What God has made clean, do…

Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, got permission to arrest Christians in Damascus. He was on the road, a light shone, and he heard a voice, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?…I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Go to the city and you will be told what to do.” Paul arose blind. Those with him led him to Damascus. The Lord told Ananias in a vision to find Saul. Saul saw in a…

Under the leadership of Saul a great persecution broke out against the church, and the church scattered. Saul was a terrorist who went house to house imprisoning Christians. God used the persecution to fulfill Acts 1:8 – as the church scattered they preached the Word. Philip preached in Samaria to the joy of the city. Simon the Magician believed under Philip’s preaching. The people were baptized in Jesus’ name, but didn’t receive the Holy Spirit, the Spirit was given then…

Stephen preached an expositional sermon overview of how Jesus is fulfillment of their Scriptures: Abraham: God appeared to Abraham and promised Canaan to his offspring, but foretold of slavery in Egypt for 400 years, but then God would judge Egypt. Abraham had Isaac, Isaac had Jacob, and Jacob was the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. As the time of promise drew near the people grew numerous in Egypt, but they were enslaved. Moses: Moses was born, was beautiful in God’s…

The disciples were increasing in number, and the Greek speaking Jews complained, because their widows were neglected in the daily distributing of food. The 12 told all the disciples they needed to devote themselves to the ministry of the Word and prayer, so they needed to appoint godly men to fill in this gap in the ministry. This pleased the whole gathering, so they chose Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus. They prayed and laid their hands on…

Ananias and Sapphira both lied to God about the price he got for selling land. And they died because of their deception. The Apostles did signs and wonders, and they were all gathered in Solomon’s Portico and multitudes were converted. The high priest with the Sadducees arrested the Apostles. An angel of the Lord set them free and they went straight to preach at the temple again. They were arrested again and were urged not to teach in Jesus’ name. Peter…

Peter and John are arrested for preaching in Jesus the resurrection from the dead, still 5,000 men heard, believed, and came. They boldly told the leaders who arrested them that the lame man was healed by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom they crucified, and Jesus is the only name by which we can be saved in fulfillment of Psalm 118. They charged Peter and John not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, they refused,…

Peter and John were going to pray at the Temple. Peter said to a lame man, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” He got up and walked in with them and was praising God. He clung to Peter and John  and the people were astounded and gathered. Peter preached that they killed Jesus, and that this man was healed by faith in Christ’s name. He pointed out their ignorance. Jesus fulfills the Bible, so repent…

50 days after Christ’s resurrection [Sunday] all of Christ’s followers were together, wind filled the house, divided tongues as of fire rested on each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak many languages by the Holy Spirit. They spoke to men from about 15 nations, and they all heard them speak in their own languages. They thought Christ’s followers were drunk. Peter got up to preach that this fulfilled the Bible –…