Christ's Witnesses and the Opposition from the World

Witness: Book of Acts Series - Part 27

Acts 14:1-28

14 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.[a] 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.

Paul and Barnabas at Lystra

8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,[b] 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

Paul Stoned at Lystra

19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch in Syria

24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.

Prayer Overcoming Tyrants & Kings

Witness: Book of Acts Series - Part 25

Acts 12:1-19  

“About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.  2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread.  4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.  5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.  6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.  7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands.  8 And the angel said to him, "Dress yourself and put on your sandals." And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me."  9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.  10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.  11 When Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."  12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.  13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer.  14 Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate.  15 They said to her, "You are out of your mind." But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, "It is his angel!"  16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.  17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Tell these things to James and to the brothers."  Then he departed and went to another place.  18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.  19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.”

Antioch: The First Global Missions Base

Witness: Book of Acts Series - Part 24

Acts 11:19-30  

“Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.  20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenistsalso, preaching the Lord Jesus.  21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.  22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.  23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.  25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.  27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.  28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius).  29 So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothersliving in Judea.  30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.”

How the Gospel Came to the Gentiles - Part I

Witness: Book of Acts Series - Part 22

Acts 10:1-24, 34-48

“At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.  3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, "Cornelius."  4 And he stared at him in terror and said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.  5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter.  6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside."  7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.  9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.  10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance  11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth.  12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air.  13 And there came a voice to him: "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."  14 But Peter said, "By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean."  15 And the voice came to him again a second time, "What God has made clean, do not call common."  16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.  17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate  18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there.  19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you.  20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them."  21 And Peter went down to the men and said, "I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?"  22 And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say."  23 So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.  24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends…. 34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,  35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.  36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),  37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed:  38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.  39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,  40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear,  41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.  42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.  43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."  44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.  45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.  46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,  47 "Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"  48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.”

The Miraculous Conversion of Paul

Witness: Book of Acts Series - Part 21

Acts 8:26-40

“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.  29 And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and join this chariot."  30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?"  31 And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.  32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: "Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth.  33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth."  34 And the eunuch said to Philip, "About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?"  35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.  36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?" 37   38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.  39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.  40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.”

The Spirit-Led Evangelism of Philip

Witness: Book of Acts Series - Part 20

Acts 8:26-40

“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.  29 And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and join this chariot."  30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?"  31 And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.  32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: "Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth.  33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth."  34 And the eunuch said to Philip, "About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?"  35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.  36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?" 37   38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.  39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.  40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.”

The Breakout of the Gospel

Witness: Book of Acts Series - Part 19

Acts 8:1-25 

“And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.  2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.  3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.  4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.  5 Philip went down to the city1 of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.  6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did.  7 For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.  8 So there was much joy in that city.  9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great.  10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the power of God that is called Great."  11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.  12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.  13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.  14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.  18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, "Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."  20 But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!  21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.  22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.  23 For I see that you are in the gall1 of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity."  24 And Simon answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."  25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.”

Stephen’s History-Making Witness - Part I

Witness: Book of Acts Series - Part 17

Acts 6:8-7:2a, 58-60

“And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.  9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen.  10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.  11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God."  12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.’  15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.  7:1 And the high priest said, ‘Are these things so?’ 2 And Stephen said: "Brothers and fathers, hear me….” 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.  59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."  60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”