By
Bishop Elijah H. Hankerson III, BA, MA, DD
LESSON NOTES:
I.
THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING
THE ENTIRE BIBLE. If
you understand that the Bible is written to show us how humanity was created
for God, fell into sin, was reconciled through Christ (who was the product of a
family) and God will restore everything through His sacrifice on the Cross;
then you have the message of the entire Bible.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 17Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new. 18And all things are of God, who
hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the
ministry of reconciliation; 19To wit, that God was in Christ,
reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;
and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then we
are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in
Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21For he hath made him to
be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God
in him.
II.
WHO IS THE AUTHOR OF LUKE-ACTS? Luke is the author of this
two part volume.
A.
LUKE TRAVELLED WITH THE APOSTLE
PAUL.2 This is why there are several points in Acts at which the
story shifts from “they” to “we.”3
B.
LUKE TRAVELLED WITH PAUL.
2 Timothy 4:11 11Only
Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my
ministry.
Philemon 1:23-24 23Epaphras,
my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24And so do
Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
1.
LUKE USES “WE.”
·
ACTS 16:10-17.
·
ACTS 20:5-15.
·
ACTS 21:1-18.
·
ACTS 27:1.
·
ACTS 28:16.
C.
LUKE IS CALLED THE BELOVED
PHYSICIAN.
Colossians 4:14. Luke, the beloved physician, and
Demas, greet you.
D.
LUKE MAY VERY WELL BE THE
ONLY GENTILE AUTHOR IN THE BIBLE. I say “may” because many of the books of the
Bible are anonymous. Thus, there is the possibility that there may be others.
Although it’s a slim chance; there is yet the possibility. The following
passage shows that Luke was not included in the Jewish Christian ranks.
Colossians 4:10-14 10My
fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin
of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you,
welcome him.) 11Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings.
These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they
have proved a comfort to me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you and a
servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for
you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13I
vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and
Hierapolis. 14Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send
greetings.
E.
WHERE DID THE TERM GENTILE
COME FROM; AS YOU DO NOT HEAR IT A LOT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT? You actually do. Gentile
really just means, “nations” in the Bible. You actually find the term “nations”
very often.
Genesis 10:5 5(From
these the maritime peoples spread out into their territories by their clans
within their nations, each with its own language.)
F.
LUKE BEING A GENTILE AND
SERVING THE GOD OF ABRAHAM IS REALLY NOT A RARE THING IN SCRIPTURE. There were many Gentiles
that converted and served the God of the Bible.
1.
THE OLD TESTAMENT ALLOWED
FOREIGNERS TO CONVERT.
Exodus 12:48-49 48"A
foreigner residing among you who wants to celebrate the LORD's Passover must
have all the males in his household circumcised; then he may take part like one
born in the land. No uncircumcised male may eat it. 49The same law applies
both to the native-born and to the foreigner residing among you."
G.
THE THING THAT WAS UNIQUE
WITH LUKE AND OTHER GENTILE CONVERTS TO CHRISTIANITY WAS THAT THE NORMAL JEWISH
REQUIREMENTS OF CIRCUMCISION AND LAW KEEPING WERE NOT REQUIRED. This was very offensive to
the Jews. It was a raging controversy that eventually caused Christianity to
evolve from being Jewish sect to becoming its own separate religion. But, under
Christ, His movement was a Jewish movement that was indistinguishable from
Judaism to outsiders.
Acts 15:1
15 Certain people came down from Judea to
Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are
circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be
saved.”
Acts 15:24-29
24 We have heard that some went out from us
without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they
said. 25 So
we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends
Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending
Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It
seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything
beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from
food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and
from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.
Farewell.
Galatians
5:1-2 1It is
for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let
yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. 2Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let
yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value
to you at all.
1
Corinthians 7:19 19Circumcision
is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what
counts.
Galatians
2:3 3Yet not
even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised,
even though he was a Greek.
H.
LUKE IS A CONVERT OF PAUL. Paul received the Gospel
from Jesus Christ directly by revelation. He was not an eyewitness of the
events of Christ’s life; because he was an unbeliever at that time and was
opposed to the Jesus Movement. So Luke could not have received eye witness
information from Paul. So he used Mark as his template and gathered together
all of the oral and written documents about Christ that he could get his hands
on and wrote Luke-Acts; a two part volume.
III.
LUKE ADDED SOME THINGS NOT
FOUND IN THE OTHER GOSPELS.
A.
THE STORY OF THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE
BAPTIST. Luke 1:5-25, 36-37.
B.
THE STORY OF THE TWO MEN WHO MET THE
RESURRECTED JESUS ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS. Luke 24:13–35.
C.
HE HAS THE MOST HEALING STORIES. Most likely because of his medical
history and also his ambition to present a merciful and compassionate. Christ.
1.
HEALING THE CENTURION’S SERVANT OF PALSY. LUKE 7:1-10
2.
HEALING OF JAIRUS’ DAUGHTER. LUKE 8:40-56
3.
HEALING THE WOMAN WITH AN ISSUE OF BLOOD. LUKE 8:43-48
4.
HEALING THE MAN SICK OF THE PALSY. LUKE 5:17-26
5.
HEALING THE LEPER. LUKE 5:12-14
6.
HEALING PETER’S MOTHER-IN-LAW. LUKE 4:38-39
7.
HEALING THE MAN WITH THE WITHERED HAND. LUKE 6:6-11
8.
HEALING THE BLIND BARTIMAEUS. LUKE 18:35-43
9.
HEALING THE EAR OF
MALCHUS, SERVANT OF THE HIGH PRIEST. LUKE 22:50-51
IV.
NORMALLY GREAT WORKS WOULD
BE DEDICATED TO SOMEONE OF IMPORTANCE. This added credibility to the work. In this
case Luke dedicated his two part volume to Theophilus. While the work was
dedicated to him; it was not necessarily just for Him. It was dedicated to
everyone to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Theophilus means, “lover of God,”
or “loved of God.” This is a Gentile official; but some say that it is really a
generic name that stands symbolic for everyone.
Luke 1:3-4 3With
this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the
beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent
Theophilus, 4so that you may know the certainty of the things you
have been taught.
Acts 1:1-2 1In
my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to
teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving
instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
V.
MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE LUKE
EMPHASIZED THE HUMANITY OF CHRIST. HE EMPHASIZED WORKS OF MERCY ON OUTSIDERS. Because Luke was somewhat
of an outsider to the Jewish faith; you will hear stories of the human
compassion of Christ, in Luke’s writings.
VI.
EMPHASIS ON THE HUMANITY OF CHRIST. Luke gives Christ’s lineage all the way back to Adam.
Matthew had connected Jesus’ genealogy to Abraham (through Joseph); proving
He’s the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant. However, Luke presents Jesus to
all humanity, tracing his roots back to Adam (through Mary). Jesus is the “seed
of the woman” of Genesis 3:15!
Luke 3:23-38
23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old
when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph,
the son of Heli, 24 the son
of Matthat,
the son of Levi, the son of MeLukei,
the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,
25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos,
the son of Nahum, the son of Esli,
the son of Naggai, 26 the son
of Maath,
the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein,
the son of Josek, the son of Joda,
27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa,
the son of Zerubbabel, the son of
Shealtiel,
the son of Neri, 28 the son
of MeLukei,
the son of Addi, the son of Cosam,
the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,
29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer,
the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat,
the son of Levi, 30 the son
of Simeon,
the son of Judah, the son of Joseph,
the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,
31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna,
the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan,
the son of David, 32 the son
of Jesse,
the son of Obed, the son of Boaz,
the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,
33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram,
the son of Hezron, the son of Perez,
the son of Judah, 34 the son
of Jacob,
the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,
the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,
35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu,
the son of Peleg, the son of Eber,
the son of Shelah, 36 the son
of Cainan,
the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem,
the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch,
the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel,
the son of Kenan, 38 the son
of Enosh,
the son of Seth, the son of Adam,
the son of God.
IV.
JESUS WELCOMED IN THE OUTCAST IN LUKE.
A.
A LEPER – LUKE 5:
12-16.
B.
A PARALYZED MAN –
LUKE 5:17-26.
C.
LEVI THE TAX
COLLECTOR – LUKE 5:27-32.
D.
A SINFUL WOMAN –
LUKE 7:36-50.
E.
A MAN POSSESED
WITH “LEGION” – LUKE 8:26-39.
F.
A LOST SON – LUKE
15:11-32
V.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LUKE AND ACTS.
A.
LUKE SHOWS THE MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST IN PERSON. ACTS
SHOWS THE MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST THROUGH HIS APOSTLES.
Luke 5:15 15Yet
the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear
him and to be healed of their sicknesses.
Acts 5:12 12The
apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade.
B.
LUKE’S MOVES TOWARD JERUSALEM, WHILE ACTS ACTIONS MOVES
AWAY FROM JERUSALEM.[1]
Luke 9:51-53 51As
the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out
for Jerusalem. 52And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a
Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53but the people
there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem.
Acts 1:8 8But
you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the
earth."
VIII.
THE STORY OF JESUS CHRIST IN LUKE.
A.
THE BEGINNING OF JESUS MINISTRY (Luke 1-4:13).
B.
JESUS MINISTERS IN THE GALILEE REGION (Luke 4:14-9).
C.
JESUS MINISTERS IN JUDEA (LUKE 9-19:27).
D.
JESUS REDEEMS US FROM SIN (LUKE 19:28-24:1-12).
1.
JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS (Luke 23:26-56).
2.
JESUS RISES FROM THE DEAD (Luke 24:1-12).
Luke 24:1-12
24 On the first day of the week, very early in
the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the
tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the
tomb, 3 but when they
entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this,
suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with
their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the
living among the dead? 6 He
is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with
you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son
of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on
the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.
9 When they came back from the tomb, they told
all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was
Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with
them who told this to the apostles. 11 But
they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like
nonsense. 12 Peter,
however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen
lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had
happened.
E.
JESUS ASCENDS; SO TAKE THE GOSPEL TO THE NATIONS (Luke
24:13-53).
Luke 24:49-53 49I
am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until
you have been clothed with power from on high." 50When he had
led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed
them. 51While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up
into heaven. 52Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem
with great joy. 53And they stayed continually at the temple,
praising God.
IX.
THE STORY OF JESUS CHRIST TOLD THROUGH HIS APOSTLES.
A.
JUDAS IS REPLACED.
Following the Scriptures, Peter leads the saints in a selection of a new
apostle to take Judas’ place. By a very strange process (by today’s standards)
two men were nominated, prayer was offered and lots cast. The lot that won was
Mathias.
Acts 1:20-26
20 Peter said, “In the book of Psalms, this is
written about Judas:
‘People should not go near his land;
no
one should live there.’
And it is also written:
‘Let another man have his work.’
21-22 “So now another man must join us and be a
witness of Jesus’ resurrection. He must be one of those men who were part of
our group during all the time the Lord Jesus was with us. He must have been
with us from the time John was baptizing people until the day when Jesus was
carried up from us into heaven.”
23 They put two men before the group. One was
Joseph Barsabbas. He was also called Justus. The other man was Matthias. 24-25 They
prayed, “Lord, you know the minds of all people. Show us which one of these two
men you choose to do this work. Judas turned away from it and went where he
belongs. Lord, show us which man should take his place as an apostle!” 26 Then they used lots to choose one of the
two men. The lots showed that Matthias was the one the Lord wanted. So he
became an apostle with the other eleven.
1.
CASTING LOTS WAS COMMON IN BIBLICAL TIMES. Pretty much taking two rocks with each person’s name on
one. Put it in a satchel. Shake it up. And whichever rock you pick that was the
choice.
1 Chronicles 26:13-16 13Lots
were cast for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike. 14The
lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then lots were cast for his son
Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him. 15The
lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-Edom, and the lot for the storehouse fell
to his sons. 16The lots for the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on
the upper road fell to Shuppim and Hosah. Guard was alongside of guard:
Nehemiah 11:1 1Now
the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem. The rest of the people cast
lots to bring one out of every ten of them to live in Jerusalem, the holy city,
while the remaining nine were to stay in their own towns.
Jonah 1:7 7Then
the sailors said to each other, "Come, let us cast lots to find out who is
responsible for this calamity." They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.
B.
THE NEW TESTAMENT ERA BEGINS. The Holy Spirit is poured out. Prior to this time, those
who had special assignments received the power of God on their lives. Now,
every believer was to receive the power of God; because all believers are on
assignment. Notice these individuals were already born again (Jesus had shed
his blood and breathed upon them). But, now they were empowered. They spoke
with tongues; not to preach in these languages. But, to glorify God and show
total surrender to God. This experience is for all.
1.
SIGNIFICANCE OF PENTECOST. Pentecost was a harvest festival; so it was significant
in that sense. But, even though the disciples remembered what God did for them,
from that day forward you do not hear them constantly reflecting on the day.
The moved forward and did the work. Pentecost continued to be observed in its
Jewish sense; without any emphasis among the believers as the day being tied to
their spiritual experience.
Acts 11:15 15"As
I began to speak, the Holy
Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning.
2.
THEY WERE ALREADY BELIEVERS.
Acts
1:15 15In those days Peter stood
up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)
3.
THEY WERE ALREADY BORN AGAIN.
John 20:22 22And
with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
4.
THEY GLORIFIED GOD IN TONGUES.
Acts 2:1-4 1And
when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one
place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing
mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And
there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each
of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to
speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:5-12 5Now
there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under
heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in
bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7Utterly
amazed, they asked: "Aren't all these who are speaking Galileans? 8Then
how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9Parthians,
Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and
Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near
Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11(both Jews and converts to Judaism);
Cretans and Arabs-we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own
tongues!" 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another,
"What does this mean?"
5.
THE TONGUE IS UNRULY, SO THIS SHOWED TOTAL SURRENDER.
James 3:8 8but
no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly
poison.
6.
THE EXPERIENCE IS FOR ALL.
Acts 2:37-39 37When
the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the
other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38Peter
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. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all
who are far off-for all whom the LORD our God will call."
a.
LUKE EMPHASIZES THE NAME OF JESUS IN BAPTISM AND IN
MINISTRY. But, you hear not fight between Peter nor
Matthew regarding a baptism formula. The fight that we have between
denominations in recent years; is a fight that the early church leaders did not
have.
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said
unto them, Repent, and be baptized every
one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 8:12
But when they
believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the
name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized,
both men and women.
Acts 8:16
(For as yet he was
fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Acts 10:48
And he commanded
them to be baptized in
the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 19:5
When they heard
this, they were baptized in
the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 22:16
And now why
tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized,
and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
b.
LUKE EMPHASIZES TONGUES AS THE INITIAL (NOT NECESSARILY
ONLY) PHYSICAL EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST.
i.
THE JEWS SPOKE WITH TONGUES.
Acts 2:4 4And
they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other
tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
ii.
THE GENTILES SPOKE IN TONGUES.
Acts 10:44-46 44While
Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the
message. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were
astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on
Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising
God. Then Peter said,
iii.
THE DISCIPLES OF JOHN SPOKE IN TONGUES.
Acts 19:6 6And
when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they
spake with tongues, and prophesied.
iv.
OUT OF THE MOUTH OF 2-3 WITNESSES EVERY WORD IS
ESTABLISHED.
Deuteronomy
17:6 6On the testimony of two or three witnesses a person is to be put to death, but no
one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.
2
Corinthians 13:1-2 1This
will be my third visit to you. "Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." 2I already gave you
a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On
my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others,
Matthew
18:16 16But if
they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may
be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'
Numbers 35:30 30"'Anyone
who kills a person is to be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of witnesses. But no one is to be put to
death on the testimony of only one witness.
Matthew 18:20 20For
where two or three gather in my name, there am I with
them."
John
8:17 17In your
own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true.
C.
MIRACLES OCCUR. This is
not a magic show. The miracles occur to confirm the message of the Gospel of Jesus
Christ.
Acts 2:43-47 43Everyone
was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44All
the believers were together and had everything in common. 45They
sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46Every
day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in
their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising
God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the LORD added to their
number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 5:12-14 12And
by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the
people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. 13And
of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. 14And
believers were the more added to the LORD, multitudes both of men and women.)
Acts 8:4-8 4Those
who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5Philip
went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6When
the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close
attention to what he said. 7For with shrieks, impure spirits came
out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8So
there was great joy in that city.
D.
THE MINISTRY OF PETER; APOSTLE TO THE JEWS.
1.
PETER GIVEN THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM.
Matthew 16:18-19 18And
I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my
church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19And I
will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou
shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose
on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
2.
PETER RESTORED AFTER FALLING.
Luke
22:31-32 31"Simon, Simon, Satan
has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you,
Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen
your brothers."
John 21:17 17The
third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter
was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He
said, "LORD, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus
said, "Feed my sheep.
3.
PETER OPENS THE DOOR FOR JEWS TO COME INTO THE CHURCH.
Acts
2:22 22"Fellow
Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to
you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you
yourselves know.
Acts
2:37 37When
the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other
apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
4.
PETER OPENS THE DOOR FOR GENTILES TO COME INTO THE
CHURCH.
Acts 10:34-46
34 Then
Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show
favoritism 35 but
accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the
people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus
Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You
know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee
after the baptism that John preached— 38 how
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he
went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the
devil, because God was with him.
39 “We
are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in
Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on
the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He
was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already
chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the
people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of
the living and the dead. 43 All
the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him
receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 While
Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who
heard the message. 45 The
circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the
gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues
and praising God.
E.
THE MINISTRY OF PAUL; APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES.
1.
PAUL’S BACKGROUND.
Acts 23:6 6Then
Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called
out in the Sanhedrin, "My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from
Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the
dead."
Galatians 1:13-14 13For
you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I
persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14I was
advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was
extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
Philippians 3:4-6 4though
I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have
reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on
the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of
Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting
the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
1 Timothy 1:12-16 12I
thank Christ Jesus our LORD, who has given me strength, that he considered me
trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13Even though I was once
a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I
acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our LORD was poured
out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15Here
is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into
the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. 16But for that
very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus
might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in
him and receive eternal life.
2.
PAUL’S CONVERSION.
Acts 9:1-19
9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out
murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked
him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any
there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as
prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As
he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around
him. 4 He fell to the
ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul,
Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am
Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you
will be told what you must do.”
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there
speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got
up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So
they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For
three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named
Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes,
Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street
and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a
vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to
restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many
reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in
Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from
the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to
proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of
Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for
my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered
it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who
appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may
see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately,
something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up
and was baptized, 19 and
after taking some food, he regained his strength.
3.
PAUL’S MISSION IN LIFE.
Romans 11:13 13I
am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I
take pride in my ministry
Galatians 1:15-16 15But
when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by his grace,
was pleased 16to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him
among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.
4.
PAUL’S EVANGELISTIC JOURNEYS.
a.
1ST MISSIONARY
JOURNEY (ACTS 13:4-15:35). Paul
and his team pioneered at least 20 churches. His journeys begin in Acts 13. He
could have had more travels than these; but these are the ones recorded.
b.
2ND MISSIONARY
JOURNEY (ACTS 15:36-18:22). Paul writes 1 and 2 Thessalonians.
c.
3RD MISSIONARY
JOURNEY (ACTS 18:23-21:17). Paul writes Galatians, 1 and 2 Corinthians
and Romans.
d.
JOURNEY TO ROME (ACTS
27:1 TO 28:16). Paul writes the “Prison Epistles,” of
Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon (some say Hebrews as well, but
this epistle is pretty much anonymous).
X.
AN OPEN ENDED BOOK. Later in his life (before
being executed) Paul writes Titus and 1 and 2 Timothy. He had quite a fruitful
ministry. However, the book of Acts does not have a definite ending. The reason
why is that the story of the Holy Spirit at work in the church continues to
this day; until Jesus comes!
XI.
PRAYER FOR SALVATION. As we close, if you have not received this
Jesus pray this simple prayer:
"Father, I know that I
have sinned against You. Please forgive me. Wash me clean. I promise to trust
in Jesus, Your Son. I believe that He died for me—He took my sin upon Himself when
He died on the cross. I believe that He was raised from the dead. I surrender
my life to Jesus today.
"Thank You, Father, for Your gift of
forgiveness and eternal life. Please help me to live for you. In Jesus' name,
Amen."
[1] https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/5088/documents/2014/2/Healing%20in%20Luke%20Acts.pdf. (Accessed, May 11, 2020).
No comments:
Post a Comment