11/4/2013 The Church Opposed Scriptures: Acts 8-9 Heart of the Passage: Acts 8:26-9:31 Overview Jesus had made it clear before His ascension that the Gospel was for both the Jew and the Gentile (1:8). But two years after delivering that commission, only Jerusalem had heard the glad tidings. In chapter 8 persecution hits—scattering all but the apostles into Judea and Samaria. Philip—one of the deacons chosen in chapter 6—extends his witness to Africa through the conversion of a visiting dignitary. Saul of Tarsus—archenemy of the infant faith—experiences a confrontation with the risen Lord on the Damascus road which transforms him from Saul the Antagonist into Paul, Missionary to the Gentiles. CHAPTER 8 Mass Evangelism (1-25) Individual Evangelism (26-40) Philip CHAPTER 9 One Mans Conversion (1-19) One Mans Converts (20-31) Saul CHAPTER 9 One Mans Ministry (32-43) Peter Your Daily Walk Can you match the nicknames on the right with the given names on the left? No fair peeking till youve given it a try! 1.Joses (Joseph) a.Cephas (John 1:42) 2.Simon b.Niger (Acts 13:1) 3.James c.Barnabas (Acts 4:36) 4.Simeon d.The Less (Mark 15:40) Nicknames can be revealing, for they often act as a mirror reflecting back to you the way others view your life. In todays reading you met a man named Joses (Joseph). But chances are good you didnt recognize him by that name. Why? Because his life was so marked by an encouraging spirit that he came to be known as Barnabas—son of encouragement. And with good reason (9:26-27; 11:25; 15:37-39)! What is your life so marked by that it would form a fitting nickname for you? Son of Complaining. Daughter of Criticism, Son of Faith, Daughter of Compassion? Pick one and make it the basis of a personal Project Barnabas today. Thats the name of the game! Insight Why Down Is Up in Palestine — We read in 8:5 that Philip went down to the city of Samaria, even though Samaria is north of Jerusalem, This makes sense when we realize that Israels capital city is located atop a hill, and Samaria lies in a low plain. Moreover, we draw our maps with the top facing north, but the Palestinians drew them with the top facing east, looking inland from the Mediterranean. Adage Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
Posted on: Mon, 04 Nov 2013 12:50:01 +0000
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