Acts 16:1-2
vs. 1 - Disciples who serve
Paul came to Derbe and Lystra where Timothy was.
Timothy’s mom and grandmother were believers
Timothy devoted himself to learning about God, from his family.
2 Tim. 1:5 - Paul says Timothy had unfeigned faith
vs. 2 - Disciples with good reports
Timothy had a good testimony, that would’ve been well reported of by others
Acts 15:36-41
36: The Condition of Christians
Paul wants to go with Barnabas back to visit their previous churches, and see how the Christians are doing. Paul has a vision.
37: The Convictions of Christians
Barnabas determines to take John Mark along to visit; this is Barnabas’ conviction.
He did not confer with Paul. John Mark needed Barnabas’ love and God’s open door to serve Him.
38 - The Contradiction of Christians
Paul did not want to take John Mark, because he deserted them before.
39 - The Contention of Christians
Barnabas and John Mark separated themselves from Paul and Silas and went to Cyprus.
Jesus Christ had contention too when He was on the earth.
40 - The Choices of Christians
Paul and Silas separate from the others also, and head northwest.
41 - The Confirmation of Christians
Paul and Silas confirmed the churches and Christians in them, that the Gospel was still going out and believers were growing.
Acts 15:22-35
vs 22 - Decisions must be made
To decide by the congregation
To send (four men went back to Antioch)
vs 23-29 Consists of the content of the letter (epistle)
vs. 23 - The decision to communicate together
vs. 24 - The offense is acknowledged in person and in writing found in the letter
The depth of the offense is also acknowledged
vs. 25-26 Tells us of the spirit of the decision makers and the decision being made
Affirmation is made to the readers in Antioch that these decisions were made in the correct way of love and unity.
The letter expressed their love to them, and their commitment to Jesus Christ.
27 - A personal touch is sent also in the letters. Judas and Silas delivered it to them in person.
28 - They decided to remove some burdens that were unnecessary, yet keep the items that were important
29 - The list of burdens to stay away from: meats offered to idols, blood, things strangled, spiritual fornication of idolatry
30-32 - The multitude of believers assembled together to discuss the business that Judas and Silas needed to deliver.
They travelled from Jerusalem to Antioch
They assembled at Antioch
They delivered the letter
The letter was read publicly. They rejoiced together and the letter was confirmed by Judas and Silas.
Judas and Silas also gave them personal exhortation.
33-35 - Some of them left Antioch, but some stayed.
Judas leaves, but Silas stays.
Each of them stayed or left peacefully
Acts 15:1-21
vs 1 - See the problem and the pain
vs 2 - See the oversight
vs 3 -5 - See the listening
vs 6 - See the teamwork
vs 7-11 - See the Input by Peter
vs 12 - See the input by Paul and Barnabas
vs 13-21 - See the input by James
vs 15-18 - Amos 9:11-12 - God already had this planned out with Jews and Gentiles. Both getting saved.
vs 19-21 - See the yearning - everyone wants to solve the problem
Jews are to stop troubling the Gentiles
Gentiles are to stop provoking the Jews
Jews and Gentiles are to fellowship together
Acts 14:24-28
God is leading us where He want to; don’t mind some of the detours and paths He takes us down.
Paul and Barnabas are on the return trip home from their first missionary journey. They still have God’s plans and purpose on their minds.
Acts 13:1-3 - They began ministry with God’s purpose
Acts 14: 21-23 - They end ministry with God’s purpose
14: 24-25 - They pass through the cities again with God’s purpose
14: 26 - They returned to where they started from
14:27- They focused on what God had done and is continually doing
14:28 - They stayed in Antioch of Syria a long time, getting refreshed, getting reports, spending time with the church and disciples.
Paul and Barnabas’ goals:
1. Establish disciples personally and collectively for a church plant
2. Remember the patterns, functions, and maintenance of ministry
* Preaching & teaching
* Evangelism and missions
* Confirming (strengthening) of disciples
* Exhortation
* Admonishing (giving warnings)
* Ordaining elders in churches
* Praying and fasting
* Commended the churches and people to the Lord
* Discipleship
Acts 14: 19-23
We take this journey because of Satan, sins, and our beliefs.
Where there is light, there is bugs.
vs 19 - Persuasion has power
vs. 20- Leave and stay as the Lord leads
vs. 21 - Keep the Gospel going
vs. 22 - Prepare the disciples
vs. 23 - Prepare the church
Acts 14: 8-18
vs 8: God’s plan included the presence of suffering
The man was born crippled.
vs 9: God’s plan includes faith from hearing
Paul realized the crippled man had faith to be healed.
vs 10: God’s plan includes apostolic healings
Paul told the man to stand up and the man was healed.
vs 11-13: God’s plan does not include making men their gods
The people in the city thought that Paul and Barnabas were gods that had come down from heaven
vs 14-15: God’s plan makes Him alone worthy of praise
Paul and Barnabas stopped them from their worshiping them and Paul points them to the True God
vs 16-18: God’s plan is longsuffering towards unbelievers
Paul and Barnabas witnessed to the unsaved. God gave this listeners time to repent.
Acts 14:1-7
vs. 1 - Good News brings conversion
vs. 2 - Good news brings opposition
vs. 3 - Good news brings God’s demonstration
vs. 4 - Good news brings separation
vs. 5-6 - Good news brings determination to keep on
vs 7 - Good news brings motivation
Acts 13: 43-52
vs. 43 - Choose grace over law
We all our able to make our own choice of salvation
Walking in the Law will condemn you
Paul and Barnabas encouraged people to accept God’s grace
vs. 44-45 - Choose to Hear God’s Word
Some of the Jews were jealous of the crowds following Paul and Barnabas. They started spreading bad
things about Paul and Barnabas and their message.
vs. 46 - Choose to Hear God’s Messengers
Paul and Barnabas say that these Jews “put away” the Word of God and everlasting life with God.
They judged themselves and still did not accept God’s grace.
vs. 47 - Choose to be a Light in a Dark World
vs. 48 - Choose Eternal Life and Believe
Gentiles were glad to hear the Word of God, many were ordained to eternal life and believed it.
This word ordained does not mean fore-ordained, it means appointed, set, determine, addicted to
something. Many were “determined to,, addicted to the thought of” eternal life and believed the Word of God.
vs. 49 - Choose to publish the Good News
The Gospel message was spread to many people.
Acts 13: 24-43
vs. 24-25: The Savior requires a high view
Paul reminds us that John the Baptist said that even he was not worthy enough to loosen the sandals that Jesus Christ wore.
vs. 25: Jesus is worthy
John the Baptist’s messages was that Jesus is the Messiah.
vs. 26-28: The Savior needs known not just known about
The Jews had and knew the Laws of Moses, but they did not accept Jesus as Messiah
vs. 26: Jesus Christ send the Word of His salvation to all people
Paul is giving this message to Jews and Gentiles
vs. 27-28: Jesus Christ was condemned and crucified without a cause
vs. 29-31: The Savior was buried, resurrected, and seen by witnesses
vs. 32-37: The Savior’s resurrection Good News was promised in the Old Testament
Paul uses Old Testament scriptures three times to show that the resurrection was not a new concept
Psalm 2:7, Isaiah 55:3, Psalm 16:19
vs. 38-39: The Savior offers forgiveness and justification from sin to everyone.
Salvation and justification is not given by keeping the Law
vs. 40-41: The Savior’s offer comes with a warning
Habakkuk 1:5
vs. 42-43: The Savior’s message leads to responses
Interest. Indifference. Belief. Unbelief.
God’s grace is for all. It is your choice to accept it.
Acts 13:13-23
vs.13-14: The Savior goes to the Jew first
vs. 15: The Savior saves through God’s Word
vs. 16: The Savior wants us to choose to hear
vs. 17: The Savior shows Himself strong in the Exodus
vs. 18-19: The Savior tries us in wilderness wanderings and conquest
vs. 20: The Savior deals with those doing what’s right in their own eyes
vs. 21-23: The Savior is Jesus, the promised seed of David and King
Acts 13:1-13
vs 1-2: God gifts and calls His servants
vs 3-4: Send those that God calls by the Holy Spirit
vs. 5: Preach and teach God’s Word
vs. 6-8: Expect opposition to the Faith
vs 7: Lead anybody that is desiring to the faith
vs. 9-10: Rebuke the enemy when necessary
vs. 11-12: Expect results from preaching God’s Word
vs. 13: Anticipate Departures
Acts 13:1-7
vs. 1-2: God gifts and call servants
The Holy Spirit told multiple prophets and teachers to separate Barnabas and Saul to do God’s work.
These men were:
Barnabas from Cyprus
Simeon from Niger Africa
Lucius from Cyrene
Manaen from Judea (a godly man brought up with wicked Herod the Tetrarch. Possibly Herod’s step- brother)
Saul from Tarsus
We are all called to be righteous and obey God’s Word.
vs. 3-4: Send those that God calls by the Holy Spirit
The prophets and teachers fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on Saul and Barnabas before sending them
Saul and Barnabas went to the port of Selucia and then to the isle of Cyprus
vs. 5: Preach and teach God’s Word
Saul and Barnabas preached in all of the synagogues
vs. 6: Expect opposition to the faith
Elymus was a false prophet, a sorcerer
vs. 7: Lead anybody that is desiring, to the faith
the deputy or governor was Sergius Paulus. He wanted to talk with Saul and Barnabas and hear the Word of God from them
Acts 12: 20-25
vs. 20: We will seek peace versus conflict
vs. 21: We will guard our lips
vs. 22: We will be loyal to God
vs. 23: We will not usurp God’s glory
vs. 24: We will trust God to grow and multiply His Word.
vs. 25: We will be responsible in all things
Acts 12:1-19
God is the difference between church and state.
vs. 1 - States can seek to hurt us as Christians
Herod, the King, wanted to vex the church
vex = do evil, harm
vs. 2 - States can seek to destroy us
James was killed because of the king’s order
vs. 3 - States can seek the popularity of the wicked
The Jews were happy about James’ death, so he took Peter captive
vs. 4 - States can fail to reach their ends because God is always involved in His plan
Herod put Peter under heavy guards, this was part of God’s plan
vs.5 - We pray constantly for healthy change
The church prayed without ceasing for Peter
vs. 6-8 - We know God can overpower States
God sent the angel to overcome the the 16 guards and chains to free Peter
vs. 9-11 - We need to trust God more than ourselves and our abilities
This miracle took place and Peter had to “wake up” and realize the hand of God on his release
God can overrule the wicked government
vs. 12 - We pray consistently together
Peter went to John Mark’s house where the church was praying
vs. 13-16 - We aren’t surprised in God answering prayer
Rhoda was so surprised to see Peter at the door that she shut it on him, and went and told the others.
Peter just stood there knocking.
vs. 17 - We need to communicate and credit God with the miracles He does
Peter told the church how God released him
vs 18-19 - States can self-destruct
Herod put the soldiers that had been guarding Peter to death
Acts 11:19-30
vs. 19: We are a body on the move.
The church (believers) were scattered because of persecution.
vs. 20: We speak and preach the Lord Jesus
Some Jews were even going to the Gentiles to preach
vs. 21: We need the hand of the Lord with us
God grew the number of believers in the church, according to His plan.
vs. 22: We need to send servants to serve
The people of the church were spreading the gospel, not just the preacher and/or deacons.
vs. 23: We need to see and show God’s grace
This was the Christians’ purpose, and also to cling to God.
vs. 24: We need good Christians Biblically speaking
Barnabas was righteous and full of the Holy Spirit and faith.
vs. 25: We need help from other gifted Christians
Barnabas went to Tarsus to find Saul to help him.
vs. 26: We teach believers, making and growing disciples
Barnabas and Saul stayed in Antioch, preaching in the churches.
vs. 27: We prophecy what’s prophesied to each other
Today, prophecy is forth-telling what’s already written in the Bible. In Saul’s day, prophecy was fore-telling new things that God told them.
vs. 28: We have special messages, for special needs, for special times
A man named Agabas foretold that there would be a great famine in all the world, which happened during the time of Claudius Caesar.
vs. 29: We give relief to those who need it, according to our ability
The disciples promised to send relief to the believers who lived in Judaea.
vs. 30: We organize and administrate for the ministry
The disciples sent the relief, by way of Saul and Barnabas, to the elders of the church.
It was an organized ministry, and effective.
Acts 11:1-18
vs. 1: The Word changes lives.
vs. 2-3: The Word causes contention.
vs. 4: The Word needs good reporting.
vs. 5-10: God’s Word changes hearts.
vs. 11-13: The Word needs our faith and God’s involvement.
vs. 14: The Word needs received by each individual.
vs. 15-17: The Word believed brings the Holy Spirit’s baptism.
vs. 18: The Word believed brings peace.
Acts 10: 1- 48
1-8: We need direction
9-16: We need cleansing
17-23: We need truth
24-33: We need truth to worship God
34-43: We need to have faith Jesus Christ
44-48: We need the Holy Spirit
Acts 9:32-43
What is the whole purpose of man?
Make Jesus’ mission your mission: Luke 4:16-18
- Preach the gospel to the poor
- Heal the brokenhearted
- Preach deliverance to the captives
- Recover sight to the blind
- Set at liberty them that are bruised
- Preach the acceptable year of the Lord (Preach God’s favor, not just His judgment)
9:32 - Visit the saints, don’t give up on Christians
9:33 - Visit the feeble
9:34 - Heal the feeble
9:35 - Pray for the sick regularly believing that Jesus does the healing.
9:36-37 - Understand that serving saints still die
9:38 - Ask for help; it can’t hurt
9:39 - Be willing to help. Be a person of mission.
9:40-41 - Understand, miracles do happen; dead saints will live.
9:42-43 - Make the Good News spread
Acts 9: 26-31
The Ministry
1. The Attempt
2. The Joining
3. The Disciples
4. The Fear
5. The Faith
The Message
1. The Witness
2. The Testimony
3. The Speech
4. The Preaching
The Movement
1. To Jerusalem
2. From Damascus
3. To Caesarea
4. To Tarsus
5. Judean churches
6. Galilean churches
7. Samarian churches
The Multiplication
1. The Churches, Disciples
2. The Rest
3. The Edification
4. The Walking
a. The Fear of the Lord
b. The Comfort of the Holy Spirit
Are you the program that God wants you to be?