ACTS CHAPTER 8
I. The Church is Persecuted and Dispersed
(Acts 8:1-3)
A. Stephen was given a funeral tribute due him by devout Jews.
1. This type burial was forbidden for executed persons.
a. It was unlawful for a lamentation to be made over an executed criminal
b. These were devout Jews who defied the Sanhedrin.
2. His death signaled an immediate persecution against the church.
B. Prejudices and traditions of the past hindered the church moving to new places.
1. To go to the Gentile world with the Gospel was a real problem.
2. The
persecution was aimed at the Greek speaking Jews, who were foreigners.
3. The persecution was the beginning of the fulfillment of Christ command in
Acts 1:8,“They would be His witnesses
in
C. The prime mover in the repressive campaign was Saul of Tarsus,
1. He was carrying the same attitude he displayed at the stoning of Stephen.
2. Saul was infuriated that he died a hero instead of a blasphemer.
3. Saul’s slaughterings sent the Gospel where the Lord wanted it to go.
II. Philip Preached Christ in
A. Philip the Deacon becomes Philip the Evangelist.
1. Conflict between the Samaritan and Judeans left a great prejudice.
2. Samaritans were considered half breeds because of the mixture of blood lines
between the Assyrians and the Jews.
3. He now was rejected by the Jerusalem Jews and it opened this door.
B. Multitudes heeded his message.
1. Miracles, healing and deliverance accompanied his preaching.
2. He cast out unclean spirits and restored paralytic and lame bodies.
3. These miracles were the same type performed by Jesus.
C. Jesus had prepared the soil in advance (John 4:37-42)
1. Jesus ministered to the woman at the well.
2. The whole city came to see this man Jesus.
3. Now He was about to use His church to finish what He had started.
D. Philip’s message focused on four things.
1. The Word of God. (v. 4)
2. Christ is
the Messiah and the Son of God. (v. 5)
3. The
things concerning the
4. The exaltation of the Name of
Jesus. (v. 12)
III. Simon the Sorcerer Hears the Gospel (Acts
8:9-13)
A. He controlled the city with his sorceries.
1. His magic was similar to that of the Egyptian sorcerers who battled Moses.
2. He received supernatural information from demons.
B. He recognized Philip had access to a source of power that outstripped his own.
1. He believed in Philip but his faith rested in the miracles alone.
2. Joined the crowd and was baptized hoping to learn the secret of Philip’s power
IV. Peter and John Visit
A. The Apostles in
1. Were the Samaritans capable of sincere faith?
2. Did they actually receive the Spirit when they believed?
3. Did Philip himself know the Spirit’s operation that well?
B. John and his brother James had suggested fire be called on a Samaritan city.
for their
inhospitable behavior to Jesus. (Luke
9:52)
1. Could He really be received here
now.
2. Maybe these brothers
thought their plan was finally manifesting.
C. The Samaritans receive the Holy Spirit.
1. He was received by the laying on of hands which was a sign of being received
into the fellowship just as the Jewish Christians.
2. Believers were encouraged to pray that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
3. This experience occurred in addition to, and subsequent to, the experience of
the new birth.
4. This experience is for all believers.
5. The Spirit came in answer to prayer as the Apostles laid hands on them.
6. There were external signs such as had marked His descent at Pentecost
as evidence the Holy Spirit had descended.
D. Simon the sorcerer commits sin of desiring to exploit sacred things for money.
1. Judas sold the Lord for money and here is Simon trying to buy the Holy Spirit.
2. This was Peter’s second rebuke concerning money and religious hypocrisy.
(remember Annanias and Sapphire)
E. Peters answer to the offer was pungent and clear.
1. God’s gifts cannot be purchased with money.
2. Peter describes his spiritual condition as a heart not right with God.
3. Peter indicated the way of deliverance was prayer and repentance.
of repentance.
1. He didn’t want prayer for forgiveness but only that the dreaded
consequences of his sin might be averted
2. According to tradition Simon never repented and latter turned into a bitter foe
of Christianity.
on the way.
V. Philip Preaches to an Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts
8:26-40)
A. An angel told Philip to leave
1. These were precise instructions which went beyond the usual promptings.
2. Angels played a major role in the ministry of the New Testament Church.
a. Delivered the apostles from jail. (Acts 5:19)
b. Directed Philip where and to whom to preach. (Acts 8:26)
c. Instructed Cornelius where to find the man who would lead him to salvation
(Acts 10:3, 7, 22)
d. Awakened Peter and freed him from jail the night before his execution.
(Acts 12:7-15)
e. Executed judgment on Herod. (Acts 12:23)
f. Directed and comforted Paul. (Acts 27:23)
B. There are rich lessons here related to personal evangelism.
1. There is need for divine direction where to go and to whom to speak. (v. 26)
2. There must be unquestionable obedience such as leaving a revival and
going to the desert. (v. 27)
3. There was divine cooperation in bringing together the seeker and the
servant at the right moment. (v. 27,28)
4. There is a skillful approach to every man’s heart that God must reveal.
(v. 30)
5. Knowledge of the Word is your best help in leading one to Christ. (vv. 33,34)
6. The saving message is Christ the great all-sufficient one. (v. 35)
C. The Eunuch was a royal officer of an Ethiopian queen.
1. The chamberlain was probably a God-fearing Gentile.
2. Eunuchs were excluded from full religious privileges. (Deuteronomy 23:1)
D. The Eunuch was reading aloud in Greek from Isaiah 53:7- 8.
1. Having
come from
crucifixion and resurrection as well as the wonders of Pentecost.
2. He was reading about the good news of Jesus from the Old Testament.
E. The Holy Spirit instructed Philip to approach the chariot.
1. He gave explanation of God’s plan of redemption.
2. The nobleman’s response tells us that Philip made it clear that Jesus
had died for Him personally.
F. The
essential elements of the doctrine of water baptism are here. (v. 36-37)
1. If you believe Jesus is the Son of God.
2. He was baptized by immersion in water.
G. The Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away to Azotus a city 20 miles north.
I. He
preached in cities on the coastal road all the way to
seems to have settled down.
2. We find him there 20 years later in Acts 21:8.
ACTS CHAPTER 9
CONVERSION OF SAUL OF
I. Saul On The
A. Some Basic Facts About Saul’s Background
1. He was born in
2. There were two classes of Jews. The
Hebraic or Palestinian Jews and
the Jews of the Dispersion who
lived in Gentile countries.
3. As a Roman citizen by birth he had certain privileges
a. He could not be condemned
without a trial.
b. He could not be scourged or
crucified.
c. He had the right to appeal for
justice tto the Roman emperor.
4. He studied at the feet of
5. He was equipped to
carry the Gospel to the Roman world.
a. His Jewish training gave him
the knowledge of the Scriptures.
b. His education in a Gentile
college city taught him to approach
c. His Roman citizenship gave him
access to the
B. He carried the persecution of the
Church to
1. He was sent with the authority of the high priest.
2. It was 130 miles North East of Jerusalem, a one week journey.
C. The first Christians were called followers of the way.
1. It was not pictured as a religion but a way of life.
2. The love and peace of the followers of Jesus threatened Judaism.
D. He met Jesus
face to face on the
1. A light and force knocked him to the ground.
2. A voice that he recognized spoke to him in Aramaic (the Hebrew tongue)
3. Realization set in: The Christians were right, Stephen was right and
Saul was wrong.
E. Saul asked two important questions:
1. Who are you?
2. What would you have me do?
F. He receives two important answers.
1. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
2. Arise and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.
G. The flash was so brilliant all were blinded for a time.
1. The soldiers recovered their sight quickly.
2. Saul’s eyes were supernaturally blinded.
II. Ananias Sent To Saul (Acts 9: 10-19)
A. This man was a
devout disciple in
B. God sent him to Saul.
1. He received detailed directions including the street name and host.
2. He hesitated because of knowledge of Saul’s persecution of the Christians.
3. The Lord gave him the reasons he must go now.
a. He is a chosen instrument that will proclaim the Gospel in new places.
b. He
will declare the glory of Jesus to the heathen, rulers and
c. He will be shown the things he must suffer.
C. Ananias obeyed without further hesitation.
1. He greets Saul as his brother which indicates he is already saved.
2. By the laying on of hands he receives his physical sight.
3. He is baptized in water.
4. He is baptized with the Holy Spirit.
III. Saul Became A
Preacher Of Christ In
A. He couldn’t wait to tell the Jews that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah.
1. Many doubted his conversion because of their expectation of persecution.
2. He startled the people with his zeal and message.
B. He confounded
the Jews in
1. The amazement was great but the results were missing, no souls.
2. The filling of the Spirit is no substitute for being taught by the Spirit.
C. In “a few days” he was off to the
1. He was about to enter a three-year seminary course taught by the Holy Spirit.
2. If Jesus was really the Son of God there were vast areas of his theology he had
to rethink before he could proceed with his call.
3. After
three years Saul will return to
4. 12 years
will pass before he enters full-time ministry at
IV. Saul Escapes A
Death Plot In
A. Saul returns from the desert with fresh revelation.
1. He went to the desert with only the
Old Testament scriptures.
2. This was a different man now with
new ability and new power.
roaring in his heart
4. He was now effective as a witness, reaching many souls throughout the city
B. The Jews could not withstand his wisdom and plotted to kill him.
(2 Corinthians 11:32,33)
1. They were assisted by the ethnarch of the Arabian Nabataean kingdom,
King Aretas.
2. Maybe he had stirred up some hatred by doing some preaching in the desert.
C. The plot to kill him became known to Saul.
1. At night some believers let him down through the wall in a basket.
2. Paul says in Galatians 1:18 that it was three years after his conversion.
3. He
immediately returns to
V. Saul Returns To
A. He sought to
join himself to the believers at
1. The
2. His revelation produced some suspicion on the part of some of the apostles.
3. Barnabas’ introduction permits him to move freely among the brethren.
B. He preached boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus.
1. Likely he went to the same synagogue where Stephen had died.
2. He preached to the Grecian Jews producing the same furious rage.
3. He needed wisdom to go with his knowledge and zeal.
C. An attempt was made on his life in
1. The
brethren sent him to
2. Later we learn he was encouraged to leave also by a vision. (Acts 22:17)
3. The next six to nine years Saul was schooled not in theology, but in wisdom.
VI. The Church Enjoys Peace and Prosperity (Acts
9: 31)
A. The church enjoys peace and increase after Saul departed.
1. The church walks in the fear of the Lord and the church stayed on course
Holy Spirit.
B. Phase II of the Great commission was fairly well completed.
1. The
church had expanded to Judea, Galilee, and
2. This is
the only mention of churches in
.
VII. Peter At Lydda:
The Healing Of Aeneas (Acts 9: 32- 35)
A. Aeneas had been paralyzed eight years.
1. Jesus the Christ heals you was the decree.
2. Arise and make your bed was the command of Peter.
3. He arose immediately at the command. This was the “gift of healings.”
B. Revival
continues at Lydda and spreads to
VIII. Peter in Joppa: Dorcas Raised From The Dead (Acts 9: 36- 43)
A. Also known by her Aramaic name Tabitha.
1. Her life was full of good works and charitable deeds.
2. She had endeared herself to the Christians of Joppa.
B. The disciples sent for Peter to come to Joppa.
1. The word of the miracle at Lydda had stirred their faith.
2. The normally hasty burial was delayed until Peter could come.
C. When Peter arrived the room was full of grief and memories.
1. Following the example of Jesus he removed all of the fear and unbelief.
2. He did not immediately address the corps but he knelt down and prayed.
3. He then spoke to the body, “Tabitha, arise.” She opened her eyes and sat up.
4. It was Jesus not Peter who did the miracle.
D. This miracle opened the hearts of many to the Gospel.
E. Peter was about to open the Gospel to the Gentiles.
1. He stayed in Joppa for a long time after this event.
2. Simons house was important to this preparation.
a. As a tanner he handled unclean animals and dealt with dead defiled
carcasses.
b. Peters attitude has to be changed because to him the Gentile was as an
unclean dog.
F. God kept him in Joppa long enough to prepare his heart for a ministry to the
Gentiles.
ACTS CHAPTER 10
THE STORY OF CORNELIUS
I. Cornelius the Gentile Seeker Sees a Vision
(Acts 10:1-8)
A. The range of the apostolic message has been steadily broadening.
1. The
barrier was crossed in the mainly Gentile city of
2. Caesarea
was headquarters of the Roman governor of
B. Cornelius and his family were the first Gentiles to receive the Gospel.
Roman Centurion. (Matthew 8:11 & Luke 7:2)
a. Referred to his faith and those to sit in kingdom of heaven.
b. Some think this could be the same Centurion.
2. He was a centurion or captain specifically identified as Roman.
3. He is a deeply religious man attaching himself to the Jew’s religion.
4. He feared God as did his entire household.
5. He contributed generously to the Jewish poor people.
6. He was a man of continues prayer
C. He had a vision in the 9th hour or 3 o’clock in the afternoon.
1. Connected to the Jewish practices and observances though not circumcised.
Also called God fearers.
2. He was terrified at the sight of this angel.
. 3. The angel’s language puts him at ease in that God has heard and accepted his
sacrifices of prayer and alms.
4. He obviously had been asking God for more understanding about salvation.
D. The Angel did not preach but sent him to get the preacher Peter at Joppa
1. Peter has been designated to open the door to the Gentiles.
2. Cornelius carried out the instructions he had received in vision.
3. He sends two domestic servants and one orderly, a pious soldier like himself.
II. Peter the Jewish Preacher Sees a Vision
(Acts 10:9-16)
A. Peter was not ready for the arrival of Cornelius’ servants.
1. He only sees two kinds of people in the world, Jews and Gentiles.
2. For a Gentile to be saved he must first be circumcised, place himself under the
law and become a Jew.
3. He knows nothing yet of how Christ’s death destroyed the wall of partition
between Jews and Gentiles, creating one body, the church.
B. Peter was praying at the sixth hour or around noon as pious Jews did privately.
1. He is not ready to welcome any Gentile messengers.
2. Even a moderately orthodox Jew would not enter a God fearing Gentile’s
house.
3. He began to feel hungry and called down for food. Maybe the vision centered
around food because he was hungry.
C. He fell into a trance and saw the heaven opened.
1. A sheet like object was suspended at four corners representing the world and
the world wide gathering of souls.
2. It contained live animals both clean and unclean representing the vast Gentile
world
outside of
3. Peter was commanded to kill them and eat.
4. Peter refused to obey because of keeping the law of Leviticus 11 about food.
5. God made it clear it was he giving the command.
6. He repeats the command three times.
D. The Holy Spirit was conveying some important lessons to Peter.
1. God’s time for the Gentiles to enter the church had come.
2. A dispensation had come when God recognized no difference between
Jew and Gentile.
3. It was God’s will for Jewish Christians to enter Gentile homes to
fellowship with them and eat with them.
III. The Messengers
of Cornelius Arrive at Joppa. (Acts 10:17- 23)
A. Peter was in deep thought about what he had just seen.
1. The Holy Spirit interrupted him to speak of the messengers.
2. He was instructed to go to the men and not hesitate to go with them.
B. A Gentile in a Jewish house indicated some changes were taking place.
1. Peters Jewish shell is beginning to crack.
2. He invited Gentiles to spend the night in this Jewish house.
C. Peter accompanied the servants of Cornelius with some brethren from Joppa.
1. Peter took six Jewish Christians with him.
2. Peter was obey now without hesitation. It was a new day.
IV. Peter At the
House of Cornelius. (Acts 10:24-33)
A. Cornelius had, by faith, assembled all his relatives and friends.
B. Cornelius comes to meet Peter and prostrates himself at his feet.
1. He regarded Peter as a messenger of God and humbled himself before him.
2. Peter admitted he was just another human being like Cornelius.
3. What a sight, a pious Jew and a Roman centurion chatting like friends.
C. Peter addressed the prejudices of Jews toward Gentiles.
1. The biggest barrier to this meeting was Peter’s Jewish prejudice.
2. Peter has grasped the analogy between the food and the men.
3. He was beginning to understand Gentiles are acceptable to God.
D. Cornelius describes the vision and details given him concerning Peter.
1. All are here “before God” indicating they enjoyed access to God without the
benefit of Judaism.
2. They were ready to hear, learn and act upon what they hear.
V. Peter Preached the Good News to the Gentiles.
(Acts 10:34-43)
A. He recognized this event was of God.
1. He sweeps away 20 centuries of Jewish prejudice.
2. Next to the incarnation of Christ, the day of Pentecost, and the conversion of
Saul stand these words of Peter to the Gentile world.
B. He opened the door for Gentile converts.
1. He stated God is no respecter of persons.
2. He reminded them this spiritual move began in the ministry of John the Baptist.
3. It was John who introduced the ministry of Jesus.
4. Jesus went about with Holy Spirit power doing good.
5. Christ died on the cross, and rose in triumph over death.
6. Peter enlarged on Christ’s ability to save and how to be saved.
C. Though unaware Peter had preached this message before at Pentecost
(Acts 2:39)
VI. Gentiles Receive
the Holy Spirit. (Acts 10:44-48)
A. Peter’s sermon was interrupted by an unusual outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
1. There was a comparison to the Holy Spirits coming at Pentecost.
2. Peter saw them receive as he himself had at Pentecost.
3. They spoke with tongues and magnified God.
B. Peter commanded them to be baptized in water.