The Acts of the Apostles Acts 8 The Persecuted Preach Christ Acts 8:1-4, “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles … They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the word.” Sunday – February 12, 2017 Many of the slides used in this presentation are prepared by Joe Price and are used and adapted with his permission.

Acts 8 Start the conversation, 8:30. A Pattern for Personal Evangelism Acts 8 Start the conversation, 8:30.  Tell them what they need to hear, 8:35-36. You have to explain to them that they are lost, and Christ is the Savior!  Explain the plan of salvation, 8:36-37.  Explain the urgency, 8:36

Acts 8 Philip not a Baptist preacher. What Kind Of Preacher Was Philip? Acts 8 Philip not a Baptist preacher. Page 22 of the Standard Manual for Baptist Churches says, “It is most likely that in the Apostolic age when there was but ‘one Lord, one faith, and one baptism,’ and no differing denominations existed, the baptism of a convert by that very act constituted him a member of the church, and at once endowed him with all the rights and privileges of full membership. In that sense, ‘baptism was the door into the church.’ Now, it is different …” (Edward T. Hiscox).

What Kind Of Preacher Was Philip? Acts 8 Philip not a Holiness / Pentecostal preacher. Article 11 of Articles of Faith: “We believe that the Pentecostal baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire is obtainable by a definite act of appropriating faith on the part of the fully cleansed believer, and the initial evidence of the reception of this experience is speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.” http://iphc.org/beliefs/

What Kind Of Preacher Was Philip? Acts 8 Philip not a Methodist preacher. “Wherefore, that we are justified by faith, only, is a most wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort” - The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, 1972 Edition, page 55. Philip was simply a gospel preacher. cf. Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18ff; Luke 24:44ff

Acts 8 Saved. Acts 8:12-13 New Creature. 2 Corinthians 5:17 What did that make the eunuch? Acts 8 Saved. Acts 8:12-13 New Creature. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Redeemed. Ephesians 1:7 New relationship. cf. 1 Peter 2:5, 9 Son of God. Galatians 3:26-29; Romans 8:14-17 Born again. John 3:3-5; 1 Corinthians 4:15 Citizen of the kingdom. John 3:3-5; Ephesians 2:19; Colossians 1:12-13 Christian. Acts 11:26

A Pattern for Personal Evangelism Acts 8 Conclusion: Passed twice under the supervision of the Holy Spirit When Philip preached it. When Luke recorded it. Gospel spread throughout Samaria and as far as Ethiopia, 8:25, 39. The power of the gospel is great, overcoming deceit, covetousness, unbelief and ignorance. Same true today. It has the power to save you!

Worksheet On Acts Chapter 8 SUMMARIZE: 8:1-3 8:4-8 8:9-13 8:14-24 8:25 8:26-40

IDENTIFY THE PEOPLE: Saul: Devout men: Philip: Simon: Peter and John: Ethiopian eunuch:

IDENTIFY THE PLACES: Jerusalem: Judea and Samaria: Gaza: Azotus: Caesarea:

Questions 1. Who was consenting to Stephen's death? a. What does this teach us about God's grace and forgiveness toward those who will obey Him? cf. 1 Timothy 1:15. 2. What problem then arose against the church and how did this affect the church in Jerusalem? 3. What is revealed about the work of Saul?

4. How was the zeal of those who went from Jerusalem demonstrated. 5 4. How was the zeal of those who went from Jerusalem demonstrated? 5. What preacher is mentioned and where did he preach? 6. What did he preach and was his preaching effective? cf. verse 5 and verse 12 a. When you compare these two verses what conclusion must be drawn?