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. (Acts 1:8) Theme of Acts
1:8 Theme of Acts
Healing of the Lame Man 3:1-10 Peter and John Beautiful gate
Model of Herod’s Temple Beautiful Gate
Healing of the Lame Man 3:1-10 Peter and John Beautiful gate Going up to the temple…. (3:1) Lame from birth – 40 years
Healing of the Lame Man Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk! (6) Instantly…. (7) …walking and jumping and praising God. (9)
The 2 nd Great Gathering Sounds like the Pentecost story! People came running. Solomon’s Colonnade
Model of Herod’s Temple Solomon’s Colonnade
A praising community preaches to answer questions raised by its praise. (p. 31)
Peter’s Tough Sermon – You handed him over to be killed (13) You disowned him before Pilate (13) You disowned the Holy and Righteous One (14) You killed the author of life (15)
Peter’s Invitation Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ…. (3:19)
Rich & PowerfulRich & Powerful No ResurrectionNo Resurrection No angelsNo angels Saw no authority in traditionSaw no authority in tradition Controlled the templeControlled the temple
Peter and John In Jail (4:3) 1 st recorded persecution of Christians
But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about 5,000. (Acts 4:4)
Sanhedrin Council of 71 Presided over by the High Priest Jewish High Court
Question: By what power or what name did you do this? Answer: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth!
He is “the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.” (4:11; Ps. 118; 1 Peter 2:7)
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. (4:12)
Told not to speak at all in the name of Jesus Judge for yourselves whether or not it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. (4:19-20) Peter and John
What is the Good News we have “seen and heard”?
Journal Assignment #1 In what way(s) is the gospel of Jesus truly good news?
After Their Release Went back to their own people (4:23) Prayed (4:24) The place was shaken They were filled with the Holy Spirit They spoke the word of God boldly