ACTS OF THE
APOSTLES
by: H. Boyce Taylor
FOREWORD
The Bryan
Station Baptist Church has been printing the writings of Brother H. Boyce
Taylor and Brother C. D. Cole for some time. These books have been greatly used
to teach God's people the great doctrinal truths of the Bible. It is our desire
to get these God-honoring books into the hands of those that hunger and thirst
after righteousness and God's word.
Other books
we have in print by Brother H. Boyce Taylor are: Studies in Genesis; Studies in
Romans; Bible Briefs Against Hurtful Heresies; Studies in the Parables; Why Be
A Baptist; Women's Work in Baptist Churches; Questions and Answers. These books
go forth trusting that the Lord will use them along with this book 'Acts of the
Apostles' for His honor and glory.
In the days
when God's word is fallen to the ground and is watered down so as to lose its
meaning, it is the work of the Bryan Station Baptist Church to uphold the
glorious truths of God's word. The books that we print by Brother Taylor and
Brother Cole truly place our God and Jesus Christ in an exalted position.
Alfred
M. Gormley
Pastor,
Bryan
Station Baptist Church
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACTS OF THE
APOSTLES PAGE
Chapter 1 . . Final Forty Days Training . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .1
Chapter 2 . . Pentecost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Chapter 3 . . Peter's Sermon
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Chapter 4 . . Persecution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . 15
Chapter 5 . . The Spirit at Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Chapter 6&7 . Deacons
Ordained . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Chapter 8 . . Home Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 25
Chapter 9 . . Saul/Apostle Paul . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 30
Chapter 10 . Peter's
Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . 34
Chapter 11 . Work
Begins at Antioch . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . .38
Chapter 12 . The
Fifth Persecution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Chapter 13 . Paul's
First Missionary Journey . . . . . . . .
. . 45
Chapter 14 . Iconium,
Lystra, Derbe . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 49
Chapter 15 . Second
Missionary Journey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Chapter 16 . The
Council at Jerusalem . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 58
Chapter 17 . Mars
Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Chapter 18 . Third
Missionary Journey . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .68
Chapter 19 . Paul at
Ephesus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Chapter 20 . Paul
Returns Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Chapter 21 . Paul
Goes to Jerusalem . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 78
Chapter 22 . Paul's
First Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . 82
Chapter 23 . Paul's
Second Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Chapter 24&25 Paul's First Trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Chapter 26 . Paul's
Defense Before Agrippa . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Chapter 27 . Paul
Goes to Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Chapter 28 . Upon the
Isle of Melita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
TWO DIVISIONS OF ACTS
I. Jerusalem as the center, Peter as leader. Chapters 1-12.
(1) City
missions. Chapters 1-7.
(2) Home
missions. Chapters 8-12.
II. Antioch as the center. Paul as leader. Chapters 13-28.
The book of Acts tells of the spread of the gospel in Jerusalem, Palestine,
Syria, Asia-Minor and to the heathen in the uttermost parts of the earth. The
theme of Acts is 'Missions'.
Missions
is:
1. Theme of
the Acts.
2.
Continuation of what Jesus began to do and teach.
3. Business
of the churches. v 2.
4. Calling
of the apostles.
5. Purpose
of the coming of the Holy Spirit. 1:8.
CHAPTER 1
FINAL FORTY DAYS
TRAINING
I. INTRODUCTION:
The former
treatise refers to the gospel by Luke. The theme of Luke was what Jesus began
to do and teach; "Home Missions". In Acts you have a continuation of
the work Jesus started while here on earth except that now His work is carried
on by the Holy Spirit, the Apostles, and the New Testament Churches. During His
earthly life, His work was confined to the Jews. After His ascension they were
commanded to carry the gospel to all nations. Remember that 'DO' and 'TEACH' go
together, Doctrine and life are inseparable. No man's life is better than his
doctrine. During His earthly ministry, Jesus sent out, first "TWELVE"
then "SEVENTY" to go into all cities and villages to preach the
gospel and then He went himself. We need a great deal more of that kind of
mission work today. Baptist ought to maintain preaching stations in every town
and village and other destinations where there are no Baptist churches. Jesus
never stopped work until He was taken up. v 2. He was always about His father's
business. He told us to occupy till he comes. That means we ought to be busy
about His work until we are taken up. Jesus was not taken up until he had left
somebody to carry on His work. His work was committed, jointly, to the Holy
Spirit, the Apostles, and the New Testament Church.
II. HIS FORTY DAYS FINAL TRAINING. v 3-7.
1. His
personal teaching. Luke 24:25-27; 44-45. His teaching centered in two points.
The Old Testament scriptures and His own personal work.
2.
Infallible proofs of His resurrection. The resurrection is the greatest miracle
of the ages. He gave to His disciples many infallible proofs to which it could
be proven. (Sight, Hearing, Touch.)
3. He
talked to them about things pertaining to the kingdom, during these forty days.
The kingdom He talked about was His present spiritual kingdom, or the reign of
grace in men's hearts. v 6-7. He wasted no time talking about the millennial
kingdom. He virtually told them it was none of their business.
4. Wait for
power. v 4-5. Don't run ahead of the Lord.
III. CHURCH COMMISSION. v 8-9.
1. All
assembled together. v 4,13-15; chapter 2:1-2. Therefore this commission was
given to the church and not to the apostles.
2. Their
commission extended to the ends of the earth. It included foreign missions just
as much as city or home missions.
3. Their
greatest need was power, not money, or friends or organizations or education.
That is our greatest need today.
4. Sent
forth as witnesses. They were not all told to preach but all told to witness.
Next to power, our greatest need is house to house witnessing.
IV. THE LORD GONE BUT COMING BACK. v 9-11.
1. Jesus
went into the third heaven. Mark 16:19; II Corinthians 12:2.
2. He is
coming back again.
3. His
coming will be in the same way and to the same place which he went away.
Revelation 1:7; Zechariah 14:4.
a.
Visible.
b.
Personal.
c.
Glorious.
d.
To the Mount of Olives. Zechariah 14:4.
e.
In the clouds.
f.
With the saints. Jude 14, I Thess. 3:13, Zech. 14:5.
V. PRAYING IN ACCORD. v 12-14.
1. How
accomplished. By the Holy Spirit. John 20:22; Ephesians 4:3; Matthew 18:19.
This oneness of accord was not in the flesh, not personal, not of man, but by
the Holy Spirit of God.
2. While
they waited on God, they were not idle but in prayer: Praying for what God had
promised.
VI. MATTHIAS CHOSEN. v 15-26.
1. NOTE:
they had a church-roll. 120 names together, not people. Note - Acts 2:41 (3,000
added to the 120.)
2. No
bishops or ruling elders. If so, they would have appointed a successor to
Judas, instead of electing one.
3. They had
been praying for days before, so they were in an attitude to go and do God's
will.
4. They had
also received the Holy Spirit. John 20:22.
5. God's
definition of inspiration. v 16.
a.
The Holy Spirit spoke the very words of the scripture.
b.
He used men as his agents. (David and others)
c.
But the words are the words of the Holy Spirit, and not of the person used.
That is what we mean by 'Verbal' inspiration.
6. All
scripture must be fulfilled. Note: v 16,19,20.
7. New
Testament bishoprick defined. v 20. The word 'Bishop' means overseer. In New
Testament days the bishops did not appoint pastors, but local churches elected
bishops. A bishop was the pastor of a local church and was never used in any
other sense. The word elder includes all preachers, such as Apostles, Prophets,
Evangelists, Missionaries, Teachers, etc., as well as pastors. The word 'Bishop'
in the New Testament is applied only to preachers who are pastors. All
preachers in New Testament days were called Elders, but only pastors were
called Bishops. All bishops are elders, but not all elders are bishops. Paul
seemingly distinguishes between elders who were pastors and those who were not
in I Timothy 5:17.
8. No man
could be an apostle, that is (one of the twelve) unless he had been baptized by
John the Baptist. v 22. That too was a fulfillment of scripture. Luke 1:17;
Ephesians 2:20. John must prepare the material.
9. The
successor to Judas must have been a sticker these three years. No quitter would
have been considered. v 21, also John 6:66.
10. Two men
nominated. v 23.
11. Then
they prayed for guidance. It needs to be remembered that the qualifications for
the ministry which pleased God are heart qualification and not head
qualifications. God looks at man's heart and judges them and uses them, because
of heart qualifications.
12. After
prayer they voted. v 26.
13. The man
they elected was numbered with the other eleven, as one of the twelve.
CHAPTER 2
PENTECOST
I. PENTECOST
Preparation
for Pentecost. Receiving the Spirit. John 20:22. Unity, Prayer, Obedience.
II. PENTECOST ITSELF
1.
Pentecost was a time of first-fruits. Christ, the Paschal Lamb, died at
passover. It was eminently fitting that the Holy Spirit should come and by his
coming make possible the first-fruit of Christ's atoning work, on Pentecost,
the day of first-fruits.
2.
"Fully Come" This was God's time. He never gets in a hurry. Even the
day to work was fully here before He did anything. All were present. All of one
accord, everything in readiness, then the Spirit came. Not till then, when He
came, He came to abide.
3. He came
suddenly. They had no premonition nor warning. They were all sitting. Not on
their knees. Seemingly they were just waiting. All God's gifts are sovereignly
bestowed in His own time.
4. Sound,
wind, and fire were symbols of the Holy Spirit. They were not the Spirit. They
were not essential. They were filled with the Spirit many times after this and
there was no sound, wind, or fire on these occasions.
III. PETER'S SERMON
Theme - "Jesus the Promised Messiah".
1.
Introduction
"These are not drunk as charged. Too early in the day".
This is a partial fulfillment of Joel's prophecy. v 15-21.
2. Jesus of
Nazareth proven to be the Messiah:
a.
By His works. v 22.
b.
By God's purpose being fulfilled in His life. v 23.
c.
By His resurrection. v 24.
d.
By Old Testament prophecy. v 25- 31.
e.
By us as witnesses. v 32.
f.
By the Holy Spirit. v 33 (compare Acts 5:32.)
g.
By His exaltation. v 34-36.
3. The
scripture not fulfilled by David but by his Greater Son, by the Lord Jesus,
Whom God hath made both Lord and Christ. In your preaching and teaching make
much of the resurrection and Lordship of Jesus. New Testament preachers did.
Jesus is not a meek and lowly Jesus since His resurrection. Revelation 1:5-6;
Matthew 28:18. That kind of preaching still cuts to the heart. Men quake and
tremble under the conviction of the Lordship of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the
realization that they will have to meet Him as Judge.
Not a word
in this sermon about "Love". Sermons on Love soothe, but they do not
cut to the heart. Disobedient Christians, backsliders and sinners do not need
soothing. They need cutting to the heart. These men were Spirit-filled.
Spirit-filled preachers do not compromise with sin and they do not get any
praise from men in sin or men who are not treating the Lord Jesus right.
Spirit-filled preaching produces Spirit-wrought conviction.
IV. RESULTS
1.
Conviction.
a.
The 'Word' preached.
b.
Christ exalted.
c.
No tender appeals.
d.
No pathetic stories.
e.
No putting on the arousements.
f.
Peter preached, the eleven interpreted; emotionalism impossible.
g.
This conviction was wrought by the Spirit of God and the Word of God. This is
the only kind that is any good. No begging them to come forward. They came
themselves, because they wanted relief.
2.
Repentance. Repentance includes humility, confession of sins, and forsaking of
sin. These folks showed their humility by coming to these men and asking what
to do. Pharaoh asked for prayer but he did not repent.
3. Faith. A
glad reception of the word. v 41. Faith came after their repentance and before
their baptism. Being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (v 38) means being
baptized depending on Jesus to save. That is what saving faith is; depending on
Jesus to save.
4. Baptism.
v 41. There were plenty of pools in Jerusalem to baptize all these folks and
many more. John 5:2; 9:7; II Kings 18:17; 20:20.
5.
Steadfast continuance. v 42. Steadfast in four things:
a.
Fellowship.
b.
Doctrine.
c.
The Lord's Supper.
d.
Attendance at prayer meetings.
The word translated
'Fellowship' is used in connection with giving money. Romans 15:26; II
Corinthians 9:13; Hebrews 13:16; I Timothy 6:18. Especially in Acts 2:44; 4:32.
Mark you they continued in four popular things: Doctrine; Giving;
Closed-communion; and prayer meeting. Their continuing in these things was the
evidence of the genuineness of their conversion.
6. Signs
and wonders done by the apostles caused fear to come on all the people. v 43.
7.
Unprecedented liberty. v 44-45.
8. Joy,
fellowship, and praise abounded everywhere. v 46-48.
9. Daily
conversions and additions. He always does that when the Spirit has
right-of-way.
ACTS 2:38
1. Peter
was spokesman on Pentecost. He was also spokesman in Acts 10-15. In Acts 15:9, "And put no difference between us and
them, purifying their hearts by faith." The 'them' was the household
of Cornelius, the 'us' were the Jews in Jerusalem who were saved on or before
Pentecost. Now Peter says that the Jews who were saved on Pentecost, before
Pentecost, and after Pentecost were saved exactly like the household of
Cornelius. The house of Cornelius had their hearts cleansed, Acts 15:9, had
life, 11:18, and had received the Holy Spirit before they were baptized, 10:44.
Since God made no difference in the way they were saved and the way the Jews
were saved, on, before, and after Pentecost, therefore these on Pentecost had
life, and had their hearts cleansed and had received the Spirit before they
were baptized. Therefore, to “be baptized for the remission” must mean 'because
of remission', and not in order to obtain remission. Peter therefore, the
spokesman on Pentecost, if we let him interpret his own language, clearly
proves that the Pentecostal were saved before they were baptized.
2. The
Greek word "EIS" about which all this contention is about in Acts
2:38 is used with the word baptized or baptism in three other passages. Matthew
3:11 you have 'Baptize Eis repentance'. Eis cannot mean 'in order to', but
because of repentance. For every Campbellite, Mormon and others who teach
baptismal remission, admit that repentance comes before baptism. In Romans 6:3
you find the expression 'Baptize eis the death of Christ'. Eis cannot mean 'in
order to' but mean 'because of' both because Christ was already dead and raised
again, and because in our baptism we declare we died with Him and have been
raised with Him. In I Corinthians 10:2 we have the expression 'Baptized eis
Moses', eis cannot mean 'in order to' there because they were not baptized in
the cloud and not in the sea in order to get Moses to be their leader, for he
had already led them out of the land of Egypt. If ‘baptize eis repentance’ in
Matthew 3:11 means be baptized because they had repented; if baptized eis the
death of Christ means be baptized because Christ died and we die with him, if
'were baptized' eis Moses in I Corinthians 10:2 means they were baptized
because Moses was their leader, then it follows conclusively that 'be baptized
eis remission' in Acts 2:38 must mean be baptized because your sins have been
remitted.
3.
Professor A. T. Robertson of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is
admittedly one of our greatest Greek Scholars. His Greek grammar is more widely
used in Seminaries, colleges, and universities of this country than any other
Greek grammar. Both in his grammar and also a query in The Western Recorder,
a year or so ago, he said that it was perfectly good Greek to translate 'Eis' -
because of - Acts 2:38.
4. H. T.
Anderson, the leading Campbellite of the last century wrote in 1871 two
articles in 'Apostolic Times' Lexington, Ky. In these articles he said the
expression "Eis Appesin" translated "for remission" in Acts
2:38. . . is the Septuagint translation of the Hebrew word 'Azazel' which is
translated 'Scapegoat' in Leviticus 16:26. Mr. Anderson says that the words
"Eis appesin" do not modify "Be baptized" but modify the
words of Jesus Christ so that Peter probably read the Septuagint version which
really said, 'Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ the scapegoat of your
sins,' according to Mr. Anderson. That is a possible explanation and would
remove all difficulty.
5. The
argument Campbellites make that the expression "For remission"
modifies both verbs, "repent-and-be-baptized" won't hold water.
“Repent” is a plural verb, active V., second P., and was addressed to the whole
crowd. “Be baptized” is a singular verb, passive third P., and has for its
subject, not the whole crowd but only such as had repented and believed. “For
remission” does not modify both verbs. It modifies “Be Baptized” only and those
who trusted in Christ are commanded to be baptized because their sins are
remitted.
6. Baptism
is an outward symbol of an inward experience. Romans 6:3-5 speaks of it as
likeness. I Peter 3:21 speaks of it as a figure of our salvation. If it is only
a likeness or figure then two things are true:
a.
That which it pictures, which Peter says is our salvation, must exist before we
could picture it.
b.
Baptism is called, in Romans 6:4, a likeness or burial and resurrection because
therein is pictured the burial and resurrection of Jesus and our death to sin
and resurrection to walk in newness of life. In Acts 22:16 where it is argued
that baptism washes away sin, even Campbellites will not say today that baptism
literally washes away sin. If it does not do it literally, then it must
symbolically; that is the Baptist position.
CHAPTER 3
PETER'S SERMON
1. Promise
of Mark 16:20 fulfilled. They went everywhere preaching. The Lord worked with
them.
2. The
place was the house of prayer. Matthew 21:13.
3. The
house of prayer. This hour of prayer was not a weekly but a daily prayer
meeting.
4.
Testimony as to who are the best givers. This beggar was laid daily at the
temple gate to ask alms because folks who go to the house of God to worship and
to pray are the best givers. I do not know a liberal giver in my church who
does not go to prayer meeting. The prayers are the ones that go and give.
5. The man
got more and better than he asked. He asked for alms, he got healing which
enabled him to work and make his own living. Acts 3:1-10.
6. Baptist
preachers in New Testament days were all poor. Men of prayer are generally men
of poverty. There is a reason. Poverty makes us humble and dependent and they
are conditions of power. James 2:5; Revelation 2:9.
7. Prayer
in Jesus name. John 14:13-14.
8. Faith
expects God to work and acts upon the faith. v 7.
9. The
healed man praised God.
10. Crowds
go where God is at work. Acts 3:9-11.
11. When
God heals, man needs no crutches.
12. The
people wondered when they heard, then they believed.
13. God
working wonders emboldens timid disciples to testify of Christ. Acts 4:30.
Peter and John were arrested for preaching the resurrection. Stephen was arrested
for preaching spirituality in worship.
PETER'S
SERMON
Acts
3:12-26
1. Borrowed
house. A Jewish temple. Jesus did the same. So did Paul and so do our
missionaries.
2. Yet
Peter did not compromise. They all preached the whole truth, even though it
made the folks mad in whose house they were preaching, so that it caused them
to be put out.
3. The
Sermon.
a.
Why marvel. v 12. We did not do it, God did. He doeth marvelously. Psalm
118:23; Hebrews 1:5; Psalm 139:14; Luke 1:21-63; John 5:20; Acts 4:13.
b.
God works marvelously to glorify Jesus. Acts 3:13-16.
(1)
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is working to glorify Jesus.
(2)
Jesus is His Son.
(3)
This is the Jesus you have killed.
(4)
This is the Jesus that you preferred a murderer before Him.
(5)
This Jesus is the Holy and Just One.
(6)
This Jesus is the Prince of Life.
(7)
This Jesus your God raised from the dead.
(8)
This is the Jesus we preach.
(9)
This miracle which you have seen done in the name of Jesus; therefore, Jesus is
God's Son. When you are fighting Jesus you are fighting God.
c.
Ignorance caused you to do it. v 17.
d.
In doing it you fulfilled your own scriptures.
e.
Wherefore repent. v 19-26.
(1)
That your sins may be blotted out.
(2)
That the times of refreshing may come from God. They are prayed down, not
worked up.
(3)
That Christ may come back. v 20-26.
(a)
This is the same Jesus which was preached unto you. v 20.
(b)
He is now in heaven awaiting fulfilled prophecy. v 21.
(c)
Jesus as a prophet was foretold by Moses. v 22. He is the theme of all the
other prophets.
(d)
He is Lord.
(e)
He will be your judge. v 23.
(f)
These very days foretold in prophecy.
(g)
In God's purposes Jesus was sent to you, first to bless you. v 25- 26. Romans
1:16-18.
(h)
The chief purpose for which Jesus came was to turn men from sin.
(Ye)
repent
(Everyone) be baptized
in name
for remission
of sins of Jesus Christ
I PETER
3:21
I. Peter says baptism does not put away the filth of the
flesh. Campbellites say that means that you baptize a man to cleanse his body.
That would be nonsense if that is what Peter meant, for that is what water will
do, cleanse his body. Flesh means here, the natural man, as in many other
places in the New Testament. John 3:6, 1:13; Galatians 5:17-21. Filth in the
Bible means moral defilement. Ezekiel 24:13; 36:25; Isaiah 4:4; Psalm 14:1-4;
Isaiah 64:6; II Corinthians 7:1; Revelation 22:11; James 1:21.
II. Peter says baptism is the answer of a good conscience.
The R.V. says, the interrogation of a good conscience. Answer or interrogation,
the good conscience comes before baptism: and that KILLS CAMPBELLISM. The Bible
teaches that the conscience is cleansed by the blood. Hebrews 9:14; 10:22. Now
if you have a good conscience, cleansed by the blood, you have salvation before
baptism.
III. Peter says baptism is a like figure of salvation, of
the way Noah and his family were saved from the flood.
SOME LIKENESSES: I Peter 3:21.
1. NOAH - Saved by Grace. Genesis 6:8.
WE - Saved by
Grace. Ephesians 2:8.
2. NOAH - Saved through faith. Hebrews 11:7.
WE - Saved through
faith. Ephesians 2:8-10.
3. NOAH - Saved in the ark. Hebrews 11:7.
WE - Saved in
Christ. II Corinthians 5:17.
4. NOAH - Saved, safe and shut in the ark before a drop of
water fell. Genesis 7:1,10-16.
WE - We are saved,
safe and shut up with Christ in God's hands before we get to baptism.
Colossians 3:4.
CHAPTER 4
PERSECUTION
I. PERSECUTION
1. The
cause of this persecution was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. v 2.
2. The
occasion of this persecution was the healing of a lame man. It is well to
remember the occasion when a thing is done, and the cause of it are very
frequently not the same.
3. These
preachers were arrested and jailed. v 3.
4. The
result here as is often the case was that while the preacher was bound, the
Word was not bound. Putting the preacher in prison does not stop his message.
Killing him does not (Stephen and John the Baptist). A multitude of folks
believed the messages of these preachers and were saved, until there came to be
5,000 men members of the Jerusalem church. The same kind of preaching reaches
men today. A gospel that does not stir opposition does not reach many men.
Opposition does not hinder the truth, it often helps to spread it. The truth,
if hindered at all, is hindered by the cowardice of its friends who know the
truth and are afraid to tell it.
5. Peters
Defense. v 5-12.
a.
This trial gave them a good opportunity to preach Christ.
b.
Their being in jail did not keep them from being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Compare 10:19-20. It is well to bear in mind that the Holy Spirit fills,
blesses and empowers a fighter, if he is fighting for the truth.
c.
These preachers were in court for a good deed and not for a bad one. v 7-9; I
Peter 4:12-16.
d.
NOTE .. how Peter rubs it in. He said this miracle was performed in the name of
Jesus of Nazareth, whom ye crucified and whom God raised from the dead. v 10.
Four things to note:
(1)
Done in the name of Jesus whom they despised.
(2)
This Jesus was crucified to try to stop His work, but His work is still going
on.
(3)
This Jesus was of Nazareth which they also despised.
(4)
God undid what you did, by raising Him from the dead.
e.
This Jesus that you rejected, has been exalted to become the head of the
cornerstone. v 11.
f.
Then you are fighting your own scripture, for they tell of him.
g.
Salvation only through him. v 12.
6. What
they saw in Peter and John. v 13.
a.
Boldness.
b.
Ignorant men whose arguments they could not answer, they were uneducated, but
the Holy Spirit gave them unanswerable arguments.
c.
Powerless men made unanswerable by the Holy Spirit.
d.
Their likeness to Jesus.
7. The
presence of the witness, the man who had been made whole, showed them they had
no case against the preachers. v 14-16.
8. So they
threatened them, prohibited their preaching, and turned them loose.
9. God
above all human government.
a.
The Bible is always to be obeyed when the law of the lands contradicts it.
God's Word is first.
b.
No government has the right to stop the preaching of God's Word.
c.
NOTE.. Peter's answer v 20 compare Daniel 3:15-18; I Kings 22:7,8,13,14.
10. The
church prayed. v 23-31.
a.
They went to church instead of hiring a
lawyer.
b.
The church took it to the higher court. The judge of courts. v 24.
c.
They did not pray for vengeance; they prayed for boldness. v 29.
d.
They pleaded the sovereignty of God as the basis of what they asked, and they
asked God to work a miracle. v 24-30.
(1)
God's sovereignty in creation. v 24.
(2)
The fulfillment of scripture, a proof of God's sovereignty. v 25- 28.
(3)
God's sovereignty and providence. v 29-30.
(a)
God controlled Christ's enemies. v 28.
(b)
They recognized God's control of them and asked for boldness to speak.
(c)
They asked God to work wonders.
e.
God's answer. v 31.
(1)
He answered inaudibly.
(2) He did what they
asked.
(a)
He worked a miracle.
(b)
He filled them with the Spirit.
(c)
He gave them boldness. That is where you get boldness from - Holy Spirit.
11. A
Spirit filled church. v 32-37.
a.
The first result of this church being filled, was their unity. Unity is always
internal before external. You can not have unity without union but you can have
union without unity. Union is not unity. Where the Holy Spirit has the right of
way there is always unity.
b.
God's ownership recognized. v 32. If God is the owner, then He had a right to
tell them to sell and give.
c.
Their stewardship under the Holy Spirit extended to all their possessions.
d.
God's power is always on consecrated stewards. v 33.
e.
The Holy Spirit magnifies Christ. v 33. The man who claims to be filled with
the Spirit and talks about himself is mistaken.
f.
There is always abundant grace where people are liberal. v 33. It takes grace
to make folks give liberally.
g.
The common fund. v 35. This fund took care of all home and all missionary
expenses.
h.
A concrete case; Barnabas, a preacher. In order to make his ministry effective,
he walks by faith and not by sight. No man can do that who has a farm to fall
back on. So the Spirit told Barnabas to sell his farm and give it. His larger
usefulness, it seems, began from that day. Men who have God only to depend upon
are the men who are walking by faith. They are the men whom God is using
abundantly. Barnabas had great power and was willing to go anywhere after his
farm was sold.
CHAPTER 5
THE SPIRIT AT
WORK
1. The Holy
Spirits' power is like lightening. It is dangerous at times. v 1-11. There is
danger in any kind of power if turned loose; steam, gas, electricity. Also true
of demoniac power. Cf. Christian
Science. God's power is almighty, therefore the most dangerous of all. Note: v
11.
a.
Ananias and Sapphira were saved people. v 3-9. The Holy Spirit does not tell
unsaved people to give.
b.
Spirit filled men and Spirit-filled churches are dangerous to trifle with. Acts
13:9-11.
c.
The Holy Spirit, the administrator of finances. v 3,9. It is His to tell us how
much to give and how to give. We ought to obey Him as to the object and the
amount. The tithes ought to go to the expenses and the offerings to the
missions.
d.
Their sin four-fold.
(1)
Covetousness.
(2)
Hypocrisy.
(3)
Dishonesty.
(4)
Lying to the Holy Spirit.
e.
The filling of the Spirit and stewardship go together. Being emptied of self
and the world is a condition of being filled with the Spirit. The Holy Spirit
can not fill a man who is full of other things. A second condition of being
filled is a surrendered life; and no man can surrender to Christ and hold on to
or hold back his money or his property; if you are afraid God will tell you
like he did Barnabas, to sell your farm or whatever you have and give it to
him, then you have in you an evil heart of unbelief, a stubborn will and a love
for money, which Paul says is idolatry. Besides this evil thing there may be
also in your heart lying to God and stealing from God. You can not have power
and hold back anything from God. You can not have peace without power. The
unbelief that keeps power out will also keep out peace and joy and fellowship
and communion of the Spirit, and answer to prayer.
f.
The power that works or that enables us to work will also kill if you get in
its way. Cars are good if kept under control, water, fire, etc.
g.
Whom God destroys He wants no funeral over.
h.
It is always dangerous to lie to God or to lie on God.
2. The Holy
Spirit works with them. v 12-16.
a.
Signs and wonders wrought. v 12.
b.
New life given. v 14. It is well to note here the significant fact that
believers were added to the Lord and not to the church. Church membership meant
something then. Even those newly saved believers were afraid to join the
church. People need today to be taught more respect for church membership. This
passage also clearly proves that salvation is in Christ and not in the church.
Salvation comes before baptism and church membership and may exist without it.
This passage also teaches that fear of God will bring men and women to
repentance and salvation.
c.
Multitudes healed. The healing was by God, not by the preachers. When God
heals, the shadow of a man can do it just as well as his touch, or any effort
of his. v 15.
d.
Demons cast out by divine power. Cf. Matthew 12:28. That is always true where
the Spirit is at work, but that does not save till after one receives Christ.
John 1:12; I John 4:4; 5:5; Matthew 12:43-45.
3. When the
Holy Spirit is at work the devil and all his children are always enraged. v
17-18.
4. The Holy
Spirit is able to deliver. v 19.
5. The Holy
Spirit gives power and boldness. v 20.
6. The Holy
Spirit thwarts the enemies of the Gospel and of the truth. v 21-42. The highest
officials of the Jewish nation were present and God thwarts them as easily as
the most common man.
a.
God released His servants from prison, and sent them back to preaching.
b.
These high officials were all confused. v 24. When God works, His cause grows
and multiplies.
c.
God's working made the officials afraid.
d.
Afflicted in their consciences. They do not know what to do next. v 27-28.
e.
Peter and the eleven speak with great boldness. v 29-32.
(1)
Whenever officials shut God's houses or stop men from preaching, they ought to
be disobeyed. They openly charged these officials with highhanded murder. v 30.
(2)
God had undone what they had done, showing that God was against them.
(3)
This God that was against them, was the one that commanded them to preach
Christ to them. That is why they disobeyed them. Christ whom they preached, God
has exalted to be Prince and Saviour, to grant repentance and remission to
(4)
They were obeying the Holy Spirit in speaking. v 32.
(5)
The Holy Spirit bore witness with them and accompanied their testimony, that is
why these men were hurting so.
f.
They are convicted and made mad by these words. v 33.
g.
Their counsel was defeated by one of their leaders, Gamaliel. v 34-39. God
often uses wicked men to defeat the counsel of men.
h.
Notwithstanding persecution of the disciples, they were filled with joy. They
were rejoicing over privilege.
i.
Persecution only increased the preaching
places and soul-winning activities. v 42. Opposition is no reason for quitting.
The very fact that the devil stirs opposition is proof that the Holy Spirit is
at work. I Corinthians 16:8-9.
CHAPTER 6 & 7
DEACONS ORDAINED
1. The
things we do not talk about are the very things that the Holy Spirit has
recorded in Acts, and these are the things the disciples rejoiced in. 5:41.
This persecution was against deacons.
a.
Stephen was a man of faith and power. v 8.
b.
He was a working deacon. God worked with him and enabled him to work wonders. v
8.
c.
He was a great disputer. v 9.
d.
He went into their synagogues.
e.
His testimony was unanswered. v 10.
2. Methods
of the persecutors. They are always the same in general.
a.
They suborned witnesses to swear to lie. v 11-14.
b.
They stirred up a mob. v 12.
c.
They went through the formality of a trial. v 12.
d.
The Spirit filled him and told him what to speak. This made his face to shine.
v 15.
3.
Stephen's Defense. Acts 7:1-53.
a.
Promise of Jesus fulfilled. Matthew 10:19.
b.
Stephen hired no lawyer.
c.
He bases his appeal on their scriptures.
d.
He charged them with being guilty of the same sins their fathers were.
(1)
Sin of unbelief. They did not believe their own Bible and its prophecies.
(2)
Rejection of God's messengers, the prophets.
(a)
The eleven patriarchs reject Joseph and his prophecies. v 9-10; Genesis
37:8-10.
(b)
They rejected Moses. v 22-29.
(c)
They rejected the messengers sent by David and Solomon.
(d)
They rejected the messages of all the prophets. v 52.
(e)
You are just like your father in that you reject both the words of Moses and
also of the other prophets, who spoke of Moses. v 37.
(3)
God is against them just like He was against their fathers.
(a)
God delivered Joseph. v 9-10.
(b)
God delivered Moses. v 35.
(c)
So God raised Christ whom you rejected.
(4)
The rejectors among their fathers were given up to idolatry. v 42-43.
(5)
You are just like your fathers.
(a) Stiff-necked.
(b)
Uncircumcised. v 51.
(c)
Resisted the Holy Spirit.
(d)
As their fathers murdered the prophets, so they murdered Christ.
4. Results:
a.
Deep conviction. v 54. When they heard these things they were cut to the heart.
b. Wrath and vengeance. v 54.
c.
Mobbed him to death.
5. The
Lord's presence.
a.
Stephen filled with the Holy Spirit. v 55.
b.
Heaven opened.
c.
God's glory revealed.
d.
Jesus standing on the right hand of God. v 55-56. Jesus is usually represented
as sitting at God's right hand. In this case He is standing, showing his great
interest in what is taking place with one of his servants.
6.
Stephen's prayer.
a.
He prayed the Lord Jesus to receive his spirit. He was no soul-sleeper. He was
no Catholic; they think that the spirit of the saved have to go to purgatory.
He did not agree with J. R. Graves and J. B. Moody. He thought that the spirit
went to heaven where Christ is, not to the intermediate state.
b.
He prayed for forgiveness of his persecutors.
c.
This prayer was answered in the conversion of Saul of
7. Death is
only a sleep for a believer.
CHAPTER 8
HOME MISSIONS
1. The
occasion: This was the fourth persecution. Paul was the chief persecutor. v 1.
They were all scattered abroad except the twelve apostles. Judea and
2. Only one
church after years of preaching the gospel. v 1. They had no interest in
mission work beyond the bounds of their church.
3. Home
mission work began by persecution.
a.
b.
c.
God is so interested in missions that He would go to any length to make his
people missionary. Even turned Satan loose on them to persecute them. v 3. No
local church is as important as missions at home and abroad. If it had been,
God would not have permitted this church to have been made havoc of.
d.
Scattering the gospel all over two states was the immediate results of this
persecution. v 4. Later on it went farther still. The Lord often uses the devil
to further His cause. Philippians 1:12-14. The word here translated 'preach'
means personal testimony.
4. Philip
was a home missionary. Acts 8:5-13.
a.
Deacon Philip now became evangelist Philip. 8:5. The word “preached” here is
not the word preached in verse 4.
b.
He preached Christ unto him and did not spend time talking about persecution.
The people listened. v 6.
c.
God worked with him in miraculous power. v 6-7; compare Mark 16:20.
d.
Many saved.
e.
Great joy in that city because of God's saving grace and power.
f.
Noted spiritualist professed salvation under Philip (Simon Magus).
(1)
His profession was a confession that spiritualism was a friend.
(2)
He was convinced by Philip's miracles that he had a supernatural power, that
Simon himself did not have.
(3)
This led him to give intellectual ascent to Philip's message and to join the
church and be baptized.
(4)
His conversion was not genuine.
(a)
Heart was not right.
(b)
He had never repented.
(c)
His motive was wholly for gain. v 18-23.
(d)
He did not have a new heart.
(e)
He was a sinner who was told to pray. v 22-23.
5. Apostle
Authority. v 14-25.
a. This group had twelve members,
all apostles.
b.
They selected two missionaries, Peter and John, also Apostles. The twelve Apostles acted together.
(1)
God had already called them to home missionary work. Matthew 10.
(2)
They had already done some missionary work under Jesus. Matthew 10:1-11. Their
territory, was now enlarged. Matthew 10:5.
(3)
They were men of experience, not boys in the ministry. The two men that were
sent out were Apostles of experience.
(4)
They sent the best.
c.
They sent them down to
d.
The supervision of the new field was the work of the Apostles.
e. Philip was new at evangelistic work. He
needed the advice of older men. v 13-24.
(1)
He was in danger of becoming lopsided. These folks were saved but they had no
endurance for service. v 15-17. Modern evangelism is of this type mostly. They
think that the main thing is to get folks saved, and that church membership,
baptism, and indoctrination, are non-essentials. New Testament evangelism
included not only the salvation of men but the baptism and the teaching of
Christ's commandments. Matthew 28:18-20. This is the trouble with lots of
evangelism, (nobody responsible). Acts 2:38-41.
(2)
Some of Philip's work was shallow and superficial. Simon Magus not converted.
Peter talking to Philip's most prominent convert. v 18-24. It is worth your
while to remember that Spirit-filled men are always plain-talking men.
f.
These men were real missionaries, not modern enlistment men. Enlistment men are
lopsided experts and want to tell the other fellow how to do things and do
nothing themselves. Their work was not well-rounded missionary work. They usurp
the function of pastors and do a lot more harm by their campaigns than they do
good. Out in
6. Holy
Spirit sovereign in mission. v 26- 40.
a.
He did not limit Himself to one plan.
God has only one mission organization now, that is the church. In the
New Testament the Holy Spirit used many methods through his organization.
(1)
Missionaries thrust out by persecution.
(2)
Missionaries thrust out by the Holy Spirit.
(3)
Faith missions. There is more of that kind than any mission in the New
Testament. Men heard the call of God and went forth depending on Him for
support. All missionaries sent forth by Jesus during His personal ministry were
that kind. Luke 22:35.
(4)
Apostle sent men. These men were selected by Apostles. Peter and John went up
to
(5)
Church missions. That is missionaries sent out by local churches. Acts 11:22.
b.
The Holy Spirit uses, today, Baptist Churches in all mission fields, but they
can get stingy and covetous, as many of them do.
c.
All authority over all mission work is the Lord. Matthew 28:18. He is sovereign
and does as He pleases.
d.
He sent Philip South. v 26-39.
(1)
The 'Where' he was going was very indefinite.
(2)
To whom he was sent was also indefinite.
(3)
Philip went out not knowing where he was going. But he obeyed God and arose and
went.
(4)
He obeyed at once. v 27. The Bible emphasizes immediate obedience.
(5)
He kept going till the Spirit said stop. v 29.
(6)
He ran to do the Spirit's will. No argument, no delay, he ran.
(7)
He preached Jesus to him from the Old Testament, because he was an honest
inquirer. That should be our message always to the convicted, but to the
non-believer we need to preach law.
(8)
This man was a eunuch. The eunuch needs the gospel, but they get a very little
of it. Jeremiah 13:23.
(9)
The Eunuch asked for baptism.
(10) Acts 8:37 is a so called
confession.
(11) This baptism
was immersion. v 38. Both went down. Philip baptized him. Philip
handled the man, not the water.
(12) Philip baptized
as missionaries do today, by the authority of the church that
sent him out. Compare Acts 10:47.
(13) The eunuch
had great joy
following the Lord.
e.
The Holy Spirit through with him. Then he is sent to Azotus, and then to other
cities. No time for idling or loafing.
f.
The Spirit led. Kept going. v 40.
g.
The Spirit led him to go where he was invited. God often opens doors and tells
to enter. Philip was God's man in God's place. He had no backing and no support
except the Holy Spirit. God's sovereignty and election seen.
(1)
He chose Philip.
(2)
He sent him to this eunuch.
(3)
He choose Azotus as Philip's field and sent him there.
(4)
God is not afraid to turn converted folks loose anywhere. He took Philip away
from the eunuch, but he still had the Bible and the Holy Spirit to be his
guide.
CHAPTER 9
SAUL / APOSTLE
PAUL
1. Saul a
persecutor. Acts 8:1-3 Compare Galatians 1:13-14; Acts 26:10-11. NOTE - that
fighting the gospel or the Bible or Baptists, is fighting Christ.
2.Saul's
conversion: v 3-6.
a.
He was not seeking the Lord. Compare Romans 9:30; 10:20. The emphasis is on the
folks seeking the lost, not lost folks seeking the Saviour. Cf. Mark 1:17.
Fishers of men.
Matthew
9:37,38 - Thrust out laborers.
Luke 14:23
- Go into the highways and hedges.
Romans
10:20 - I was found of them that sought me not.
I Peter -
Chosen of the Lord.
b.
But Paul was not saved against his will. There is no repentance until man wills
to be saved. The quickening and wakening power of the Holy Spirit works in man
a willingness, not only to be saved, but to be saved God's way. That is what
makes them willing. Hebrews 10:16.
c.
Conviction of Saul. It dates back to Stephen's death. v 5; Acts 26:14.
d.
Paul's repentance. Philippians 3:7-8. In repentance men die to sin. When the
will stops kicking, resisting, and fighting against the Spirit that is the last
act in the sinners death to sin. That is repentance. It took place between the
first question and second question.
e.
Paul's faith. When Paul turned away from his self-righteousness and quit
kicking against the Holy Spirit, he died to sin. That was his repentance. He
was then shut up to faith and received Christ as his Lord and Saviour.
Conviction and Godly sorrow may be a process of months and years, but
repentance and faith are instantaneous. When the will quits kicking that is the
death of the old life. Immediately the will yields to and receives Christ as
Saviour and Lord. He speaks of himself after this as Christ's bond-slave.
Immediately he looks up to his new master and says, "Lord what wilt thou
have me to do".
f.
He is called and commissioned to be a foreign missionary, right there on the
road to
g.
His obedience, v 8-31.
(1)
Why into
(a)
Because Christ said do it.
(b)
To test his faith.
(c)
To teach him humility. It takes lots of humility, even in new converts, to go
to men he hated and let them teach him the way of the Lord.
(d)
To teach him submission: That is the first thing that Christ wants us to learn.
To give up our way and do what he tells us.
(e)
To exclude boasting that no flesh should glory in His presence. Paul was
converted outside of
(f)
He probably sent him up there also to be a witness to others.
(2)
He went to preaching at once. v 20-21.
(3)
He went into
(4)
He went up to
(5)
Then he went down to
(6)
Paul was true to the whole commission, and established churches everywhere he
went. He did not convert folks and turn them loose.
1.Lydda:
a. There
were saints at Lydda. Acts 9:32. These folks at Lydda were either members of
the church at
b. An
incurable healed. v 33-34.
(1)
He was healed by faith.
(2)
He was healed by a man of Christ.
(3)
He was healed without a doctor or medicine.
(4)
He was made whole not better. What God does he does well.
(5)
His case was incurable by men.
c. Two
whole towns converted. v 35. The secret of the conversions of these whole towns
is probably explained by the fact that every saved man in them was a personal
witness for Christ, and had their towns ready for Peter's message when he got
there.
2. At Joppa. v 36-43.
a. Peter
was a missionary not a pastor. I Corinthians 9:5.
b. There
were believers at Joppa as well as at Lydda.
c. The life
of Dorcas.
(1)
Full of good works.
(2)
Full of alms deeds. v 39; Matthew 6:3-4.
(3)
Let the other fellow tell it. v 39.
d. Dorcas'
death.
(1)
Already laid out. v 37.
(2)
Peter sent for. v 38. Why did they send for him? For the funeral to console
them in their loss or to raise her from the dead?
(3)
Peter prayed. v 40.
(a)
Prayed in secret. Matthew 6:6; 9:25. Curiosity, unbelief, restlessness, and
stirring to and fro of the crowds hinders our prayers. Thinking of what the
folks will think and say will also hinder our prayers.
(b)
Peter believed. Told her to arise.
e. Dorcas
raised. v 40-41. Raising or reviving a dead body, as in this case is not the
resurrection. No change in this body.
f. Many
believed on the Lord. v 42. Testimony makes believers. Not arguments but
testimony brings men to Christ. This testimony was three-fold.
(1)
They testified what the word says.
(2)
Testified to answered prayer.
(3)
Testified to the power of God.
g. Peter
stayed many days. v 43.
h. The
Gospel makes men humble and brotherly. Peter would not have had anything to do
with a tanner if it had not.
CHAPTER 10
PETER'S VISION
Peter at
A. Cornelius Vision. v 1-8.
1. Cornelius
was an Italian, from
2. He was a
Jewish proselyte. v 22.
3. Devout,
reverent, liberal, humble, prayerful, and a worshipper of the True God. More
things to his credit than lots of Baptists.
4. But he
was not saved. v 25; 11:14; 15:7. This is a fine example of how many things a
man may have to his credit and not be saved.
5. His
Vision: v 3-6.
(a)
This vision ought to kill hard-shellism. The Spirit does not save anybody
without the word.
(b)
The angel tells him where to find the preacher, but neither the angel nor the
Holy Spirit tells him one word about how to find Christ. That commission was
given to men to bear witness of Christ, and his power to save. Neither the
angels nor the Holy Spirit ever does our work for us. I Corinthians 1:21;
Romans 10:13-17; also 1:16; I Thessalonians 2:4.
(c)
Sends for Peter. v 5-8.
B. Peter's Vision. Acts 10:9-16.
1. God
works at each end of the line.
2. God uses
prejudiced men.
3. God has
to get the littleness out of us before He can use us, also the prejudice.
4. The
cleanness here spoken was not moral but ceremonial. Mark 7:19.
5. The
vision came while Peter was in prayer. There are two fine points there for us
to remember:
(a)
The remarkable insight into Peter's personal habits, is here given in that he
spent spare moments, while waiting for dinner going up on the housetop to pray.
(b)
When tired men get to praying they sometimes go to sleep.
(c)
Notwithstanding weakness, the Lord knew his heart, the motive was right and
revealed his will to him, even if he was asleep.
C. The vision interpreted and applied. v 17-22.
1. Visions
are never given to make men feel good, but to reveal God's will and to fit men
for service.
2. Visions
must be interpreted by the word of God.
3. Visions
do not contradict either God's word or the Holy Spirit's call if they are from
God.
4. God's
visions do not cancel previous calls of God. They may apply and interpret. That
was true here of Peter.
5. Visions
and God's providence often interpret the call of the Holy Spirit.
6. God's
providence often interprets visions.
7. The Holy
Spirit applied and interpreted this vision to Peter. v 19.
8. The open
door or an unexpected and unsought call are often God's providential calls to
service.
9. God
opened doors for Peter at Lydda, Saron, Joppa, and
10. Fill
the little place you are in, full of service, and God will open unto you a
bigger field of labor. Note - Chapter 9:35, 43. Lydda and Saron were little
towns. Peter worked hard at the job. He was doing his best at the one he had
and God opened the door of opportunity.
D. Peter goes to
1. No
delay. There is a lot of trifling with God and pious talk in preachers trying
to find out the Lord's will when they already know it. Balaam (Numbers 22:8-12;
15-17; 20-35), is a fine example of how many preachers act.
2. Peter
did not want to go but obedience was what God wanted. Note - Paul in Acts
16:1-7; Joshua 7:7-13.
3. A big
welcome awaited Peter. v 24-27.
4. Peter
explains how he came to be there. v 28-29.
5. Then he
lets them explain how they came to send for him. 29-33.
6. Note the
two answers these men made to God. Peter said, "As soon as", v 29.
Cornelius said, "Immediately", v 33.
7. Note v
33. The surrendered will of Peter's hearers.
E. Peter's Sermon. v 34-43:
1. The
gospel for all nations. v 34-35. This is probably the first time that Peter
ever said this.
2. Jesus is
the theme of the gospel in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. v
36-43.
(a)
Peace by Jesus Christ. v 36.
(b) Lordship of Jesus. v
36.
(c)
Jesus approved and empowered by God.
(d)
Jesus crucified and raised from the dead. v 39-41. That is the theme of every
believer’s testimony.
(e)
Jesus commanded his disciples to tell of him. v 42.
(f)
Jesus the final judge. v 42.
(g)
Remission of sin only through him. v 43. In this, Old and New Testament
preachers agree.
(h)
All who receive him receive full remission of sins. The word, "trust"
is found 152 times in the Old Testament.
F. The Results of Peter's Messages. v 44-48.
1. The
Spirit reveals Christ to His hearers and enables them to receive Him. v 44.
2. All His
hearers saved.
3. The
special gift of the Holy Spirit is called the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is the only instance of Holy Spirit
baptism except Pentecost. It was repeated here to show these prejudice Jews in
4. All who
were saved were baptized. v 47- 48.
(a)
Household baptism. But all had received the Holy Spirit. This included not only
his family but his kin and near friends.
(b)
Holy Spirit baptism did not take the place of water baptism. Acts 11:16.
(c)
The Holy Spirit was received before baptism and was a proof of salvation and
sonship before baptism.
(d)
Why baptize in the name of Jesus and not in the name of the Trinity.
(e)
Six brethren who were with Peter consented to this baptism. v 47. Chapter
11-12.
CHAPTER 11
WORK BEGINS AT
Peter, the home missionary called to account by his church.
Acts 11:1-18.
1. A church
bigger than an apostle. Matthew 18:16-18; Revelation 2:2. Apostles tried.
2. Peter
was no bishop or pope. This church was bigger than he was. I Peter 5:1-3.
3. Heretics
in the
A.
Did not believe in foreign missions.
B.
Did not believe in home missions either. Peter was a home missionary, but they
opposed him and called him to account.
C.
They were heretical on the plan of salvation. All who oppose missions are
heretical on the plan of salvation.
D.
This was the beginning of Judaizers that gave Paul so much trouble later on.
They were heretics on the plan of salvation. Compare Acts 15:5; Galatians
2:1-5.
4. Peter's
Defense. v 4-13.
A.
Tells them of his vision from God.
B.
God's application of the vision.
C.
Spirit demanded men to go with him.
D.
Six witnesses out
of the brethren who accompanied me.
E.
God working at both ends. He did as much work on Cornelius to get him to send,
as he did on Peter to get him to go. His purpose in going was to preach the
gospel to them.
F.
God approved his going by saving all that were present, and by giving them the
Holy Spirit.
G.
This is a fulfillment of the words of Jesus. v 16.
H.
Peter told them
that he dared not fight God. v 17.
I.
His critics silenced. v 18.
J.
God glorified even by those who opposed
missions. Nothing more glorifies God than missions, or saving the lost.
K.
Repentance is God's gift. 11:18.
WHEN WAS
CORNELIUS SAVED?
1. Not
saved before Peter preached to him.
A.
Cornelius, an idolater. 10:25.
B.
A proselyte to the Jewish faith.
C.
He was devout. Acts 13:50.
D.
He was a liberal giver. Compare Matthew 23:23.
E.
He prayed to God. Compare: Scribes and Pharisees who said long prayers.
F.
He was a legalist depending on works.
2. If he
was saved before Peter preached to him, God did not know it. v 14. If he was
saved before Peter preached to him, Peter did not know it before he went or
after he came back. Acts 10:43-47.
3. If saved
before, the Holy Spirit did not know it. Acts 10:44.
4. If saved
before Peter preached to him, he was saved without repentance.
5. If he
was saved before Peter preached to him, he was saved and had no life. v 18.
WORK
BEGINS AT
1. Still
home missions territory, but on the borderline. Large Gentile populations.
2. Christ
preached to the Gentiles or heathen, by men from Cyprus,
3. God
blessed and honored His word. v 21. "Believe" here has reference to
historical faith. "Turning to the Lord" includes both repentance and
saving faith. Note - God is with his servants when they preach Jesus and His
work.
4. A
church-sent missionaries. v 22. Barnabas was sent probably because his home was
at Cyprus, which was not far from
5. Great
meeting at
A.
Grace visible. v 23. It always is if men receive it in their lives.
B.
Joy manifested. v 23.
C.
Exhortations abundant. v 23.
D.
The life of the preacher an important factor (vital). v 24.
E.
Many conversions. v 24. Conversion means adding folks to Christ, not the
Church. Here is a fine example of folks being saved and yet it is not said that
they were baptized. Compare Acts 5:13-14.
F.
Help in the meeting. v 25. We got the cart before the horse. The meeting was
getting so big Barnabas could not handle it, so he went after Saul.
G.
Lasted a whole year. v 26. The 'word' translated "Taught" means
"disciple".
H.
The name Christian first used. v 26. Not of God but of the people of
NOTE
- Three New Things at
a.
Disciples called Christians.
b.
Gospel preached to Gentiles and Jews alike.
c.
Relief sent to the poor saints at
I.
Pocketbooks reached. v 29. All true revivals reaches the pocketbooks, just like
this one did.
J.
This money was sent by the apostles to apostles. The committee was Paul and
Barnabas. This money was distributed to the brethren all over the state of
CHAPTER 12
THE FIFTH
PERSECUTION
Acts 12:1-25
The first
persecution was against Peter and John. Acts 4:1. The second was against the
Apostles. Acts 5:17. The third was against Stephen. Acts 6:9. The fourth was
against the whole church except the Apostles. Acts 8:1. The fifth was against
Peter and James. Acts 12:1.
1. The
Persecution. v 1 by Herod Agrippa the First. This man was grandson of Herod the
Great. Matthew 2:1, and the father of the Agrippa before whom Paul stood. This
man was a strict observer of the law, and very popular with the Jews.
2. The
reasons for the persecution. v 3. It pleased the Jews, and at this time there
were lots of Jews in
3. Herod
had already killed the brother of John. The 'James' of verse 17, and Acts 15:13
is probably a half brother of the Lord. Why he should have killed James we do
not know. He was not a leader.
4. Peter
arrested. v 3-4.
A.
Arrested but no charge against him. v 3.
B.
Put in prison. v 4.
C.
This officer aimed to turn him over to mob law, with no justice and no trial.
Many times officers are more to blame for mob law than anyone else.
D.
Not Easter but Passover.
5. Peter's
Deliverance. v 5-19.
A.
Prayer without ceasing.
B.
The whole church prayed.
C.
Definite prayer.
D.
God takes a hand. v 6-12.
1.
God in no hurry about answering their prayer. He took His own time to do it and
did not do it until the right time to deliver him.
2.
Peter sound asleep. v 6-7. Peter was a great sleeper. He slept in the Garden of
Gethsemane while Jesus prayed. He was sleeping on the housetop when God let the
sheet down. This might have been the last night on earth, yet he was sound
asleep. Faith or indifference, which? At any rate, he did not worry.
3.
Three miracles:
(a)
Lights shown in the prison. No one saw it but Peter.
(b)
Chains fell off.
(c)
The gates opened themselves. v 10.
4.
The ministry of angels. A big subject in the Bible. Hebrews 1:14; Cf. also Jacob.
5.
Peter in no hurry, took time to dress. We all have plenty of time to obey all
of God's commandments to us, but no time to idle.
6.
Peter thought he had seen a vision.
E.
Peter's testimony. v 7-17.
1.
God delivered me.
2.
In a quandary. v 12. Out of prison but did not know where to go or what to do.
3.
Goes to Mary's house. A frequent visitor here, and much at home. John Mark,
Mary's son, got his facts to preach the gospel from Peter.
4.
Faith and unbelief. They believed in God enough to pray all night for Peter's
deliverance, yet they did not believe God did it when Peter knocked at the
door. v 14-16. The trouble was, God had not done it the way they expected it to
be done.
5.
Peter told them and left.
F.
A stir among the soldiers. v 18.
G.
Herod's disappointment.
6. Herod's
Death. v 20-23.
A.
God twice takes a hand. He delivers Peter and kills Herod.
B.
Herod's arrogance and pride.
C.
His sin was not a sin of ignorance for he knew God's law.
D.
Was it the same angel that killed Herod that delivered Peter?
E.
Note the two uses of the word "SMOTE". v 7,23.
7. The Word
grew. v 24.
Persecution
cannot stop the Word. The Word is not dependent upon the leader. The Word has
life in it so it grows and multiplies. It grows in the saved and multiplies the
saved in numbers. Compare; Parable of the Seed Growing Secretly.
8. Paul and
Barnabas in
A.
They were there to carry a collection to the poor saints at
B.
They knew of the deliverance.
C.
They took John Mark with them.
D.
John Mark was a son of a woman whose home was a preacher’s home, and whose
house was a house of prayer. Compare; Timothy, Samuel, and Moses.
CHAPTER 13
PAUL'S FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY
SECOND DIVISION
1. His
Call.
A.
Simultaneous with his conversion. Galatians 1:15-16.
B.
His preparation.
1.
His three years study in
2.
Engaged in home mission work ten or twelve years.
C. To the regions beyond. Acts 13:2; 22:21.
D.
The best and most spiritual preachers in this church were sent to the mission
field.
2. His
ordination:
A.
No hurry about it. Paul had been preaching eight or ten years before the Lord
told him to be ordained. During these years he was always a missionary.
Somebody was always present to do the baptizing and etc., so he had no need for
ordination. Compare Acts 14:23. Elders were ordained in all newly organized
churches on his first missionary tour because there were no older preachers
present to administer the ordinances. Cf. I Timothy 5:22. We are plainly
commanded to lay hands suddenly on
no man. I
Timothy 3:6. Not
a novice. II Timothy 2:24. Two qualifications for ordination are that a
man should be apt to teach and not a novice.
B.
The call to preach was no authority to baptize. I Corinthians 1:17; Acts 13:2.
C.
His ordination commanded by the Holy Spirit. Not asked for by Paul but
commanded by the Holy Spirit. If the Lord wants you ordained, He will impress
somebody besides you.
3. Paul's
companions on this journey. Barnabas and John Mark. In this they were like the
Master. They went forth two by two.
4. Sent out
by the Holy Spirit. Liberated and commended by the church. The word translated,
'Sent,' in v 3 means to loose, set free, let go; the word translated 'set
forth' means sent forth.
5. At
A.
At
B.
At Paphos. v 6-13.
1.
The devil stirs up opposition. v 6.
2.
The spirit also at work. v 7.
3.
The conflict. v 8. A sorcerer is a spiritualist. All false religions fight hard
when they think they are about to loose their converts.
4.
The surety and goodness of God. v 12.
(a)
A surety on Elymas. Note- Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit.
(b)
Goodness to Sergius Paulus.
5.
Then to Perga. v 13.
6.
John Mark homesick or scared, he turns back.
6.
(1) Paul preached in the synagogue. v 14-51.
A.
Two successive sabbaths. v 14,44.
B.
Preached by invitation.
C.
The worship in the synagogue consisted in Bible reading, teaching, and
exhortation. v 16,41.
D.
Paul's Sermon.
(a) God's sovereignty. v 17-23.
a.
God's election and power. v 17.
b.
His permissive will. v 18.
c.
Destroyed the Canaanites. This shows God's control of wars.
d.
He gave them judges 450 years.
e.
Then he permitted them to have a king.
f.
Christ the seed of David. v 23.
(b) Paul preached Christ the Saviour and
Lord. v 23-41. Note Paul's two themes. The sovereignty of God and the Lordship
of Jesus and His resurrection. These New Testament preachers put lots more
emphasis upon the Lordship and Resurrection than preachers do today.
a.
John was His forerunner. v 24-25.
b.
Salvation to the Jews first. v 26. That was Paul's custom always.
c.
The rejection and death of Jesus by the Jews was the fulfillment of their own
scriptures. v 27-29. They were ignorant of the Bible and the fulfillment of the
scriptures.
d.
God undid what they did by raising Jesus from the dead. This too was a
fulfillment of scripture. v 36-37. He sights three Old Testament scriptures to
show that the resurrection of Jesus was a fulfillment of the Old Testament.
Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 55:3; Psalm 16:10. It is a fine habit to get into, prove what
you say by the Bible. This is where these New Testament preachers went for
proof. Mark you, they always proved it by the Old Bible.
e.
Forgiveness of sin only through Him. v 38-39. Forgiveness is sure to all
believers who trust in Him.
f.
Damnation equally sure to all who reject Him. Jew or Gentile. He proves it by
the scripture again. v 40-41.
(c) Invited back to preach the following
sabbath. The invitation largely from the Gentiles. Many converts. Legalist
oppose.
(d) Big crowd the next Sabbath.
(e) Bitter opposition from the legalist. v
45.
(2) Paul now turns to the Gentiles. v 46-52.
A.
He first gives the Jews a chance so that if they reject Christ their blood will
be on their own heads and not on his.
B.
He again quotes scripture and shows how they fulfilled it. v 47. Note - God's
purpose for every church is salvation to the ends of the earth. WORLDWIDE
Missionary. v 47. Note - this is God's
command.
C.
God approved of their turning from the Jews to the Gentiles. v 48.
D.
Many were saved. v 48. The word translated 'Ordained' here means disposed.
Again we see that God seeks the lost, and gives them a disposition to receive
the Saviour.
E.
A great meeting; far reaching in its results. The word was published throughout
all that whole country.
F.
Bitter persecution. v 50-51.
(a) By religious folks.
(b) The
social, political, and business
leaders opposed him.
(c) The Jews worked under cover. They
stirred up the other folks.
(d) Women were active then as now. v 50.
(e) He
was thrust out of the city and went on. v 40-51. He shook off the dust
of his feet against them. v 51. Matthew 10:14-15.
G.
The Disciples filled with joy in the Holy Spirit.