Book of acts pdf download

Contributors then consider key characters within the Kings narrative in depth, such as Nathan, Bathsheba, Solomon and Jezebel. The contributors use their own specific expertise to analyze these characters and more, drawing on insights from literary theory and considering such approaches as questioning our view of a particular character with based on the character within the text with whom we identify. Contributors also assess whether or not characters as portrayed in the biblical text necessarily match up to their possible counterparts in history.

Score: 4. It covers every book of the Old Testament in the order in which it appears in the Hebrew Bible and treats the issues and methods in contemporary interpretations without jargon. Before the Flood Author : Paul J.

Throughout his commentary, Ron Allen examines the relationship of Acts to the Gospel of Luke, discussing parallel passages between the two volumes and observing how themes in the Gospel carry forward into Acts. He notes how particular passages contribute to developing themes and to how the awareness of such a theme can contribute to the preacher's work with a particular passage.

An appendix will posit several sermon series that the preacher could develop on the book of Acts, making the book especially useful to ministers who do not follow the lectionary. They're wrong! The church is the new community of God's people. It's filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. And it has as much to say to the world today as it did two thousand years ago. In Acts, you will discover that God wants to do a fresh work among his people by the power of the Holy Spirit.

You will find the pathway to authentic community. You will learn how to grow as a worshiper. And you will deepen your passion to invite others into the fellowship of Christ-followers we call the church. Sound exciting? Let's rediscover church together! With full benefit of the Holy Spirit, the earliest believers shaped communities of faith from Jerusalem to Rome and all points in between.

The Acts of the Apostles, Part One Acts — invites us to witness the Spirit at work as the apostles of Jesus become evangelists and pastors, as communities of believers expand to include Gentiles, and as local challenges test the staying power of the young church. He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, shew us the Father?

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? Taking him outside of Jerusalem they stoned him. A witness, Saul, held their cloaks and looked on as the others stoned Stephen who called for God to receive his spirit and not to blame them for their evil act.

He then died. After his introduction at the death of Stephen, Saul began to persecute the Church with great fury. He had given consent to Stephen's death. But the scriptures reveal he persecuted ignorantly, believing Christianity was false.

He truly believed he was serving God by the things he did. Jesus had warned his disciples beforehand of this very event. Jesus had told his followers that when they were persecuted, they were to flee to new places.

Matthew "But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of Man be come.

Verses Philip went to Samaria to preach Christ. Like Stephen before him, this former deacon ministered in great power. Many miracles were performed, devils that were cast out, people were healed, and there was great joy in the city as many were added to the Church. Verses Simon the sorcerer was very impressed with Philips demonstration of the power of the Holy Ghost.

When the apostles at Jerusalem learned of this they came to Samaria and prayed for them to receive the Holy Ghost. Finally, Simon himself was baptized but apparently he had not received the Holy Ghost as yet. Simon then asked if Peter would sell him the secret of his power. Peter replied that one could not purchase the gift of God, and severely rebuked him for his attitude and motives.

He also told him to repent and get his heart right with God. Simon asked them to pray that the judgments foretold did not befall him. It is unclear, however, from this Page response whether he was truly repentant and this is the only mention of him in Scripture. There he met an Ethiopian eunuch serving under Candace, the Queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch was returning to Ethiopia, having gone to Jerusalem to worship. As he rode along in his chariot, he read from the Book of Isaiah.

The Spirit instructed Phillip to go and join him: When they were together, Phillip asked the eunuch if he understood what he was reading. The eunuch said he needed help to understand.

Phillip explained Isaiah's prophecy of the suffering servant which he was reading and then preached the gospel to him. When they came upon a body of water, the eunuch was eager to be baptized.

Going down into the water, Philip baptized the eunuch. This passage is further proof that scriptural baptism is by immersion. The eunuch is believed to have received the Holy Ghost and went his way rejoicing. He never saw Philip after that because Philip was caught away by the Lord. Phillip was next seen at Azotus preaching. From there he went on to Caesarea. From the start of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, he had persecuted and been responsible for the deaths of many Christians.

He was on his way to Damascus, to continue his persecutions. It was about noon when suddenly he was struck blind by a great light from Heaven and heard a voice speak to him. Acts "And it came to pass, that as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from Heaven a great light round about me. The answer was it was the Lord Jesus who he persecuted.

This passage is a clear revelation of the Mighty God in Christ. The answer was for him to go on into the city and he would be told what to do. Later, Paul testified that he obtained mercy because he persecuted in ignorance, as we have previously seen. I Timothy "And I thank Christ Jesus, our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that, He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; who was Page before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained 24 Mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worth of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit, for this cause, I obtained Mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting.

They led Saul to Damascus, because he was blind. This condition lasted for three days, during which Saul fasted and prayed. Meanwhile, the Lord spoke to a disciple named Ananias. He instructed him to go and minister healing to Saul. Ananias told the Lord that he had heard that Saul had the power to put people in jail. The Lord told him that Paul was a chosen vessel for Him, to preach to the Gentiles.

Verses Ananias went to see Saul. He laid hands on him, prayed, and Saul was healed and filled with the Holy Ghost. He was then baptized to wash away his sins, calling on the Name of the Lord Acts How do we know that Saul received the Holy Ghost? He tells us himself in his later writings: I Corinthians "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:" Verses Saul started preaching the Deity of Christ and astonishing the saints with his changed life.

But before that, the Bible indicates that apparently he spent three years in Arabia. It was during this time that he learned the great revelations he would later teach. It was several years before he would finally go to Jerusalem to meet the disciples there. Galatians "Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

But other of the apostles saw I none, save James, the Lord's brother. Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Ci-li-cia;" Saul was truly a changed man. He preached so boldly in Damascus that the Jews took counsel to kill him. The disciples were forced to let him down a wall in a basket at night to escape harm.

Verses Saul finally, went to Jerusalem to be with the disciples, but they were understandably afraid of him. Galatians "But they had heard only, that he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. Saul began preaching with them in Jerusalem, much to the anger of many.

There was yet another plot to kill Saul by the Jews, because he spoke so boldly in the Name of the Lord. The disciples, learning of the plot, took him into Caesarea to Tarsus, his birthplace.

After Saul left, persecution of the Christians died down, and the Church multiplied. Verses As Peter was returning from an evangelistic trip he stopped at Lydda.

There he found a man named Aeneas, who had palsy and had lain in his bed 8 years. Peter healed him in the Name of Jesus and many, seeing the miracle, turned to the Lord. Verses At Joppa lived a girl named Tabitha, also called Dorcas who was a disciple. She became sick and finally died.

The disciples of Joppa sent two men to find Peter in Lydda. Peter returned with them and went to the upper chamber and saw the others weeping and holding garments she had made. Peter made them all leave and then kneeling down he began to pray. He then turned to the girl and said, "Tabitha arise," and she opened her eyes, sat up and Peter presented her alive to the saints. This news spread throughout Joppa and many believed in the Lord.

The ministry of the Word with signs following is a keynote of the Book of Acts and the hallmark of true apostolic ministry. We are told that Peter remained many days in Joppa in the house of Simon, the tanner.

These verses introduce us to the man Cornelius, from Caesarea, who was a centurion or captain of the Page guard in the Roman army. He feared God and gave much alms to the people. He had probably been praying for a greater revelation of God and his sincerity was evidently backed up by works. James "Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone.

Yea, a man may say, thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, Oh vain man, that faith without works is dead? This man, he said, would tell Cornelius how to be saved. Verses Cornelius sent two of his servants and a devout soldier to find Peter. They apparently left the same afternoon. The angel did not tell Cornelius the plan of salvation because this has been reserved for people who had been lost, but redeemed by the blood of Jesus.

The ministry of angels does not include the preaching of the gospel. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praised and dominion foever and ever.

Peter was praying on the housetop at the sixth hour Noon. As he prayed, he became hungry and went into a trance. He saw a vision of the heavens open; a great sheet descending down to him with all manner of beasts in it. God told him to kill and eat. Peter looked at all the animals but refused to eat them because they were unclean.

The Lord told Peter not to call unclean what God has cleansed. This happened three times and then the sheet returned to heaven. Meanwhile, the men who had come in search of him arrived at the gate of Simon's house. The Spirit of the Lord told Peter that three men were looking for him, he should doubt nothing he'd seen, and to go meet them. Peter did as he was told and they related how an angel had spoken and told them to seek him out in order that he could come and meet with Cornelius.

Page Verses The visitors stayed for the night, and then they left for Cornelius' house. Acts "And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:" Once they arrived at their destination, Cornelius fell at Peter's feet and worshipped him. Peter immediately told him to stand up, that he was but a man also. The law of the Jews forbade a Jewish person to keep company with a Gentile, but Jesus had spoken to Peter specifically to do so.

Cornelius explained his own vision to Peter. Verses This passage deserves careful study. It contains many important truths. As Peter began to speak to Cornelius and his household, he revealed for the first time, that anyone, not only Jews, could be saved. He spoke of Christ's life and of the prophecies which had been fulfilled by His life and death. He told them that Jesus is Lord of all and described His purpose and ministry. Verses This passage is a pivotal point in scripture.

Peter, recognizing that the gentiles had in fact, received the Holy Ghost, commanded that they be baptized in the Name of the Lord. He remained with them for some time afterward, apparently discipling them in the truth. The Jews who practiced circumcision had trouble believing that the plan of salvation was also for the Gentiles who neither practiced circumcision nor kept the Law.

For centuries, they alone had been God's chosen people. But He had now demonstrated that all people should be saved. This was the fulfilment of the promise made to Abraham. Peter related the entire story of his vision, the trip to Joppa, and the Holy Ghost filling the Gentiles. When they heard Peter's report, they no longer objected, but rejoiced in the Lord, for He had clearly granted salvation to both Jews and Gentiles.

The various passages dealing with salvation and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit Acts 2; 25; ; with ; Acts with ; Acts ; have deep soteriological significance and thus, should be well known to all Bible students and ministers. You should revisit these accounts often, as they contain the biblical record of true salvation. Verses We are introduced to the Church at Antioch, a city of great significance.

The Christians who fled the persecution following the death of Stephen, scattered abroad, preaching the word to the Jews as they went. They carried with them the news of Stephen's death. It reached Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch. The men from Cypress, and Cyrene preached the Lord Jesus to the Grecians in Antioch and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

This news reached Jerusalem and they sent Barnabas out to evaluate the situation. He went as far as Antioch. As a result, his preaching and ministry had great impact and many were added to the Church. They returned together to Antioch and ministered there for the next year. The scriptures reveal this as the first place the disciples were called Christians. Verses Then prophets were sent to Antioch from Jerusalem. These men not only foretold future events, but they primarily exhorted and comforted the people.

Page I Corinthians "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to 29 edification, and exhortation, and comfort. Barnabas and Saul delivered the relief that the disciples had gathered in preparation for this, to the Judean brethren. He was the son of Aristobulus and grandson of Herod the Great. He reign lasted a mere three years A. Herod wanted to make a name for himself with the Jews, so he had James, the brother of John, slain with a sword.

Since this had the desired effect, he also imprisoned Peter. Intending to kill him, he postponed it until after Passover in order to accommodate Jewish ritual. The Jews had scruples against killing anyone during a religious festival. Peter had four groups of soldiers to keep watch over him. Each quaternion consisted of four soldiers for a total of 16 men. It was a later insertion by the KJV translators.

Verses While Peter was in prison, the Church prayed for him without ceasing. The night before Herod planned to bring him to trial, an angel visited him.

Peter was asleep and bound to two soldiers with two more guarding the door. The angel shone a heavenly light and had to smite Peter, in order to awaken him. The angel told him to arise quickly. Immediately, the chains fell from Peter. Sleepily, Peter put on his coat and shoes, and followed the angel, thinking he was dreaming the entire episode. Peter, finally realizing the reality of what he was experiencing, went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were praying.

As Peter knocked on the door, a servant girl named Rhoda answered. When she heard Peter's voice, instead of letting him in, she ran back to tell the other disciples. The people did not believe her thinking her mad, even as she continued trying to convince them. As Peter continued knocking, they finally answered the door and were astonished to find him standing there. He then told them of how the Lord had delivered him, and instructed them to spread this great news to James and the other brethren.

As daybreak came, the guards realized that Peter was gone. When he could not be found, they were held personally responsible and their execution commanded. Herod then left Jerusalem and went to Caesarea. He no doubt was fearful of God's miraculous power that had delivered Peter. These governments sent an envoy to Herod to try to mend relations making friends with Blastus, the king's personal attendant, in the process.

As Herod gave them audience, they tried to influence him by flattery. They shouted together, saying he had the voice of a god, not a man. Herod, inflated with pride, apparently Page relished the praise. As a result, immediately an angel of the Lord struck him with a disease.

He 30 was eaten by worms and died within five days according to scripture and the writing of Josephus. Verse Luke records that the Word of God continued to grow and multiply. Rather than being crushed by its foes, Christianity was thriving under persecution. As they fasted and 31 prayed, the Holy Ghost spoke to them telling Barnabas and Saul to separate separate in preparation to begin preaching the gospel in other parts of the region.

Verses When they all had fasted and prayed they sent them on their way. The Holy Ghost was with them as they travelled to Seleucia where they boarded a ship to Cyprus. There they preached the gospel in the synagogues to the Jews. From Salamis, they travelled to Paphos where they encountered a sorcerer named Bar-jesus Elymas.

This sorcerer attempted to keep the Governor, Sergius Paulus, from being converted. But Sergius became a believer, after seeing Elymas stricken blind because of his opposition to the gospel.

It was around this time that Saul of Tarsus first began to be known as Paul. This Gentile name would help him on his missionary journeys throughout the Gentile world.

The missionaries next sailed from Paphos to Perga in the province of Pamphylia. This was about miles away from Paphos in Asia Minor. Perga is approximately 7 miles up the Cestrus River.

But as they came to Perga, Mark suddenly turned back to Jerusalem. Nothing is mentioned about why he left, but later, we read: Acts "And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the Word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went with them to the work, and the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder, one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; and Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

And he went through Syria and Si-li-cia, comforting the Churches. But later, it is revealed that he went on in maturity and experience to become a useful minister. There they went to a Jewish synagogue on the Sabbath Day. Paul was asked to speak, so he preached the gospel.

He began his sermon with a brief discussion of Israel's history from their deliverance from Egypt to King David's reign. The Jews knew the Messiah would come from the lineage of David. Paul explained that Jesus was in fact, the promised Son of David. He spoke of John the Baptist as His forerunner, and that prophecy was fulfilled by his crucifixion. He was taken from the cross and buried, but raised from the dead.

He was seen by many disciples in the days before His ascension. He quoted the Old Testament prophecies of Isa.

He also warned them of the consequences of rejecting the gospel. The next Sabbath, virtually the entire city came to hear the gospel. When the Jews saw the Gentiles, they became indignant and began to fight against Paul's message. They didn't want to share anything with the Gentiles, especially their religion. Paul and Barnabas boldly told them that the gospel was for everyone, quoting the prophecy of Isaiah He informed thePage Jewish listeners that because of their continued rejection of the gospel, they were now going to 32 focus their efforts on reaching the gentiles.

The Gentiles were happy to hear this and many were converted. We do not know how long the two men stayed here, but it must have been several weeks; long enough to preach the Word of the Lord throughout the region. The Jews finally influenced devout and honorable women and the chief men of the city to persecute them, forcing them to leave the city.

The two men shook the dust off their feet, as instructed by the Lord: Matthew "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, When ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

But the unbelieving Jews once again stirred up other Gentiles, turning them against the two preachers. In spite of this resistance the men spent a long time ministering in this city and did many signs and wonders, while speaking boldly, the Word of His grace. Paul's ministry as always was conducted in the power and demonstration of the Holy Ghost.

I Corinthians "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of Power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the Power of God.

The city became divided between believers and unbelievers and the Jews finally stirred up the unbelievers enough that they wanted to stone Paul and Barnabas. They went on preaching the gospel there and in the nearby regions Verses At Lystra, was a man crippled from birth. He heard Paul speak and believed he could be healed. Paul healed him and the man leaped and walked. The people, who witnessed this miracle, thought and declared that gods had visited them in the form of men.

Barnabas was thought to be Jupiter and Paul, Mercurius or Mercury. Page The townspeople were about to worship them, and the priest of Jupiter was about to offer 33 a sacrifice to them, when Paul and Barnabas realized what was happening.

They were so upset that they tore at their clothes and ran in among them, crying out and questioning why the people were doing this. They explained that they were only men and that the people should change their idolatrous ways. In spite of their impassioned pleas, the people were barely restrained from offering their sacrifice.

Idolatry had a firm hold on the region. Verses The jealous Jews had been following the missionaries and finally caught up with them in Lystra.

Paul was stoned and thrown out of the city and thought to be dead. As the disciples gathered around Paul, no doubt in prayer, he stood up healed so that he could walk back into the city.

They spent the night and left the next day to go on to Derbe. Verse From Derbe, the two missionaries retraced their steps stopping at each place they had left disciples. They felt the need to encourage and strengthen the churches, that had resulted from their ministry.

They ordained elders or church leaders to carry on the ministry and fasted with the various churches. They had fulfilled the work of God into which the elders of the Antioch church had ordained them.

Upon their return, they gave the church a full report on their experiences and the works of God they had witnessed. They remained with the church in Antioch for many years.

This first missionary journey took approximately 2 years to complete. CHAPTER 15 This chapter represents an extremely important event in the life of the early church; it records the very first church council at Jerusalem.

A full examination of this important topic is beyond the scope of this work. Navigation menu. The struggle for democracy pdf. Colossal book of short puzzles and problems. The humongous book of basic math and pre algebra problems.

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