Acts of the Apostles (Page 11)

Simon, The Magician

Acts 8:9-13 As Philip began to preach to the Samaritans, he was entering a kingdom that was controlled by Satan. To deceive the Samaritans, the Devil had empowered a man named Simon to perform magic so that the people would follow him rather than God.

Persecution Rises

Acts 8:1-3 In the wake of Stephen’s martyrdom, we see: * The effects inside and outside the church * The escalating persecution of the church * The positive results God brought about through the persecution

The Samaritans Receive the Gospel

Acts 8:4-8 The persecution that was launched against the church scattered the disciples from Jerusalem and wherever they went, they boldly preached the Gospel. We review the account of Philip’s ministry among the Samaritans.

Stephen’s Defense, Part 4

Acts 7:30-36 Continuing his defense, Stephen demonstrates how the Jewish Council was behaving toward Jesus just like their forefathers had behaved toward Moses (who had told them to expect Jesus), by rejecting him at his first appearance and then again…

Stephen’s Defense, Part 5

Acts 7:37-50 Stephen compares the idolatry of the Israelites in the wilderness with the way the Jews at the time of Christ were treating the temple and the ceremonial law in his effort to show that it is they, and not he, who are blaspheming God and dishonoring Moses.

Stephen’s Defense, Part 2

Acts 7:8-16 Stephen continues to build on his argument by using the story of Joseph as an analogy to Christ’s coming to Israel and being rejected despite being their Savior.

Stephen’s Defense, Part 3

Acts 7:17-29 The Jewish leaders claimed that Stephen had blasphemed Moses, but he reminds them of the Israelites’ treatment of Moses, who, though sent to be their deliverer, was rejected by them initially. In rejecting Jesus, the leaders are guilty of the same sins…

Stephen’s Arrest

Acts 6:8-15 This morning we see how God gifted Stephen to exceed his mandate as a deacon and gave him power to teach the gospel. This naturally brought about opposition from the Jews.

Stephen’s Defense, Part 1

Acts 7:1-16 Stephen begins his defense against the accusations for which he was arrested. He builds it on the history of the Jews from Scripture. He was accused of teaching that salvation had nothing to do with the land of Israel or the Temple worship.

The Choosing of the Seven

Acts 6:1-7 Today we examine a problem which began in the Early Church and see how the Apostles reached a solution for it, along with its outcome in the church and society.