The Faith is Defended and Extended
Contending forthe Faith, 11:1-18
• Peter’s conduct is challenged, 11:3• Peter explained with a deliberate
and detailed narrative, 11:4-18• The brethren are satisfied and
agree, 11:18; cf. 15:8-9 (Gal. 3:11-12, 26-27)
2
Contending forthe Faith, 11:1-18
• A pattern to follow when disputes arise, Jude 31) When in doubt, ask! 11:3; 1 Ths. 5:212) When questioned, give a Bible
answer, 11:4; 1 Pet. 3:15•Deliberate and thorough, 1 Pet. 4:11•Trust God’s word to be enough, 2 Tim. 3:16-17 (7)
3
Contending forthe Faith, 11:1-18
• A pattern to follow when disputes arise, Jude 33) When answers are given, compare
them to God’s word, 11:18 (1 Jno. 4:1, 6; 1 Ths. 5:21-22); Acts 17:11
4) Accept and conform to the truth, 11:18; Acts 17:12
4
The Gospel GoesNorthward, 11:19-26
• Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, 11:19-20–Phoenicia: Present-day Lebanon–Cyprus: Island off coast of Phoenicia–Antioch: Capital city of province of Syria• 3rd largest city in Roman Empire (~200,000)
–Dispersed Jewish Christians had been preaching only to Jews – Significant shift, 11:19-20
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6
Cyrene
The Gospel Spreads
Northward Acts 11:19-26
The Gospel GoesNorthward, 11:19-26
• Many Gentiles converted, 11:21; Eph. 2:17-18–Note: Believing and turning are two
distinct things, Jno. 1:12; Acts 10:35
• News spreads and the Jerusalem church sends a worker, 11:22-24–How a church works in evangelism:
Send a preacher! 7
The Gospel GoesNorthward, 11:19-26
• Barnabas, 11:23-26–Rejoiced, 11:23–Responded, 11:23–Reinforced, 11:24-26–Retrieved, 11:25-26–Remained, 11:26
8
The Gospel GoesNorthward, 11:19-26
• Disciples called Christians, 11:26–Followers of Christ; “of, pertaining to,
belonging to”–Called: “to be called or named”
(Robertson)
– Identified with the Hebrew Messiah–Hellenists (rather than the Jews) most
likely identified the disciples with the Hebrew Christ, cf. Acts 24:5; 28:22
9
Relief Sent to NeedyBrethren, 11:27-30• Approaching famine, 11:27-28– Claudius Caesar (A.D. 41-44)– Judean famine recorded, A.D. 41-48
• Faith produced free-will giving to relieve fellow saints, 11:29-30– Gentiles, Gal. 3:28; Rom. 15:26-27– Relief sent to Judea – Not only Jerusalem– Delivered by Barnabas and Saul, 12:25
(26:20)10
11
Cyrene
Relief Sentto Needy Christiansin Judea
Acts 11:27-30
• Dramatic advances into Gentile regions• Jerusalem persecution continues…Acts 12