Spreading the word 35 AD Ascension, Pentecost, Medicals, Persecution, Discipline, Deacons, Stephen … 8:1-4 Introduced to Saul (who watched Stephen being stoned) 1 He went after Jewish Believers, except the apostles. 2 Stephen gets buried 3-4 Saul made havock with the Jewish assemblies, causing them to scatter
8:5-40 The Gospel spreads beyond Jerusalem 5-8 Philip (a deacon ch 6) preforms many miracles, causing great joy 9-13 Simon the sorcerer (a Jew) becomes a believer 14-17 Apostles send Peter and John to Samaria 18-25 Simon wants to buy the power the apostles and Philip have 26-40 Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch Told by an Angel to go to Gaza Meets an Ethiopian (Jew) Philip instructed to ride with him Answers his questions, using Scripture (Isaiah 53), about Christ Eunuch responds “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” Eunuch gets baptized and Philip finds himself in Azotus Passing thru he preaches in all cities till he arrives at Caesarea.
Her Hebrew name is Tabitha, was a believing Jew, who had died and Peter raised from death, fulfilling Mark 16:17-18.
Acts 9:36Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
Acts 9:39Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
Jesus is Lord – Back to Saul 37 AD 1-2 Saul attacks the Jewish Church 3-9 On the road to Damascus to continue his persecution He meets the Lord Jesus In Damascus, he spends 3 days, blind, no food or drink. (Sounds familiar 3 days/3 nights) 10-16 Ananias sees the Lord in a vision and instructed on how to deal with Saul. He’s not happy with what he hears. He questions God He made excuses 17 But he obeys and deals with Saul, according to the words of the Lord. 18-22 Saul believes, receives his sight, gets baptized. Straightway he preaches Christ in the Synagogues, that Christ is the Son of God. The Jews were amazed. But he continued proving Jesus is Christ, Son of God. 23-25 The Jews plot to kill him. But he escapes. 3 years later 38-39 AD Galatians 1:18 26 Goes to Jerusalem to see disciples, but they were afraid of him. 27-30 Barnabas (Ch 4) intervenes, brings Saul to the apostles and tells them what Saul was preaching. They take Saul to Caesarea and send him to Tarsus. Galatians 1:21 31 The Jewish churches (assembles) had rest. The fear of Saul was gone. 32-43 Peter’s ministry Heals Aeneas, raises Dorcas from the dead. Many Jews throughout Joppa believed in the Lord
Luke is the only one who records this event when the baby Jesus is presented in the temple according to the Law of Moses. Anna, Gracious; one who gives.
Luke 2:36-39 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
It appears that Anna was a Law keeping Jew, who had been serving God all her life.
Cornelius 38 AD 1-8 Cornelius’ (a gentile) Has a vision A devout Roman Centurian Angel tells him to summon Peter Sends men to Joppa 9-23 Peter’s vision Peter a Law keeping Jew Instructed to eat UNCLEAN Animals 3 times Told to go with men Next day, with certain brethren, he goes 24-33 They meet Cornelius tries to worship Peter, no way Peter reminds him, Cornelius is a Gentile 34-43 Peter’s sermon God is no respecter of persons Jesus Christ is Lord of all 44-48 A Gentile Pentecost experience While Peter speaks, Holy Spirit falls on Gentiles The proof, they, Gentiles speak in tongues and magnify God (This will become important in Acts 15) The Gentiles get baptized Peter and the certain brethren stay a few days
Not sure who, but someone merely went to the Bible and began reading Genesis 1, Lo and Behold:
In the beginning TIME God FORCE created MOTION the heaven SPACE and the earth MATTER
God knew all about these 5 great basic principles long before man discovered them. In fact, God even recorded them.
Because it’s the beginning of a New Year, let’s consider TIME. God created it, Man uses it. We even get our time from the stars. Man’s watches do not keep perfect time, but God’s creation does. Look at what His Word has to say about time. Galatians 4:4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, Romans 5:6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Ephesians 2:12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: Ephesians 5:16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 2 Timothy 4:3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 2 Thessalonians 2:6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Revelation 10:6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: Revelation 21:22-27And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
But does it really work? Does changing the outside really change who or what we really are? You be the Judge. In Matthew 25:14-30 the Lord Jesus uses a parable to teach a lesson. “The Time is at Hand”. Vs 14 A man and his 3 servants. Vs 15 Gave each talents according to their ability. Vs 16-18 Each servant did what he wanted with the talents. Vs 19 “The Time is at Hand”. Vs 20-21 The 1st receives his reward. Vs 22-23 The 2nd receives his reward. Notice the rewards are based on faithfulness, not on amount accomplished. Vs 24-30 The 3rd receives his reward. “The Time is at Hand”. Not much can be done about last year… Review it, confess your failures, ask God’s forgiveness. Now is the time to look forward to a new year. Let’s endeavor to walk closer to our savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Putting Him first in all things. Now this doesn’t mean an outward change, although good, it means an inward change, a change of heart, attitude. The apostle Paul states it this way,Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Remember “The Time is at Hand”.
Whether the new year brings you face to face with God, via death, or via the blessed Hope, the rapture or next year reviewing the past and looking forward, let’s redeem the time be active in serving God. Remember “The Time is at Hand”.
The Lord Jesus said, (John 5:28-29) Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. Remember “The Time is at Hand”.
THE YEAR has begun … For our medication we are considering TIME! We began yesterday (which is already PAST, GONE), whatever we did, whatever happened cannot be undone! We cannot reclaim even a moment of that time. Did you use it wisely? We can’t change what was done, but we can control what’s coming. There is still 361 ½ days left … 8,679 hours to be used. How much TIME do you give to God? Unfortunately, most of us will use our time unwisely.
Have you ever heard someone say “just a second”? Perhaps you have even said it. Just how long is a Second (1/60 of a minute). Not a very long time, is it? But that’s a lot longer than it’s going to take for the Lord Jesus to return for His Saints (Believers). Consider what the Scripture says: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 Yes, just a second, a moment, a twinkling of the eye … Are you ready? Will you be ready? Why not take a second, a second look at the claims of Christ, and trust Him as your Lord and Saviour. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 10:9. How much TIME do you give to God?
Each morning this week we have been considering TIME. Having just entered into a new year, many of us thin we have all the time in the world to accomplish all the things we have planned. BUT, consider: winter is almost over, then comes spring cleaning, taking down storm windows, golf, trout season, soon school will be over, vacation time, arm (hot) days, picnics, camping, swimming and before long back to school, leaves changing, raking, hunting season, storm windows up, the first snow, Thanksgiving, and the Christmas season. In just a moment of time, the whole year has flashed through our thoughts. Well, there is only 360 ½ days left … 8,655 hours to be used. How much TIME do you give to God? Of those hours, 2,880 are going to be used sleeping. 2,040 hours spent at work (based on 40-hour work week). That leaves 3,735 hours left to do what you want to do. That’s only 155 days. Boy where does time go? How much TIME do you give to God? Could I suggest giving God 7 minutes a day? Here’s some tips on how to give God 7 minutes a day: Have a regular prayer time. Be flexible (some times you will have to alter your schedule). Be willing to sacrifice, but keep your 7 minutes. Don’t become discouraged (God is always there). 1 Thessalonians 5:17Pray without ceasing. At least 7 minutes a day.
