1.Acts 11:19-12 Acts 11;19-12;25, The church goes to the gentiles, Guardian Angels, Antioch, Barnabas, Christians, Herod Agrippa I

2. Last Time, Acts 11:18 Even The Gentiles! Acts 11:18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life. God has granted We would never come to Him if God hadnt granted, called, wooed, and won us! 3. Acts 11:19-20, Flashback To Ch. 7 Acts 11:19-20 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 1st. Use of Antioch is here, 17 of its 19 uses are in Acts. 16 of those uses are in Acts 11:20-18:22. If Jerusalem is where this fireworks was launched from, then Antioch is where the bomb burst open. 4. Antioch was the 3rd. Largest city in the Roman Empire. The capital of the Province of Syria. It on the major trade route, about 300 miles north of Jerusalem. It became the #1 Christian location. 5. 4 Part Divine Outline Of Acts Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 11:19-21men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also The beginning of fulfillment of Stage #4 Were trying; Backstroms, Ellie, Lee Bradley Rom 11:25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 6. Acts 11:22, Barnabas NAU Acts 11:22 The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. NAU Acts 4:36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), Barnabas is going to be used 22 of the 28 uses in the next 5 chapters of Acts. 7. Acts 11:25, Bible Exposition Commentary Acts 11:25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul Saul had been converted about ten years when Barnabas brought him to Antioch. The New Testament does not tell us what Saul did back home in Tarsus after he left Jerusalem (Acts 9:28-30), but it is likely he was busy evangelizing both Jews and Gentiles. It may have been during this period that he founded the churches in Cilicia (Acts 15:23,41; Gal 1:21), and that he experienced some of the sufferings listed in 2 Cor 11:23-28. 8. Acts 11:25, To Look For Saul? NAU Acts 11:25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; The Ryrie Study Bible note on page 1358, says "Paul had been in Tarsus, his home city, and in Syria and Cilicia (Galatians 1:21) about five years since going there from Jerusalem (9:30). In Galatians 1:15-24 Paul gives us a summary of his life from salvation to now. Lets open our Bibles to Galatians 1:15-24 9. Acts 11:26, Barnabas and Saul Acts 11:26for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church Between Acts 13:7 and Acts 13:42 Barnabas and Saul will be replaced with Paul and Barnabas Acts 13:7 The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul Acts 13: 42, 46, 50 Paul and Barnabas NAU Acts 15:35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others also, the word of the Lord. 10. Acts 11:26, Christians Acts 11:26The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. IVP Bible Background Commentary adds, The title is formed on the analogy of adherents to a political party: the "Caesarians," the "Herodians," the "Pompeianians" and so forth. Antiochans were known for making fun of people, but Christians in the second century decided to adopt the title with pride. No one would have guessed how long the name would last! 11. Acts 11:26, Christians Acts 11:26called Christians first at Antioch. Bible Knowledge Commentary says, Jesus' disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. The ending ian" means "belonging to the party of"; thus "Christians" were those of Jesus' party. The word "Christians" is used only two other times in the New Testament: in 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16. The significance of the name, emphasized by the word order in the Greek text, is that people recognized Christians as a distinct group. The church was more and more being separated from Judaism. 12. Acts 11:26, Christian Acts 11:26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Ignatius of Antioch once said, It is not that I want merely to be called a Christian, but actually to be one. Yes, if I prove to be one, then I can have the name. Acts 26:28 Agrippa replied to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian. 1 Peter 4:16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 13. If you call yourself a Christian, your word and deeds should reflect Him. GML by Compass International says, "We are amazed at the number of people claiming to be Christians who unabashedly continue in blatant sin. No, we're not advocating a works doctrine, but if Jesus is truly in your heart, you will WANT to walk and talk truth, or be so brokenhearted about your sin that you can hardly function... when someone continuously talks trashy, it is unlikely that Jesus is living in their heart..." NAU John 14:15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. NAU John 14:24 "He who does not love Me does not keep My words... James 1:26, Matthew 7:16, Luke 6:45, Dr. Couchs H.S. cat 14. Acts 11:29, A Contribution NAU Acts 11:29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. No mention of tithes but instead in proportion to their means. This need for relief is probably the famine Josephus says occurred in 46 AD. 15. Acts 12 The Church Persecuted 16. Acts 12:1, King Herod NAU Acts 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. Herod Agrippa I was another evil man, like his grandfather of Herod the Great. The Herods were despised by the Jews, a scheming and murderous family of Edomites. 17. Acts 12:1, King Herod Coin of Herod Antipas. Obverse (left), inscription TIBE PIAC (Tiberias, where the coin was minted)within a wreath; reverse (right), upright palm branch surrounded by the inscription HPWOY TETPAPXOY (of Herod the Tetrarch), L (year 33 = AD 29-30) in fields (Jensen 2012: 46). http://www.biblearchaeology.or g/post/2013/02/20/John-the- Baptist-The-First-Christian- Martyr.aspx#Article 18. James The First Apostle Martyred NAU Acts 12:2 And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword. Three Christian martyrdoms are recorded in the New Testament: John the Baptist in ca. AD 31, Stephen in ca. AD 35 and James the apostle in ca. AD 44. There would be countless others that would follow in their train. www.biblearchaeology.org 19. Acts 12:2, James Martyred Acts 12:2James, the brother of John, put to death James was the first of the Apostles to be martyred. 1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. (Ps 34:12-16) In Matt 20:20-28 the mother of Zebedee's sons asked sit at your right and the other at your left. You don't know what you are asking, Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup. [1 Pet 3:10-11 Ecc 3:13] 20. Acts 12:2, James Martyred Acts 12:2James, the brother of John, put to death God is absolutely sovereign; J. Vernon McGee explains our position as being, That all of God's men are immortal until God is through with them is a wonderful comforting thought for today. And when He is through with you, He will remove you from the earth. KJV Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. 21. Acts 12:4, Four Squads Of Soldiers NAU Acts 12:4 When he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people. The four squads of soldiers, each having 4 soldiers, probably means 16 soldiers, in 4 shifts, would have guarded him 24 hours. 2 chained to him, 2 standing guard, and I bet they all heard the gospel. 22. Acts 12:6-11 Peter Is Delivered from Prison 23. Acts 12:6, Peter Was Sleeping Acts 12:6Peter was sleeping between two soldiers What Me Worry? Why worry when He had Jesus promise of living to a good old age. John 21:17-19Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God 24. No prison ministry for me LORD. 25. Acts 12:9, Vision? Acts 12:9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 3705 horama {hor'-am-ah} Meaning: 1) that which is seen, spectacle 2) a sight divinely granted in an ecstasy or in a sleep, a vision Origin: from 3708. 3708 horao {hor-ah'-o} Meaning: 1) to see with the eyes 2) to see with the mind, to perceive, know 3) to see 26. ACTS 12:10 The Iron Gate That Leadeth Unto The City 27. Acts 12:12, Marys House NAU Acts 12:12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. John Marks mom Barnabas aunt NAU Colossians 4:10 Barnabas's cousin Mark 28. Acts 12:14, She Ran Without Opening It Acts 12:14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door! This is the only mention of this girl named Rhoda. How would you like to be remembered by this? 29. Acts 12:15, The Apostles Faith Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. Their prayer gets answered; Acts 12:15 "You're out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel. Not the Word Faith movement Luke 17:6 He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you. Its not our faith that answers prayers, but God! The apostles were only human like us. 30. Acts 12:15, It Must Be His Angel Acts 12:15 When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel [aggelos]. Guardian angels? Heb 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? Matt 18:10 "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. 31. Acts 12:15, It Must Be His Angel Matthew 18:10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven. [Heb 1:14, Acts 12:15] The idea of Guardian Angels comes from these verses. But what are they continually looking at? 32. Acts 12:17, Tell James Acts 12:17 Tell James and the brothers about this This is Jesus brother, James, he is now leading the church in Jerusalem. 33. 2 Part Division Of Acts Peter is the key person in chapters 1-12; Paul is the key person in chapters 13-28. Act 12:17 Acts 12:17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell James and the brothers about this," he said, and then he left for another place. That ends the story of Peters ministry in Acts 34. Acts 12:23, Herod Is Eaten By Worms And Died NAU Acts 12:23 And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died. He was struck immediately and died an agonizing death 5 days later (44 AD). Josephus, (Antiquities, 19.8) 35. Acts 12:25, John Mark Acts 12:25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark. Acts 12:12 Mary the mother of John, also called Mark Bible Knowledge Commentary says, This verse introduces the reader to John Mark who figures prominently in Paul's first missionary journey. Evidently his mother Mary was a woman of prominence and means. Probably her house was a principal meeting place of the church, so it must have been spacious. Because John Mark's father is not named, Mary may have been a widow. This same Mark is considered to be the writer of the Gospel bearing his name (cf. Mark 14:51-52; 1 Peter 5:13). 36. THE END 37. Matthew 7:16 James 1:26 Luke 6:46, Christian Word And Deed, GML Today is December 26, 2012 Verse of the Day -- Luke 6:46 Why do you call Me "Lord, Lord," and do not do what I say? THOUGHT FOR THE DAY If you are claiming to be a Christian, your word and deed should follow. MINI BIBLE STUDY FOR THE DAY We are amazed at the number of people claiming to be Christians who unabashedly continue in blatant sin. No, we're not advocating a works doctrine, but if Jesus is truly in your heart, you will WANT to walk and talk truth, or be so brokenhearted about your sin that you can hardly function. When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long. Psalm 32:3 (See also Psalm 38:18 and 51:5)The Bible says the Holy Spirit living in us convicts us of our sin. This is why when someone continuously talks trashy, it is unlikely that Jesus is living in their heart: If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue