A. First records the early church at Jerusalem ~ cont.
4. Tiberius, Emperor, dies - A.D. March 15, 37
5. Conversion of Saul (Paul)
a. Christians persecuted - Acts 9:1-2
b. Paul converted - Acts 9:3-25
c. Paul grows in grace - Galatians 1:17
d. Paul visits Jerusalem - Galatians 1:18-19; Acts 9:26-31
6. Growth of church under Peter's ministry
a. Miracles performed - Acts 9:32-43
b. Cornelius (gentile) hears gospel - Acts 10:1-48; 11:1-18
"And he (Saul) trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6a)
trembling - G5141 - Strengthened from a primary word τρέω treō (to “dread”, “terrify”); to “tremble” or fear.
astonished - G2284 -From G2285; to stupefy (with surprise), that is, astound.
No ifs, ands or buts. Tell me what to do, I will do it. I recently found a quote from Corrie ten Boom, "Don't bother to give God instructions; just report for duty."
I remember my conversion, not the actual date or time, but the month, where I was, exactly what happened. I do not remember trembling - I do remember being thoroughly astonished. What an exhortation Paul is...he continued to carry that zestful spirit post-conversion. Far too many people, well, they settle. I remember someone telling me that once I had been a Christian for a while, I would settle down; and thinking, NO WAY.
I want to be ON FIRE, always and continually. O that the Bride of Christ would recapture that fervency, that turn the world upside down mentality. Lord, stir up Your gift which You have placed within us, cause us to be bold, fervent, full of the Spirit, speaking forth Your word without fear or care of offending.
God tells Ananias that Paul is a chosen vessel (Acts 9:15) - Paul was most definitely NOT looking for the Lord, he thought he already 'had' his God, his religion. He was out to make sure others were not polluting the 'true religion.' What an awesome testimony of how even when we think we are 'saved' by some religious checklist, if we are His, He will cause us to see and hear Him.
Cornelius, a centurion (captain of 100 men), devout (well reverent, pious), feared (awe, revere) God, gave alms (compassionateness) to the people, prayed (beg, petition) to God.
Sees in a vision and receives instruction to send for Peter - Peter lodging with Simon the tanner. Peter up on the housetop to pray, falls into a trance and sees a sheet let down from heaven, containing all manner of beasts, creeping things and fowls and is told to rise, kill and eat. Peter resists, a good Jew, keeping the Law does not eat unclean animals.
Out of curiosity I googled clean and unclean animals and came up with several articles. The one listed was streamlined. This is not an area I have extensively researched and know people on both sides of the aisle - some very emphatic about their position - and will leave it to the reader and God to work out. Obviously Peter, being sent to the Gentiles, was going to encounter some alternate food practices and Father did not want him turning his nose up. In fact, later on Paul has to rebuke Peter for having an attitude about eating with the Gentiles.
Jesus, upon sending out the 70 tells them to eat what is set before them. Later in Corinthians believers are encouraged to eat, but to be cautious of offending the conscience of others.
Peter goes, preaches to Cornelius and the Holy Ghost is poured out...those who are regenerated speak with other tongues, magnifying God. Then they are baptized.
Peter returns to Jerusalem and has to contend with those of the circumcision - and he recounts all that transpired - ending with:
"Then remembered I the word of the Lord , how that the said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?" (Acts 11:17-18)
Thus they glorified God and said, "Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." (Acts 11:18).
Amen!
5. Conversion of Saul (Paul)
a. Christians persecuted - Acts 9:1-2
b. Paul converted - Acts 9:3-25
c. Paul grows in grace - Galatians 1:17
d. Paul visits Jerusalem - Galatians 1:18-19; Acts 9:26-31
6. Growth of church under Peter's ministry
a. Miracles performed - Acts 9:32-43
b. Cornelius (gentile) hears gospel - Acts 10:1-48; 11:1-18
"And he (Saul) trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6a)
trembling - G5141 - Strengthened from a primary word τρέω treō (to “dread”, “terrify”); to “tremble” or fear.
astonished - G2284 -From G2285; to stupefy (with surprise), that is, astound.
No ifs, ands or buts. Tell me what to do, I will do it. I recently found a quote from Corrie ten Boom, "Don't bother to give God instructions; just report for duty."
I remember my conversion, not the actual date or time, but the month, where I was, exactly what happened. I do not remember trembling - I do remember being thoroughly astonished. What an exhortation Paul is...he continued to carry that zestful spirit post-conversion. Far too many people, well, they settle. I remember someone telling me that once I had been a Christian for a while, I would settle down; and thinking, NO WAY.
I want to be ON FIRE, always and continually. O that the Bride of Christ would recapture that fervency, that turn the world upside down mentality. Lord, stir up Your gift which You have placed within us, cause us to be bold, fervent, full of the Spirit, speaking forth Your word without fear or care of offending.
God tells Ananias that Paul is a chosen vessel (Acts 9:15) - Paul was most definitely NOT looking for the Lord, he thought he already 'had' his God, his religion. He was out to make sure others were not polluting the 'true religion.' What an awesome testimony of how even when we think we are 'saved' by some religious checklist, if we are His, He will cause us to see and hear Him.
Cornelius, a centurion (captain of 100 men), devout (well reverent, pious), feared (awe, revere) God, gave alms (compassionateness) to the people, prayed (beg, petition) to God.
Sees in a vision and receives instruction to send for Peter - Peter lodging with Simon the tanner. Peter up on the housetop to pray, falls into a trance and sees a sheet let down from heaven, containing all manner of beasts, creeping things and fowls and is told to rise, kill and eat. Peter resists, a good Jew, keeping the Law does not eat unclean animals.
Out of curiosity I googled clean and unclean animals and came up with several articles. The one listed was streamlined. This is not an area I have extensively researched and know people on both sides of the aisle - some very emphatic about their position - and will leave it to the reader and God to work out. Obviously Peter, being sent to the Gentiles, was going to encounter some alternate food practices and Father did not want him turning his nose up. In fact, later on Paul has to rebuke Peter for having an attitude about eating with the Gentiles.
Jesus, upon sending out the 70 tells them to eat what is set before them. Later in Corinthians believers are encouraged to eat, but to be cautious of offending the conscience of others.
Peter goes, preaches to Cornelius and the Holy Ghost is poured out...those who are regenerated speak with other tongues, magnifying God. Then they are baptized.
Peter returns to Jerusalem and has to contend with those of the circumcision - and he recounts all that transpired - ending with:
"Then remembered I the word of the Lord , how that the said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?" (Acts 11:17-18)
Thus they glorified God and said, "Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." (Acts 11:18).
Amen!
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