1. Divine vision. Peter received a divine vision containing unclean animals that God told him to kill and eat – a metaphor for clean and unclean persons.

2. The divine command. The Spirit told Peter to accompany the Gentiles who had come to fetch him.

3. Divine preparation. An angel has visited Cornelius already and told him to send for Peter, who would bring a message of salvation.

4. The divine action. The Holy Spirit came on them, initiating the “Gentile Pentecost.”

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1. Expanded his witness not only through the number of people visiting him, but also because of his witness in the presence of Caesar.

2. Enriched his witness because his stay in prison gave him time to reflect and clarifying his vision, during which he wrote his four prison letters full of joy and contentment.

3. Authenticated his witness by his willingness to suffer for the gospel. 

1. Apostolic instruction – the apostles taught a cluster of central beliefs to new converts.

2. Pastoral oversight – some form of oversight established.

3. Divine faithfulness – the church ultimately belonged to God and could be trusted to him.

-       The rationale behind the recommendations

o      Jews in all parts of the Empire understand these basic requirements

o      Gentile believers should respect the sensibilities of their Jewish Christian brothers

o      Following these recommendations will guard the unity of the Church

 Peter’s violation of traditional food laws went against the personal convictions of more conservative Jews

    Peter’s violation of traditional food laws put the entire Christian community in a difficult situation

-       Primary demonization

o      The presenting problem is there primarily because of the influence of a spirit in the life of the person receiving ministry

o      We see this type of demonization in the synoptic gospels

o      Ministry involves deliverance, which provides a decisive cure

-       Secondary demonization

o      The presenting problem is there primarily because of an issue such as deception, trauma or unforgiveness, not demonization

o      Evil spirits work mainly to exacerbate the existing problem

o      Ministry involves dealing with the primary issue first, then deliverance

-       Sexual sin as in the case of prostitution

-       Occult activity as in the case of various occult practitioners

-       Idolatry as in the case of idol-makers

o      They struggled to maintain their solidarity with the Jewish nation that had led to opportunities for outreach to Israel

o      At the same time they tried to maintain their continued support of Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles, who did not keep the Mosaic law

o     Christianity is rooted in the Jewish doctrine of the resurrection of the dead

o      The debate regarding Christianity’s claims must be seen as a Jewish intramural affair

o      The ongoing proclamation of the gospel to the Gentiles stems from a divine mandate

- Political sedition against Rome

Paul was “a troublemaker”, stirring up riots

Paul is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect

- Desecration of the temple in Jerusalem

N.B.: Both of these charges can carry the death penalty

1. Served with great humility and tears

2. He held nothing back in his preaching

3. He committed wholeheartedly to the Lord’s work

4. He is innocent of the blood of all men

5. He helped the weak by providing for their needs

Paul had not done “anything that deserves death or imprisonment”

Paul could have been set free if he had not already appealed to Caesar

16)  List and explain the three foundations of a Christian’s spiritual authority.  Provide at least one scriptural reference in support of each of the three points. (Lectures)

1. The fact that Jesus defeated Satan and his followers when He died, rose again and ascended to heaven (Colossians 2:13-15, 1 Peter 3:21b-22)

2. The fact that God’s kingdom authority has been delegated to

us (Matthew 28:18-20)

3. The fact that we are seated with Christ in the heavenly

realms (Ephesians 2:6)

First, they are Jews (an appeal to nationalism and to racial prejudice)

Second, they are charged with disturbing the peace (an appeal to the Roman obsession with public order)

Third, they are charged with advocating customs not lawful for Romans to practice (an appeal to tradition and patriotism)

They received the message with great eagerness

They examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true

-       Paul was released after the close of the events reported in Acts (around 63 AD)

-       Paul preached the gospel as far as Spain

-       He was later imprisoned in Rome

-       He died a martyr’s death under Nero in about 67 AD (2 Tim. 4:6-18)

-       Promise and fulfillment

o      What was promised in the OT was being fulfilled in the early church (Gen 12:3, Isa. 52-53)

-       The priority of prayer (Acts 1:14; 4:29-31)

-       The work of the Spirit (Acts 2:16-21)

-       The unity of the church (Acts 4:32)

-       God’s heart for all people (Acts 1:7)

-       The important of obedience (Acts 1:8)

1. They walk with God – Paul described her service as willing slavery to the Lord
2. They believe in shared ministry – they can’t be a one-man band; also shared between men and women
3. They can inspire others – they go out in front; they inspire and challenge
4. They pray – devoted to prayer as a constant fixture in their life

1. The secular places he chose – begins in Jewish synagogue, but moved to neutral, secular buildings such as houses and lecture halls

2. The reasoned presentation he made – Paul’s presentation of the gospel was serious, well reasoned, and persuasive – he engaged the minds of his hearers

3. The extended periods he stayed – Paul was in for the long haul – he stayed in various cities for long periods of time, sometimes years

15) Explain why Paul opposed the requirement of circumcision for Gentile converts, yet had Timothy circumcised in Acts 16:3.  In his view, what is the difference between the two cases. (Lectures)

-       Paul opposed the requirements that Gentiles be circumcised since this was viewed as a requirement for their salvation

-       Paul had Timothy circumcised so that his “uncircumcision” would not become a stumbling block to the unbelieving Jews they wanted to reach.

Timothy placed the success of the ministry before his personal comfort and convenience

- Growth/unity/Catholicity = people from inland and coastal areas of Asia minor know they are part of one church, the same church, and operate co-operate in the same cause

- Bear witness to the fruitfulness of Paul’s missionary expeditions. All the men he brought with him must have been added as he traveled. They were the fruit who became agents of the mission.

- They give evidence of the missionary-mindedness of the young Christian communities, who gave up some of their best local leadership for the wider work and witness of Christ’s church. 

- It began with one man = Paul came to Corinth beat up and tired, but from him came a very exciting church

- Paul sought out Christian fellowship = He knew he needed partners to succeed.

- Produced opposition, but reached a variety of types = it reached the religious, and irreligious, city types and non. All levels of society.

- This sort of evangelism needs lots of encouragement = Paul provided this.