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

5

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