Who says? The early churches faced a dilemma as the Gospel spread among the uncircumcised Gentiles. Did Gentiles have to be circumcised and keep the law in order to be saved? After much disputing, Peter testifies about the Cornelius event in Caesarea. He interprets the events and draws conclusions in line with God’s purpose as…
What about the law? As the Gospel spread in the first century, more and more Gentiles came to faith in Jesus Christ. It wasn’t long before some of the Pharisees began to object that the Gentiles had to be circumcised and keep the law in order to be saved. Some from the church in Antioch got together with the church in Jerusalem…
Returning Home Paul and Barnabas head back to Antioch in Syria to the church that sent them out. They go back to the churches they have planted and strengthen them and see to appointing elders in each church.
How about suffering? God had revealed to Paul that he was chosen to suffer great things for Christ’s sake. Paul came to Iconium and Lystra and met with great persecution. He was stoned at Lystra and left outside the city supposed to be dead.
How can the guilty be cleared? Paul concludes his sermon in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia with a profound declaration. Though faith in Jesus, all who believe are forgiven for sins and justified from the condemnation of the law. He then warns them about unbelief.
What about Jesus? Paul continues his message in the Synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia. He shows Jesus as the fulfillment of the promise for a Messiah, the son of David, to come. Jesus’ resurrection fulfills Scripture and proves him to be the Messiah.
Who is in control? Paul rehearses the history of Israel while in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia. He emphasizes their history has been governed by God in preparation for the Messiah, who is Jesus.
Where to now? By the end of chapter 12, Acts takes on a different focus. Peter and the ministry in Jerusalem is no longer the focus. Beginning with chapter 13, Luke focuses on the Gospel going to the Gentiles in the larger world. This mission begins with Paul and Barnabas and the church in Antioch.
What about him? Peter once asked Jesus about what would happen to John. That wasn’t for Peter to worry about. In this chapter, Peter gets rescued from prison, again. That is not Jame’s story, though. He is martyred by Herod Agrippa 1. Of course, Jesus told his disciples it would be this way.
What’s Next? The church at Jerusalem spread out and spread the Gospel. By this point, new churches have been planted and where do they go from here? Chapter 11 closes with a focus on the church at Antioch–the church about to become the launching point of the worldwide mission of the Gospel.