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.
Faith in God, Love for People
'Mission' Tagged Posts (Page 5)
Across Cultures Crossing cultures is challenging and brings many issues into focus that can go unnoticed. The early church was faced with difficulties in understanding exactly how the mission to the Gentiles was to go forward. The episode with Peter and Cornelius was a vital happening for clarifying the Gospel, not only to the Gentiles…
What about this Ethiopian? The Gospel had spread to the Samaritans with important implications for the salvation of non-Jews. So what about this Ethiopian eunuch? Does anything prevent him from salvation and baptism?
How shall we respond? Stephen’s execution by stoning led to a sharp increase in persecution against the church in Jerusalem. How will the church respond and what will they do in light of the persecution against them? Acts 8 begins to answer that question as it recounts events in the aftermath of Stephen’s death.
Where are we going? Life in the church in Jerusalem is described at the end of chapter 2 and chapter 4. It’s an idyllic picture we would be hard pressed to beat if we were tasked with drafting the image of perfect church life. As beautiful as those passages are, they’re not the only passages…
What should we do now? As Jesus was moments away from ascending into Heaven, he gave his Apostles instructions. He told them what they were to do. The Apostles’ ministry set the trajectory for his churches and what they are to be doing throughout this age until Jesus comes again.