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Faith Christian Center
The Book of Acts: Faith Experiences & Expansions
Join Pastor Kerrick and the Faith family as he continues the verse by verse journey through the Book of Acts. Remember to save these notes to your device and share them with your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. #wearefaithATL
Locations & Times
Faith Christian Center
3831 Tramore Pointe Pkwy, Austell, GA 30106, USA
Wednesday 7:30 PM
Continues this Sunday!
The persecution that arose about Stephen - As we saw in Acts 6-8, Saul spearheaded this persecution. He among others, were jailing and persecuting Christians to the place where Believers were scattered from Jerusalem.
Scattered - like a handful of seed taken out of a bag and tossed about
Remember the door was open because the early church was disobedient to Jesus' full command. He told them to go from Jerusalem, throughout Judea, Samaria, and until the ends of the earth. They stayed in Jerusalem.
They scattered between Jerusalem to the areas of Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. (Map 1)
Acts 8:4 tells us that wherever they went, they preached. Acts 11:19 clarifies in the years since they're scattering, they only preached to the Jews. The next few verses are going to described the next three to five years, which will Luke's narrative to 12 years since the Day of Pentecost.
Scattered - like a handful of seed taken out of a bag and tossed about
Remember the door was open because the early church was disobedient to Jesus' full command. He told them to go from Jerusalem, throughout Judea, Samaria, and until the ends of the earth. They stayed in Jerusalem.
They scattered between Jerusalem to the areas of Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. (Map 1)
Acts 8:4 tells us that wherever they went, they preached. Acts 11:19 clarifies in the years since they're scattering, they only preached to the Jews. The next few verses are going to described the next three to five years, which will Luke's narrative to 12 years since the Day of Pentecost.
Hand of the Lord - the Spirit of God, the power of God
Barnabas - Mr. Encouragement - A man that the Apostles greatly trust - the big giver is now a minister
Grace of God - in this instance, grace is referring to the work and power of the Holy Spirit
exhorted - encouraged
cleave - stay further, remain in one place, abide
Barnabas - Mr. Encouragement - A man that the Apostles greatly trust - the big giver is now a minister
Grace of God - in this instance, grace is referring to the work and power of the Holy Spirit
exhorted - encouraged
cleave - stay further, remain in one place, abide
The Church was already growing by great numbers. When Barnabas arrived and ministered, it grew even more.
Tarsus was in Cilicia (Map 1).
When Paul arrived, what did he do? He taught. Paul's ministry has grown over the last six years since his salvation; he is now a teacher. The church is growing rapidly, but someone has to teach them and ground them in the truth.
- Christian - little Christ; follower of Christ - started as an insult and was likened to the names of those who followed different political factions.
When Paul arrived, what did he do? He taught. Paul's ministry has grown over the last six years since his salvation; he is now a teacher. The church is growing rapidly, but someone has to teach them and ground them in the truth.
- Christian - little Christ; follower of Christ - started as an insult and was likened to the names of those who followed different political factions.
world - land
The famine was severest in Judaea.
The famine was severest in Judaea.
All of chapter 12, Barnabas and Saul are in Jerusalem with the church there.
Herod - There are many Herods mentioned in the New Testament. There was Herod the Great in the Christmas story. (When he died he split his territory between his three sons.)
His sons - There was Herod Archelaus who ruled 1/2 of his father's kingdom when Joseph, Mary, and Jesus returned from Egypt. He was replaced by Pontious Pilate. There was Herod Antipas who killed John the Baptist, tried Jesus, and ruled one fourth of his father's kingdom. There is Herod Philip the Tetrarch who ruled the last fourth of his father's kingdom.
Acts 12 is speaking of Herod Agrippa I who is the grandson of Herod the Great. (The son of one of Herod's other sons that he killed).
vex - injure, harm, hurt, evilly inflict
certain - this is a targeted attack
His sons - There was Herod Archelaus who ruled 1/2 of his father's kingdom when Joseph, Mary, and Jesus returned from Egypt. He was replaced by Pontious Pilate. There was Herod Antipas who killed John the Baptist, tried Jesus, and ruled one fourth of his father's kingdom. There is Herod Philip the Tetrarch who ruled the last fourth of his father's kingdom.
Acts 12 is speaking of Herod Agrippa I who is the grandson of Herod the Great. (The son of one of Herod's other sons that he killed).
vex - injure, harm, hurt, evilly inflict
certain - this is a targeted attack
Jews - Jewish Leaders - The Sanhedrin
Once he saw that is was politically advantageous, he decided to continues his attack.
four quaternions - 16 soldiers
Once he saw that is was politically advantageous, he decided to continues his attack.
four quaternions - 16 soldiers
This lets you know that church was not praying when James was arrested. In their defense, they probably didn't think anything bad would happen to him. They probably expected a supernatural rescue or a release from prison which happened in previous persecutions.
without ceasing - intentional fervent, unceasing prayer
without ceasing - intentional fervent, unceasing prayer
Peter is in perfect peace. Jesus told him that one day he would be martyred. Peter isn't afraid; he's in such a deep sleep, the angel had to wake him up.
people of the Jews - not all Jews, of course. Peter is a Jew. He is referring to the Sanhedrin and their followers.
James - Jesus' younger brother, the pastor of the Church at Jerusalem
went into another place - after verse 18, Peter is only mentioned once more in the Book of Acts. Luke's narrative from verse 18 onward focuses on the work of Saul who would soon be known as the Apostle Paul.
went into another place - after verse 18, Peter is only mentioned once more in the Book of Acts. Luke's narrative from verse 18 onward focuses on the work of Saul who would soon be known as the Apostle Paul.
chamberlain - personal assistant - oversaw the king's personal life
nourished - the king controlled their food supply - remember there is a famine going on
They wanted peace - so they began their political play. They sent their representatives and Blastus arranged an appointment for them with the king.
nourished - the king controlled their food supply - remember there is a famine going on
They wanted peace - so they began their political play. They sent their representatives and Blastus arranged an appointment for them with the king.
them - Those from Tyre and Sidon, trying to win over Herod, began to applauded him and declaring that he was a god.
Herod accepted the praise which sealed his judgment. The angel hit him and Herod died of a disease where worms were in his digestive track.
Why did judgment fall on Herod? The same reason Peter was set free. A praying church. After years of not yielding to God as Herod planned to harm God's church, judgment came to stop him from continuing to vex God's church. The praying church accessed the power of God that delivered Peter and delivered them from their enemy.
Herod accepted the praise which sealed his judgment. The angel hit him and Herod died of a disease where worms were in his digestive track.
Why did judgment fall on Herod? The same reason Peter was set free. A praying church. After years of not yielding to God as Herod planned to harm God's church, judgment came to stop him from continuing to vex God's church. The praying church accessed the power of God that delivered Peter and delivered them from their enemy.