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A Walkthru’ of the New TestamentLesson 6: Acts - Extreme Opposition Extreme

Impact

Intoduction Extreme Impact Extreme Power Extreme Unity Extreme Discipline Extreme Boldness Extreme Focus Extreme Opposition Extreme Risk Discussion

Presentation OverviewActs of the Apostles: Extreme Opposition, Extreme Impact

EVENT TIMELINE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

Written by Dr. Luke, a Gentile. The book covers key events such as Birth of the Church, Pentecost Peter rising as key leader His vision to spread gospel to Gentiles Conversion of Saul (Paul) Gospel extending beyond Jerusalem, Paul’s first and

second missionary Journeys. Gospel reaches farther West to European regions.

Third missionary journey. Paul’s travel to Jerusalem, his arrest, difficult travel to

Rome for trial. [1]

Summary

The book of Acts shows the transition of: Fearful disciples to bold

apostles Focus on Jews to Gentiles God’s temple at Jerusalem

to international church Access to God through

priests, to unlimited access Jews as people of God to

Christians across nations, languages, cultures.

Introduction

And you shall receive power ..

And you shall be my witness

And reach the worldActs 1:8

Extreme Impact

Extreme ImpactThe apostles’ teaching spread throughout the world like wild fire. What caused this high impact?

The early church had extreme: Power through God’s

presence Unity Discipline Boldness Focus Opposition RiskWhich resulted in extreme impact – Story of Acts

Extreme Impact

Extreme PowerWith great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all – Acts 4:33

And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. Acts 4:32 NASB

Extreme Unity

These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer…. Acts 1:14 NASB

Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart Acts 2:46 NASB

Extreme Unity

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me – John 17

Extreme UnityJesus’ Prayer

What was the importance of unity among believers from the passage in John?

Was Christ’s prayer for unity among believers answered?

In a divided global church, how can we work together for unity?

Extreme Unity

“Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last, Acts 5

Extreme Discipline

9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. Acts 5

Extreme Discipline

 29 ”And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness. Acts 4

Extreme Boldness

31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4

Extreme Boldness

19But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4

Extreme Boldness

Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. Acts 5:42

2So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables Acts 6:3

 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42

Extreme Focus

What was the focus of the apostles? Why?

Extreme FocusDiscussion

A Story of transportation of codfish in US.

Extreme Opposition

Freezing didn’t work Transporting them alive in tanks had worse results

Extreme Opposition

Finally catfish, codfish’s greatest enemy were introduced in the tanks

Extreme Opposition

Catfish chased and kept them better than before

Extreme Opposition

3-4 And Saul just went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house after house, dragging men and women off to jail. Forced to leave home base, the followers of Jesus all became missionaries. Acts 8 The Message

Extreme Opposition

Opposition enhanced mission

“You are doing just as your fathers did. Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become” (Acts 7:51-52) - Stephen

Extreme OppositionInternal - From Jews

5But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.“ Acts 18:5,6

Extreme OppositionInternal - From Jews

“A slave is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. …. They will make you outcasts from the synagogues..; but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God (John 15:20; 16:1-2). - Jesus

Extreme OppositionProphesied

At times miraculous escapes, at times flogging, imprisonment, death

Paul could have been saved by Agrippa but was sentenced to Rome

Seeds were planted for global evangelism

God is always in control Where there is high risk there is high gain

Extreme RiskWhy only sometimes protected?

“men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Acts 15:26 NIV

Most of the disciples/apostles died martyr’s deaths. History has it that 8 out of 12 of Jesus’ own disciples died martyrs…

Extreme riskThey put their lives on the line

Paul used his prison as a powerhouse

What other extremes do you observe in the lives of the apostles causing impact?

What do you think is most diluting the church’s impact today? Lack of power? Impact? Unity? Boldness? Sharing? discipline? Focus? Inability to face opposition? Risk? Any other?

What changes do you feel you need to make to your personal goals and lifestyle to improve your impact for Christ?

Discussion

1. biblehub.com

References