bridge builders acts 8:1-25 ( pew bible p842-843) saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed...

Bridge BuildersBridge BuildersActs 8:1-25 (Acts 8:1-25 (pew Bible p842-843)pew Bible p842-843)

Saul was one of the witnesses, and he Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of agreed completely with the killing of

Stephen.Stephen.

Bridge BuildersBridge Builders

We left the “Called out of their houses for a We left the “Called out of their houses for a purpose” people:purpose” people: Under Saul’s approving, watchful careUnder Saul’s approving, watchful care

Dishonouring, ravaging abuseDishonouring, ravaging abuse

Under a wave of persecutionUnder a wave of persecution Scattering Scattering MourningMourning Imprisoned Imprisoned


ScatteringScattering Not in fear of death or they would have Not in fear of death or they would have

stopped spreading the Gospelstopped spreading the Gospel But like seeds caught in the wind of But like seeds caught in the wind of

persecutionpersecutionDiaspeiroDiaspeiro—too scatter seed—too scatter seed


But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me witnesses, telling people about me

everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the

earth.”—earth.”—Acts 1:8 Acts 1:8 Jerusalem—The apostles stayed to bring the Jerusalem—The apostles stayed to bring the

Gospel to the JewsGospel to the Jews Judea, Samaria—It was time to move outJudea, Samaria—It was time to move out

““There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come.”—world, and that is an idea whose time has come.”—

Victor HugoVictor Hugo


Philip led the Charge to the Samaritans—Philip led the Charge to the Samaritans—part of the group of Jews captured in part of the group of Jews captured in 722BC722BC They were displacedThey were displaced Intermarried with people imported by the Intermarried with people imported by the

AssyriansAssyrians Therefore “half-breeds” to the JewsTherefore “half-breeds” to the Jews Had their own templeHad their own temple Had their own priestsHad their own priests Jews and Samaritans hated each otherJews and Samaritans hated each other


God, sent Philip to the Samaritans—Why?God, sent Philip to the Samaritans—Why? To Build a BridgeTo Build a Bridge

They believed in a MessiahThey believed in a Messiah They had the Old TestamentThey had the Old Testament They had Jewish heritage in their backgroundThey had Jewish heritage in their background They were those who had left the church and They were those who had left the church and

were hurt by itwere hurt by it

Are we not called to those who have been hurt Are we not called to those who have been hurt by the church and asked to build bridges?by the church and asked to build bridges?


The MessageThe Message Jesus—the MessiahJesus—the Messiah

He was and is the One who was to comeHe was and is the One who was to come He is still aliveHe is still alive

The EvidenceThe Evidence Spirit-filled proclaimingSpirit-filled proclaiming

Acts 8:4—to preach the Good NewsActs 8:4—to preach the Good News Acts 8:5—to announce as an herald Acts 8:5—to announce as an herald Philip was called to be the herald/messenger of God Philip was called to be the herald/messenger of God

to the Samaritansto the SamaritansTo reject the herald meant you rejected the authority To reject the herald meant you rejected the authority

behind the herald—God Almighty Himselfbehind the herald—God Almighty Himself


We need to be people who speak with the We need to be people who speak with the authority of God—We need to be His heraldsauthority of God—We need to be His heralds

Further EvidenceFurther Evidence Miraculous signs of Jesus’ life in PhilipMiraculous signs of Jesus’ life in Philip

Are we showing the miraculous signs of the Are we showing the miraculous signs of the Spirit-filled life?Spirit-filled life?

Note—people were saved by the message!Note—people were saved by the message!


Results Results Great joy in the city—v8Great joy in the city—v8 Simon Simon

Believed in the worksBelieved in the works Believed in the Life in PhilipBelieved in the Life in Philip Believed in the MessiahBelieved in the Messiah Baptized Baptized But…But…


ResultsResults But…But… Wanted to buy the powerWanted to buy the power Wanted the prestigeWanted the prestige Wanted to use it to make moneyWanted to use it to make money

““May your money be destroyed with you for May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought!” thinking God’s gift can be bought!”


ResultsResults Peter and JohnPeter and John

There to check it outThere to check it out There to give credibilityThere to give credibility There to affirm the bridge built between the There to affirm the bridge built between the

estranged peoplesestranged peoples There to spread the Gospel There to spread the Gospel

Are we willing to challenge the prejudices?Are we willing to challenge the prejudices?


Where do we fit into the story? Where do we fit into the story? 1.1. Are we the religious?Are we the religious?

Like Saul we are out to bring judgment?Like Saul we are out to bring judgment?

2.2. Are we the scattering?Are we the scattering? Allowing the winds of change and uncertainty to Allowing the winds of change and uncertainty to

scatter His seed?scatter His seed?

3.3. Are we building bridges?Are we building bridges?4.4. Are people receiving the Spirit through Are people receiving the Spirit through

contact with us?contact with us?5.5. Are we like Simon?Are we like Simon?

We believe BUT want do it our way, for our We believe BUT want do it our way, for our benefit?benefit?

bridge builders acts 8:1-25 ( pew bible p842-843) saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed...

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