Critics & ChristiansCritics & ChristiansJailbreak!Jailbreak!

Viewing Acts Chapter 11 & 12

Prepared by: Soon Siak. April 2010

NAME G .A. M. E. NAME G .A. M. E. Christianity is named after a

person – Jesus Christ. Can you figure out what has been named after each of the following people?

1. Adolphe Sax (Belgian musical instrument maker)

SAXOPHONE2. Mr. and Mrs. Legrand Benedict (People

who liked to cook)EGGS BENEDICT3. Henry Ford (American inventor)Ford Motor Company

4. John Macadam (Australian Chemist)MACADAMIA NUT

5. Josh Billings (19th Century humourist)The phrash, “JOSHING AROUND”

6. Joel Roberts Pointsett (U.S. Ambassador to Mexico)

POINSETTIA

7. Frederick S. Duesenburg (Automobile manufacturer)

The phrase, “a real doozey”8. Alessandro Volta (Italian physicist)The Volt

9. Franz Anton Mesmer (Austrian physician)

The word, “mesmerised”.

As word spreads that Peter has been spending time with Gentiles and accepting them as fellow believers in Christ, he receives criticism from some of the Jewish believers. But when he gives them more details, they praise God for His acceptance of this other group.

The Gospel begins to spread to other Gentiles congregations, including one in Antioch, where followers of Jesus are first called “Christians”.

Peter, Accused of Consorting with Peter, Accused of Consorting with GentilesGentiles

Some of the Jewish believers started accusing and criticising Peter (v1-3)? How do you think Peter felt?

It’s bad enough to be criticised anytime. But Peter had just returned from seeing God’s love reach out to a whole new group of people. It must have been particularly depressing to come “home” to his Jewish people only to hear their immediate criticism.

Peter, Accused of Consorting with GentilesPeter, Accused of Consorting with Gentiles What can we learn from Peter about handling criticism (v4-17)?

He patiently reviewed the facts for his accusers-the whole story. He also made clear that his actions had been in obedience to God’s instruction, and that the results were thanks to the power of God and nothing he had done on his own.

Why did his critics change their minds(v18)?

They were convinced that this new direction really was of God.

The Gospel Spreads as far as AntiochThe Gospel Spreads as far as Antioch Until this time, the people going throughout the area and spreading the word about Jesus had

confined themselves to Jewish groups. But now some of them felt called to speak to the Gentiles as well. Was it worth their efforts (v19-21)?

Yes. In Antioch a “great number” of people believed in Jesus.

The Gospel Spreads as far as AntiochThe Gospel Spreads as far as Antioch

What does this suggest about our own efforts to tell other people about Jesus?

Perhaps there are people we know who don’t seem to have much interest in religious things. But we shouldn’t automatically rule them out as unwilling to listen to us.

The Gospel Spreads as far as AntiochThe Gospel Spreads as far as Antioch

Now those who were scattered … travelled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch… (v19).

The Gospel Spreads as far as AntiochThe Gospel Spreads as far as Antioch During this time, whenever a special need arose in the church, Barnabas could be counted on to help (4:36,37; 9:26,27). So when the word came

that Gentiles in Antioch were being converted, that’s who they sent. But he didn’t stay long at first (v22-26). Why not? (Note the contribution of Barnabas to growth of church *important*)

He left to get Saul. Why did he do this?

It seems that Barnabas recognised how much work [and potential] awaited them in Antioch. Barnabas seemed to recognise how much potential the new convert, Saul, had.

Would you choose Paul to be your partner for some type of ministry? Why?

The Gospel Spreads as far as AntiochThe Gospel Spreads as far as Antioch Antioch was the first place that followers of Jesus were called Christians (v26). The name means

“belonging to Christ”. What do you think the name “Christian” mean to most people today? Some might suggests that scandals involving televangelists and other religious leaders have given Christians a

bad name. Others might associate the name “Christian” with people who comes from a Christian family but who haven’t necessarily made a personal commitment to follow Christ.

Famine Foretold by AgabusFamine Foretold by Agabus Take note! (v27- 30)

* Definition of prophecy - pg 41q

We see another example of early believers pitching in to help each other out. Give some examples of similar types of “help” that we can offer today.

Relief efforts for third world countries; support of missionaries, orphanages, etc.)

Sample SPM Part B QuestionSample SPM Part B Question

Describe how the church in Antioch-of-Syria was established, highlighting the roles of the men of Cyprus and Cyrene, and of Barnabas and Saul (v19-26). Pg 42

Sample answer in A48-49.

View the video on View the video on chapter 12 ….chapter 12 ….

Truth Or DareTruth Or DareChose a number between 1 to 10 each.

Answer the questions without looking in the Bible. Take turns to answer. If wrong, he or she must do the dares as per selected number. Anyone can appeal to the group to be excused; group members respond with thumbs up (to let the person off) or thumbs down (to make him or her through with it). Majority wins.

1

Persecution by HerodPersecution by Herod Tendency of some people seem to enjoy seeing others suffer in the game. Unfortunately, some people

seem to thrive on the sufferings of others. In this case, King Herod had put James, one of Jesus’ original disciples, to death. The Jewish leaders were so happy about it that Herod went out and arrested Peter right away (v1-4). Be honest… if the government suddenly began hauling in Christians for arrest or even death, what do you think you will do? What did the first-century church do (v5)?

Though they were meeting behind locked doors (v13), they were gathered together, praying about the situation.

Persecution by HerodPersecution by Herod This appeared to be a maximum security prison (v6). How worried was

Peter?

Even though security was tight and things probably looked pretty grim, Peter doesn’t appear to have been too worried, considering the fact he was sleeping.

King Herod Agippa I

(37-44A.D.) Can u find him

on next slide? Pg viii

Persecution by HerodPersecution by Herod What woke Peter up (v.7)?

He was struck in the side.

Peter didn’t really believe what happened (v7-10). Why not?

Peter had received visions from

God previously (10:9-16). Perhaps

he thought this was just a nice

dream.

Persecution by HerodPersecution by Herod When did Peter finally realise that he had actually

been rescued?

After the angel left and he was standing, free, on the street a block from the prison.

Persecution by HerodPersecution by Herod Keep in mind that the church members have been holed up, praying for Peter (v5,12). What do you think of their

response when he showed up unexpectedly (v12-15)?

The one person who heard him was so excited that she forgot to open the door. Her Name? – Rhoda. But the others refused to believe that he was truly there.

Why do you think they didn’t believe, since that’s exactly what they were praying about?

Perhaps they didn’t believe Peter would [or could] be delivered prior to his trial. Maybe they were praying for Peter, but not necessarily for his release.

Persecution by HerodPersecution by Herod What result did Peter’s escape have on the church (v16,17)?

Astonishment at God’s power

On the guards (v18,19)?

Execution

On YOU?

Earnest and fervent corporate prayer (v5) can do wonders (v6-12).

Death of HerodDeath of Herod But Herod, the leader whose pride had caused so much trouble for so

many people, was about to go too far. People had learned to flatter Herod to get what they want, but what happened in this instance (v19-23)?

He was praised for being a god, and didn’t dispute it. Consequently, the true God struck him down on the spot and Herod died a humiliating death.

Barnabas and Saul Return to AntiochBarnabas and Saul Return to Antioch After all the events in this chapter, the Word of God continued to spread (v24,25). What effect do

hard times have on you?

Your answer. We are now entering the missionary labours of Paul. The first part of the Acts, though describing the spread of the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, and as far as Damascus, has treated mainly of the Gospel to the Jews, with Peter, the “Apostle of the Circumcision,” as the leading figure. Paul, “the Apostle of the Uncircumcision,” as the prominent actor, preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Are you ready?Are you ready?Prepare for test May 23th

Luke 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 Acts 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10