INTRODUCTION

1. The Early Church had a great start

a) Jerusalem Church grew steadily

b) Many disciples deeply committed to caring for the Church and each other

2. But there were problems too

a) Internal problems

i) Deception and attempted corruption Acts 5

ii) Interpersonal squabbles Acts 6

b) External problems

i) Opposition and Persecution from the Sanhedrin Council Acts 4-8

ii) Persecution from the king

iii) Scattering of the Church

iv) Personal attacks from Saul

 

IN THE MISSION FIELD

1. The first Missionaries

a) Barnabas

b) Saul (Paul)

c) They had John Mark with them as their Assistant Acts 13:5

2. They covered a lot of ground

a) At Paphos

i) Conversion of Sergius Paulus, a proconsul Acts 13:7

ii) The hand of the Lord was with Paul in his dealing With Elymas, striking him blind Acts 13:11

b) At Antioch, Pisidia

i) Many devout Jews followed Paul Acts 13:43

ii) Multitudes followed Acts 13:45

c) Major turning Point

i) Turning to develop the Gentile ministry Acts 13:46

ii) This brought great joy to the Gentiles Acts 13:48

d) At Iconium

i) A great multitude believed

ii) Both Jews and Greeks Acts 14:1

iii) Signs and wonders accompanied Acts 14:3

iv) Severe persecution began Acts 14:5

e) Lystra and Derbe (Lycaonia)

i) The Gospel was preached there Acts 14:7

ii) Healing of a cripple at Lystra Acts 14:8

iii) Fleeing to Derbe Acts 14:20

iv) Many disciples made there Acts 14:21

 

MAIN PRACTICES OF THE APOSTLES

21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples,

they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,

22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying,

“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting,

they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Acts 14:21-23

1. Preaching of the Gospel

2. Making disciples

3. Strengthening the souls of the disciples

4. Exhortation to continue in the faith

5. Accepting that tribulation would occur

6. The kingdom of God is worth suffering for

7. Appointing of elders (leaders) in every church

8. Prayer and fasting

9. Commending all to the Lord

 

RETURNING TO ANTIOCH, SYRIA

1. Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch, Syria (the sending Church)

2. Ministry in Antioch Acts 14:27-28

a) Reporting

b) Reviewing

c) Renewing

 

REVISITING THE CHURCHES FOUNDED

1. The 2nd Missionary Journey

2. A new team

a) Paul

b) Silas

c) Timothy Acts 16:1-3

3. The state of the churches

4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep,

which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem.

5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. Acts 16:4-5

a) They went through the cities

b) They delivered the letters from the Jerusalem Church (Acts 15)

c) The churches were strengthened in the faith

d) They increased in number daily

 

CONCLUSION

1. The ministry to the Gentiles was highly successful

2. Good principles and practices were followed

3. The Lord’s hand of blessing was upon the church