215 - Les Feldick Bible Study Lesson 3 - Part 3 - Book 18 - Acts Chapters 6, 7, & 8 - Part 3

https://lesfeldickbiblestudy.com Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 3 * PART 3 * BOOK 18 ACTS CHAPTERS 6,7 & 8 For some time, I never liked to teach the Book of Acts. The Book of Acts just comes alive when you are able to see that God was still dealing with the Nation of Israel during these early Chapters, and how Israel rejected the message. Then God in so many words said, "I'll just turn to the Gentiles without you." In Chapter 8 we are still pretty much on Jewish ground. In the last lesson we have just seen the stoning of Stephen, and Saul of Tarsus consenting unto his death. He was actually promoting and leading the assault on these early Jewish believers. So let's begin with verse 1: Acts 8:1 "AND Saul was consenting unto his death. Having never left Jerusalem. Zechariah 8 is as clearly put as any Scripture in the Old Testament regarding what Israel was to have done, getting the message of Salvation to the Gentile world. Zechariah 8:20 Zechariah 8:21-23 Yea, many people and strong(now what's the next word?) nations (we're dealing here with Gentiles) shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in (Heaven? No but rather in) Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.'"When Christ is ruling in Jerusalem. Turn to Acts Chapter 11 and let the Scripture speak for itself. Acts 11:19 "Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word (Old Testament) to none but unto the Jews only." Remember the Old Testament was used to prove that the One that Israel crucified was The Christ. Back to Acts Chapter 8, verse 2: Saul was ruthless in the name of religion. Let's look at Acts Chapter 26. And remember there are three accounts of the conversion of Saul in the Book of Acts. Here Paul is talking to King Agrippa in particular. Rome let the Jews take care of their religious Laws, even Laws concerning death sentences. You may ask, "How about Christ's death?" Well, prophecy said that Jew and Gentile would both be responsible for that. Secondly, all Scripture intimated a lifting up, a Crucifixion. Remember the serpent in the wilderness? What did Jesus say in John Chapter 3? John 3:14 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:" Now reading verse 10 again. Acts 26:10 If Rome was so benevolent toward the Jewish religion, then why did they turn so vehemently against Christianity? Here they put up with the Jewish religion until 70 A.D., with Rome never giving them opposition. Was Paul ever married? The Scripture is silent. Now back to Acts Chapter 8. Acts 8:4 "Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word." Now don't forget in Acts 11:19, they preached to none but Jew only. Philip now goes to Samaria. Samaria is only a few miles due north of Jerusalem. "Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria (that's north of Jerusalem), and preached Christ unto them." Philip goes down to Samaria and he preached Christ. I Corinthians 1:17,18 "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:... For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." I Corinthians 1:23 "But we preach Christ (notice Paul doesn't stop at `Christ' like Philip did. Paul continues with) crucified,..." Philip goes to Samaria and preaches Christ. But for Salvation he doesn't preach Christ crucified. The Jewish message has been from Pentecost on that Jesus was The Christ. Peter's confession back in Matthew 16: Matthew 16:15,16 John 11:25-27 Remember faith in our Lord's death, burial and Resurrection for Salvation had been kept secret, until He revealed it to Paul in Arabia a short time later. Now back to Acts Chapter 8: So we see Philip in Samaria, preaching Christ unto them. In other words, that He is The Christ, their Messiah. Acts 8:6 Remember in I Corinthians 1:22: The reason I'm not comfortable with it is because the Apostle Paul never once gives the Grace-age believer any instruction in dealing with demon possession. "To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, `This man is the great power of God.'" Which shows us and them that God's power is greater than Satan's. Old Simon was performing miracles, and he had the people confused thinking he was some great one. But it wasn't the power of God, but rather the power of Satan. Some people will question what the difference is between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven? The Kingdom of God is that whole sphere of God's influence, which is to the very outer reaches of space, all of Heaven and all of earth. The Kingdom of Heaven is that sphere of influence concerning the earthly Kingdom. The Kingdom of Heaven is within the Kingdom of God like Oklahoma is within the United States of America. #LesFeldick #BibleStudy #Bible