Acts - The Unstoppable Church - Acts 8:1-9:30

Homiletics                                             Study – Acts & Letter of Apostles

Lesson     5                                             Passage: Acts 8:1-9:30

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Gospel  extends to Samaria; Philip proclaims, Holy Spirit anoints and Apostles confront wicked desire (Acts 8:1-25) a. Persecution breaks out at Stephen’s death (1-3) b. Philip goes out to Samaria proclaiming Messiah bringing joy (4-8) c. Philip’s good news message brings new believers including sorcerer Simon; astonished by signs and miracles (9-13) d. Apostles send Peter and John to Samaria bringing Holy Spirit (14-17) e. Simon wishes to pay for ability to work in Holy Spirit bringing apostle’s chastisement (15-25)

Philip directed to go opportunity to bring Ethiopian Eunuch to Christ  (Acts 8:26-40) a. Angel sends Philip to Gaza where he encounter Ethiopian Eunuch (26-28) b. Spirit directs Philip to engage Ethiopian to explain Isaiah passage (29-33) c. Eunuch asks about prophet allowing Philip to use scripture to share good news of Jesus (34-35) d. Philip and eunuch travel together and finding water eunuch is baptized receiving Holy Spirit. (36-40)

Saul has life changing encounter with Jesus (Acts 9:1-30) a. Saul asks for letters from high priest to help take believers as prisoners (1-2) b.  In a light from heaven, Saul encounters Jesus and is blinded (3-6) c. Saul is lead to Damascus (7-9) d. Ananias called by Lord to instruct Saul of Gentile ministry and suffering in Jesus (10-15) e. Ananias places hands on Saul bringing healing, baptism and Holy Spirit indwelling (16-19) f. Saul gained strength preached and baffled Jews with message of Jesus as Messiah. (20-22) g. A conspiracy among Jews to kill Saul (23-25) h. Saul goes to Jerusalem bringing skepticism; Barnabas brings to apostles (26-28) i. Saul’s ministry raise those who would kill him (29-30)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Gospel  extends to Samaria; Philip proclaims, Holy Spirit anoints and Apostles confront wicked desire	Acts 8:1-25
Philip directed to go opportunity to bring Ethiopian Eunuch to Christ	Acts 8:26-40
Saul has life changing encounter with Jesus	Acts  9:1-30

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Gospel extended through Philip ministry and Saul encounters with Jesus

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that God will send the message through His servants to bring new life in Him

Specific Application Questions

1	Where is God calling you to minister to make a sincere impact for Him?
2	In what ways can you be involved in sharing God’s word beyond your immediate sphere of influence?
3	How can you trust more fully in those God is bringing to you?

Principles to Remember

1	God’s Good News Message brings joy.
2	God desires all to know Him
3	Sometimes God’s call is unmistakable and requires our bold response

Characteristic of God

Our Guide

Theme

God wants us to move beyond our comfort zone to minister for him.

God’s Word  - What’s happening?

God’s Heart – What does God care about?

Today’s World – How does this connect to what is happening in my world today?