Apostle to the Gentiles

Lesson 30: Acts 9-15

Acts 10:1-11
A pious Roman officer (in Caesarea) named Cornelius has a vision of an angel who told him to seek out a man named Peter, who is staying in the town of Joppa. The next day, Peter went to pray and had a strange vision... 11-16

Acts 10
While Peter puzzled over the meaning of this vision, a call came at the door. Cornelius servants asked for Peter, and invited Peter to come visit Cornelius.

Peter went with them to Joppa to meet Cornelius.

Peter and Cornelius discover that they have each had visions. Peter has a revelation: All people, Jew or Gentile, may become disciples of Christ.

Saul
Saul = Hebrew Paul = Latin Born in Tarsus Educated in Jerusalem Could read and write
(85-90% of people could not!) Greek speaking

An ardent Pharisee
The only early pharisee whose writings we have

Saul
Converted to Christianity After Jesus, most influential Christian ever. Very controversial in his own day 13/27 NT books attributed to him!
But not all actually were written by him.

Saul
Traveled all over the Mediterranean Establishes churches Wrote epistles (letters) to those churches to answer questions. Always struggling for legitimacy

Not one of the original 12

Pauls Conversion
Old View
Jesus a traveling preacher, small following, a criminal executed for sedition.

New View
Jesus blessed by God, Jewish Messiah

Died on a cross for the Cursed by God to die on a sake of others, overcoming cross death and sin Law of Moses the greatest gift of God Christ the greatest gift of God

Law of Moses brings one to Christ brings one to a right a right position with God position with God

Pauls Conversion
Paul was an Apocalyptic Jew.

Apocalypticism= belief that the world will end soon with great disasters, judgements, and miracles.
When Paul saw the resurrected Jesus Christ, it confirmed that belief for him. Paul, the Christian, believed he was living in the end times.

Saul
Biggest contribution: Non-Jews dont have to become Jews in order to follow Christ.
Apostle to the Gentiles

Seems obvious to us now, but was extremely controversial in Pauls day.

Epistles of Paul
Undisputed
Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Philippians 1 Thessalonians Philemon

Possibly Pseudonymous
Ephesians Colossians 2 Thessalonians

Probably Pseudonymous
1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus

Acts 9:1-9
1-2: The Way: earliest name of Christianity 3-4 5-6 7-9

Acts 9:10-19
10-11 12-14 15-16

17-19a

Acts 9:19b-22

19b-20 21-22

Pauls First Journey

Leg 1: Antioch to Paphos

Acts 13:4-12

Antioch--Salamis--Paphos
Paul and Barnabas go to Cyprus, debate the magician Elymas. Elymas is struck blind.

Pauls First Journey

Leg 2: Paphos to Pisidian Antioch
(Acts 13:16-52) Paphos--Perga--Pisidian Antioch

Visited synagogues, invited to preach

16-43: Paul delivers a powerful speech about Christ. This is the first time these people have ever heard of this. They invite Paul to stay and preach again next week! 44-52: The whole town shows up to hear Paul preach, but some Jews began to debate with him. Paul says, Oh well. We came to teach the Gentiles anyway! The Jews in Pisidian Antioch convince the leaders there to toss Paul out of the city, but not before many Gentiles are converted to their message.

Pauls First Journey

Leg 3: Pisidian Antioch to Iconium

(Acts 14:1-7) Pisidian Antioch--Iconium

Same thing happened in Iconium. The people were divided over their message. Many Jews protested against them. They planned to stone Paul and Barnabas, but Paul found out and they fled.

Pauls First Journey

Leg 4: Iconium to lystra

(Acts 14:8-19) Iconium--Lystra Paul heals a man who cant walk, the people begin to worship him and Barnabas as Zeus and Hermes. Paul teaches them about Christ. The Jews in Iconium stone P & B and drag them out of the city. They leave for Derbe.

Pauls First Journey

Leg 5: Lystra to Derbe, back to Antioch

(Acts 14:20-23) Lystra--Derbe--Lystra--Iconium--Pisidian Antioch Strengthened the new disciples Encouraged them to be faithful in persecutions Appointed elders (leaders) in the local churches

Pauls First Journey

Leg 6: Back Home, Pisidian Antioch to Syrian Antioch

Back home, through Perga and across sea to Syrian Antioch.

Round trip: about 1,400 miles

About the distance from Houston to L.A.

 Chapter 15: Settling the question of Gentiles and circumcision. Question: Do believing gentiles need to follow the Law of Moses? Answer: 23-29 (A letter from the Jerusalem council)

Jerusalem Council

A compromise: Obey a part of the Law of Moses, but not circumcision!

Note: Peter had the vision, but James gave the final call! (13-21)

Sad Ending
15:36-41 Paul and Barnabas traveled together on the first mission. A man named John-Mark went with them, but left after the first major stop. This apparently angered Paul. Paul and Barnabas go separate ways over the issue.

The End