We have seen how God brought in Jewish believers into one body on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. Later the gospel reached out to the city of Samaria where many Samaritans believed, an Ethiopian eunuch was saved, and now in our chapter we see the Spirit of God reaching out to the Gentiles and bringing them into the body of Christ through the preaching of Peter.
Before this happens, however, Saul of Tarsus is struck down by the Lord on the way to Damascus and thus the history of the Apostle Paul begins. We find that after he had received his sight and had taken food he immediately began to preach in the synagogue that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Before long, due to the persecution of the Jews he was forced to leave, is found in fellowship with those in Jerusalem, and finally was sent to his home in Tarsus.
Wonderful miracles of healing and restoration of life follow and then the account of the godly Cornelius and his friends is given. Peter learned through a vision from the Lord that the Gentiles and Jews alike were going to be blessed in the day of grace. But when the Jewish Christians heard what Peter had done in having fellowship with the Gentiles they were unhappy. The Spirit of God brought peace on the group and all were happy and at rest.
1. When Saul and Barnabas came to Jerusalem to the assembly there, the disciples refused to believe that Saul was a believer. In their fear, they refused to allow him to join with them. It took Barnabas’s commendation and testimony to allay their fears. Years later, Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) does a very similar thing for whom? Romans 16:___
2. Earlier in Damascus, the Jews had tried to kill Saul, but in Jerusalem it was the Grecians. What did the Lord tell the disciples they should expect from the world that hated Him? John 15:___
3. After Saul had gone to Tarsus the assemblies had rest and received comfort from the Holy Spirit. What did the Lord term the Holy Spirit in the Gospel of John? John 14:___
4. When Peter healed Eneas he did so in the name of the Lord Jesus. Upon what basis will the Father answer our prayers? John 14:___
5. Before Peter prayed that Dorcas be raised from the dead, he had to put everyone out of the room. Where did Jesus encourage the disciples to pray in order that the Father might openly answer prayers? Matthew 6:___