PART 10PATHFIND3R

Warm-Up Questions• Now that we’re a good ways

into Acts…–Who was the first Gentile convert?

Case Study 1• Samaritans (Acts 8:4-25)–Messiah proclaimed (5)–Miraculous healings (7)–Great joy (8)–Baptized in the name of Jesus (16)–Received the Holy Spirit (17)

First of their Kind?• No–Hellenistic Jews vs. Hebraic Jews in the fellowship (Acts 6:1)–Nicolas from Antioch, a “convert to Judaism” was selected with Stephen to care for widows. (Acts 6:5)–Jesus personally approached Samaritans (John 4)

Case Study 2• Philip and the Ethiopian

(Acts 8:26-40)–So…very…significant!

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive

power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to

the ends of the earth.”

ACTS 1:7-8

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the

Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah

will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and

repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning

at Jerusalem.

LUKE 24:45-47

Case Study 2• Ethiopia, at the time, was

literally regarded as the end of the earth.• Philip’s divinely-arranged

encounter clearly carries significant meaning.• Acts 1:8 fulfilled:–Jerusalem, Samaria, Ends of the Earth

No one whose testicles are crushed or whose male organ is cut off shall enter the assembly

of the Lord.

DEUTERONOMY 23:1

Case Study 2• The Ethiopian eunuch

demonstrates Christ’s defeat of all barriers to access God…–Physical Defect–Nationality–Occupation

• What was this man doing before his encounter with Philip?

The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this

generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the

earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.

MATTHEW 12:42

Case Study 3• Cornelius (Acts 10)–Devout and God-fearing (2)–Peter’s vision (9-16)• Peter denied Christ’s association three times.• Peter denied Gentile association three times.• Former declarative patterns shown.• “Washy my head and hands also!”

Case Study 3• Against the “law” (28)–Mosaic law forbids marrying gentiles and participating in their heathen worship.–(Also carries strong eviction practices).–The law Peter was referring to was oral tradition, similar to what Jesus refuted.

• God rules otherwise (44, 47)

Survey Said?

And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said,

“Surely this man was the Son of God!”

MARK 15:39

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him

from the dead, you will be saved.

ROMANS 10:9

Forward-Looking “It is finished.”

Last Saved Under Law: First Saved Under Grace:Thief on the Cross Centurion at the Cross

Three Wise Men• Christ’s miraculous birth was

marked and celebrated by three wise men, bringing three symbolic gifts:–Gold (kingship)–Frankincense (priesthood)–Myrrh (sacrifice)

Three Centurions• Christ’s ministry (pre,

during, post-crucifixion), oddly enough, was marked by three centurions.–Luke 7 (acknowledges Jesus’ authority)–Mark 15 (acknowledges Jesus’ sacrifice)–Acts 10 (acknowledges Jesus’ priesthood)

Take-Away• The Roman centurion was a

literal embodiment of the might and authority of Rome.• Also a symbol of everything

hated of the Gentiles.• They acknowledged Christ’s

superiority.• Christ, in turn,

acknowledged them.

Application• In which home would you

feel uncomfortable?• What person’s nationality,

background, education, political leaning, lifestyle, or orientation would make you averse to answering God’s call to evangelize?• What significant conversion

can you earnestly pray for today?