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From the Church in Acts to the Church in Narrows

Church History

Where it all started

God promises Abraham a land*God gives that land to Israel through the leadership and

conquering of Joshua*Throughout the OT Israel is persecuted, captured, and removed

from the land due to their rebellion in following God This is also see because of the fact that the land is a hot bed for

trade In the fourth century BC Alexander and the Macedonians

conquered much of Palestine. This caused for the development of Hellenism.

After the Romans conquered the land they pushed the idea of Hellenism. This did not seem like a blessing to the Jews who wished to keep to

their laws and the worship of their one God.

Understanding the Setting

Acts Timeline

Jesus ascends into Heaven. Promising the Holy Spirit.

Matthias chosen by lot to replace Judas. The Holy Spirit descends and fills them,*

When he came down it sounded like a rushing wind and appeared to them and rested on them as tongues of fire.

Peter goes out to preaches in Jerusalem. Speaks in tongues, speaks that everyone hears him in their own language. 3,000 get saved.

Peter and John heal a lame beggar and everyone marvels. Peter preaches to the crowd, calling them the ones that crucified Jesus and

that they were lead by their leaders. 5,000 believed and were saved

Peter’s preaching makes the spiritual leaders upset to they arrest them. They are told not to preach the name of Jesus, but they cannot do anything to

them because they are so popular after healing this man. When Peter and John are released they tell their friends what happened and

they all pray for strength.

Acts

Daily the Apostles went to the temple and did great signs and were witnessing. Many people came to Christ because of this. They became stars.

The Apostles are then arrested. But during the night they are set free by an angel and so they go to the

temple and begin to preach. The High Priests comes looking for them in the morning but they are not

their. They are brought back and told not to preach. Gamaliel tells the council that they should beat them and let them go.

If it is of God we cannot stop it and if it isn’t of God it will go away. The Apostles rejoice at being beat for the cause of Christ.*

Stephen is chosen to help serve* He is arrested, he gives his defense and the gospel, and he is martyred.

Philip Goes to Samaria to preach the Gospel Simon the Magician believes

Philip shoes the Ethiopian Eunuch how to be saved. Probably the first Gentile convert.

Acts (continued)

Philip the Evangelistc. A.D. 34?

Philip, a leader in the church in Jerusalem, began his evangelistic ministry in Sebaste (also called Samaria). God then led him south toward Gaza, where he explained the gospel to a God-fearing Ethiopian royal official. Afterwards Philip was transported by God to Azotus, where he preached and continued his ministry up to Caesarea. 

Saul is converted to Christianity on his way to Damascus* Preaches Christ in the Synagogues.

Saul escapes Damascus and goes to Jerusalem Peter goes to Lydda Peter, lead by a vision, goes to Caesarea to teach a Gentile named Cornelius

the gospel.* The Holy Spirit falls on Gentiles. Peter reports the conversions to the church in Jerusalem They rejoice

The church is first called “Christians” in Antioch* “little Christ”

James is killed Peter is arrested and rescued. Barnabas and Saul, Paul, make their way to Cyprus, then Iconium, and Lystra.

Paul is stoned in Lystra The Jerusalem Council deals with Gentile believers and their obligation to the

law. Paul and Barnabas Separate

Acts (continued)

Peter’s Early Ministryc. A.D. 39?

The apostle Peter traveled to the crossroads town of Lydda and healed a paralyzed man, leading many in that region to turn to the Lord. Later Peter traveled to Joppa and raised a woman from the dead. While Peter was staying at the house of Simon, a tanner in Joppa, the Roman centurion Cornelius sent for him to come to Caesarea.  

Paul’s (Saul’s) Conversion and Early Travelsc. A.D. 35–39

As Paul approached Damascus to arrest followers of the Way, Jesus appeared to him (1). Galatians 1:17 makes it clear that soon after this Paul spent time in Arabia (2, 3) before going to meet church leaders in Jerusalem (4). When some believers learned of a plot to kill Paul in Jerusalem, they took him to Caesarea, and he returned to his hometown of Tarsus (5).  

Paul’s First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:4-14:26)c. a.d. 46–47Barnabas and Paul first visited Barnabas’s home region of Cyprus before sailing to the southern region of Asia Minor. When they reached Perga in Pamphylia, John Mark left the group and returned to Jerusalem. Making their way to Antioch (in Pisidia), Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, Paul and Barnabas were driven out of each city by jealous Jewish religious leaders. Later they returned by the same route, strengthening the new churches as they went. From Attalia they set sail for their home in Antioch of Syria. 

Paul’s First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:4-14:26)c. a.d. 46–47Barnabas and Paul first visited Barnabas’s home region of Cyprus before sailing to the southern region of Asia Minor. When they reached Perga in Pamphylia, John Mark left the group and returned to Jerusalem. Making their way to Antioch (in Pisidia), Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, Paul and Barnabas were driven out of each city by jealous Jewish religious leaders. Later they returned by the same route, strengthening the new churches as they went. From Attalia they set sail for their home in Antioch of Syria. 

Paul and Silas are arrested and supernaturally freed. They witness to the Jailer.

Paul and Silas make their way to Thessalonica, and Berea. Paul goes to Athens, Corinth, and returns to Antioch Apollos speaks in Ephesus Paul preaches in Ephesus and it tears the place apart. Paul makes his way to Macedonia and Greece. Paul goes back to Jerusalem and is arrested in the Temple.* Paul defends his teachings

And when about to be whipped he reveals that he is a Roman Citizen. Citizenship was big deal

Paul is then sent to appear before a Roman council. Paul appears before Felix the Governor Paul is sent to appear before Agrippa and gives his testimony to him. Paul is sent to Rome.

The ship wrecks He gives witness at Malta

Acts (continued)

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36-18:22)

c. A.D. 49–51

Paul and Silas revisited the places in Asia Minor where Paul had preached on his first journey (cf. map), while Barnabas took John Mark and sailed to Cyprus. Paul and Silas visited Derbe, Lystra, and Antioch in Pisidia. From there Paul and Silas traveled to Troas, where Paul received a vision of a man from Macedonia calling to them. Crossing into Europe, they passed through several towns along the Egnatian Way and traveled to the cities of Athens and Corinth in southern Greece. Then, sailing to Ephesus and Caesarea, they visited the church in Jerusalem before returning to Antioch of Syria. 

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36-18:22)

Paul arrives in Rome and is placed on house arrest*

Acts (continued)

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (Acts 13:4-14:26)

c. A.D. 52–57

Paul’s third missionary journey traversed much the same ground as his second (cf. map). Passing through Galatia and Phrygia, he proceeded directly to the great port city of Ephesus. After three years of preaching and teaching there, Paul traveled again through Macedonia and Achaia, strengthening the believers, and then finished with a visit to Jerusalem. 

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (Acts 13:4-14:26)

Paul’s Arrest and Imprisonmentc. A.D. 58

After Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem, the Roman tribune learned of a plot by some Jews to kill Paul. He transferred Paul to the Roman administrative city of Caesarea during the night under heavy guard, going by way of Antipatris. 

Paul’s Journey to Romec. A.D. 60

Appealing his case to Caesar, Paul was ordered by Festus to be transferred to Rome. Paul’s journey was marked by difficult weather, as they had begun their voyage late into the season for sea travel. A bad decision to try to find winter harbor at Phoenix ended with the ship being driven by a storm to the island of Malta, where the ship broke apart. All aboard the ship survived, however, and Paul was soon placed aboard another ship that took him to Puteoli. From there Paul was taken to Rome. 

We see that God works in all times and in all peoples.

We see that the Bible is applicable to all people and in all times.

We can see from History how false beliefs can shape the church and distort it from her God given purpose.

We get to see how God through the church has been on a mission to fulfill its calling sense being given it upon his assention.

Why Learn History

Questions???Our next series is going to be based on questions asked by you… so if you have any biblical questions about God, the Bible, Jesus, etc…. anything please write them down or email them to me. (I would really like one question from each person)