BIBL 364 Thematic Essay 2 2018.pdf

Jessica Coole Crehan

BIBL 364 – B08

June 17, 2017

As we open this segment of our studies on the book of Acts, we are taken to Stephen’s

stoning and are introduced to an upsurge of persecution toward the church. In Acts 1:8 (NASB),

Jesus informs His followers of the command He is giving them, “ but you will receive

power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in

Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Throughout

the book of Acts thus far, we have read about Jesus’ introduction of the Holy Spirit, Pentecost

and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the filling of the Spirit’s empowering presence to go out into

all the world spreading the Gospel, and now the persecution they may face for receiving Jesus

Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit’s empowering presence is evident throughout this segment for the

purpose of propagating the Gospel for World Missions, to the four corners of the earth. We also

see in this segment how the Holy Spirit continues to protect the integrity and growth of the

church as the apostles and believers are sent out to witness. For example, Simon the sorcerer was

smitten by the power of the Holy Spirit and had the appearance of desire for the Holy Spirit in

his life, until he revealed himself and tried buying the power of the Spirit, which may have led to

the distortion and corruption of the Gospel for those who he would have led astray.2

Paul is protected after numerous run-ins of persecutors in Jerusalem. In Antioch, Paul and

rooted and established. Again, more evidence of the protection and the empowering presence of

the Holy Spirit in the lives of the apostles and witnesses to be used for the propagation of the

Gospel in direct connection with the theme of World Missions. Despite the growing persecution,

specifically Herod Agrippa, who had laid claim on the perusal of the Apostles, the witnesses for

Christ remain faithful and emboldened with power from the Spirit to accomplish that which the

Lord has commanded them to do in Acts 1:8. James is killed and Peter is put in prison, yet is

freed miraculously as the providence of God is shown here and he is loosed from prison to

continue his commission from the Lord.3 What the Lord puts in motion, no thing or man can stop

had of the “unclean and clean,” had come to fruition.5 Peter’s tone had changed from when he

preached to the Jews during the first movement. He was still filled with the power of the Spirit,

but he had a more gentle spirit about him as he exemplified the reception that Jesus has for the

Gentiles as he received the privilege to witness to the Gentiles for Christ. As Peter preached with

power and fervor to the Jew’s in the first movement he emphasized the death, burial, and

resurrection of the foretold Messiah and the importance of repentance followed by baptism.

When preaching to Cornelius, Peter stressed a few points he had not when preaching to the Jews.

First, he stressed that “God shows no favoritism, accepts people from every nation, and that

Jesus is “Lord of all.”” 6 Second, Peter stressed that Jesus being the Lord of all, meant that the

peace that is made available through Him is also for all people and not just for the Jew.7 And

thirdly, though Peter still preached on the importance of the death and resurrection of Jesus,

especially the bodily resurrection and appearance of Christ after the resurrection to the Apostles

house of Cornelius as the Gentile Pentecost.9

introduced to different regions. Judea, Samaria, Joppa, Antioch, Caesarea, Jerusalem, and

Damascus, as well as ethnic changes as we see the Ethiopian Philip witnessed to, Jews,

Samaritans, and the introduction to Greco-romans.10 “Not only territorially but also ethnically, all

the barriers had been crossed; and the stage was set for Paul’s extensive witness to the Greco-

Roman world.”11 As persecution is on the rise in this segment we also see a shift in the Christian

community for deeper more consistent prayers for brothers and sisters in Christ, especially seen

when Peter is thrown in Prison.12 In the face of the changes and growing persecution the

witnesses remain faithful and the greatest example of this is found in Paul, who is said to be the

most bold in his witness and in facing persecution.13 Collectively, the witnesses have set a solid

example for the church to continue in the spreading of the Gospel and accomplishing the

commission set forth in Acts 1:8.

11 Ibid., 212.

13 Mathews, Danny. “The Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts: A Critique of Jack Deere’s Surprised by the Power of the

Spirit.” Restoration Quarterly 41, no. 2 (1999): 71–86.

by the Power of the Spirit.” Restoration Quarterly 41, no. 2 (1999): 71–86.