Praying With Fire

1. Praying With Fire Prayer that Leads Acts 8 - 11

2. Prayer that Leads On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. Acts 8:1-2

3. Prayer That Leads • Phillip • One of the deacons in Acts 6 • Preaching the Gospel in Samaria • Performing miraculous signs • Simon the sorcerer • Baptizing in the name of Jesus • Both men and women

4. Prayer That Leads But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. Acts 8:12-13

5. Prayer That Leads • Phillip • Samaritans had not received the Holy Spirit • Peter and John come and lay there hands on them • Acts 1:8 the Apostles and Holy Spirit must witness • Simon wants to by this power to pass on the Holy Spirit

6. Prayer That Leads When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit,16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit

7. Prayer That Leads to Repentance 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” … 22Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” 24Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

8. Prayer That Leads in Scripture The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

9. Prayer That Leads in Scripture  36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”…38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 

10. Prayer That Sends Someone to Lead Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him,“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 9:1-5

11. Prayer That Sends Someone to Lead • Saul • Persecutor of Christians – 8:1 • Meets Jesus on the Road to Damascus – 9:1-5 • This is not a Holy Spirit experience • Wait in Damascus • A man named Ananias is called to go to Saul • Saul is praying

12. Prayer That Sends Someone to Lead Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,19 … 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?

13. Prayer That Sends Someone to Lead • Saul • Persecutor of Christians – 8:1 • Meets Jesus on the Road to Damascus – 9:1-5 • Wait in Damascus • A man named Ananias is called to go to Saul • Saul is praying • Saul is baptized • Preaches in the name of Jesus • Mission to the Gentiles

14. Prayer that Leads Someone to Show the Way • Cornelius Acts 10 • A Centurion • He was devout, God-fearing, and gave generously to the poor • He is a Gentile

15. Prayer that Leads Someone to Show the Way One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner,whose house is by the sea.

16. Prayer that Leads Someone to Show the Way • Peter Acts 10: • Is Praying • Has a Vision about clean and unclean • Nothing God has created is unclean • This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. • Holy Spirit tells him to go to Cornelius • Peter preaches “in the name of Jesus”

17. Prayer that Leads Someone to Show the Way All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.

18. Prayer that Leads Someone to Show the Way 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

19. Prayer that Leads Through Prejudice • Samaritans • Gentiles

20. Prayer Leads to Jesus Marked by Baptism • “ In the name of Jesus” • 8:12-13, - Samaritans – men and women • 8:34- 39 – The Eunuch • 9:18 - Saul becomes Paul in Acts 13 • 10: 47 - Cornelius • Cross- cultural- Cross Ethnic

21. Prayer Leads to Jesus Marked by Baptism • Samaritan & Gentile • Men & Women • We are all in Christ through our faith.

22. Prayer Leads to Jesus Marked by Baptism Saul – Paul put it this way: So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus

23. Peters and Paul’s Testimony 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 Paul: 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.

24. Praying With Fire Prayer that Leads Acts 8 - 11