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The Message that Changed the World. Acts. The Message that Changed the World. Apostles to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria , even to the remotest part of the earth 1:8 To the Jew first , and also to the Greek Rom 1:16
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The Message that Changed the World • Apostles to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, even to the remotest part of the earth 1:8 • To the Jew first, and also to the Greek Rom 1:16 • Persecution scatters disciples from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria 8:1-4
The Message that Changed the World Samaritans • Mixture of Jews and foreigners/hybrid religion “a mixed race contaminated by foreign blood and false worship” 2 Kgs 17:24, 32-33 • Accepted only the 5 books of Moses as inspired of God • Pure Jews despised the Samaritans Jn 8:48; Jn 4:9 • Jesus put Samaritans in good light Lk 10:30-37; 17:11-19
The Message that Changed the World Philip, Preacher to the Samaritans 6:1-6 • One of seven selected to care for the daily distribution of food to the widows • A man of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom
The Message that Changed the World Simon’s Magic: Samaria Had Been Conned 8:9-11 Sorcerer pretender to magic powers; a professor of the art of witchcraft
The Message that Changed the World Simon’s Magic: Samaria Had Been Conned 8:9-11 Sorcery the use of drugs, accompanied by spells and appeals to occult powers, with charms – all supposedly designed to keep the patient from the power of demons, but really to impress him with the mysterious powers of the sorcerer. often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it.
The Message that Changed the World:From Conned to Converted Philip’s Miracles and Preaching 8:4-8, 12-13 Works of supernatural origin and character such as could not be produced by natural agents and means. Sign a discernible indication of what is not itself directly perceptible.
The Message that Changed the World:From Conned to Converted Philip’s Miracles and Preaching: The Conned Were Converted Including the Con Artist 8:4-8, 12-13 Philip preached the word, Christ, the kingdom of God, the name of Jesus Christ Samaritans were looking for the Christ Jn 4:25; Gen 12:3; Num 24:15-19; Dt 18:19-20 They gave attention to what Philip preached about Jesus because of the signs that they heard and saw- they believed and were baptized- even Simon
The Message that Changed the World:From Conned to Converted The Gospel Message Was Confirmed By the Apostles and Those Whom They Laid Their Hands On Mk 16:20; Heb 2:3-4; Acts 8:14-19
The Message that Changed the World What About Us Today Who Did Not See the Miracles? • The Creation gives us evidence to believe in miracles • Miracles would be expected to confirm a Divine message • The acceptance of the message throughout the world – the acceptance of the indiscernable- points to the validity of the discernable- the signs- that they did occur and were convincing! • Once confirmed, the message needs no further confirmation!
The Message that Changed the World Let the good news confirmed by miracle change you!