Conference Notes

In this chapter the apostles were rejected by the world. We might be afraid of that ourselves. But we should remember that the Lord Jesus was the most rejected Man on the earth.

Peter highlights Nazareth as the earthly place of Jesus Christ (4:10). This was an insignificant, despised place (Jn. 1:46). Peter wanted the rulers to know that what was little in their sight meant much to God's heart.

How can Christians today have a good testimony before the world? - prayer, Acts 3:1 Note that the Lord Jesus is often seen praying in the gospel of Luke; and Luke is the author of Acts, as well.

- the Word of God, Acts 4:11,25 Peter and the early believers knew the scriptures. We must know them, too, if we desire a testimony before the world.

A joyful Christian is contagious.

A lawyer tries to persuade with facts and arguments. These believers weren't acting like lawyers, but like witnesses. An eye-witness can reply to arguments with a personal response which cannot be overcome.

In Matthew 4:23 we are told that Jesus was teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Here, in Acts 8:12, the followers of Jesus were "gospelling" the kingdom of God. We have had a wake-up call to be active in evangelism ourselves. Let's do it. Let's pray for numerical growth, and let's have a zeal for evangelism.

The disciples' comfort was disturbed in this chapter: first in v. 4, as they were scattered from Jerusalem; and again in v. 26, as Philip is moved from an evidently good work in Samaria.

Philip already knew about feeding God's people (see Acts 6); he had already been active in his hometown. He was not shaken by the death of his fellow-worker, Stephen, in chapter 7, but he preached with the rest of those who were scattered. In chapter 6, his character was described as honest, full of the Holy Spirit, and full of wisdom (6:3).

The god of this age blinds the minds of the world (2 Corinthians 4), and a response comes from the world when Christ is presented as the power of God and as one who is glorified. Also, the suffering love of Christ is presented, as in the verses about Philip and the Ethiopian in the second half of this chapter.

We cannot divorce the message from the messenger. Our message can't have power if our lives don't back it up. And even this area involves spiritual battle: Satan will attack our own lives to discredit or discourage; and if he can't get us, he will attack our family. But even though Simon was known in Samaria, Philip didn't shrink back. He met the devil head-on. If we have zeal for evangelism, we should be ready for the attack.

This chapter centers on Antioch, 200 miles away from Jerusalem, where there were those of a different culture and background than Barnabas and the others. But there is no earthly distinction among believers by race, class, rank, etc. And all need grounding in the Word of God.

There is not much doctrine described in detail here, but Barnabas points the new believers to the Lord (cp. 11:20). Knowing the lordship of Christ is the needed emphasis for making disciples.

Barnabas also had the name Joseph, and he was of the tribe of Levi (Acts 4:36). The name Joseph means "he shall increase" (Genesis 30:24). The desire for the Lord's name to be increased and magnified characterizes the one who makes disciples. Also, the Levites in the Old Testament had the role of enhancing God's work in the tabernacle. Further, it is recorded that Barnabas was "full" of the Spirit (as compared to "filled" for a certain occasion), and he was full of faith (11:24).

The "hand" was the Lord's (11:21), and the church in Jerusalem had an "ear" to hear the news of what He was doing (11:22).