483 – The Extension of the Gospel to the Gentiles

SEMESTER 6

483 – The Extension of the Gospel to the Gentiles

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: BIBLE SURVEY VI LESSON # 83
THE EXTENSION OF THE GOSPEL TO THE GENTILES

Read Acts 9:1-15, Acts 10:1-47, Acts 11: 1-18.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Up until after the death of Stephen, the gospel has been essentially to the Jews.
2. In Acts 8 we saw it taken to the Samaritans, (crossbreeds).
3. The gospel to the Gentiles begins with Peter at the house of Cor­nelius. (Acts, chapter 10)
4. But for the great Gentile harvest, the ground-work is laid in Acts 9, with the conversion of Saul.

I. THE CONVERSION OF SAUL

1. Saul, who would become Paul, was an unbeliever and an adver­sary to the church. (Acts 8:1-3, Acts 9:1-2, Gal. 1:13)
2. His conversion was by the sovereign purpose and act of God. (Acts 9:1-6, Gal. 1:15-16)
3. It was for the purpose of Gentile evangelism. (Acts 9:15, Gal. 1:16)

II. THE INSTITUTION OF GENTILE EVANGELISM

1. This starts with an Italian proselyte named Cornelius. (Acts 10:1-8, and Acts 10:22)
2. The fact that a Gentile was proselyted to Judaism did not make him eligible for Jewish fellowship.
3. Thus God had prepared Peter by a vision. (Acts 10:9-20)
4. Peter went and preached to Cornelius’ household and the Holy Ghost fell. (Acts 10:34-45)
5. They are then recognized as eligible for church fellowship. (Acts 10:44-48)
6. Peter’s conduct here was examined by the apostles and recog­nized as right. (Acts 11:1-18)

III. PAUL IS NOT IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED AS GENUINE

1. After his conversion, he went into Arabia and returned to Damascus. (Gal. 1: 17-18)
2. B. After three years he went to Jerusalem to meet the apostles. (Gal. 1:18)
3. Even then the disciples feared him until Barnabas interceded for him. (Acts 9:23-30)
4. Then, because of threat to his life they sent him to his home city of Tarsus. (Acts 9:29-30)

IV. ANTIOCH OF SYRIA BECAME THE BASE FOR GENTILE EVANGELISM

1. God began to set this in order in Acts 8. Compare Acts 8:4 to Acts 11:19-21.
2. It is at Antioch that Paul’s real public ministry begins. (Acts 11:22-26)
3. He taught there and established himself within the church.
4. It is from here that the first missionaries to the Gentiles are specifical­ly called out. (Acts 13:1-3)
5. Soon after this first trip started, the ministry of Saul and Barnabas becomes pervasively a Gentile ministry. (Acts 13:46)
6. From this point Paul, and others that God assigns to work with him, cover the then known world. (Acts 9:15, Acts 17:6)