The Spirit-Empowered Church in Jerusalem and Beyond

Today’s objectives

1. ·Describe the church in Jerusalem as a powerful evangelistic force.
2. ·Explain how persecution scattered the believers and advanced the witness.
3. ·Trace the movement from Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria.
4. ·Explain how the Caesarean outpouring opened the door to Gentile inclusion.

Today you learned

• Chapter 4: A second outpouring of the Spirit in Jerusalem filled the church again, produced bold witness and signs, and prepared the believers to face rising persecution, including Stephen's death.
• Chapter 5: Persecution scattered the church, but the scattered believers preached the word wherever they went, and in Samaria the Spirit was poured out so the new church could carry the gospel on.
• Chapter 6: Jesus met Saul on the Damascus road, a Spirit-filled layman prayed for him to be healed and filled, and at once he began to preach.
• Chapter 7: God arranged an appointment between a Gentile soldier and a Jewish apostle, poured out His Spirit on the Gentiles in Caesarea, and so opened the door to full Gentile participation in the mission of God.

Can you remember?

Open the practice quiz for today’s chapters when you have finished the lessons.