How the Spirit sets the table for sharing the gospel.

The Holy Spirit sets the table for the gospel to be preached

Welcome to our latest Evangelism Sunday.

We are now in the book of Acts to learn more about evangelism.

FRAN = Friends, Relatives, Associates, Neighbors.

The book of Acts is an historical book.

Act records events that occurred right after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.

Acts is THE historical record of Christian evangelism.

Christian evangelism = evangelism after the death and resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.

“You shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” ACT 1:8

The entire book of Acts is the living fulfillment of those words that Jesus spoke in Acts 1:8.

In chapter 2, Peter preaches in Jerusalem to Jews on Pentecost when the Holy Spirit first indwells believers.

In chapter 8 we see great evangelistic activity in Samaria with the ministry of Philip.

Saul - Paul is saved and called in chapter 9. He will bring the gospel to the ends of the earth.

From chapter 9 to chapter 12, the Holy Spirit is at work setting the stage for Paul’s missionary activity.

The events of chapter 10 will open the eyes of the apostles in Jerusalem to the fact -

- that this gospel of Jesus Christ is for the whole world - Jew AND GENTILE.

Acts is a great transition book.
Old things passing away, and new things coming.

Begins in Jerusalem - the Jewish capital city. Ends in Rome - the capital city of the Gentile world. 

Begins with Peter = - the apostle to the Jews.
Ends with Paul = the apostle to the Gentiles.

There are three main characters in Acts 10: Peter, Cornelius, and the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the real actor in the book of Acts! Acts of the Holy Spirit!

God prepares the RECEIVER of the Gospel (Cornelius).

God also prepares the MESSENGER of the Gospel (Peter).

God arranges for them to come together at the right time.

It took a lot of doing for God to get this Jewish church to reach out to the Samaritans.

Jews doubly despised the Gentiles.

Acts 10 describes how the Lord opened the church to the Gentiles.

The “key” man in the early days of the church was Peter.

The Lord commissioned Peter to unlock the doors so the church could expand.

In chapter 8, Peter laid hands on Samaritans and they received the Spirit.

Peter still had not yet used one key - the one that would open the church to the Gentiles.