The Continuing Witness of the Church by Ho King Swee dated 10.8.14

This sermon is based on Acts 11:19-30 and Acts 12:1-25

1. The witness in Antioch 11:19-30

2. The persecution in Jerusalem 12:1-25

1.  The witness in Antioch 11:19-30

  a. Many believed in Antioch. 11:19-21

  b. Barnabas sent to Antioch. 11:22-24

  c. Barnabas brought Saul to Antioch. 11:25-26

  d. Famine relief was sent to Jerusalem. 11:27-30

2. The persecution in Jerusalem 12:1-25

  a. Herod killed James and imprisoned Peter 12:1-4

  b. Peter was freed from prison 12:5-19

                i) The work of the angel 12:5-11

                ii) Peter's report to Mary's house 12:12-17

                iii) The unsuccessful search for Peter 12:18-19

  c. Herod died 12:20-24

  d. Barnabas and Paul returned to Jerusalem. 12:25

Jewish Rulers over Galilee & Northern Territories

1. King Herod the Great, King over all Israel (37-4 BC) – killed male babies in attempt to kill Jesus

2. Herod Antipas, "Tetrarch“ (4 BC-AD 39)

   - responsible for the arrest and death of John the Baptist , trial of Jesus

3. Herod Agrippa I  (37-44; by AD 41, King over all Palestine) –killed James, an angel of the Lord struck him and he was eaten by worms and died

4. Herod Agrippa II (48-70) – Paul appeared before him & governor Festus

Jewish Rulers & Roman Prefects over Judea and Samaria

Pontius Pilate (26-36)

  – involved in trial of Jesus with Herod Antipas

2. M Antonius Felix (52-59) – when Paul was imprisoned in Caesarea he has an initial hearing before Felix (Acts 23:23--24:27; 25:14)

3. Porcius Festus (59-61) –Paul appeared before him and King Agrippa (Acts 24:27; 25:1-27; 26:24-32)

Jewish Rulers & Roman Prefects over Judea and Samaria

Pontius Pilate (26-36)

  – involved in trial of Jesus with Herod Antipas

2. M Antonius Felix (52-59) – when Paul was imprisoned in Caesarea he has an initial hearing before Felix (Acts 23:23--24:27; 25:14)

3. Porcius Festus (59-61) –Paul appeared before him and King Agrippa (Acts 24:27; 25:1-27; 26:24-32)

Jesus said “you shall be my witnesses (martyr) …” Acts 1:8

In Acts 7, Stephen became the first NT martyr

Now in Acts 12, James became the first martyred apostle of Jesus.

Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

Luke 19: 45: And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold,
46 saying to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of robbers."

God received James back to Him

Rescued Peter And Removed Herod

 Nobody can stop the word of God
 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.

Applications

Are we God’s house of prayer?

How much do we desire God’s presence with us?

Are we passionate for our heavenly Father?