WITNESSESTHE SPREAD OF THE gospel IN THE BOOK OF ACTS

WITNESSESTHE SPREAD OF THE gospel IN THE BOOK OF ACTS

Lancelot Andrewes

Our charge is to preach to men, not what for the present they would hear, but what another day they would wish they had heard.

CONSTANT: The church prays constantly and on all occasions.

They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus,

and with his brothers. Acts 1:14

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Acts 2:42

CONSTANT: The church prays constantly and on all occasions.

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews

because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and

wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

Acts 6:1-4

REGULAR: The church prays regularly and in specific places.

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.

Acts 3:1About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.

Acts 10:9

Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon.”

Acts 10:30

REGULAR: The church prays regularly and in specific places.

When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many

people had gathered and were praying. Acts 12:12

On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.

Acts 16:13

GUIDANCE: The church prays for God's guidance.

Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this

apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Acts 1:24

PRAISE: The church praises God as a part of their prayer.

When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the

heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.” Acts 4:24

MINISTRY: The church prays prior to God's movement in ministry.

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit

and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 4:31

They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

Acts 6:6So after they had fasted and prayed,

they placed their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:3

MINISTRY: The church prays prior to God's movement in ministry.

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to

the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. Acts 14:23

When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him

and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again.

Acts 20:36-38

DESPERATE NEED: The church prays when they are in need

of God's intervention.

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

Acts 7:59

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

Acts 12:5

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

Acts 16:25

HEALING: The church prays for healing.

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman,

he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.

Acts 9:40

His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer,

placed his hands on him and healed him. Acts 28:8

AN EVIDENCE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE: Prayer is an evidence of the spiritual life of a believer.

The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul,

for he is praying. Acts 9:11

He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need

and prayed to God regularly. Acts 10:2

AN EVIDENCE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE: Prayer is an evidence of the spiritual life of a believer.

Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to

the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.” Acts 10:4

Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in

shining clothes stood before me and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.’”

Acts 10:30-31

LESSONS FOR WITNESSES

Prayer permeates the life and ministry

of the church.

Pete Greig

Keep it simple.

Keep it real.

Keep it up.

Paul’s Prayers for the ChurchesAn Outline

from The Pauline Epistles

Requests(con’t)

Increasinglove

inknowledgeanddepthofunderstanding Phil1:9

Adiscernmentofwhatisbest Phil.1:10

PurityandblamelessnessuntilChristreturns Phil1:10

Fullnessofthefruitofrighteousness Phil.1:11

FullnessoftheknowledgeofHiswill

inordertowalkworthythroughspiritualwisdom

andunderstandingwhichresultsin

•BearingFruit

•IncreasingintheknowledgeofGod

•StrengthinGod'spower

resultingin

steadfastness

patience

joyousthanksgiving Col.1:9‐12

OpportunityforEvangelism Col.4:3

StandOirm

Mature

Fullyassured Col.4:12

IncreasingloveforotherChristiansandallmen 1Thes.3:12

Heartestablishedinblamelessholiness 1Thes.3:13

LifewillresultinGod'sapproval 2Thes.1:11

Actsofservicewillbeeffective 2Thes.1:11

GodgloriOiedthroughlifeandservice 2Thes.1:12

ComfortandstrengthfromGod 2Thes.2:16‐17

Guidancein

God'sLove

Christ'ssteadfastness 2Thes.3:5

PeacefromGod 2Thes.3:16

Epaphras,whoisoneofyou

andaservantofChristJesus,sendsgreetings.

Heisalwayswrestlinginprayerforyou,

thatyoumaystandOirminallthewillofGod,

matureandfullyassured.

Colossians4:12

Paul'sprayerscanbebrokendownintotwobasiccategories:thanksgivings

andrequests.InthethanksgivingsPaulisexpressinggratitudetoGodforHis

workinthelivesofotherswhileintherequestsheisaskingforGod'scontin‐

uedworkinginthosebeliever'slives.

Thanksgivings

Faith‐Theenergeticworkproducedbyfaith Col.1:4;1Thes.1:3

Love‐Thehardlaborproducedbylove Col.1:4;1Thes.1:3

Hope‐Theenduranceproducedbyhope Col.1:5;1Thes.1:3

Thepresenceanduseof"grace"gifts 1Cor.1:3‐8

OurpartnershipwithGodandothersinthegospel Phil.1:3‐5

Thetestimonyoftheirfaith Rom.1:8

Requests

Myownuseofgiftstoproducegrowthinothers Rom.1:11‐12

Mutualencouragementfromeachothersgifts Rom.1:12

Fullnessofjoyandpeacewhichcomesfromfaith

resultinginaboundinghope

throughthepoweroftheHolySpirit Rom.15:13

RealizationoftheworkingofGod'sgrace 1Cor.1:4

PeacewithinastheresultofGod'sgrace 1Cor.1:4

Receptionofthespiritofwisdomandrevelation

inordertohaveanintimateknowledgeofGod Eph.1:17

SpeciOicknowledgeof:

ThehopeofHiscalling

ThegloryofHisinheritance

ThegreatnessofHispower Eph.1:18‐23

StrengthenedbythepoweroftheSpiritintheinnerman

sothatChristwilldwell(beathome)inourhearts

andthataswearerootedandgroundedinlove

wemaycomprehend

thewisdomofGod

theloveofChrist

andthusbeOilledwiththefullnessofGod Eph.3:14‐19

Praycontinually!1Thessalonians5:17The Apostle Paul

Theologian & Pastor

Paul’s Prayers for the ChurchesAn Outline

from The Pauline Epistles

Requests(con’t)

Increasinglove

inknowledgeanddepthofunderstanding Phil1:9

Adiscernmentofwhatisbest Phil.1:10

PurityandblamelessnessuntilChristreturns Phil1:10

Fullnessofthefruitofrighteousness Phil.1:11

FullnessoftheknowledgeofHiswill

inordertowalkworthythroughspiritualwisdom

andunderstandingwhichresultsin

•BearingFruit

•IncreasingintheknowledgeofGod

•StrengthinGod'spower

resultingin

steadfastness

patience

joyousthanksgiving Col.1:9‐12

OpportunityforEvangelism Col.4:3

StandOirm

Mature

Fullyassured Col.4:12

IncreasingloveforotherChristiansandallmen 1Thes.3:12

Heartestablishedinblamelessholiness 1Thes.3:13

LifewillresultinGod'sapproval 2Thes.1:11

Actsofservicewillbeeffective 2Thes.1:11

GodgloriOiedthroughlifeandservice 2Thes.1:12

ComfortandstrengthfromGod 2Thes.2:16‐17

Guidancein

God'sLove

Christ'ssteadfastness 2Thes.3:5

PeacefromGod 2Thes.3:16

Epaphras,whoisoneofyou

andaservantofChristJesus,sendsgreetings.

Heisalwayswrestlinginprayerforyou,

thatyoumaystandOirminallthewillofGod,

matureandfullyassured.

Colossians4:12

Paul'sprayerscanbebrokendownintotwobasiccategories:thanksgivings

andrequests.InthethanksgivingsPaulisexpressinggratitudetoGodforHis

workinthelivesofotherswhileintherequestsheisaskingforGod'scontin‐

uedworkinginthosebeliever'slives.

Thanksgivings

Faith‐Theenergeticworkproducedbyfaith Col.1:4;1Thes.1:3

Love‐Thehardlaborproducedbylove Col.1:4;1Thes.1:3

Hope‐Theenduranceproducedbyhope Col.1:5;1Thes.1:3

Thepresenceanduseof"grace"gifts 1Cor.1:3‐8

OurpartnershipwithGodandothersinthegospel Phil.1:3‐5

Thetestimonyoftheirfaith Rom.1:8

Requests

Myownuseofgiftstoproducegrowthinothers Rom.1:11‐12

Mutualencouragementfromeachothersgifts Rom.1:12

Fullnessofjoyandpeacewhichcomesfromfaith

resultinginaboundinghope

throughthepoweroftheHolySpirit Rom.15:13

RealizationoftheworkingofGod'sgrace 1Cor.1:4

PeacewithinastheresultofGod'sgrace 1Cor.1:4

Receptionofthespiritofwisdomandrevelation

inordertohaveanintimateknowledgeofGod Eph.1:17

SpeciOicknowledgeof:

ThehopeofHiscalling

ThegloryofHisinheritance

ThegreatnessofHispower Eph.1:18‐23

StrengthenedbythepoweroftheSpiritintheinnerman

sothatChristwilldwell(beathome)inourhearts

andthataswearerootedandgroundedinlove

wemaycomprehend

thewisdomofGod

theloveofChrist

andthusbeOilledwiththefullnessofGod Eph.3:14‐19

Praycontinually!1Thessalonians5:17The Apostle Paul

Theologian & Pastor

Paul’s Prayers for the Churchesfrom The Pauline Epistles

Colossians1:3-6WealwaysthankGod,theFatherofourLordJesusChrist,whenweprayforyou,becausewehaveheardofyourfaithinChristJesusandoftheloveyouhaveforallthesaints—thefaithandlovethatspringfromthehopethatis

storedupforyouinheavenandthatyouhavealreadyheardaboutinthewordoftruth,thegospelthathascometoyou.

Colossians1:9-12Forthisreason,sincethedayweheardaboutyou,wehavenotstoppedprayingforyouandaskingGodtoAillyouwiththeknowledgeofhiswill

throughallspiritualwisdomandunderstanding.AndwepraythisinorderthatyoumaylivealifeworthyoftheLordandmaypleasehimineveryway:bearingfruitineverygoodwork,growingintheknowledgeofGod,beingstrengthenedwithallpoweraccordingtohisgloriousmightsothatyoumayhavegreatenduranceandpatience,andjoyfullygivingthankstotheFather,whohas

qualiAiedyoutoshareintheinheritanceofthesaintsinthekingdomoflight.Colossians4:2

Andprayforus,too,thatGodmayopenadoorforourmessage,sothatwemayproclaimthemysteryofChrist,forwhichIaminchains.

Colossians4:12Epaphras,whoisoneofyouandaservantofChristJesus,sendsgreetings.Heisalwayswrestlinginprayerforyou,thatyoumaystandAirminallthe

willofGod,matureandfullyassured.1Thessalonians1:2-3

WealwaysthankGodforallofyou,mentioningyouinourprayers.WecontinuallyrememberbeforeourGodandFatheryourworkproducedbyfaith,yourlaborpromptedbylove,andyourenduranceinspiredbyhope

inourLordJesusChrist.1Thessalonians3:10-13

Nightanddaywepraymostearnestlythatwemayseeyouagainandsupplywhatislackinginyourfaith.NowmayourGodandFatherhimself

andourLordJesusclearthewayforustocometoyou.MaytheLordmakeyourloveincreaseandoverAlowforeachotherandforeveryoneelse,

justasoursdoesforyou.MayhestrengthenyourheartssothatyouwillbeblamelessandholyinthepresenceofourGodandFatherwhenour

LordJesuscomeswithallhisholyones.2Thessalonians1:11-12

Withthisinmind,weconstantlyprayforyou,thatourGodmaycountyouwor-thyofhiscalling,andthatbyhispowerhemayfulAilleverygoodpurposeofyoursandeveryactpromptedbyyourfaith.Wepraythissothatthenameof

ourLordJesusmaybegloriAiedinyou,andyouinhim,accordingtothegraceofourGodandtheLordJesusChrist.

2Thessalonians2:16-17MayourLordJesusChristhimselfandGodourFather,wholovedusandbyhisgracegaveuseternalencouragementandgoodhope,encourageyourhearts

andstrengthenyouineverygooddeedandword.2Thessalonians3:5

MaytheLorddirectyourheartsintoGod'sloveandChrist'sperseverance.2Thessalonians3:16

NowmaytheLordofpeacehimselfgiveyoupeaceatalltimesandineveryway.TheLordbewithallofyou.

Romans1:8-12First,IthankmyGodthroughJesusChristforallofyou,becauseyourfaithisbeingreportedallovertheworld.God,whomIserveinmyspiritinpreachingthegospelofhisSon,ismywitnesshowconstantlyIrememberyouinmyprayersatalltimes;andIpraythatnowatlastbyGod’swillthewaymaybeopenedformetocometoyou.IlongtoseeyousothatImayimparttoyou

somespiritualgifttomakeyoustrong—thatis,thatyouandImaybemutuallyencouragedbyeachother’sfaith.

Romans15:13MaytheGodofhopeAillyouwithalljoyandpeaceasyoutrustinhim,sothat

youmayoverAlowwithhopebythepoweroftheHolySpirit.1Corinthians1:4-9

IalwaysthankGodforyoubecauseofhisgracegivenyouinChristJesus.Forinhimyouhavebeenenrichedineveryway—inallyourspeakingandinallyourknowledge—becauseourtestimonyaboutChristwasconAirmedinyou.Thereforeyoudonotlackanyspiritualgiftasyoueagerlywaitforour

LordJesusChristtoberevealed.Hewillkeepyoustrongtotheend,sothatyouwillbeblamelessonthedayofourLordJesusChrist.God,whohascalledyou

intofellowshipwithhisSonJesusChristourLord,isfaithful.

Ephesians1:15-19Forthisreason,eversinceIheardaboutyourfaithintheLordJesusandyourloveforallthesaints,Ihavenotstoppedgivingthanksforyou,rememberingyouinmyprayers.IkeepaskingthattheGodofourLordJesusChrist,the

gloriousFather,maygiveyoutheSpiritofwisdomandrevelation,sothatyoumayknowhimbetter.Iprayalsothattheeyesofyourheartmaybe

enlightenedinorderthatyoumayknowthehopetowhichhehascalledyou,therichesofhisgloriousinheritanceinthesaints,

andhisincomparablygreatpowerforuswhobelieve.Ephesians3:14-22

ForthisreasonIkneelbeforetheFather,fromwhomhiswholefamilyinheavenandonearthderivesitsname.IpraythatoutofhisgloriousricheshemaystrengthenyouwithpowerthroughhisSpiritinyourinnerbeing,sothatChristmaydwellinyourheartsthroughfaith.AndIpraythatyou,beingrootedandestablishedinlove,mayhavepower,togetherwithallthesaints,tograsphowwideandlongandhighanddeepistheloveofChrist,andtoknowthislovethatsurpassesknowledge—thatyoumaybeAilledtothemeasureofall

thefullnessofGod.

Nowtohimwhoisabletodoimmeasurablymorethanallweaskorimagine,accordingtohispowerthatisatworkwithinus,tohimbegloryinthechurchandinChristJesusthroughoutallgenerations,foreverandever!Amen.

Philippians1:3-6IthankmyGodeverytimeIrememberyou.Inallmyprayersforallofyou,IalwayspraywithjoybecauseofyourpartnershipinthegospelfromtheAirstdayuntilnow,beingconAidentofthis,thathewhobeganagoodworkinyou

willcarryitontocompletionuntilthedayofChristJesus.

Philippians1:9-11Andthisismyprayer:thatyourlovemayaboundmoreandmoreinknowl-edgeanddepthofinsight,sothatyoumaybeabletodiscernwhatisbestandmaybepureandblamelessuntilthedayofChrist,Ailledwiththefruitofright-eousnessthatcomesthroughJesusChrist—tothegloryandpraiseofGod.