The Gospel of Power
Acts 8:1-8, 12-13
Acts 2:41,
...and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 2:47,
And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 4:4,
But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.
Acts 5:14,
...more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.
Acts 6:7,
The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly.
1st Why it happened: Persecution
Acts 8:1, (NLT)
Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.
Acts 7:58b, (NLT)
His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Acts 8:1-3, (NLT)
A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.
Acts 26:10-11, (NLT)
I caused many believers there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus. I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities.
Acts 8:1, (NLT)
A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.
2nd How it happened: Personal Evangelism
Acts 8:4, (NLT)
But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.
3rd What happened: Power on display
Acts 8:5, (NLT)
Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah.
Acts 21:8-9, (NLT)
The next day we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven men who had been chosen to distribute food. He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.
Acts 8:5, (NLT)
Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah.
Acts 8:6, (NLT)
Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did.
Mark 16:20, (NIV)
Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
Acts 14:3, (NIV)
So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.
Romans 15:18-19, (NIV)
I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done—by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:4-5, (NIV)
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.
1 Corinthians 4:20, (NIV)
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
Galatians 3:3, (NIV)
Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
Galatians 3:5 (NIV)
Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?
1 Thessalonians 1:5, (NIV)
our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.
Acts 8:6-8, (NLT)
Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.
Acts 8:12-13 (NLT)
But now the people believed Philip's message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.
Mark 16:17-18,
And these signs will accompany those who believe in My name... they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.
John 14:12-14, (NIV)
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
John 16:23-24, (NIV)
In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
