Jewish religious practice at this time observed strict separation from Gentile culture, even though the Jews did have a level of missionary activity. To disrupt centuries of tradition was truly revolutionary. Peter’s encounter with Cornelius, carefully orchestrated and revealed by God, signals a complete change of direction from strict observance of the law exclusive to the Jew, to universal inclusion of the Gentile in Grace. Peter had to contemplate the enormity of this change, but lost no time in obeying God and going to Cornelius in Caesarea. Cornelius and his family responded to Peter’s revelation of Truth. See how Cornelius and his family acted to fulfill God’s sign to the Jew of a judgment to come for national rejection of their Messiah.

Acts is a transition, a historical narrative that is descriptive, not a prescriptive pattern of what happens in the Church today. The phenomena of the church growth movement in the late 60s based church growth on sociological issues and stressed experience as a validation of the Bible. As is often the case with Satan’s plan, this method seemed to work. But understand fully the instruction Jesus gives Peter to feed His lambs while He builds the church. Jesus doesn’t tell Peter to manage an organization through techniques in church growth, but instructs him to proclaim and teach. Review Paul’s journeys and allow instruction from his many discourses to teach us how we can maximize our approach with the message of God’s Word to people in our lives with differing backgrounds.

Also includes John 21:15-17

Paul's first missionary journey ignites an explosion of new believers in Jesus Christ across Asia Minor. Not willing to leave these converts in their "diapers", he and Barnabas face extreme danger as they go back and teach doctrine to start these "baby" believers on the road to maturity. Meanwhile, some Pharisee believers insist that the Gentile believers must be circumcised. Listen to this lesson to see how Paul demonstrates the role of a pastor and how circumcision was not just a religious ritual but was an act of patriotism to the Jews. Find out what the political landscape was like in the 1st century and follow the dynamic timeline of the early church.

Can we count on God to keep His promises? Listen to this lesson to learn how the Apostle Paul wrestles with this question concerning God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Find out what it means to be Jewish and how those long lists of generations in the Bible are not there to put us to sleep. Watch out for "wolves in sheep's clothing" who say they are our spiritual teachers but don't stick to Bible texts.

Just because you're a powerful warrior for God one day doesn't mean you can't become a whining, sniveling, namby-pamby coward the next. Listen to this lesson to find out how God came to the rescue of this prophet of Israel and interrupted his pity party. Follow Paul's argument for why the Jews should trust that God will keep all His promises to them in spite of their rejections of Him. Gain courage in your own life with the assurance that God is just as faithful to us and see how we can't second guess the methods God uses to fulfill His Word.