A Difficult Time for God’s Glory

At this point, Luke brings to Theophilus and all readers an inside look at the hearts and minds of the disciples 10 to 11 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. A persecuted group of people yet continuing to add to their number. A praying group of people yet wondering if God can answer. A faithful group of people yet their faith at times is weak. An ordinary group of people yet powered by the Spirit used by God to accomplish His extraordinary purpose.

Turning Point, Controversy, and Expansion

A watershed moment for the church occurred at the home of a Gentile Roman Centurian named Cornelius. Upon hearing the Gentiles had believed the word of God, some Jewish believers in Jerusalem confronted Peter for having been in a Gentile home and eating with them. Peter related the story, and all objections were settled with this group. A division in the church over this issue would grow into a major problem in years to follow. At the scattering of the believers from Jerusalem, a church was established in Antioch with a great number of people including Gentiles of the Greek culture and custom. Barnabus and Saul began to minister together in Antioch where the disciples were first called Christians.

From Persecutor to Proclaimer

The conversion and transformation of a Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus, from a lead persecutor of the disciples of Christ to the lead proclaimer of the gospel of Christ. This event is so significant for Luke that it is told three times. First, here in Acts 9, then from Paul himself, recorded by Luke in chapters 22 and 26 of Acts