When we left off from chapter 12, we saw God growing the church in the face of persecution and opposition. A part of His plan was expanding the church in Antioch and extending the gospel to the Gentiles.Through the remainder of Acts we’ve going to see more of an emphasis on the ministry of Paul rather than Peter, and the evangelism of Gentiles because Paul was a missionary to them.AUDIO NOT AVAILABLE

What is worship? And what is worship not?

Throughout history opponents of God’s church have sought to wipe it out through persecution. However, God's purpose always prevails.

Prior to Stephen's martyrdom, the church was to some degree clostered in Jerusalem-content to fellowship and enjoy the community of believers even if the world around them was growing more hostile. After Stephen was martyed, according to Acts 8:1 Hellenistic Jews left to return to the areas they had come from, fleeing terrible persecution. Luke presents this as more of a victory then a defeat because through it the Word of God was brought to the Gentiles.

In today's reading, we see the reaction of some in the Jerusalem church to Corneliius' and other Gentile's conversion. Some in the Jerusalem church were more concerned about preserving their identity as protectors of the Jewish tradition than following the leadership of an Apostle.

In today's passage we are going to see how God's moves the pieces into place to bring the Gospel to all people, including the Gentiles, by bringing Peter and Cornelius together in Ceasarea.

Acts chapter 10 is a huge transition. There is a shift from Peter’s ministry to Paul’s, a transition from the message of the gospel going almost exclusively to the Jews (with the exception of the Ethiopian Eunuch) to its spread to the Gentiles.

The apostles had a ministry of healing and preaching that was given them by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. Their ministry was clearly set out before them in the Great Commission. In today's passage Peter was fulfilling the commission by traveling around the country. His purpose was to share the gospel.

Today we want to see the changes Saul evidenced after his conversion. We'll see that it affected the unbelievers with whom he had previously associated himself with, believers who had trouble trusting that his conversion was genuine, and the fulfillment of what God had told Ananias - Saul would suffer greatly for Christ.

This morning we’re going to look into the mind of a persecutor, consider how the mercy and grace of God can transform anyone; and see God move in a life to make a persecutor a proclaimer of the gospel.