Acts is broken down into 6 panels with each panel ending with a summary statement telling the reader that the Church was expanded and established. Studying each of these panels, the reader will begin to note several keys that contributed to and unlocked the summary statement. The Acts course in the Antioch School assigns a project to write an annotated list of the keys to establishment and expansion of the 1st century Church for each of the 6 panels of Acts. Here is an attempt at the third panel:
3. The Church and the Gentiles (prep. for a Gentile beachhead in Antioch) (Acts 9:32-12:24)
1) God prepares both the messenger and the receiver of the message (9:43-10:17).
2) The Gentiles receive the Word and the sign of the Spirit just as Jews had in Pentecost and the Samaritans after, thereby proving the message is for all, and are baptized. (10:44-48; 11:18).
3) The new converts are discipled and shepherded (10:48).
4) The Church was blessed when they saw souls through the eyes of God’s expanding mission rather than the cultural and religious dogmas of their day (11:1-18).
5) The faithfulness of bold leaders’ blood waters the seeds of the Gospel expansion to Antioch (11:19-21).
6) The Church sent men proven in character to shepherd the signs of grace in Antioch and God blessed it (11:22-26.)
7) God raises up leaders in addition to the 12 Apostles to establish a multi-ethnic New Testament Church in Antioch (12:20; 25).
8) This beachhead for the gospel advance to Gentiles becomes the training grounds for ministry for Paul and Barnabas to launch out (11:25-26).
9) When God reveals a need though his messenger, there is unity demonstrated in care for more than just their own local church (11:29-30).
10) When there was a crisis, God used the prayer of faith through flawed people to resolve the crisis (12:12-16).
11) The great would be cut down and God’s glory would be displayed in the ragged followers (12:20-24).
Acts 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
3. The Church and the Gentiles (prep. for a Gentile beachhead in Antioch) (Acts 9:32-12:24)
1) God prepares both the messenger and the receiver of the message (9:43-10:17).
2) The Gentiles receive the Word and the sign of the Spirit just as Jews had in Pentecost and the Samaritans after, thereby proving the message is for all, and are baptized. (10:44-48; 11:18).
3) The new converts are discipled and shepherded (10:48).
4) The Church was blessed when they saw souls through the eyes of God’s expanding mission rather than the cultural and religious dogmas of their day (11:1-18).
5) The faithfulness of bold leaders’ blood waters the seeds of the Gospel expansion to Antioch (11:19-21).
6) The Church sent men proven in character to shepherd the signs of grace in Antioch and God blessed it (11:22-26.)
7) God raises up leaders in addition to the 12 Apostles to establish a multi-ethnic New Testament Church in Antioch (12:20; 25).
8) This beachhead for the gospel advance to Gentiles becomes the training grounds for ministry for Paul and Barnabas to launch out (11:25-26).
9) When God reveals a need though his messenger, there is unity demonstrated in care for more than just their own local church (11:29-30).
10) When there was a crisis, God used the prayer of faith through flawed people to resolve the crisis (12:12-16).
11) The great would be cut down and God’s glory would be displayed in the ragged followers (12:20-24).
Acts 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
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