Sermon Central
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The Early Church
Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 19, 2017 (message contributor)
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1. Paul Before Festus
Contributed on May 28, 2017
Those two years that Paul languished in prison are silent years in the life of Paul. Perhaps he was exasperated by it all. We don’t know. We do know that the hand of God was discernible in all this, and His purposes were carried out.
July 11, 2016 Acts of the Apostles By: Tom Lowe Lesson: Paul Before Festus (Acts 25:1-27) ...read more
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2. Demetrius And The Riot In Ephesus
Contributed on May 15, 2017
Luke had one more story to tell of Paul’s time spent in Ephesus, before he could begin the narrative of Paul’s third missionary journey. He could not leave Ephesus without relating the story of the silversmiths’ riot. The fact that it was a good story..
September 27, 2015 Acts of the Apostles By: Tom Lowe Lesson: IV.D.3.h: Demetrius and the Riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41) Acts 19:23-41 (KJV) 23 And the same time there arose no small stir ...read more
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3. A Summary Report Of The Church In Asia
Contributed on May 13, 2017
Victories such as this over the forces of evil by the Spirit through His servant, Paul, were evidence of the Lord’s power to defeat all of Satan’s plans to defeat the Church.
September 4, 2015 Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles By: Tom Lowe Topic #IV: The Church Advancing to the End of the Earth (Acts 13-28) Subtopic D: The Third Missionary Journey (18:23-21:14) Sub-subtopic 3: Paul in ...read more
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4. The Twelve Men
Contributed on May 9, 2017
This nineteenth chapter, and the first seven verses, are one of the most familiar passages in the whole book, but unfortunately it is also one of the most constantly misinterpreted passages. It needs careful consideration.
June 14, 2015 By: Tom Lowe Lesson: IV.D.3.a: The Twelve Men (1-7) Acts 19:1-7 (KJV) 1 And it came to ...read more
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5. Apollos Goes From Ephesus To Corinth
Contributed on May 8, 2017
Paul began his third mission by visiting for the third time the churches established on his first missionary journey. His ultimate destination was Ephesus, where he had left Priscilla and Aquila. Before Paul’s return, the two encountered Apollos....
June 2, 2015 By: Tom Lowe Lesson: IV.D.2: Apollos Goes from Ephesus to Corinth (18:24-28) Acts 18:24-28 (KJV) ...read more
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6. Paul In Ephesus En Route To Antioch Of Syria
Contributed on May 6, 2017
Acts 18:18-22 provides a transition between Paul’s second and third missions. On the one hand, it concludes the second, with Paul returning to Antioch where his journey began. On the other hand, Paul’s brief visit to Ephesus looks toward the third....
May 8, 2015 Acts of the Apostles By: Tom Lowe Lesson: IV.C.9: Paul in Ephesus en route to Antioch of Syria (18:18-22) ...read more
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7. Paul Charged By The Jews
Contributed on May 4, 2017
The appearance of Paul before Gallio is important in two respects. First, it established a precedent for the manner in which the Roman leaders should consider charges against Christians brought before them. Second, the mention of Gallio..
April 26, 2015 By: Tom Lowe Lesson: Paul Charged by the Jews (12-17) ...read more
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8. Paul's Work In The Synagogue
Contributed on May 3, 2017
The obstacle he had to overcome, in the case of the Corinthians may well have been the distrust they had for those who went about making profit from their message.
April 3, 2015 By: Tom Lowe Lesson: IV.C.8.a: Paul's Work in the Synagogue (18:16) ...read more
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9. From Galatia To Mysia To Troas
Contributed on Apr 28, 2017
Everywhere he went Paul saw need. He saw lost people and ripened harvest fields. He would have stopped everywhere, but that would mean that Europe never would have been evangelized in his lifetime.
January 22, 2015 Acts of the Apostles By: Tom Lowe Lesson: IV.C.3: From Galatia To Mysia To Troas (16:6-10) Scripture (Acts 16:6-10; KJV) 6 ...read more
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10. Lystra: A Lame Man Healed & The Reaction
Contributed on Apr 24, 2017
Paul and Barnabas had the gifts of an apostle, the sign gifts. They came into these places without any New Testament with the message of the gospel. What were there credentials? How could they prove their message was from God? The sign gifts were their...
November 2, 2014 By: Tom Lowe Title: Lystra-A Lame Man Healed & the Reaction (14:8-20a) Part 1 Part 1: A Lame Man Healed (8-10) Part 2: Paul and Barnabas Paid Homage (11-13) Part 3: ...read more
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11. Ananias Ministers To Paul
Contributed on Apr 1, 2017
In this passage, we have the visions of the blinded Paul and the Christian Ananias which took place In Damascus. Ananias was understandably reluctant to approach this notorious persecutor, who had come to Damascus expressly to arrest Christians
March 4, 2014 By: Tom Lowe Title: Ananias Ministers to Paul (9:10-19a) Scripture 10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto ...read more
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12. Paul Sees The Lord
Contributed on Mar 31, 2017
It was a little more difficult to preach in Samaria, because of the ancient traditions and prejudices of long standing which were expressed in the familiar words, “Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans” (John 4:9).
February 26, 2014 By: Tom Lowe Series: The Early Church Lesson III.B.1: Paul Sees the Lord (9:1-9) Scripture 1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And ...read more
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13. Philip And The Ethiopian Eunuch
Contributed on Mar 29, 2017
Philip is leaving a place where there has been a great movement of the Spirit of God, to go into a place, a desert, where there is nobody. However, when he gets there, he finds that God does have someone to whom he is to witness.
February 16, 2014 By: Tom Lowe Topic #III: The Church Scattered into Palestine and Syria (8:4-12:25) Subtopic A. The Ministry of Philip (8:4-40). Lesson III.A.2: Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (8:26-39) Introduction The first mentioned ...read more
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14. Stephen Brought Before A Council
Contributed on Mar 20, 2017
Stephen, who was the first of seven men chosen for the office of deacon, had a strong faith by which he was enabled to do extraordinary things. Those who are full of faith are full of power, because, by faith the power of God is engaged for us.
December 30, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Series: The Early Church Title: Stephen Brought Before a Council (6:8-15) Acts 6.8-15 (KJV) 8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 9 Then ...read more
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15. The Coming Of The Holy Spirit
Contributed on Feb 26, 2017
The Holy Spirit did not come because the believers prayed but because the day of Pentecost had come, the day appointed for the “birthday of the church.” He baptized the believers into one body,so that they had a living connection with their sovereign Head
June 10, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Series: The Early Church Title: The Coming of the Holy Spirit Scripture: Acts 2.1-2.4a Acts 2.1-2.4a (KJV) 1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from ...read more
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16. The Re-Orientation To The Program
Contributed on Feb 19, 2017
"All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me." It was, probably, this announcement that led to the inquiry which Luke mentions next. Being informed that all authority is now given to him, the disciples expected to see him begin to exercise it.
May 6, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Title: The Re-orientation to the Program Scripture: Acts 1.6-8 Acts 1.6-8 (KJV) 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you ...read more
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17. The Ascension And Predicted Return
Contributed on Feb 21, 2017
Observe, 2. The place He ascended from. It was Mount Olivet, the very place where he began his sad trek to the cross. There is where his heart began to be sad, but here it is made glad.
May 13, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Series: The Early Church Title: The Ascension and Predicted Return Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1.9-11 Acts 1.9-11 (KJV) 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And ...read more
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18. The Apostles And Others Gathered In Jerusalem
Contributed on Feb 22, 2017
Their obedience is remarkable, because they could have returned to their homes; but instead, they went into Jerusalem where more of their enemies lived than in any other place. They were obedient to their Lord, who told them to return to Jerusalem.
May 20, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Lesson I.B.1: The Apostles and Others Gathered in Jerusalem Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1.12-14 Acts 1.12-14 (KJV) 12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. 13 And ...read more
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19. Judas' Apostatizing Fulfilled
Contributed on Feb 23, 2017
“Peter stood up” means Peter standing up, or rising. This is a customary expression in the Scriptures when one begins to do something, “I will arise and go to my father…” (Luke 15:18; KJV). Peter, was respected as the chief apostle . . .
May 23, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Series: The Early Church Title: Judas' Apostatizing Fulfilled Scripture: Acts 1:15-20 Acts 1.15-20 (KJV) 15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and ...read more
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20. The Criteria For An Apostolic Replacement
Contributed on Feb 24, 2017
Matthias was evidently a good man. He met the requirements of an apostle, which meant he must have been with the Lord from His baptism by John until His ascension; and, more importantly, he must have been a witness of the resurrection,as the others were.
JESUS THE WORD OF GOD John 1:1-18 One of the names of the Lord Jesus Christ is "The Word." 1. THE WORD WAS GOD’S POWER AT WORK IN CREATION (John 1:1-3). (i) In the beginning was the Word. This compares with the Creation account (Genesis 1:1-3). When God spoke the Word, all things ...read more
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21. The Sign: Tongues
Contributed on Feb 28, 2017
After they were filled with the Holy Spirit, they “began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” These “other tongues” are not unknown tongues. There were many tongues spoken by Jews throughout the Roman Empire.
June 20, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Series: The Early Church Title: The Sign: Tongues Scripture: Acts 2.4b-2.11 Acts 2.4b-2.11 (KJV) 4b and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of ...read more
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22. The Reaction: Mixed
Contributed on Mar 1, 2017
The crowd did not seem to understand what was taking place until someone said, “They must be drunk.” The faction that held this opinion and began to disrespect the apostles was made up of the natives of Judea and Jerusalem, and probably the scribes. . .
July 1, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Series: The Early Church Lesson II.A.1.c: The Reaction: Mixed Acts 2.12, 13 (KJV) 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. ...read more
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23. Pentecost: The Fulfillment Of Joel 2
Contributed on Mar 2, 2017
The Spirit also filled the believers and empowered them for witness. He gave Peter insight into the Word and the ability to show men Christ in the Word. The Spirit used the witness of the church to convict the lost, just as Jesus said He would do
July 1, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Series: The Early Church Title: Pentecost: The Fulfillment of Joel 2 Acts 2.14-21 (KJV) 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known ...read more
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24. Pentecost: Based Upon Christ’s Work
Contributed on Mar 3, 2017
Having concluded his remarks concerning the gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches to them about Jesus: and this passage is a summary of the history of Christ. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed just a few weeks earlier.
July 15, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Lesson II.A.2.b: Pentecost: Based Upon Christ’s Work Acts 2.22-36 (KJV) 22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye ...read more
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25. People Cut To The Heart
Contributed on Mar 4, 2017
We have seen the wonderful effect of the pouring out of the Spirit in the influence it had on Peter and the other preachers of the gospel. Peter, in all his life, never spoke at such length as he did now, and with such volume, eloquence, and power.
August 12, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Series: The Early Church Title: People Cut to the Heart Acts 2.37-40 (KJV) 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 ...read more
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26. 3,000 Saved
Contributed on Mar 5, 2017
Those who acknowledged a readiness to embrace the offer of salvation were baptized on the same day. Their conversion was instantaneous. The appeal made to them was for them to immediately yield themselves to God....
August 29, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Series: The Early Church Title: 3,000 Saved Acts 2.41 (KJV) 41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Commentary 41Then they that ...read more
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27. Unity Among The People
Contributed on Mar 6, 2017
One evidence of conversion is a desire to be instructed in the doctrines and duties of the Christian religion, and a willingness to attend the preaching of the gospel. These young converts had embraced this doctrine gladly, and were not only believers....
September 2, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Series: The Early Church Title: Unity Among the People Acts 2.42-47 (KJV) 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon ...read more
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28. A Sign To Israel: A Lame Man Healed
Contributed on Mar 7, 2017
The apostles and the first believers attended the temple worship at the hours of prayer. Peter and John seem to have been led by the Holy Spirit, to perform a miracle on a man who was over forty years old and had been a cripple from his birth.
Peter and John and a man born lame By: Tom Lowe Series: The Early Church Lesson II.C.1: A Sign to Israel: A Lame Man Healed (3.1-11) Acts 3.1-3.11 (KJV) 1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth ...read more
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29. A Warning To Israel: Peter’s Sermon
Contributed on Mar 8, 2017
This shows that Jesus was one with the Father, and co-equal with Him; while the apostles knew that they were weak, sinful men, and dependent for everything on Jesus, whose power effected the cure of the crippled man.
August 19, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Series: The Early Church Title: A Warning to Israel: Peter’s Sermon (3.12-26) Acts 3.12-26 (KJV) 12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our ...read more
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30. The Anamosity Of The Religious Leaders
Contributed on Mar 9, 2017
Peter had just been preaching the resurrection of Jesus, and “the Sadducees” saw danger arising from such teaching. Peter an John had wrought a great miracle by healing the lame man, a miracle which the Sadducees could not deny.
October 7, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Series: The Early Church Lesson II.C.3.a: The Animosity of the Religious Leaders (4.1-22) Acts 4.1-22 (KJV) 1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 Being grieved that they ...read more