How did the early church preach the gospel to the whole world?

1
How did the early church preach the gospel to the
whole world?

• The answer is an important one because evangelism
  is important to the Lord and thus His
  followers.

2
How did the early church preach the gospel to the
whole world?

• The answer is an important one because evangelism
  is important to the Lord and thus His
  followers.
• Jesus planned to lay His life down and then take
  it up again for the salvation of
  men! (Jn 1017-18)

3
How did the early church preach the gospel to the
whole world?

• John 1017-18 (NKJV) - Therefore My Father
  loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may
  take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I
  lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it
  down, and I have power to take it again. This
  command I have received from My Father.

4
How did the early church preach the gospel to the
whole world?

• Jesus knew that those men who are saved must take
  the message to others for His death to have its
  fullest effect. (Mt 936-37)

5
How did the early church preach the gospel to the
whole world?

• Matthew 936-37 (NKJV) - But when He saw the
  multitudes, He was moved with compassion for
  them, because they were weary and scattered, like
  sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His
  disciples, The harvest truly is plentiful, but
  the laborers are few.

6
How did the early church preach the gospel to the
whole world?

• Jesus gave a great commission that commanded the
  whole world be told about these events. (Lk
  2446-48)

7
How did the early church preach the gospel to the
whole world?

• Luke 2446-48 (NKJV) - Then He said to them,
  Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary
  for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the
  dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and
  remission of sins should be preached in His name
  to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And
  you are witnesses of these things.

8
How did the early church preach the gospel to the
whole world?

• Every sermon in the book of Acts centered on the
  proof of Jesus resurrection and the implications
  of His death. (Acts 232,36 314-15,18-19)

9
How did the early church preach the gospel to the
whole world?

• Acts 232 (NKJV) - This Jesus God has raised up,
  of which we are all witnesses.

10
How did the early church preach the gospel to the
whole world?

• Acts 236 (NKJV) - Therefore let all the house
  of Israel know assuredly that God has made this
  Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.

11
How did the early church preach the gospel to the
whole world?

• Acts 314-15 (NKJV) - But you denied the Holy
  One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be
  granted to you, 15and killed the Prince of life,
  whom God raised from the dead, of which we are
  witnesses.

12
How did the early church preach the gospel to the
whole world?

• Acts 318-19 (NKJV) - But those things which God
  foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that
  the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.
  19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your
  sins may be blotted out, so that times of
  refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

13
How did the early church preach the gospel to the
whole world?

• Let us reexamine our concepts of evangelism and
  learn from the actions (Acts!) of the apostles in
  the New Testament.

14
It is a universally understandable message

• The account of a man who died and then who was
  raised from the dead would get the
  attention of men.

15
It is a universally understandable message

• The account of a man who died and then who was
  raised from the dead would get the
  attention of men.
• Our experience tells us that once a man dies that
  he does not return.

16
It is a universally understandable message

• The account of a man who died and then who was
  raised from the dead would get the
  attention of men.
• Our experience tells us that once a man dies that
  he does not return.
• The account of Christ becomes very interesting
  when you consider that He
  predicted His own resurrection. (Jn 218-22 Mt
  1239-40)

17
It is a universally understandable message

• John 218-22 (NKJV) - So the Jews answered and
  said to Him, What sign do You show to us, since
  You do these things? 19 Jesus answered and said
  to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days
  I will raise it up. 20 Then the Jews said, It
  has taken forty-six years to build this temple,
  and will You raise it up in three days?

18
It is a universally understandable message

• 21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body.
  22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead,
  His disciples remembered that He had said this to
  them and they believed the Scripture and the
  word which Jesus had said.

19
It is a universally understandable message

• Matthew 1239-40 (NKJV) - But He answered and
  said to them, An evil and adulterous generation
  seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to
  it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For
  as Jonah was three days and three nights in the
  belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man
  be three days and three nights in the heart of
  the earth.

20
It is a universally understandable message

• The account becomes more interesting when these
  claims are widely discussed even
  to the point of preparation of His powerful
  enemies. (Mt 2763-66)

21
It is a universally understandable message

• Matthew 2763-66 (NKJV) - saying, Sir, we
  remember, while He was still alive, how that
  deceiver said, After three days I will rise. 64
  Therefore command that the tomb be made secure
  until the third day, lest His disciples come by
  night and steal Him away, and say to the people,
  He has risen from the dead. So the last
  deception will be worse than the first.

22
It is a universally understandable message

• 65 Pilate said to them, You have a guard go
  your way, make it as secure as you know how. 66
  So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing
  the stone and setting the guard.

23
It is a universally understandable message

• The message of life after death strikes at the
  very heart of men.

24
It is a universally understandable message

• The message of life after death strikes at the
  very heart of men.
• Men of all ages have looked at death with fear
  and questions.

25
It is a universally understandable message

• Our generation is no different! (Ex. Embraced by
  the light.)

26
It is a universally understandable message

• Our generation is no different! (Ex. Embraced by
  the light.)
• Jesus authoritatively claimed to have the power
  to control life and death and the
  answer to our true existence. (Jn 1124-26
  40-44)

27
It is a universally understandable message

• John 1124-26 (NKJV) - Martha said to Him, I
  know that he will rise again in the resurrection
  at the last day. 25 Jesus said to her, I am the
  resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me,
  though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever
  lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you
  believe this?

28
It is a universally understandable message

• John 1140-44 (NKJV) - Jesus said to her, Did I
  not say to you that if you would believe you
  would see the glory of God? 41Then they took
  away the stone from the place where the dead man
  was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said,
  Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

29
It is a universally understandable message

• 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but
  because of the people who are standing by I said
  this, that they may believe that You sent Me. 43
  Now when He had said these things, He cried with
  a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth! 44 And he
  who had died came out bound hand and foot with
  graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a
  cloth. Jesus said to them, Loose him, and let
  him go.

30
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• God chose men who would be eyewitnesses of the
  raised Christ. (Acts 121-22 1039-42)

31
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• Acts 121-22 (NKJV) - Therefore, of these men
  who have accompanied us all the time that the
  Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning
  from the baptism of John to that day when He was
  taken up from us, one of these must become a
  witness with us of His resurrection.

32
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• Acts 1039-42 (NKJV) - And we are witnesses of
  all things which He did both in the land of the
  Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by
  hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the
  third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all
  the people, but to witnesses chosen before by
  God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after
  He arose from the dead.

33
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people,
  and to testify that it is He who was ordained by
  God to be Judge of the living and the dead.

34
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• There is great power in eyewitness testimony. We
  must decide if these witnesses are
  true or false.

35
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• There is great power in eyewitness testimony. We
  must decide if these witnesses are
  true or false.
• Is the person giving testimony in a position to
  know the facts? (1 Jn 11-3)

36
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• 1 John 11-3 (NKJV) - That which was from the
  beginning, which we have heard, which we have
  seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon,
  and our hands have handled, concerning the Word
  of life2 the life was manifested, and we have
  seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that
  eternal life which was with the Father and was
  manifested to us

37
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to
  you, that you also may have fellowship with us
  and truly our fellowship is with the Father and
  with His Son Jesus Christ.

38
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• Does he have an ulterior motive in telling his
  account? (1 Cor 1530-32)

39
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• 1 Corinthians 1530-32 (NKJV) - And why do we
  stand in jeopardy every hour? 31 I affirm, by the
  boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our
  Lord, I die daily. 32 If, in the manner of men, I
  have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what
  advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise,
  Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!

40
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• Is this person of good character? Is he reliable?

41
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• Are there other witnesses and do they agree? (1
  Cor 156)

42
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• 1 Corinthians 156 (NKJV) - After that He was
  seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of
  whom the greater part remain to the present, but
  some have fallen asleep.

43
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• There is great power in fulfilled prophecy. (Psa
  221)

44
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• Psalm 221 (NKJV) - My God, My God, why have You
  forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me,
  And from the words of My groaning?

45
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• The words of Christ are recorded.

46
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• The words of Christ are recorded.
• The words and actions of His enemies are
  recorded. (Psa 226-8, 18)

47
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• Psalm 226-8 (NKJV) - But I am a worm, and no
  man A reproach of men, and despised by the
  people. 7 All those who see Me ridicule Me They
  shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
  8 He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him
  Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!

48
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• Psalm 2218 (NKJV) - They divide My garments
  among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.

49
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• The details of crucifixion are recorded. (Psa
  2214-17)

50
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• Psalm 2214-17 (NKJV) - I am poured out like
  water, And all My bones are out of joint My
  heart is like wax It has melted within Me. 15 My
  strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My
  tongue clings to My jaws You have brought Me to
  the dust of death. 16 For dogs have surrounded
  Me The congregation of the wicked has enclosed
  Me. They pierced My hands and My feet

51
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• 17 I can count all My bones. They look and stare
  at Me.

52
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• How can these things be written over a 1000 years
  before the event and even before the act of
  crucifixion was even invented?

53
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• How can these things be written over a 1000 years
  before the event and even before the act of
  crucifixion was even invented?
• There is great power in the miracles that
  accompanied the witnesses. (Acts 232-33 433)

54
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• Acts 232-33 (NKJV) - This Jesus God has raised
  up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore
  being exalted to the right hand of God, and
  having received from the Father the promise of
  the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now
  see and hear.

55
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• Acts 433 (NKJV) - And with great power the
  apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the
  Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

56
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• Even though this evidence is powerful, it must be
  received in order to have power in us. (2
  Thess 19-10 1 Thess 213)

57
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• 2 Thessalonians 19-10 (NKJV) - These shall be
  punished with everlasting destruction from the
  presence of the Lord and from the glory of His
  power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be
  glorified in His saints and to be admired among
  all those who believe, because our testimony
  among you was believed.

58
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• 1 Thessalonians 213 (NKJV) - For this reason we
  also thank God without ceasing, because when you
  received the word of God which you heard from us,
  you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it
  is in truth, the word of God, which also
  effectively works in you who believe.

59
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• Here is where each man must act as a juror in a
  courtroom. Whats your verdict?

60
It has powerful evidence that is sufficient to
convince all men

• Can you as a Christian present the evidence to
  convince another?

61
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• Jesus is the Son of God. (Rom 13-4)

62
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• Romans 13-4 (NKJV) - concerning His Son Jesus
  Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of
  David according to the flesh, 4and declared to be
  the Son of God with power according to the Spirit
  of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

63
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• Why is this so? Did not God raise others from the
  dead?

64
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. Did God raise
  an imposter?

65
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. Did God raise
  an imposter?
• The judgment of all men is a certainty. (Acts
  1730-31)

66
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• Acts 1730-31 (NKJV) - Truly, these times of
  ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all
  men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has
  appointed a day on which He will judge the world
  in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained.
  He has given assurance of this to all by raising
  Him from the dead.

67
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• The High priest who condemned Him will see a
  terrifying event. (Mt 2664 Mk 1462)

68
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• Matthew 2664 (NKJV) - Jesus said to him, It is
  as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you,
  hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at
  the right hand of the Power, and coming on the
  clouds of heaven.

69
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• Mark 1462 (NKJV) - Jesus said, I am. And you
  will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand
  of the Power, and coming with the clouds of
  heaven.

70
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• Can you imagine what judgment day will be like?

71
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• Can you imagine what judgment day will be like?
• Do you believe that Jesus was raised from the
  dead? Do you really?

72
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• Can you imagine what judgment day will be like?
• Do you believe that Jesus was raised from the
  dead? Do you really?
• The glorious resurrection and reunion of the
  righteous is also certain.

73
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• The glorious resurrection and reunion of the
  righteous is also certain.

74
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• The glorious resurrection and reunion of the
  righteous is also certain.
• Does this describe you? (2 Cor 413-14)

75
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• 2 Corinthians 413-14 (NKJV) - And since we have
  the same spirit of faith, according to what is
  written, I believed and therefore I spoke, we
  also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that
  He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise
  us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.

76
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• When it is certain to us our entire outlook on
  life is changed. (Phil 310)

77
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• Philippians 310 (NKJV) - that I may know Him
  and the power of His resurrection, and the
  fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to
  His death,

78
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• I serve a living Lord who cares for me who now is
  at the right hand of the almighty God.
  (Heb 716)

79
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• Hebrews 716 (NKJV) - who has come, not
  according to the law of a fleshly commandment,
  but according to the power of an endless life.

80
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• I know that He knows and cares. (Heb 414-16)

81
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• Hebrews 414-16 (NKJV) - Seeing then that we
  have a great High Priest who has passed through
  the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold
  fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High
  Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,
  but was in all points tempted as we are, yet
  without sin.

82
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of
  grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to
  help in time of need.

83
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• Do you have the powerful knowledge that you will
  never be alone! (Jn 1632-33)

84
It contains powerful implications that changes
those who believe

• John 1622-23 (NKJV) - Therefore you now have
  sorrow but I will see you again and your heart
  will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from
  you. 23 And in that day you will ask Me nothing.
  Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask
  the Father in My name He will give you.

85
It will produce the same results at any time in
history

• It will cause those who really believe to share
  this message with others. (2 Cor 413-14
  514-15)

86
It will produce the same results at any time in
history

• 2 Corinthians 413-14 (NKJV) - And since we have
  the same spirit of faith, according to what is
  written, I believed and therefore I spoke, we
  also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that
  He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise
  us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.

87
It will produce the same results at any time in
history

• 2 Corinthians 514-15 (NKJV) - For the love of
  Christ compels us, because we judge thus that if
  One died for all, then all died 15 and He died
  for all, that those who live should live no
  longer for themselves, but for Him who died for
  them and rose again.

88
It will produce the same results at any time in
history

• It is natural to want to talk about that which
  has changed our life and give us our
  daily motivation!

89
It will produce the same results at any time in
history

• The purpose and strength found in the Christian
  with such a solid hope will open up hearts to
  seek these truths. Is this person you?

90
It will produce the same results at any time in
history

• The purpose and strength found in the Christian
  with such a solid hope will open up hearts to
  seek these truths. Is this person you?
• Have we strayed from boldly teaching this
  powerful message?

91
It will produce the same results at any time in
history

• The purpose and strength found in the Christian
  with such a solid hope will open up hearts to
  seek these truths. Is this person you?
• Have we strayed from boldly teaching this
  powerful message?
• Jesus knew that this message and this message
  alone would produce the results He
  desired. (Jn 644-45)

92
It will produce the same results at any time in
history

• John 644-45 (NKJV) - No one can come to Me
  unless the Father who sent Me draws him and I
  will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is
  written in the prophets, And they shall all be
  taught by God. Therefore everyone who has heard
  and learned from the Father comes to Me.

93
It will produce the same results at any time in
history

• How would you go about teaching that message
  today?

94
It will produce the same results at any time in
history

• Most people do not understand the nature of a
  Biblical faith nor the evidence that produces it.
  (1 Pt 315)

95
It will produce the same results at any time in
history

• 1 Peter 315 (NKJV) - But sanctify the Lord God
  in your hearts, and always be ready to give a
  defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the
  hope that is in you, with meekness and fear

96
It will produce the same results at any time in
history

• Can a dead man live? (Rom 62 Col 220-21)

97
It will produce the same results at any time in
history

• Romans 62 (NKJV) - Certainly not! How shall we
  who died to sin live any longer in it?

98
It will produce the same results at any time in
history

• Colossians 220-21 (NKJV) - Therefore, if you
  died with Christ from the basic principles of the
  world, why, as though living in the world, do you
  subject yourselves to regulations21Do not
  touch, do not taste, do not handle,

99
It will produce the same results at any time in
history

• It is not easy to let the power of God remain in
  us each day.

100
It will produce the same results at any time in
history

• It is not easy to let the power of God remain in
  us each day.
• What does His resurrection mean to you?