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"Preaching the word to no one but the Jews only."

Text: Acts 11:19

THE GROWTH OF THE CHURCH

The Lord’s hand of blessing was most obvious, right from the start. Growth is one of the indications of the Lord’s blessings.

1. The Church in Jerusalem

a) 120 members Acts 1:15

b) 3000 added Acts 2:41

c) 5000 male members Acts 4:4

2. Ministry in Samaria

a) Philip the evangelist had a great ministry of winning souls to the Lord (Acts 8).

b) The ministry to Samaria received apostolic recognition (Acts 8).

PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH

Persecution of the church began and became stronger with the passage of time.

1. The Apostles were jailed (Acts 4).

2. Stephen became the first martyr (Acts 7).

CONTINUED GROWTH DESPITE PERSECUTION

We have a very uplifting text that described the stirring faith of the persecuted Church.

“As for Saul, he made havoc of the church,
entering every house, and dragging off men and women,
committing them to prison.
Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.”
Acts 8:3-4

ONE SMALL PROBLEM

The Jewish believers of the Lord Jesus Christ shared their faith freely and courageously. They knew the risks involved, but they were determined to preach Christ! But there was one small problem.

“Now those who were scattered after the persecution
that arose over Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia,
Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.”
Acts 11:19

1. “Scattered”

This was not the problem. The believers were prepared to suffer for the sake of their faith in Christ!

2. “Preaching the word”

This was not the problem either. They had learned their faith well. They knew the word of God sufficiently so that they could preach the Gospel to others.

3. “Preaching the word to no one but the Jews only”

This was the problem. The light of the Gospel had not reached the Gentiles yet! Thus the prophecies in the Book of Isaiah were not fulfilled! God had to address this problem.