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7th Retreat: You Shall Be Witnesses Session 4

19 May 2008

YAG 7th Retreat
Session #4
Monday, 19 May 2008
Morning Session

1. Recalling the Lord’s Command/Challenge          (Acts 1:8)

a) Jerusalem

b) Judea

c) Samaria

d) To the end of the earth

2. The Call to reach out to the Gentiles          (Acts 10-11)

a) Given to Peter, the leading apostle of the Jerusalem Church

b) Principle of Leading by Example

c) Peter’s ministry to the Gentiles Cornelius would have great theological and cultural significance

3. Initial resistance and Reluctance

a) Peter’s reservation

b) His reluctance

c) His upbringing as Jew

4. Finally… submission to the Lord’s will

a) Gods will was not to be denied

b) God gave a clear command to Peter

c) Peter finally surrendered to the will of God

5. Peter in the home of the Gentile Centurion Cornelius

And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem

Acts 10:39

a) Peter identified himself as one of the many witnesses

b) Great significance in being a witness

c) Great strength added

6. Peter’s theology concerning Bearing Witness

a) Witnesses are specially chosen

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.

Acts 10:41

b) Prophets of ancient Israel functioned as witnesses

To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins

Acts 10:43

i) The OT prophets are cited as witnesses

ii) They bear witness of Jesus as One who can forgive sins

7. Reaching out as Witnesses

a) The nation of the world

b) Social groups not cared for

i) AIDS

ii) Delinquents

iii) Chronic Sick

iv) Mentally Ill

v) The Poor

vi) Blue Collar workers

vii) Ethnic group (Indians, Burmese, Chinese etc)

c) Many issues involved

i) Ability

ii) Skills

iii) Time

iv) People

v) Commitment