Msg #2616 The NT Church in Transition

Msg #2616 The NT Church in Transition

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan’s Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

Commissioned to be witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth, the Apostles had a great one-year beginning in Jerusalem. Then the same Jews who said, “We will not have this man rule over us”, took up stones and killed Steven. In the face of persecution, disciples were “scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria.” Chapter 8, 9, and 10, unfold a great drama in the church; there are changes afoot that enable and enact the commission given by Jesus Christ; it is a transitional period for the church. Covenant Theologians suppose Judaism was morphing into a Church, and hyper-dispensationalists suppose Paul was starting a Gentile Church; both are false teachings. In reality, the church that Jesus built was stepping up to the commission he gave. In Acts 8 the gospel reaches all Judea and the Samaritans. In chapter 9, the gospel miraculously reaches a Jew born in Selicia, brought up in Jerusalem at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law, a chosen vessel to bear the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, before Gentiles, and kings. Then in chapter 10, seven years after the ascension of Christ, the gospel reaches toward the uttermost part of the earth, when the gospel reaches into the Gentile world. Each chapter reverberates with salient points that teach profound truths. The Samaritans that came to Christ were baptized, but did not receive the Holy Ghost until the Apostles came to witness it, and they had to put away the sorcery that bewitched them. Paul was inline as the Apostle to the Gentiles, and Peter was persuaded to preach Christ to them. Belief lessons, baptism lessons, Holy Ghost lessons, a very rich portion of Scripture.

An Essay for week #16 Apr 19, 2026
Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs260419.mp3
A Systematic Theology www.GSBaptistChurch.com/theology
Read the Penny Pulpit in blog www.gsbcpastorrice.wordpress.com

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A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit
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