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Reaching Out

Acts 8:9-25

Big Idea: Jesus is awesome! Share him even with the most unlikely candidates.

4 keys to effectively reach people that don’t know Jesus:

1. Find their object of worship (v. 9-11)

2. Expect the unexpected (v. 12-13)

3. Look for authentic faith (v. 12, 13, 14, 16-24)

Theological Issue: Does a believer experience only 1 reception of the Holy Spirit? 2? or 3? 

  • Did these Samaritans believe in Jesus and surrender their life to him before Peter and John came?
  • How should we read this text?
    • Descriptive vs. Prescriptive / Narrative vs. Didactic

Descriptions of faith in Acts: 

“believed/believer” – 2:44; 4:4, 32; 5:14; 13:12, 48; 14:23; 15:5, 7; 16:1; 17:12
“believed in God” – 16:34
“believed in The Lord” – 9:42; 16:15; 11:17; 18:8
“believe upon The Lord” – 16:31
“those who believed turned to the Lord” – 11:21

Qualities of Inauthentic Faith:

  • Powerless Spiritual Life
  • Selfish Motive
  • Unwillingness to Personally Repent

4. Preach the gospel everywhere and always