The church in Antioch was growing, and Barnabas went to see what was happening. When he saw the grace of God he was glad. He then brought Saul to join in the work God was doing there. The Lord's hand was on the church in Antioch, and it became the first place where disciples of Jesus were called Christians.

Baptism is an outward physical expression of an inward spiritual reality.

Peter preached the gospel to Gentiles, after realizing that God shows no partiality. God loves to save both Jews and Gentiles alike. As Peter was speaking the gospel message to Cornelius and his household, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, showing that salvation is for everyone who believes, and so they were all baptized.

To include the Gentiles in His plan of salvation, God arranged for Peter, a Jewish follower of Christ, to meet Cornelius, a Gentile, demonstrating that His grace is for everyone.

Peter travels to Lydda and Joppa, where he heals a paralyzed man named Aeneas and raises a disciple named Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead, leading many to believe in the Lord.

Saul of Tarsus was radically saved by Jesus. As a new believer in Christ he had to learn what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, and that came with some unique challenges for Saul, because of his past.

The testimony of how Jesus saved Saul of Tarsus, a persecutor of the church.

Simon the Magician thought that he could buy the power of the Holy Spirit from the Apostles. Peter sternly rebuked Simon for that sort of thinking, and told him what he needed to do to get his heart right with God. The question remains, did Simon get right with God?

Introducing: Saul the persecutor, Philip the evangelist, and Simon the Magician.

Stephen lived like Jesus: full of the Holy Spirit, wisdom, faith, grace, and power. Therefore, Stephen died like Jesus, forgiving those who stoned him. How we live will make a difference in how we die. When Stephen died he was welcomed into the glorious presence of God in heaven. 

Stephen testifies to the Sanhedrin council about Jesus. By giving a survey of Israel's history, Stephen shows that everything in the Old Testament points to the coming of Christ. 

Stephen was a simple man doing simple church work, and he was full of grace and power.

As the church was growing a complaint arose because the Hellenist widows were being neglected. Problems are inevitable in a growing church, but through wisdom and grace, God can allow good to come from our problems.

The Apostles are brought in to stand before the Sanhedrin council. They boldly preach the gospel, and after being warned about speaking in the name of Jesus they are beaten and released. The Apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus.

This section of Acts provides some marks of a growing church. Even though fear had come upon the church after Ananias and Sapphira, there was still great power and grace upon the church, and more and more people were being added to the Lord. 

As the church was just beginning, there was great power coming from the apostles, and great grace upon all the believers. But, when Ananias and Saphirra were struck dead for their hypocrisy, great fear came upon the church.

When Peter and John were released by the chief priest and elders they went to their friends and told them all about what had happened. In response the friends prayed to the Lord, and the Holy Spirit filled them again to be bold witnesses for Jesus Christ.

Peter and John were arrested by the religious authorities for healing a lame man and for preaching about the resurrection of Jesus. They were put on trial and were commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus anymore. Should they listen to God or to man? You judge.