Part 2 - Peter and The Eleven’s Ministry From Acts 7 To Acts 15

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called The 12 Apostle’s Ministry from Acts 7 to 15 and Afterward.

Section I. Peter and The Eleven’s Ministry From Acts 7 To Acts 15

As previously noted, in Acts chapter 7, we find Israel’s national leadership—acting on the behalf of the unbelieving nation, nevertheless—at the culmination of her rejection of JEHOVAH God. For the past year, from Acts chapter 2 (Pentecost) to chapter 7, the Holy Spirit has borne witness to the nation Israel that Jesus was and is Christ, the Son of God, Israel’s King and Redeemer.

How has Israel responded? We find thousands of Jews who trust in Jesus (Acts 2:41; Acts 4:4), but, overwhelmingly, tens of thousands of Jews do not believe. The Jews have largely persecuted and imprisoned the 12 apostles, and now, they are beginning to harass Stephen (Acts 4:1-22; Acts 5:17:42; Acts 6:9-15).

With Stephen’s ministry, Israel yet again refuses to listen to their Gospel message of Jesus being Messiah! When Stephen, filled with the Holy Ghost, stands before these leaders of Israel and meticulously recounts their history of unbelief, how they are repeating the ways of their fathers of centuries past, they are convicted and they stone him to death near the close of chapter 7. Looking back on it all, we see that that is where Israel fell nationally and began to diminish (see Romans 11:11-14; cf. Matthew 12:31-32; Luke 13:6-9; Romans 11:25, 28, 31; 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16).

But, for a time, Israel’s “Little Flock” continues preaching in accordance with the prophetic program as before—they now minister to Samaritans and to other Jews. Why? We will answer that shortly. For now, I will present a table that will succinctly outline Acts chapters 7 through 15.

The Twelve’s Ministry From Acts 7 Onward (With Annotations Concerning Paul’s Pre-Acts-16 Ministry)

*Asterisks and italics denote the activities of Israel’s 12 apostles and other members of the Little Flock.

Acts 7:1-60*

*Stephen’s sermon highlighting Israel’s history of unbelief, Saul influential in Israel’s stoning Stephen to death

Acts 8:1-4*

Saul persecutes Israel’s Little Flock in Jerusalem, *Messianic Jews scattered throughout Judaea and Samaria, *12 apostles remain in Jerusalem, *other members of the Little Flock “preach the Word to none but unto the Jews only” (cf. Acts 11:19-21)

Acts 8:5-13*

*Philip preaches and performs miracles in the city of Samaria

Acts 8:14-25*

*Apostles at Jerusalem (cf. verse 1) send Peter and John to the city of Samaria, *Peter and John lay hands on these new believers and impart to them the Holy Ghost, *Simon the sorcerer is rebuked, *Peter and John return to Jerusalem, preach to villages of the Samaritans

Acts 8:26-39*

*God instructs Philip to preach to the Ethiopian eunuch, Philip does so

Acts 8:40*

*Philip preaches from the city of Azotus to Caesarea

Acts 9:1-25

Saul’s conversion outside of Damascus, Saul stays with Ananias (member of Little Flock) in the city, Saul preaches in synagogues there and then escapes unbelieving Jews’ plot to kill him

Acts 9:26-31

Saul comes to the “Little Flock” in Jerusalem, meets the apostles (cf. Galatians 1:18-19), escapes the unbelieving Jews’ plot to kill him there, preaches in Caesarea and Tarsus, *Little Flock in Judaea and Galilee and Samaria has rest

Acts 9:32-43*

*Peter performs miracles in Lydda, Saron, and Joppa

Acts 10:1-48*

*The Lord commands Peter to minister to ‘Gentile Roman centurion Cornelius’ and his Gentile friends in Caesarea, Peter does so

Acts 11:1-18*

*Peter returns to Jerusalem, recounts to “Little Flock” his ministry to Cornelius/Gentiles, *Peter initially castigated but later his work is commended

Acts 11:19-21*

* “Little Flock” scattered during Stephen’s death (cf. Acts 8:1-4) had traveled to Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch, “preached the Word to Jews only”

Acts 11:22-26*

* “Little Flock” in Jerusalem sends Barnabas to Antioch to investigate unique ministry operations, Barnabas finds Saul and recruits him to Antioch

Acts 11:27-28*

*Prophets from Jerusalem come to Antioch and foretell impending famine in Judaea

Acts 11:29-30

Barnabas and Saul send relief to the “Little Flock” in Judaea

Acts 12:1-19*

*King Herod kills John’s brother James the apostle and imprisons Peter, the angel of the Lord frees Peter

Acts 12:20-24

King Herod’s blasphemous acts and gruesome death

Acts 12:25

Barnabas and Saul return to Antioch from Jerusalem

Acts 13:1-52

Church in Antioch described, the Holy Ghost commissions Barnabas and Saul to go on their first apostolic journey, Saul/Paul’s first apostolic journey recorded

Acts 14:1-28

Paul’s first apostolic journey recorded, his return to Antioch

Acts 15:1-30*

*Jerusalem Council—James, Peter, and John meet with Barnabas and Paul (cf. Galatians 2:1-10)

Acts 15:30-41

Barnabas, Paul, and others return to Antioch before beginning Paul’s second apostolic journey

Galatians 2:11-16*

*Not long after the Acts 15 Jerusalem Council, Peter visits Paul’s converts in Antioch, *Paul rebukes Peter for being a stumblingblock to believing Gentiles in Antioch

For simplicity’s sake, no further commentary will be provided on these passages. You just needed to see how there is an intermingling of ministries (The 12 and Paul’s) for a time. This makes the book of Acts most confusing for ever so many, but if we give it great consideration, it is quite clear. This table allows us to digest the material because we have taken it in small chunks, yes? We will come back to this table. For now, we open a section that will highlight the ministry of the 12 (Apostles to Israel) after Acts chapter 15.