Studies by Book
03 Acts 09 32-43 THE MINISTRY OF PETER 01 Acts 09 32 Building the saints of God
📖 Acts 09:32-43
01 – Wed29May2024 – *Building the saints of God* - _Acts 09:32-43_ – THE MINISTRY OF PETER – _Ezekiel 14:04_
We have completed the study of _Acts 9:23-31_, titled SAUL’S EARLY MINISTRY. This study consisted of 21 lessons. Please let me know if you want the link for his study.
We now begin a new study of _Acts 9:32-43_. We will title this study as THE MINISTRY OF PETER.
_Acts 9:32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda._
https://www.biblestudy.org/maps/new-testament-churches/joppa-lydda-pella.html
This map will give us an idea of where Lydda and Joppa are located. Lydda is 25 miles NW of Jerusalem. This was part of Judea where the churches were growing. Peter decided to visit the growing churches and encourage them.
Peter visited all parts of Judea and then came to Lydda to meet with the church.
We visit places to do our work and we return. Wherever we go, we must make the effort to meet with someone or family, who seeks to walk with the Lord and encourage them. This is for our mutual growth.
Peter had already visited Samaria along with John and had seen the fruit of the ministry there. _Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,_ / _Acts 8:25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans._
Peter was participating in God’s word and promise. _Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and *you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth*."_
*All of us are a part of the process of the growth of the church.*
The saints of God are God’s delight. _Psalms 16:3 As for the saints who are on the earth, "They are the excellent ones, *in whom is all my delight*."_
The saints of God are His church. The saints of God are those who do not run after other gods. _Psalms 16:4-9 *Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god*; Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, Nor take up their names on my lips. (5) *O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup*; You maintain my lot. (6) The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. (7) I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. (8) *I have set the LORD always before me*; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. (9) Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope._
When the Lord is not our portion and our cup then we cannot be called as ‘saints’ of God. If we have not set the Lord always before us then we are not being saints of God. *We must actively be saints of God by intentionally letting go of the other gods that we have set up in our hearts.*
_Ezekiel 14:4 "Therefore speak to them, and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "*Everyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart*, and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, *I the LORD will answer him* who comes, according to the multitude of his idols,_
The Lord sees the idols of our hearts and He will answer us according to the multitude of our idols.
_Ezekiel 33:31 So they come to you as people do, *they sit before you as My people*, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, *but their hearts pursue their own gain*._
Pursuing our own gain are the idols of our hearts and we outwardly claim to be the saints of God. God knows the intentions and motives of our hearts. He knows the reason behind all the choices and decisions that we make in life. *He knows that our decisions are because we are running after our idols.* *We have the creepy ability to make our life choices for the sake of our idols and simultaneously say that we are doing God’s will.*
*As saints of God, we will truly pursue God and not any other idol.*
The Lord promises us that when we are His saints, He will give us His kingdom. _Luke 12:32 "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom._
Therefore, as His saints here on earth, we are building His kingdom. _Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven._
To build His kingdom here on earth, we must engage our enemy the devil as the saints of God. The Lord has provisioned us for this task. _Matthew 16:18-19 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock *I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (19) And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven*."_
```Let us build the saints of God as Peter did.```