The Book of Facts
A Sermon on Acts 8:1-5
Originally preached Oct. 8, 1967
Scripture
1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles. 2And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, …
Sermon Description
Is Christianity really a fact? Was it founded like other religions or are its roots anchored to something eternal? The world asks many questions about Christianity and thankfully God's inerrant word teaches the Christian. Listen to “The Book of Facts” as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones opens Acts 8:1–5 and teaches of God’s actions in history. Christianity exists because of what happened in time and space with the primary events being the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Scripture does not end the account there but promises the Spirit to indwell His own. This coming of the Holy Spirit was a true event that enabled the church to faithfully and boldly proclaim the gospel to the whole world. Those who seek to disconnect the Christian message from the actual historical facts are actually distorting and rejecting the true message of Christianity as it was taught by Jesus and the apostles. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches in this sermon, the rejection of the facts of Christianity is also the rejection of the truth revealed in Scripture. The world’s greatest problem is its sin and coming judgement of God but through the gospel, all who believe will be saved.
Sermon Breakdown
- The passage introduces the spread of Christianity from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria.
- This spread was the result of persecution against the church in Jerusalem. The persecution caused the Christians to scatter and spread the gospel.
- The passage focuses on Saul, who was persecuting the church and imprisoning Christians. Despite this, the gospel continued to spread.
- The spread of Christianity from Jerusalem was in fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy that the gospel would spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
- The spread of the gospel despite persecution demonstrates God's sovereignty over His enemies. God used the persecution to further His purposes.
- The passage illustrates the spiritual conflict between God and Satan, between good and evil. The persecution was Satan's attempt to thwart God's work, but God overruled it for good.
- To understand Christianity, we must understand the historical facts of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Christianity is based on historical events, not just teachings or ideas.
- Many people approach Christianity as just another teaching or as a means to solve personal problems. But Christianity is the result of historical events and spiritual realities. We must start with the facts of what God has done in Christ.
- The meaning and significance of Christianity can only be understood in light of the spiritual conflict between God and Satan. The physical world is influenced by spiritual forces.
- God's victory over His enemies is certain. Despite opposition, God will accomplish His purposes. The spread of the gospel cannot be thwarted.
Sermon Q&A
What Is Christianity According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones define true Christianity as different from common misconceptions?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, many people misunderstand Christianity by approaching it in two wrong ways: either as just another teaching or philosophy about world issues (like views on war or politics), or as merely a solution to personal psychological problems. He argues that Christianity is fundamentally different because it is "the result of historical events and actions." It's not primarily a teaching but is based on actual historical events that happened in the world, particularly centered around Jesus Christ, his life, death, and resurrection.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasize the historical nature of Christianity?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes Christianity's historical foundation because this makes it fundamentally different from other religions or philosophies. He states: "The christian faith and teaching are the result of happenings in history." He points out that the Book of Acts records actual events that happened on "the field of history," as real as events recorded in secular history books. This historical grounding means Christianity is not just an idea or theory but is based on concrete events that took place in the real world, especially the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the true explanation for humanity's problems?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies the root cause of humanity's problems as a great spiritual conflict between God and evil powers. He states: "The only explanation of the state of the world tonight is that there is this mighty warfare between God and the devil, and it's a war for the souls of men." He explains that the world is "under the dominion of an alien power, the power of the devil." This spiritual battle explains why there is so much suffering, war, hatred, and persecution, including the historical persecution of Christians described in Acts 8.
How does the persecution of Christians in Acts 8 demonstrate God's sovereignty according to the sermon?
The sermon shows how the persecution described in Acts 8 actually advanced God's purposes rather than hindering them. Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes the word "therefore" in the passage: "Therefore, they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word." He explains that the Greek word translated as "scattered abroad" is the same word used for a farmer sowing seeds. So the persecution, intended to destroy the church, actually scattered Christians throughout Judea and Samaria, spreading the gospel more widely—exactly fulfilling Jesus' command in Acts 1:8 that they would be witnesses beyond Jerusalem.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the purpose of the Christian Church?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, "the church is the people of God" whom He has "gathered out of this world" and "rescued from this evil system." The church represents God's kingdom against the kingdom of darkness. He explains that God has been working throughout history, from Abraham through Israel and culminating in Jesus Christ, to build this people for Himself. The church consists of "people redeemed by the power of God through his blessed son, our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ" who are being prepared "for the final glory and the great kingdom that is to come."
The Book of Acts
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.