Yes, Acts is transitional because it records God's shift from dealing primarily with Israel to turning to the Gentiles.
Les Feldick teaches that Acts shows Israel's rejection of Messiah culminating in the stoning of Stephen, after which God introduces Saul of Tarsus and begins the Gentile ascendancy. This period transitions from the Jewish program to the Body of Christ, making Acts a bridge between the gospels and the epistles.
The book of Acts records the actions of Peter and the eleven apostles as they continue to minister to Israel after Christ's resurrection. Acts 2 records Peter's Pentecost sermon, where he calls the nation to repent after they had crucified Jesus. In Acts 7, Stephen, a Jewish believer, appeals to Israel and is stoned; witnesses lay their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul (Acts 7:58). Following this, Acts 9 recounts Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus, and Acts 10 shows Peter going to the Gentile Cornelius. The narrative tracks the gradual movement from a Jerusalem-centered Jewish mission to a Gentile-focused outreach through the Apostle Paul.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Acts is primarily the fall of Israel, not just the birth of the Church. He points out that for the first 7-8 years, God is still dealing with Israel through Peter and the eleven, giving them the opportunity to repent of crucifying their Messiah. After the stoning of Stephen, Israel reaches a crescendo of rejection, and God introduces Saul of Tarsus, who becomes the apostle to the Gentiles. Les highlights that Peter's visit to Cornelius in Acts 10 is a pivotal moment, but after that Peter is rarely mentioned, and the Gentiles begin to ascend. This transition culminates in the rise of the Body of Christ, making Acts a bridge between the Jewish program and the Church age.
In the early chapters of Acts, God continues to deal with Israel through Peter and the eleven, offering the nation the kingdom if they repent. However, as Israel rejects the message, culminating in Stephen's stoning, God begins to turn to the Gentiles. Les notes that after Acts 10, Peter is scarcely mentioned, and the focus shifts to Paul's ministry to the Gentiles.
Saul of Tarsus, a zealous Jew and Pharisee, initially persecutes the Jewish believers, but after his conversion on the road to Damascus, he becomes the apostle to the Gentiles. Les explains that God commissioned Saul to take the gospel of grace to the pagan Roman Empire, marking the shift from Israel to the Gentiles.
Was Cornelius Really Saved? Acts 10 Explained Verse by Verse
Hello and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
Peter's Disappearance and Gentile Ascendancy
Les notes that after Cornelius, Peter is barely mentioned, showing Israel's fall and the rise of the Body of Christ.
Saul's Commission to the Gentiles
Les emphasizes that Saul, the persecutor, is saved by grace and sent to the pagan Roman Empire with the gospel of grace.
Acts as the Fall of Israel
Les prefers to see Acts as the fall of Israel, not just the birth of the Church, as Israel rejects Messiah completely.
God Turns to the Gentiles
Les points out that as Israel rejects the gospel, God says He will turn to the Gentiles without them.
What the Bible Really Says About the Prodigal Son
I don�t want to say too much out of the book of Acts, because I want to save all that for when we start studying it, because I�ve never had a class yet that hasn�t thoroughly enjoyed the book of Acts. I mean it is so exciting, and it is so revealing once we understand it. But here�s just a little tidbit. Acts chapter 9, Saul of Tarsus on his way to Damascus like a raging bull.
Why the Resurrection Happens in Order — 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
Now some of course believed, but it was a relatively small percentage. And so for the most part the nation of Israel said, "...will not have this man to rule over us." And they finally culminated with what request? Crucify Him! Get Him out of here! And of course one of the chief proponents of all that would have been Saul of Tarsus, who we will see in a few moments.
Stephen's Stoning and Introduction of Saul
At Stephen's stoning, Israel reaches its peak of rejection, and God introduces Saul on the scene.
Acts 7:58: And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
This verse marks the stoning of Stephen and introduces Saul, the persecutor who later becomes Paul.
Acts 9:15: But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
God tells Ananias that Saul is chosen to bear His name before Gentiles, highlighting the shift to Gentile focus.
Acts 10:1: There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
Cornelius, a Gentile, is introduced, showing the gospel expanding beyond the Jewish nation.
Acts 1:26: And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Matthias is chosen to replace Judas, continuing the twelve apostles' leadership for Israel in early Acts.
Yes, Les Feldick explains that Acts is transitional because it records God's shift from dealing primarily with Israel to turning to the Gentiles, marking the fall of Israel and the rise of the Body of Christ.
It means the book serves as a bridge between the Jewish program and the Gentile church, showing the gradual change from Peter's ministry to Israel to Paul's ministry to the Gentiles.
Watch the Teaching: Was Cornelius Really Saved? Acts 10 Explained Verse by Verse