Faith & Reason Nexus

1. Sanhedrin
   • Scriptures: Acts 4:13-22
   • Description: The Sanhedrin, despite being amazed by Peter and John’s boldness, refused to accept the message of Jesus and threatened the apostles.
2. Stephen’s Hearers
   • Scriptures: Acts 6:9-14; 7:54-60
   • Description: Stephen’s preaching caused a violent response from his hearers, leading to his martyrdom. They rejected his message, stoning him to death.
3. Elymas (Bar-Jesus), the Sorcerer
   • Scriptures: Acts 13:6-12
   • Description: Elymas opposed the preaching of Paul and Barnabas in Cyprus, trying to turn the proconsul away from the faith. He was struck blind as a result of his opposition.
4. Jews in Antioch of Pisidia
   • Scriptures: Acts 13:42-48
   • Description: Many Jews in Antioch rejected the Gospel message, and when Paul turned to the Gentiles, they opposed him, leading to the apostles’ departure from the city.
5. Jews in Iconium
   • Scriptures: Acts 14:1-5
   • Description: Some Jews in Iconium opposed the apostles’ message, stirring up the Gentiles against them, leading to a divided response and eventual persecution.
6. Jews in Thessalonica
   • Scriptures: Acts 17:5-9
   • Description: Jealous Jews stirred up trouble against Paul and Silas in Thessalonica, leading to a riot. They rejected the message and persecuted the believers.
7. Athenians in Athens, Greece
   • Scriptures: Acts 17:32-34
   • Description: Although some Athenians were intrigued by Paul’s teaching, many mocked him, and the majority did not convert. A few, however, believed.
8. Jews in Corinth
   • Scriptures: Acts 18:6-12
   • Description: The Jewish leaders in Corinth rejected Paul’s message, leading him to focus on preaching to the Gentiles instead.
9. Jews in Ephesus
   • Scriptures: Acts 19:9
   • Description: Some Jews in Ephesus rejected the message of Paul and opposed him, causing a division among the people, and leading Paul to move on to other places.
10. Jerusalem Mob

• Scriptures: Acts 22:22
• Description: When Paul preached in Jerusalem, the crowd rejected his message and called for his death, showing their unwillingness to accept the Gospel.

11. Felix & Drusilla

• Scriptures: Acts 24:25-27
• Description: Felix and his wife Drusilla were intrigued by Paul’s message but rejected it, postponing their decision, and ultimately never accepting the Gospel.

12. King Agrippa

• Scriptures: Acts 26:28
• Description: Despite Paul’s persuasive testimony, Agrippa was almost persuaded but ultimately rejected the Gospel, saying, “You almost persuade me to be a Christian.”

13. Jews in Rome

• Scriptures: Acts 28:24-29
• Description: Paul’s message in Rome resulted in a division; some Jews rejected it, while others believed. Those who rejected it were warned, and Paul continued to preach to the Gentiles.

Key Takeaway:
In the book of Acts, we see a variety of responses to the Gospel, with some groups rejecting or opposing the message of Christ, despite the efforts of the apostles to preach and persuade. As Acts 28:24 states, “Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.”