Acts 7-12 - God’s Pursuit, Gentile Inclusion, and Why God Doesn’t Force Belief

Discussing Acts 7–12, Pastor Wesley is joined by Anna Jester.They discuss pivotal Acts stories emphasizing God’s pursuit of people such as Saul, the Ethiopian eunuch, and Cornelius, noting that God hears sincere prayers even before someone fully knows Him and that Cornelius reveals God receives Gentiles through faith in Jesus rather than becoming Jewish. They reflect on Peter’s concise gospel proclamation and address why God doesn’t simply reveal Himself unmistakably to everyone now, citing responses like the Sanhedrin rejecting Stephen’s vision and the idea that willingness, not lack of evidence, is decisive. They connect God’s delaying the end with the mission to the nations. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:25 Anna’s Church Story 01:01 Why Acts 7–12 Matters 01:41 God Pursues the Lost 02:15 Cornelius and the Gentiles 04:28 Peter’s Gospel Summary 05:26 Why God Doesn’t Just Appear 07:27 Stephen’s Martyrdom Lesson 09:03 Why the End Hasn’t Come Yet 11:26 Seeking God and Real Choice 12:55 Herod and Knowing Jesus 13:27 Wrap-Up and Reading Plan