Judea and Samaria to the Utmost Parts

This engaging and deeply thoughtful lecture series traces the powerful early growth of the gospel message—beginning in Jerusalem and extending through Judaea and Samaria to the furthest reaches of the ancient world. Brother Alfred Norris draws listeners into the personal journeys of key apostles and evangelists, reflecting on their struggles, triumphs, and unshakable faith. Along the way, the series invites us to examine our own role in the continuing work of God’s purpose on earth, encouraging us to see ourselves as part of the same unfolding story.

The Choice

The opening lecture sets the stage with the solemn and prayerful selection of the twelve apostles. Brother Norris reflects on the devotion of Jesus as he spent the night in prayer before making this choice. Particular focus is given to Peter—his transformation, confession of faith, and eventual role as a keyholder to the kingdom. The weight of Judas’s betrayal is also acknowledged as a known but necessary part of Christ’s path to the cross, drawing out lessons of divine purpose, mercy, and human frailty.

The Road to Damascus

This lecture traces the dramatic conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus. Brother Norris walks listeners through Saul’s transformation from a fierce persecutor of the church to a chosen vessel for Christ’s name. The talk highlights how divine calling can completely redirect a life, and how God's grace reaches even those who seem furthest from the truth. It’s a stirring portrait of mercy, mission, and the radical power of encounter with the risen Lord.

Call No Man Common

This lecture explores the story of Peter’s vision and his dramatic encounter with Cornelius, highlighting how God overturned centuries of tradition to open the gospel to the Gentiles. Brother Norris challenges the listener to see the world through divine eyes, confronting prejudice and embracing the sweeping inclusiveness of God’s call. The message is both timely and timeless: what God has cleansed, we must not call common.

My Heart’s Desire

With heartfelt reflection, Brother Norris shares Paul’s longing for the salvation of Israel. Drawing from Romans and Acts, he presents Paul’s deep grief over his brethren’s unbelief and his unwavering hope in God’s plan for both Jews and Gentiles. The lecture is a stirring reminder of love that longs to save, even in the face of rejection.

Parting of Ways

As the early ecclesia grew, so too did its internal challenges. This session examines the moments when differences between believers—particularly Paul and Barnabas—led to painful separations. But even through disagreement, the gospel continued to flourish. Brother Norris offers an honest, compassionate view of how God can use even fractured relationships to advance His work.

What Will This Babbler Say?

With warmth and humor, Brother Norris looks at Paul’s preaching in Athens and the reactions of the skeptical philosophers there. Drawing from Acts and the epistles, he paints a vivid picture of how Paul navigated both praise and ridicule as he proclaimed the resurrection. It’s a lesson in courage, clarity, and the boldness needed to speak truth in a skeptical world.

This description has been generated by AI and lightly edited.