the book of acts · the book of acts opens with luke introducing us to theophilus. luke then makes...

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TheBookofActsChapter1(1) WhenJesusappearedtoHisdisciples,whatformsdidhetake? (Washisappearancealwaysinthesameform?)(2) WhentherisenJesusappearstothedisciples,whatdoeshe talkabouttothem?(3) Whatwasthefirstquestionthatthedisciplesaskedtherisen Jesus?(4) WherewilltheKingdomonEarthbeestablished? TheBookofActsopenswithLukeintroducingustoTheophilus.

Lukethenmakes[acontinuousreport—startingintheBookofLuke]

dealingwithallthethings,whichJesusbegantodoandtoteach.Inthe

BookofActs,andalsointheBookofLuke,hedescribeshowJesus

showedhimselfalivebyaseriesofmanyconvincingdemonstrations;

appearingtothemduringfortydaysandtalking[tothem]aboutthe

thingsofthekingdomofGod.(John20:15,Luke24:13-35)

AsJesuswasdiscussingtheKingdomofGodwiththemthe

disciplesaskourLordastowhenhewillreestablishthekingdomand

restoreittoIsrael?TheJewishhopehasalwaysbeenthe

reestablishmentoftheNationofIsrael.Jesusdoesnotstatethattheir

hopeswereincorrect,butthatthetimeofIsrael’sreestablishmentisin

God’shands.

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ThedesireforthereestablishmentofIsraelisintheLord’sPrayer.

ThisistheKingdomthatourLordtaughtustoprayforrecordedinthe

BookofMatthew.“Pray,then,inthisway,‘OurFatherwhoisinheaven,

holyisyourname.Yourkingdomcome.Yourwillbedone,onearthasit

isinheaven.’(Matthew6:10)Thelastcommandinthischapter,by

Jesus,isthattheyarenottoleaveJerusalembuttowaitfortheHoly

Spirit.

Chapter2(1) Whatwasthepurposeofbeingabletospeakinother

languages(tongues)?

(2) Whatwastheeffectofbeingabletospeakinotherlanguages?

Thecentralthemeofchaptertwoisthateveryonepresent,inthe

upperroom,wasfilledwiththeHolySpiritandbeganspeakinginother

languages,astheHolySpiritgavethemthisability.Atthattimethere

weredevoutJewsfromeverynationlivinginJerusalem.Whenthey

heardtheloudnoise,everyonecamerunning,andtheywerebewildered

toheartheirownlanguagesbeingspokenbythebelievers.Theywere

completelyamazed.“Howcanthisbe?”theyexclaimed.“Thesepeople

areallfromGalilee,andyetwehearthemspeakinginourownnative

languages!Hereweare—Parthians,Medes,Elamites,peoplefrom

Mesopotamia,Judea,Cappadocia,Pontus,theprovinceofAsia,Phrygia,

Pamphylia,Egypt,andtheareasofLibyaaroundCyrene,visitorsfrom

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Rome(bothJewsandconvertstoJudaism),Cretans,andArabs.Andwe

allhearthesepeoplespeakinginourownlanguagesaboutthe

wonderfulthingsGodhasdone!”Theystoodthereamazedand

perplexed.“Whatcanthismean?”Acts2:6-14

Chapter3(1) Jesushasreturned,andwehavethatevidencethroughthe “restoration”ofwhatnation?(2) Daniel12:1tellsusthatMichael,thearchangel,standsguard overthenationofIsrael.WhoisMichael? Forhemustremaininheavenuntilthetimeforthefinal

restorationofallthings,asGodpromisedlongagothroughhisholy

prophets.Mosessaid,‘TheLordyourGodwillraiseupforyouaProphet

likemefromamongyourownpeople.Listencarefullytoeverythinghe

tellsyou.’ThenMosessaid,‘AnyonewhowillnotlistentothatProphet

willbecompletelycutofffromGod’speople.’Acts3:21-23

“AtthattimeMichael,thearchangelwhostandsguardoveryour

nation,willarise.Thentherewillbeatimeofanguishgreaterthanany

sincenationsfirstcameintoexistence.Daniel12:1

Butasforyou,Daniel,concealthesewordsandsealupthebook

untiltheendoftime;manywillgobackandforth,andknowledgewill

increase.”Daniel12:4

FortheLordHimselfwilldescendfromheavenwithashout,with

thevoiceofthearchangelandwiththetrumpetofGod,andthedeadin

Christwillrisefirst.1Thessalonians4:16

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Chapter4(1) Bywhatnamewasthecrippledmanhealed?(2) WhydidPeterhealtheman?ThenPeter,filledwiththeHolySpirit,saidtothem,“Rulersandeldersof

ourpeople,arewebeingquestionedtodaybecausewe’vedoneagood

deedforacrippledman?Doyouwanttoknowhowhewashealed?Let

meclearlystatetoallofyouandtoallthepeopleofIsraelthathewas

healedbythepowerfulnameofJesusChristtheNazarene,themanyou

crucifiedbutwhomGodraisedfromthedead.Acts4:8-10

Chapter5(1) DidthosewhobelievedinJesuscontinuetomeetinthe Temple?AndallthebelieversweremeetingregularlyattheTempleinthearea

knownasSolomon’sColonnade.Acts5:12NLT

Forwehavefoundthismanaperfectpest(arealplague),anagitator

andsourceofdisturbancetoalltheJewsthroughouttheworld,anda

ringleaderofthesectoftheNazarenes.

Acts25:5NASBAndsomeofthosewhowereofthesectofthe

Pharisees,whobelieved,roseupfromamong[them],sayingthatthey

oughttocircumcisethemandenjointhemtokeeptheLawofMoses.

Acts15:5DarbyTranslation

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Chapter6(1) Itappearsthatsomeofthosefromthesynagogueofthe libertineswerejealousofStephen.Whyweretheyjealous?(2) WhatdidthisjealouslycausethemtodotoStephen?

AndStephen,fullofgraceandpower,wroughtgreatwondersand

signsamongthepeople.Acts6:8Buttherearosecertainofthemthat

wereofthesynagoguecalledthesynagogueoftheLibertines,andof

theCyrenians,andoftheAlexandrians,andofthemofCiliciaandAsia,

disputingwithStephen.Andtheywerenotabletowithstandthe

wisdomandtheSpiritbywhichhespoke.Thentheybribedmen,who

said,wehaveheardhimspeakblasphemouswordsagainstMoses,and

againstGod.Andtheystirredupthepeople,andtheelders,andthe

scribes,andcameuponhim,andseizedhim,andbroughthimintothe

council,andsetupfalsewitnesses,whosaid,Thismandoesnotstopto

speakwordsagainstthisholyplace,andthelaw:forwehaveheardhim

say,thatthisJesusofNazarethshalldestroythisplace,andshallchange

thecustomswhichMosesdelivereduntous.

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Chapter7

(1) WhatthemeisStephenattemptingtoconveytothe Jews(hisaudience)byremindingthemofwhattheir ancestorsdidtothePatriarchsandProphets?(2) WhatwastheattitudeofGod’speople,theJews, towardtheirdeliverers(Joseph,Moses)?(3) WhatmessagewasStephenattemptingtoconveyby remindingthemwhattheirancestorsdidtothe deliverersthatJehovahusedtobringdeliveranceto them? Stephenbeginswhatisconsideredthelongestdiscourseinthe

scriptures.Heidentifiesanddiscoursesonacommonchainofevents

thattheyshareasBrethren.HebeginswithAbraham,theirancestor,

leavingthelandoftheChaldeansandtravelstoHaran.Althoughheis

promisedtheland,bothtohimselfandhisdescendants,asyetAbraham

hasbeengivennoinheritanceintheland.

Thehistoricalaccountcontinueswiththepromisesgoingthrough

orcontinuinginIsaacandthenJacob.Jacobhas12sons,andoneofhis

sonsJosephwassoldintoslaverybyhisownbrothers.Heremindsthem

thatthePatriarchs,Joseph’sbrothers,becamejealousandcommitteda

grievousactbysellingtheirbrother,Joseph,intoslavery.

AlthoughitseemedallwaslostforJoseph,Jehovahcontinuedtobe

withhim.WhileinEgypt,hefoundfavorwithPharaoh,KingofEgypt.

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PharaohmadehimgovernoroverEgyptandhisentirehousehold.A

faminecameoverallEgyptandCanaan.

Josephwasgivenwisdomfromabovetoprovideinadvanceofthe

comingfamine.WecanseethatJosephwasgiventhispowerandstatus

inEgyptforthesolepurposetodeliverthepeoplefromthefamineinthe

land.

OurstorycontinuesandGodroseupanotherdeliverer,Moses.By

aseriesofevents,hebecomestheadoptedsonofPharaoh’sdaughter.

HewaseducatedinallthelearningoftheEgyptians,andhewasamanof

powerinwordsanddeeds.OnedayMosesdecidestovisithistrue

Brethren,theHebrews.Hebecomesawitnesstooneofthembeing

mistreated.Mosesthendefendshimandtookvengeanceforthe

oppressedbystrikingdowntheEgyptian.Hethoughthisbrethren

wouldunderstandthatGodwasgrantingthemdeliverancethrough

him,buttheydidnotunderstand.Infact,theirattitudewas,“Whomade

yourulerandjudgeoverus?”

Manyyearspass,andwefindMosesinthewildernessofMount

Sinai.Itistherethatanangelappearedtohim.Mosesapproachesthe

Flameofaburningbush.TherecamethevoiceoftheLord:“Iamthe

Godofyourfathers,theGodofAbrahamandIsaacandJacob.”Jehovah

revealstoMosesthatheseestheoppressionofHispeopleinEgyptand

thatitistimetorescuethem.

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JehovahremindstheHebrewpeoplethatMoses,whoyou

disownedsaying,“WhomadeyourulerandaJudge?”istheonewhom

hesenttobebothrulerandadeliver.Mosespasthedelivererof

God’speople(theJewishpeople).HedidthisbyPerformingwonders

andsignsinthelandofEgyptandintheRedSeathroughthepowerof

Jehovah.ButevenasgreatasMoseswashe,Moses,pointstoaneven

greaterdeliverer—Jesus.MosessaidtothenationofIsrael,“Godwill

raiseupforyouaprophet,likemefromyourBrethren.”(Deuteronomy

18:15,18)

TheHebrewpeoplewerenotobedienttoMoses.Theydesiredto

returntoEgyptandtoGod’sofMolochandRompha.InExodus32:9,

Goddescribeshispeopleas,“Stiff-neckedpeople.”Stephenstatesthat

theyareuncircumcisedinheartandearsandarealwaysresistingthe

HolySpirit;youaredoingjustasyourfathersdid.Heremindsthemthat

theirancestorspersecutedtheprophets,andtheykilledthosewho

hadpreviouslyannouncedthecomingoftheRighteousOne,whose

betrayersandmurdersyouhavenowbecome;youwhoreceivedthe

lawasordainedbyangels,andyetdidnotkeepit.”

WhentheyheardthistheydesiredtokillSteven.Theydrovehim

outofthecityandstonedhim.Stephen’sresponse,“Lorddonothold

thissinagainstthem?”

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Chapter8

(1) WhydidPhillipleaveJerusalem?

(2) WhatinIsaiah53wouldconveniencesomeoneoftheJewish faiththatJesusistheMessiah?

(3) CanyouthinkofanotherMessianicprophecy?

PhilipisanapostlewhoisintroducedtothebookofActsearlierin

thischapter.Thefirstsevenchaptershavelargelyconcernedthechurch

inandaroundJerusalem,ledbyPeter.Intheopeningversesofchapter

8,agreatpersecutionbreaksoutinJerusalemandthechurchis

scattered.God,however,usesthispersecutiontospreadthegospel

whereverthebelievershavefled.Philipisonewhotakesthegospel

outsideJerusalemfulfilling,Jesus’calltoexpandbeyondJerusalemto

Judea,Samaria,andtheendsoftheearth.TherestofthebookofActs

recordsthatexpansionundertheleadershipofPaul. Alongtheway,

hemeetsanEthiopianofficialwhoisreadingapassagefromtheprophet

Isaiah.Recognizingtheopportunity,Philipinitiatesaconversationwith

himandofferstoexplainthepassage.Theofficialeagerlyaccepts,and

PhilipleadshimtofaithinChrist.TheEthiopianwasreadingapassage

fromIsaiah53,whichisoneoftheclearestMessianicpropheciesinthe

OldTestament.

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Chapter9

(1)WhydidSaul(Paul)persecutetheChurch?

(2)WhatmadeSaulstoppersecutingtheChurch?

InActs9,wepickupthestoryofSaul,whowasbrieflyintroduced

tousattheendofchapter7,whereStephenwasmartyred.Hewasone

ofthegreatopponentsofthegospel,whotraveledaroundthreatening

thebelieversandseekingtohavethemimprisoned.Thispassageisthe

dramaticaccountofhisconversiontofaith.LaterknownasPaul,he

becameoneofChristianity’smostzealousmissionaries.InPaul’s

lifetimehewrote13NewTestamentbooksoftheBiblethataren

invaluableresourceforChristianliving.

Inverse3,PaulisonhiswaytoDamascustoarrestanyChristians

hecanfind.OnthewayhemetJesus,inallHisblindingglory.Jesusasks

him,“WhydoyoupersecuteMe?”Paulneveranswersthequestion,but

immediatelyobeysJesus’commandtogointothecity.Meanwhile,a

ChristiannamedAnaniashasavisionfromGodinwhichheistoldtogo

meetSaul.HeknowswhoSaulisandwhathiserrandis,andsoisafraid

togo.ButGodassureshimthatHe,too,knowsallaboutSaul,andhasa

planforhislifethatnoonewouldeverexpect.BelievingGod,Ananias

ignorestherisk,andgoestomeetwithSaul.Hegreetshimas,“Brother

Saul,”identifyinghimasabeliever,andrestoreshissight.ThenSaul,

signifyinghisnewfaithinChrist,isbaptized.

Asifthatwasn’textraordinaryenough,inverse20,Saulbeginsto

preachthegospel.

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TheJewishleadersareastonished,baffled,andangered.It’sabsolutely

inconceivabletothemthatSaulcouldturnlikethis,andtheytryseveral

timestokillhim,butfail.Saulcontinuestopreach,anddebate,proving

thatJesusistheChrist.ThebulkoftheremainderofActsistherecordof

Saultakingthegospelthroughouttheknownworld.

Chapter10

(1) WhatdoesthevisionthatPeterseesmean?

(2) WhateventscausedPetertogotoseeCornelius?

(3) WhatdoestheJewishNationthinkofCorneliusthe

Centurion?

(4) WhatwasCornelius’vision?

Inchapter10,Peterfallsintoatrance;and,whileinatrance,he

*sawtheskyopenedup,andanobjectlikeagreatsheetcomingdown,

loweredbyfourcornerstotheground,andtherewereinitallkindsof

four-footedanimalsandcrawlingcreaturesoftheearthandbirdsofthe

air.Avoicecametohim,“Getup,Peter,killandeat!”ButPetersaid,“By

nomeans,Lord,forIhavenevereatenanythingunholyandunclean.”

Againavoicecametohimasecondtime,“WhatGodhascleansed,nolongerconsiderunholy.”Acts10:11-16

ThisvisionhadgreatlyperplexedPeter.WhilePeterwasreflecting

onthevision,theHolySpiritsaidtohim,“Behold,threemenarelooking

foryou.Petergoesdowntothemen,andtheytellhimofCornelius.

Theysaid,“Cornelius,acenturion,arighteousandGod-fearingman

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wellspokenofbytheentirenationoftheJews,wasdivinelydirected

byaholyangeltosendforyoutocometohishouseandhearamessage

fromyou.

PetergoestoCaesarea.Corneliusgreetshim.Petertellshis

audiencethattheyknowitisunlawfulforaJewtoassociatewitha

foreignerortovisithim;andyetGodhasshownmethatIshouldnotcall

anymanunholyorunclean.Corneliustellshisstorythatwhilepraying

anangelappearedandsaidyourprayerandsbeenheard.Iwasthen

toldtosendtoJoppaandinviteSimon,whoisalsocalledPeter,andheis

stayingatthehouseofSimonthetannerbythesea.

Wehaveallassembledheretohearwhatyouhavebeen

commandedbytheLordtosharewithus.PeterdiscoursesthatGodis

notonetoshowpartiality,butineverynationthemanwhoreverences

HimanddoeswhatisrightiswelcometoHim.Petercontinueshis

discoursetellingthemabouttheministryofJohn,andthentheministry

ofonegreaterthanJohn—Jesus.Wearewitnessesofallthingsthathe

didbothinthelandoftheJewsandinJerusalem.Heperformedmiracles

andraisedthedead.However,theJewsbecamejealousofHis

popularityandplottedtokillhim.(John11)SomeoftheJewsusedthe

civilpowersofRome,throughPilate,toputJesustodeath.Jehovahdid

notleaveJesusinthegrave,butonthethirddayHeraisedhim,andwe

arewitnessesofHisresurrection.John19:1-16

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WhilePeterwasstillspeakingthesewords,theHolySpiritfellupon

allthosewhowerelisteningtothemessage.Allofthecircumcised

believers(formerlyJews)whocamewithPeterwereamazed,because

thegiftoftheHolySpirithadbeenpouredoutontheGentilesjustasit

hadbeenpouredoutonus.Peterordersthemtobebaptizedinthe

nameofJesusChrist.

Chapter11

(1) WhydidthoseinJerusalemhaveaproblemwithPetereating withtheuncircumcised?

(2) Howdoyouunderstand,whatGodhascleansed,nolonger considerunholy?

(3) WhydidtheyonlywitnesstoJews?(Acts11:19,20)

Theapostlesandthebrethren,whowerethroughoutJudea,heard

thattheGentilesalsohadreceivedthewordofGod.AndwhenPeter

cameuptoJerusalem,thosewhowerecircumcisedtookissuewithhim,

saying,“Youwenttouncircumcisedmenandatewiththem.”

Peterthenbeginstodescribethevisionofthecleananduncleanto

theBrethreninJerusalem.‘Isawthefour-footedanimalsoftheearth

andthewildbeastsandthecrawlingcreaturesandthebirdsoftheair.I

alsoheardavoicesayingtome,‘Getup,Peter;killandeat.’ButIsaid,‘By

nomeans,Lord,fornothingunholyoruncleanhaseverenteredmy

mouth.’Butavoicefromheavenansweredasecondtime,‘WhatGodhas

cleansed,nolongerconsiderunholy.’

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Sothenthosewhowerescatteredbecauseofthepersecutionthat

occurredinconnectionwithStephenmadetheirwaytoPhoeniciaand

CyprusandAntioch,speakingthewordtonooneexcepttotheJews.

Acts11:19,20

Chapter12

(1) WhowastheKingthatimprisonedPeter?

(2) HowdidPeterescapeprison?

Peter,duringthedaysofUnleavenedBread,wasputhiminprison,

deliveringhimtofoursquadsofsoldierstoguardhim,intendingafter

thePassovertobringhimoutbeforethepeople.SoPeterwaskeptinthe

prison,however,prayermadeforhissafereleasebythechurchtoGod.

OntheverynightwhenHerodwasabouttobringhimforward,Peter

wassleepingbetweentwosoldiers,boundwithtwochains,andguards

infrontofthedoorwerewatchingovertheprison.Andbehold,anangel

oftheLordsuddenlyappearedandalightshoneinthecell;andhe

struckPeter’ssideandwokehimup,saying,“Getupquickly.”Andhis

chainsfelloffhishands.Andtheangelsaidtohim,“Girdyourselfandput

onyoursandals.”Andhedidso.Andhe*saidtohim,“Wrapyourcloak

aroundyouandfollowme.NowIknowforsurethattheLordhassent

forthHisangelandrescuedmefromthehandofHerodandfromallthat

theJewishpeoplewereexpecting.”

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Chapter13

(1) IstheGospelonlybeingpreachedinJerusalem?

(2) IftheGospelisnolongerexclusivelybeingpreachedin Jerusalem,whatcausedthischange?

(3) Whatwasanactivepartoftheearlychurch’sspirituallife?

Inchapter13,wehavetherecordofhalfofPaul’sfirstmissionary

journey.ThesettingbeginsinAntioch.WeareintroducedtoPauland

Barnabas,andtheywillhavetheprivilegeoftakingthegospelbeyond

theconfinesofIsraelandSamaria.FastingandPrayingwereanactive

partoftheearlychurch’sspirituallife.Itisduringthisfastingthatthe

HolySpiritsaid,“SetapartformeBarnabasandSaulfortheworkto

whichIhavecalledthem.Thentheyfastedandprayed,laidhandson

themandsentthemaway.TheytravelacrosstheMediterraneanand

throughseveralcitiesinwhatisnowTurkey.

Chapter14

(1) WhenPaulandBarnabasarriveinanewcity,whatis thefirstplacetheyvisit?

(2) WhatdidtheDisbelievingJewsdothatcauseda dissentionamongtheGentiles?

(3) Whathappenedtothemanthatwaslamesincebirth andwhy?

(4)WhatcausedthepeopletothinkthatPauland BarnabaswereGods?

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PaulandBarnabasarriveinIconiumandtheirfirststopwasthe

SynagogueoftheJews.Theirwitnesswasreadilyreceivedandalarge

numberofpeoplebelievedbothJewsandGreeks.ThedisbelievingJews

begantocausedissention.TheystirredupthemindsoftheGentilesand

embitteredthemagainstthebrethren.Theyspentagreatdealof

timespeakingboldly,throughthepoweroftheHolySpirit.Evenwith

thesignsandwondersthattheyperformed,thepeopleinthecitywere

dividedsomesidedwiththeApostlesandotherwiththeJews.

ConfrontedwiththepossibilityofstoningtheApostlesfleeto

LystraandDerbe,andthesurroundingregion.Theycontinuetopreach

thegospel.Paulhealsaman,whowasfulloffaith,whichhadbeen

lamefrombirth.Thecrowdswhowitnessedthismiraclebeganto

shout,“Thegodshavebecomelikemenandhavecometous.”The

ApostlesBarnabasandPauluponhearingthistoretheirrobesand

rushedoutinthecrowdsaying,“Men,whyareyoudoingthesethings?

Wearealsomenofthesamenatureasyouandpreachthegospeltoyou

thatyouwouldturnfromthesevainthingstoalivingGod,whomadethe

heavenandtheEarthandtheseaandallthatisinthem.Withgreat

difficultytheyrestrainedthecrowdsfromofferingsacrificestothem,

andshiftedthegloryfromthemselvestoJehovah

Ifthatwasn’tenough,JewscamefromAntiochandIconium,having

wonoverthecrowds,theystonedPaulanddraggedhimoutofthecity,

supposinghimtobedead.Paulgetsupandthenextdayhewentaway

withBarnabastoDerbe.

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Sometimelaterinthestory,PaulandBarnabasreturntoLystra,Iconium

andAntiochstrengthenthedisciplesandencouragethemtocontinuein

thefaith.OurstoryendswithPaulandBarnabasvisitingthechurchin

Antioch.Theygatherthechurchtogetherandbegantoreporttothem

allthatGodhaddonewiththem,andhowHehadopenedadooroffaith

totheGentiles.

Chapter15

(1) WhydidtheyhaveaCouncilinJerusalem?

(2) WhatwastheoutcomeoftheCouncilinJerusalem?

(3) Whatdoesitmean,“Afterthesethings.”Acts15:16

(4) Whatdoesthescripturemean,“Iwillreturn,AndIwill rebuildthetabernacleofDavidwhichhasfallen?”Acts15:16

(5) WhatistheTabernacleofDavid?

SomeoftheJewsfromJudeateachthatcircumcisionand

observationoftheLawisnecessaryforChristians.PaulandBarnabas

disputethis.AcouncilinJerusalemdebatestheissue,andlettersare

senttothechurchesofAntioch,SyriaandCilicia,sayingthat

circumcisionisnotnecessary,butonlyabstinencefromidolatry,blood,

thingsstrangled,andsexualimmorality.

BarnabasandPaulwererelatingwhatsignsandwonderGodhad

donethroughthemamongtheGentiles.Aftertheystoppedspeaking,

Jamesanswered,saying,“Brethren,listentome.Simon,Peter,related

how“GodfirstconcernedHimselfabouttakingfromamongthe

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GentilesapeopleforHisname.WiththisthewordsoftheProphets

agree,justasitiswritten,

‘AfterthesethingsIwillreturn,

“AndIwillrebuildthetabernacleofDavidwhichhasfallen,

AndIwillrebuilditsruins,andIwillrestoreit,Sothatthe

restofmankindmayseektheLord,AndalltheGentileswhoare

calledbyMyname,’SaystheLord,whomakesthesethingsknown

fromlongago.”

JudasandSilasserveasvisitingministersinAntiochwithPauland

Barnabas.PaulandBarnabasmakeplanstovisitallthechurchesthey

haveestablished,buttheyquarrelaboutwhethertotakeJohnMarkwith

them,sointheend,BarnabasandJohnMarkgotoCyprus,whilePaul

takesSilaswithhimtoSyriaandCilicia.

Chapter16

(1) WhatdoesthenightvisionrevealtoPaul?

(2) PaulandSilaswereimprisoned.Thechainsfallfromthem. Howdidthishappen?

(3) PaulquicklyletstheJailerknowthattheyhavenotescaped. Whatdoesthisactofkindnesstellusaboutthecharacterof PaulandSilas?

(4) AsaresultofPaulandSilas’kindness,whathappenedtothe Jailerandhisfamily?

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PaulcomestoDerbeandLystra.PaulcircumcisesTimothy,a

ChristianwithaJewishmotherbutaGreekfather,sotherewouldbeless

tohinderhisministryamongtheJews.TheytravelthroughPhrygiaand

Galatia,buttheHolySpiritforbidsthemtotravelintoAsia.Paulhasa

nightvisionofamaninvitinghimtoMacedonia.Paulandthosewith

himtraveltoPhilippi(theforemostcityofMacedonia)andstaywitha

devoutwomencalledLydia.

ApossessedslavegirlproclaimsPaulandthosetravelingwithhim

tobetheservantsoftheMostHighGod.Herabilitytoforeseethefuture

broughtasubstantialincometoherowner.Paulcaststhedemonoutof

theslavegirl.PaulandSilasarearrested,beaten,andimprisonedfor

deliveringtheslave-girlfromherdemonicpossession.

Atnight,thechainsfallfromthem.Thejailerisabouttokillhimself,

thinkinghisprisonershaveescaped,butPaulandSilasreveal

themselvestohim.Thejailerandhisfamilyarethenbaptized.The

followingday,magistratesfreebothPaulandSilas.Themagistratesare

anxiouswhenPaulrevealshisRomanidentity.

Chapter17

(1) WhatwasthedifferencebetweentheJewsfromThessalonica andthosefromBerea?

(2) WhydidtheJewsattempttosabotagePaul’spreaching?

(3) WhatdoesPaulmeaninActs17:31,thatGodhasfixedaday wherehewilljudgetheworldinrighteousness?

(4) Whatismeantby‘theresurrectionoftheDead?’

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AccordingtoPaul’scustom,hewenttothem(synagogue),andfor

threeSabbathsreasonedwiththemfromtheScriptures,explainingand

givingevidencethattheChristhadtosufferandroseagainfromthe

dead,andsaying,“ThisJesuswhomIamproclaimingtoyouistheChrist

(Messiah).”AndsomeofthemwerepersuadedandjoinedPauland

Silas,alongwithalargenumberoftheGod-fearingGreeksandanumber

oftheleadingwomen.

PaulwasabletoconvincemanyJewsinThessalonicathatJesus

wastheMessiah.Duetohissuccess,someenviousJewsinstigateda

riot.TheriotforcesPaulandSilastoleaveThessalonicaandtravelto

Berea.ThebrethrenimmediatelysentPaulandSilasawaybynightto

Berea,andwhentheyarrived,theywentintothesynagogueoftheJews.

Nowtheseweremorenoble-mindedthanthoseinThessalonica,forthey

receivedthewordwithgreateagerness,examiningtheScripturesdaily

toseewhetherthesethingswereso.

Thereforemanyofthembelieved,alongwithanumberof

prominentGreekwomenandmen.TroublearisesasJewsfrom

ThessalonicafollowPaultoBereaandforcehimtodepart.Pauldeparts

Berea,andwenextfindhiminAthens.

WhileinAthens,PaulpreachestoEpicureanandStoic

philosophers.Hisfamoussermonisasfollows,“Beingthenthechildren

ofGod,weoughtnottothinkthattheDivineNatureislikegoldorsilver

orstone,animageformedbytheartandthoughtofman.

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Thereforehavingoverlookedthetimesofignorance,Godisnow

declaringtomenthatallpeopleeverywhereshouldrepent,becauseHe

hasfixedadayinwhichHewilljudgetheworldinrighteousness

throughaManwhomHehasappointed,havingfurnishedprooftoall

menbyraisingHimfromthedead.”

Nowwhentheyheardoftheresurrectionofthedead,somebegan

tosneer,butotherssaid,“Weshallhearyouagainconcerningthis.”So

Paulwentoutoftheirmidst.Butsomemenjoinedhimandbelieved,

amongwhomwereDionysiustheAreopagiteandawomannamed

Damarisandotherswiththem.

Chapter18

(1) PaulremainswithPriscillaandAquila.Whatprofession(Job) dotheyhaveincommon?

(2) CrispustheSynagogueleaderbecomesabeliever.Whataffect wouldthathaveontheSynagogue?

(3) ApolloswasacquaintedwithonlyoneBaptism.Whatwasthat Baptism?

(4) WhydidPriscillaandAquilaneedto“expoundtohimthe WordofGodmoreAccurately(clearly)?

PauldepartedfromAthensandwenttoCorinth.Therehemeta

JewnamedAquila,anativeofPontus,recentlyarrivedfromItalywith

Priscillahiswife,duetothefactthatClaudiushadissuedanedictthatall

theJewsweretoleaveRome.Sincethey,too,weretentmakers,Paul

stayedwiththem.

22

PauldiscoursedinthesynagogueeverySabbathandwonover[both]

JewsandGreeks.TheJewsoftheareakeptopposingandabusingand

revilingPaul.BecauseoftheabusivetreatmentfromtheJews,Paul

states,“FromnowonIwillgototheGentiles(theheathen).Wearenext

introducedtoTitusJustus,whoworshipedGodandwhosehousewas

nextdoortothesynagogue.

ButCrispus,theleaderofthesynagogue,believed[thatJesusisthe

MessiahandacknowledgedHimwithjoyfultrustasSaviorandLord],

togetherwithhisentirehousehold;andmanyoftheCorinthianswho

listened[toPaulalso]believedandwerebaptized.Paulgetsaspecial

visionfromJehovahthatcomfortshim,andbecauseofthisvision,he

remainsinCorinthfor1.5years.

Meanwhile,therewasaJewnamedApollos,anativeofAlexandria,

whocametoEphesus.Hewasaculturedandeloquentman,wellversed

andmightyintheScriptures.Hehadbeeninstructedinthewayofthe

Lord,andburningwithspiritualzeal,hespokeandtaughtdiligentlyand

accuratelythethingsconcerningJesus,thoughhewasacquaintedonly

withthebaptismofJohn.Hebegantospeakfreely(fearlesslyand

boldly)inthesynagogue;butwhenPriscillaandAquilaheardhim,they

tookhimwiththemandexpoundedtohimthewayofGodmore

definitelyandaccurately.

23

Chapter19

(1) ThedisciplesinEphesuswereacquaintedwithwhatbaptism?

(2) WhydoesPaulremovehimselffromtheSynagogueandhold discussioninthelectureroomofTyrannus?

(3) ThosewhomadeshrinestotheGoddessArtemiswerecausing aproblemforPaul.Whatwastherealreasonbehindtheir dispute(argument)withPaul?

ApollosremainedinCorinthallowingPaultotravel.Hecameto

Ephesus.Itistherethathemetsomedisciples.Heaskedthemifthey

hadreceivedtheHolySpirit?Theirresponsewaswehavenoteven

heardthatthereisaHolySpirit.TheytellPaulthattheywerebaptized

inJohn’sBaptism.PaulexplainsthatJohntheBaptistpointedtoJesus.

WenextfindPaulinthesynagoguewhereforthreemonthshespeaks

boldlyabouttheKingdomofGod.

Therewerethoseinthecongregationthatbegantospeakevilof

theWay.Paulremoveshimselfandholdsdailydiscussionsinthelecture

roomofTyrannus.PaulrunsintoanotherprobleminEphesus.It

(Ephesus)wastheguardianoftheGoddessArtemis[Diana].The

silversmithswhomadeshrinestoArtemiswereconcernedthatall

wouldbelieve,andthatnoonewouldworshipArtemis.Theirconcern

waslegitimateastheseworkmenmadetheirlivelihoodfromthesaleof

shrinesofArtemis.Thetownwasalmostinariot.Themagistrates

admonishedthem,nottoriot,buttobringtheirgrievancetothecourts.

Theassemblywasdismissed,andpeaceprevailed.

24

Chapter20

(1) WhoformedplotsagainstPaul?

(2) WhydidPaulhaveplotsformagainsthim?

(3) DidPaulworktosupporthimself?Ifso,how?

Aftertheuproarorriot,PaulencouragestheBrethren.Wenext

findPaulinGreece.Hewastherethreemonths,andtheJewsagainform

aplotagainsthimcausingPaultogotoSyria.HetravelsontoTroas.He

givesalongdiscourse,therewasayoungmannamedEutychussittingin

thewindow,theyoungmanisverytiredandfallsasleep.Paulcontinues

hislengthydiscourse,buttheyoungmanfallsfromthethirdstoryand

waspickedupdead.Paulwentdownandbentoverhimandembraced

him,saying,hislifeiswithinhim.Theyoungmansurvivedthefall.

WefindPaulthroughouthisChristiancareerservingtheLordwith

allhumilityandintears.Paulshareshisexperiences:“Inthemidstof

adversity(afflictionandtrials),whichbefellme,duetotheplotsofthe

Jewsagainstme.”HeendsthischapterremindingusofourChristian

responsibility,“Ifanyoneisnotwillingtowork,thenheisnottoeat,

either.”(2Thessalonians3:10)Paulremindsthemthathecovetedno

man’ssilver,andthatheprovidedforhisownneedsandworked(asa

tentmaker)withhisownhands.(2Thessalonians3:8)

25

Chapter21

(1) OnthewaytoJerusalem,whatwarningdidPaulreceive twice,andfromwhom?WhatwasPaul’sreply?

(2) WhoisPhilip?

(3) OnceinJerusalem,whatplandidJamesandtheother apostlesdevisetomakePaulmoreacceptabletothe Jewswhothoughthewaspreachingagainstthem?

(4) InwhatlanguagedidPaulspeaktotheRoman commandertoshowhewasnottheEgyptian revolutionarywhohadstirreduptrouble?

(5) AndinwhatlanguagedidPauladdressthe Jewish peoplewhowantedtokillhim?

AfterleavingEphesusthenextbigstopforPaulisTyreinSyria.

Therehestayswithdisciplessevendaysandtheykeeptellinghim

throughtheHolySpiritnottogotoJerusalem.Thenextimportantstop

isCaesarea,thehomeofPhiliptheevangelist,nottheapostlebutone

appointedbytheapostlestoministerstotheneedsofthebrethren,like

Stephen.AtPhilip’shome,aprophetnamedAgabus,undertheinfluence

oftheHolySpirit,warnsPaulagainnottogotoJerusalembyremoving

Paul’sbeltandtyingitaroundhisownfeet,toshowthattheJewsat

JerusalemplantobindPaulandkillhim.Paulisnotfrightenedbutsays

hewillcontinuehistriptoJerusalemevenifhehastodiethereforthe

sakeoftheLordJesus.

26

InJerusalem,whenJamesandtheapostleshearofthesuccesses

PaulhadinconvertingsomanyJewstoChrist,theytellPaulthatthere

arestillmanyJewswhoareveryangrywithPaulforpreachingthatthe

Jewsdon’tneedtosubmittothelawofMosesanymore,andthatthere

isnolongeranyneedforcircumcision.So,tocalmdownthesezealots,

theapostlessuggesttoPaulthathegothroughtheprocessof

purificationinthetemplealongwithfourotherJews.Thiswouldshow

toeveryonethatPaulhasrespectforthelaw.

ThoughPauldoeswhattheapostlessuggest,theplandoesnot

work.TheangryJewsseizePaul,draghimoutofthetemple,andbeat

himattemptingtokillhim.AcommanderoftheRomanCohort(a

militaryunitof360-800men),hearsaboutthisandcomestorescue

Paul.PaulbeginstospeakinGreektothecommander,whothenrealizes

thatPaulisnottheEgyptian,oneoftherevolutionaryJewswhoare

stirringuptroubleagainstRome.Paulthenaskspermissiontospeakto

thecrowdthathadwantedhisdeath.Toshowheisatrue,Paulspeaks

totheminHebrew.

27

Chapter22

(1) WhatcleverapproachdidPaulusetosoftenthehearts oftheJews?

(2) Whendiditstopworking?WhatdidPaulsaythatthe Jewsdidnotlike?

(3) WhydidPaulwaitwhenhewasbeingstretchedto disclosethathewasaRomanCitizen?

(4) WhydidPaulhavemorerightsasaRomanCitizenthan eventhecommanderdid?

PaulspeakstotheJewsinHebrew,theirownlanguage.Heexplains

thathehimselfwasazealousJew,wellversedintheLaw,havingbeen

educatedbythegreatteacherGamaliel.Hetellsthemthathehadbeen

veryzealousinpersecutingtheChristians,throwingthemintoprison,

justliketheJewsweredoingtohimnow.Hiszealevenleadhimto

DamascustocatchmoreChristiansandbringthemtoJerusalemfor

trial.

ButonthewaytoDamascus,Paulhasamiraculousexperience.

Throughthisblindinglight,hewastoldthatbypersecutingthe

ChristianshewaspersecutingJesus.JesussenthimtoDamascustoa

mancalledAnanias,wholikethemwasaJewwellversedintheLaw.

AfterAnaniascuredPaulofhisblindness,andbaptizedhim,hetoldPaul,

hewastobeawitnessoftheLordJesustoallmen.

28

OnthewaybacktoJerusalem,JesusspokeagaintoPaulinatrance

andtoldhimtogetoutofJerusalemquicklybecausetheJewswouldnot

accepthistestimony.PaulishopingthattheJewswillsoftenuphaving

heardallofthis,butwhenPaulsaidhewastobesentawaytowitnessto

theGentiles,theygrabhimagaintokillhim.

WhentheRomancommanderhearsthecommotionrisingagain,he

hasPaultakentothebarracksandisabouttohavehimscourgedtofind

outthetruthaboutwhatisgoingon.Paulthencleverlyasksthe

centurionappointedtoscourgehimifitislawfulfortheRomanstodo

thistoafellowRoman?Whenthecenturionstopsandgoestotellthe

commanderthatPaulisaRomanCitizen,thecommanderbecomes

frightened.He,theCenturion,purchasedhisRomancitizenshipbutPaul

tellshimhewasbornaRomanCitizenwithfullrights.Thecommander

thenreleasesPaulimmediatelybutkeepshimuntilthenextday,in

ordertobringhimbeforethepriestsandtheCounciltofindoutwhy

Paulisbeingaccusedofwrongdoing.

29

Chapter23

(1) HowdoesPaulmanagetocauseconfusionatthetrialin Jerusalem?

(2) WhatplotdotheJewsdevisetohavePaulkilledafterheis takenbacktothebarracksbythecommander?

(3) Wholearnsaboutthisplotandwhatdoeshedo?

(4) Forhissafety,whereisPaultaken?

PaulisbeforetheJewishCouncil.ThingsdonotbeginwellforPaul

buthenoticesthathisaudienceiscomprisedofbothSadduceesand

Pharisees.Thesetwogroupsdonotlikeeachother.So,havingbeena

Phariseehimself,Paulcleverlyuseshisbeliefintheresurrectiontostir

uptheaudience.TheassemblybecomesdividedbecausetheSadducees

donotbelieveintheresurrection,andthePhariseesbelieveinitaswell

asinangelsandspirits;thereforethePhariseestakePaul’sside.

AnuproaroccursandthecommanderhasPaultakenawaybackto

thebarracks.ThefollowingnighttheLordtellsPaulhewillbeawitness

tohiminRome.ThefollowingdayfortyJewstakeanoathtokillPaul.

TheydeviseaplantohavePaulbroughtbackbeforetheCounciltobe

interrogatedbutonthewaytheretheywillattackandkillhim.Paul’s

nephew,thesonofhissister,hearsabouttheplannedambushandtells

thecommander.SothecommanderarrangestohavePaultakento

Caesarea,toFelix,thegovernorthere.

30

Thecommander,whoisClaudiusLysias,writesalettertoFelix,saying

thathehasfoundnocauseforchargesdeservingdeathtobebrought

againstPaul,aRomanCitizen,butthattheJewswilllikelycomesoonto

bringchargesonhim.

Chapter24

(1) WhydoyouthinkAnaniasbroughtalongalawyernamed Tertulluswiththeothers?

(2) IsthereanytruthtoTertullus’accusations?DidPaulbring Gentilesintothetemple?

(3) HowdoesTertullusflatterFelix?

(4) FelixhasheardoftheChristiansandofJesus.Isheabeliever? IsheafriendofPaul?Isheamanofgoodcharacter?

(5) WhatwasFelixhopingtoreceivefromPaul?

(6) WhydoesheleavePaulinprisonwhenheisreplacedby Festus?

Afterfivedays,AnaniascomestoCaesareaandstandsbeforeFelix,

withsomeeldersandanattorneynamedTertullus.Towinthegovernor

totheircause,TertullusbeginsbypraisingFelixforthepeacetheyare

enjoyingintheland,andforthereformsFelixhascarriedoutfortheir

nation,andhethanksFelixgreatly.ThenheproceedstoaccusePaulof

causingtroubleintheJewishworld,andofbeingtheringleaderofthe

sectoftheNazarenescalledTheWay.

31

HesaysPaultriedtodesecratethetemple.(Hewasalludingtothe

timewhentheJewsthoughtPaulhadbroughtGreeksintothetemple

becausetheyhadseenTrophimus,anEphesianinthecitywithPaul

[Acts21:28,29]).But,helaments,Lysiasthecommanderthencameand

tookhimaway.TheJews,whohadcomewithAnanias,theeldersand

Tertullus,allagreethisistrue!

FelixthenasksPaultospeak.PaulsayshecametoJerusalemto

worship,andthatheneverengagedindiscussionsorriotsneitherinthe

temple,northesynagogues,noranywhereinthecity.Hebelievesinthe

Godoftheirfathers,ineverythingthatisaccordingtotheLaw,andinthe

hopethatallJewsbelievein,thatis,theresurrectionofboththe

righteousandthewicked.Hehastriedtomaintainablameless

consciencebeforeGodandbeforeallmen.HecametoJerusalemtobring

almstohisnation,andtoundergopurificationinthetemplewithout

therebeinganycrowdoruproar.

However,JewsfromAsia,whoshouldbeherenowtoaccusehim,

triedtoseizehimbecausehebelievesintheresurrectionofthedead!

Felix,whohadheardabouttheChristians,putseverythingonholduntil

Lysiasthecommanderarrives.Paulisplacedunderdetentioninprison,

butheisallowedtohavefriendsvisitandministertohim.LaterFelix

andhiswifehavediscussionswithPaulaboutJesus.ButwhenPaul

preachesaboutrighteousness,self-controlandthejudgmenttocome,

Felix,havingaguiltyconscience,sendsPaulaway.

32

HeisalsodisappointedthatPaulisnotgivinghimanymoney,abribe,to

freehimself.Aftertwoyears,FelixisreplacedbyPorciousFestusas

governor,andFelixleavesPaulinprisontogaintheJews’favor.

Chapter25

(1) WhydotheJewswantFestustosendPaulbacktoJerusalem?

(2) WhatdoesPaulaskofFestus?

(3) WhocomestoCaesareatovisitFestus?

(4) AfterrelatingPaul’ssituationtoAgrippa,whatdoesFestus agreetodoforAgrippa?

FestusarrivesfirstinJerusalem.TheretheJewsarerequestingthat

PaulbesentbacktoJerusalemsothattheymightambushhimonthe

wayandkillhim.ButFestusinvitesthemtocometoCaesareawithhim

insteadtoprosecutePaulthere.Aftereightdays,inCaesarea,Festushas

Paulbroughtbeforehim.TheJewsbringchargesagainstPaulthatthey

cannotprove.

WhenPaulisallowedtospeak,hesayshehascommittedno

offenseagainsttheLawoftheJews,oragainstthetemple,oragainst

Caesar.Festus,topleasetheJews,asksPaulifhewouldliketogoto

Jerusalem.PauldeclinessayingthatsinceheisstandingbeforeCaesars’

tribunalhere,andsincehehascommittednowrongtotheJews,he

cannotbehandedovertothem.ThereforehewantstoappealtoCaesar.

SoFestusagreesthattoCaesarPaulwillgo.Aftersomedays,King

AgrippaofJudeaandhissister,Bernice,arrivetovisitFestus.

33

FestusmentionsthesituationbetweenPaulandtheJewstoAgrippaand

sayshecannotfindanycrimePaulhascommitted.Hesaystheproblem

liesindisagreementsaboutthereligionoftheJewsandaboutadead

manJesus,whomPaulclaimsisalive.

PaulhasdeclinedgoingtoJerusalemandhasappealedtostand

beforeCaesar.Agrippaiscuriousandsayshe,too,wantstohearPaul.

ThefollowingdayPaulisbroughtbeforeFestusandAgrippa,andagain

FestusconcludesthathehasfoundnothingworthyofdeathinPaul,and

thatheisinabindbecauseheneedschargestosendPaultoRomeathis

request,andyethehasnocharges.

Chapter26

(1) Paulisaseasoned(veryexperiencedandwise)speaker.How doeshedrawAgrippatohissiderightfromthebeginning?

(2) HowdoesPaulconvincehisaudienceofhishonesty?

(3) WhatisthemainpurposeofPaul’spreachingbothtotheJews andtotheGentiles?Whatcommonenemydobothgroups havewhowouldliketokeepthemindarkness?

(4) HowdoAgrippaandFestusreacttoPaul’sspeechandwhat conclusiondotheybothcometo?

(5) WhycanPaulnotbereleased?

Paulhasnowbeengiventheopportunitytopleadhiscasebefore

KingAgrippa.Hebeginsbypraisingthequalitiesofhislistener.Thisis

goodifonewantstoputone’sopponentinapositivemoodand

encouragehimtolisten.

34

PaulthuscreatesabondbetweenhimselfandAgrippa,acknowledging

thattheKingisanexpertinthecustomsofandthequestionsthat

preoccupytheJews.

Pauldoesnothidehismistakesbutacknowledgeshecommitted

themthroughanexcessofzeal.Hestressesthathewasalwaysan

exemplaryJew,tothepointofbadlypersecutingtheChristiansand

seekingthemouteveninforeigncities!ButonthewaytoDamascus

JesusstopshimandtellshimheistowitnessaboutJesustoJews,andto

theGentilesandopentheireyes,sothattheymaygetoutofthe

darknessSataniskeepingthemin,andturntoGodandreceiveHis

blessings.

Hestatesthatheispreachingnothingelsethanwhattheprophets

andMosestaughtaboutthecomingMessiah.Paulistryingtoshow

Agrippatheurgencyofhismission,andhowmuchitrelatesto

everythingtheJewsknowabouttheirfaith.Festusissooverwhelmedby

whatPaulsaysandbyhisearnestenthusiasmthathethinksPaulis

goingabitoverboardandlosinghismind!

InturningtoAgrippa,Paulagainpraiseshimbysayingheknows

thatAgrippaiswellversedintheprophets,thereforeheshouldagree

withwhatPaulsays.KingAgrippaistotallytakenbywhatPaulsaysand

evenremarksthatifPaulkeepsthisuphewillconvertAgrippainno

time!Aftertheinterview,bothAgrippaandFestusagreethatPaulhas

donenothingwrong,andthathecouldhavebeensetfreeimmediatelyif

onlyPaulhadnotdemandedtoappearbeforeCaesarinRome.

35

Chapter27

(1) ThoughthingsgetroughonthevoyagetoRome,howdoes Paulknowtheywillmakeitsafely?

(2) HowdoesPaulencouragethepassengerswhoarefrightened andstarving?

(3) Theshipsrunsagroundandthesoldierswanttokillallthe prisonerssotheywillnotescape.Whydoyouthinkthe centuriondiscouragesthemtodoso?

(4) Howmanypeopleperishedinthathorrendousvoyage?

(5) SinceeverythingPaulpredictedcametrue,doyouthinkthe peoplewerebeginningtorealizethatGodmightbewithPaul?

PaulsetssailforRomewithotherprisoners.Heisputunderthe

watchandcareofacenturionnamedJulius.Duringthevoyagethe

weatherturnsfortheworse,andPaultriestowarnthoseonboardthat

thevoyageisgoingtobecomedangerous.Thecenturion,thepilotofthe

shipandthecaptaindonotlistentoPaulanddecidetocontinuesailing.

Daysgobyandtheweathergetsworse,andthepeoplebeginto

thinkthatthereisnohopeandthattheywillallperish.Paulreassures

themthateventhoughtheydidnotheedhiswarning,noonewoulddie,

onlytheshipwouldincurdamageandmuchofthegoodsonboard

wouldbelost.Thisheknewbecauseanangelinavisionhadtoldhim

thathewouldindeedappearbeforeCaesar,andthatallthosewithhim

wouldbespared.

36

Aftermanydaystheybegintonearland.Somesailorstrytoleave

theshiptoescapethestorm,butPauladvisesthecenturionnottolet

anyoneleaveforthesakeoftheirsafety,andtotalkeveryoneintoeating

somefoodinstead,whichtheydidnothavefor14days.Paulgives

thanksforthefoodandallareencouraged.Eventuallytheystrikeareef

andthevesselrunsaground.Thesoldierswanttokilltheprisonersso

thattheydonotescape,butthecenturionwhohastobringPaultoRome

alivedissuadesthem,andsuggeststhatallwhocanshouldswimto

shore.Othersuseplanksandobjectsfromtheshiptoholdthemup,and

everyonemakesitsafelytoland,justasPaulhadpredicted.

Chapter28

(1) WhatdoesPauldoontheislandforthenativesandhowdo theyrewardhim?

(2) WhatisthenameoftheislandwherePaulandtheothersfind safety?

(3) HowarethenativesconvincedthatPaulisamanofGod?

(4) WhodoesPaulsummonassoonashearrivesinRomeand why?

(5) DoeshemanagetoconvincealloftheJewsthere?

(6) Salvationisnowgrantedtowhom?

TheplacewherePaulandtheothershadfoundsafetyistheisland

ofMalta.Thenativesshowextremekindnesstothesurvivorsandkindle

firesontheshoretokeepthemwarm.Paulpicksupandthrowssome

sticksonthefireandaviperattractedbytheheatclimbsonhisarm.

37

ThenativesthinkthatthisisGod’sjudgmentbecausePaulmustbea

criminalandtheyexpectPaultodiewhenbitten.Paulsimplyshakesthe

snakeoffhisarmintothefireandnothinghappenstohim.

ThenativesarenowconvincedPaulisagod!Awealthylandowner

inMalta,namedPublius,receivesPaulandhiscompanionswarmly,and

entertainsthemforthreedays.ItsohappensthatPublius’fatherisvery

ill.WhenPaulhearsofit,hegoestovisitthemanandhealshim.When

wordgetsaround,thepeopleoftheislandwhoalsohaddiseasescome

toPaulandgetcured.Thepeopleareextremelygrateful,andwhenPaul

andtheotherssetsailagain,theysupplythemwitheverythingthey

needforthetrip.

Aftermorestopsandvisitswithbrethren,PaularrivesinRome.He

isallowedtorentaplaceandstaybyhimselfwiththesoldierwhois

guardinghim,likelyJulius,thecenturion.Afterthreedays,Paul

summonstohimtheleadingmenoftheJewsinRome.Hetellsthemhis

entirestoryandsaysherequestedtoseethembecauseoftheconcernhe

hasforthesalvationofhisnation,Israel.

TheJewsaskhimaboutthisnewChristiansecteveryoneistalking

about.SotheysetadateandwhentheyreturnPaulexplainstothemthe

propheciesconcerningJesus,theroleoftheLawofMosesandofthe

Prophetsofold.Somebelievebutothersdon’tandtheybegintoargue

amongthemselves.Paul’slastwordstothemarethoseoftheprophet

Isaiah,whowrotethatthispeoplewouldhearbutnotunderstandwhat

issaid;theywouldseebutnotbeabletograspthetruth,sincetheir

heartsandmindshavebecomedull.

38

Becauseofthisattitude,God’ssalvationhasnowbeenofferedtothe

Gentiles.PaullivesinhisrentedplaceinRomefortwoyears,preaching

thekingdomandteaching,withoutbeingbothered.