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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.