Month: October 2024

Bible Study, Christian Living, Encouragement, God

Acts 13:13-52 (Wednesday Evening Bible Study)

Acts 13:13-52

  • Can you think of any gimmicks businesses and people use hopes of drawing a large crowd?  Mail key for car come see if we start it, give away something, free food, door prizes…etc. 
  • Context:
    • We left Barnabas, Saul and John Mark on the island of Cyprus last week.
    • The time frame of the 1st missionary journey 46-47 AD.  We will see a shift in how Luke refers to Saul, he will now be called Paul consistently his Greek name because he is the apostle to the Gentiles.  Also Luke will no longer write Barnabas and Saul but rather write Paul and Barnabas … which shows Paul is taking the leadership position.  
  • Acts 13:13
  • 13 Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia, but John left them and went back to Jerusalem.
    • Why did Barnabas’ nephew, John Mark leave them?
      • We don’t know for sure…There have been many ideas offered like maybe they were going further then he expected to travel, or  Paul was taking the lead, and John Mark didn’t like taking the gospel to Gentiles, or it could be as simple as homesick. Whatever the problem was it was bad enough for John Mark to return home alone. Paul and Barnabas will part their ways over taking him on the 2nd missionary journey. Later on we see John Mark comes to work with Paul again.
  • Acts 13:14-15
  • 14 They continued their journey from Perga and reached Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, you can speak.”
    • The journey from Perga to Pisidian Antioch was long and difficult, traversing a hundred miles of mountains, rivers and bandits.
    • Where do Paul and Barnabas go first to share the gospel?
      • Synagogue… 
    • Why were Paul and Barnabas given an opportunity to speak?
      • Could be they asked or people knew they had a message. But often travelers and visitors were asked to speak.
  • Acts 13:16-25
  • 16 Paul stood up and motioned with his hand and said, “Fellow Israelites, and you who fear God, listen! 17 The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors, made the people prosper during their stay in the land of Egypt, and led them out of it with a mighty arm. 18 And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness; 19 and after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 This all took about 450 years. After this, he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 After removing him, he raised up David as their king and testified about him, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after my own heart, who will carry out all my will.’ 23 “From this man’s descendants, as he promised, God brought to Israel the Savior, Jesus. 24 Before his coming to public attention, John had previously proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 Now as John was completing his mission, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not the one. But one is coming after me, and I am not worthy to untie the sandals on his feet.’
    • This is the first recorded sermon of Paul we have in Acts
    • Why do you think Paul gives them a brief history lesson of the Jews…why not start with Jesus?
      • Paul knows the Jews love to hear their history… if jumped in with Jesus he would lose his audience so he probably started with the lesson they were having that day and laid a foundation of the redemptive work of God among the Jews…leading up to Jesus.
    • Do you think these Jews would have heard about John the Baptist?
      • I would think possibly. John was like a national hero. But how did John see Jesus?
  • Acts 13:26-31
  • 26 “Brothers and sisters, children of Abraham’s race, and those among you who fear God, it is to us that the word of this salvation has been sent. 27 Since the residents of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize him or the sayings of the prophets that are read every Sabbath, they have fulfilled their words by condemning him. 28 Though they found no grounds for the death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him killed. 29 When they had carried out all that had been written about him, they took him down from the tree and put him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and he appeared for many days to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.
    • Paul shifts from ancient history to contemporary event. Do you these Jews would have heard something about Jesus?
      • News of His miracles may have been heard. But I doubt these Jews would have heard the whole gospel story before.
    • What does Paul mean by saying the people of Jerusalem and rulers did not recognize Jesus?
      • They did not see Him as the Messiah or the Son of God.
    • In condemning Jesus what did the rulers unwittingly do?
      • Fulfilled God’s plan to bring redemption.
    • What 2 things does Paul offer as confirming evidence that Jesus is indeed the Messiah?
      • See verses 27 & 31 Words of the prophets and eye witnesses.
  • Acts 13:32-41
  • 32 And we ourselves proclaim to you the good news of the promise that was made to our ancestors. 33 God has fulfilled this for us, their children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the second Psalm: You are my Son; today I have become your Father. 34 As to his raising him from the dead, never to return to decay, he has spoken in this way, I will give you the holy and sure promises of David. 35 Therefore he also says in another passage, You will not let your Holy One see decay. 36 For David, after serving God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and decayed, 37 but the one God raised up did not decay. 38 Therefore, let it be known to you, brothers and sisters, that through this man forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you. 39 Everyone who believes is justified through him from everything that you could not be justified from through the law of Moses. 40 So beware that what is said in the prophets does not happen to you: 41 Look, you scoffers, marvel and vanish away, because I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will never believe, even if someone were to explain it to you.”
    • Paul has spoken earlier of Jesus death, but now seeks to highlight what?
      • See verse 32 – 33 Jesus raised from the dead.
    • What will Paul use to prove the resurrection of Jesus?
      • Psalm 2:7   “‘You are my son; today I have become your father.’ Jesus is God’s Son.
      • Isaiah 55:3   God has said, “‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’ What was the promise? He would have a descendent on the throne forever.
      • Psalm 16:10 “‘you will not let your holy one see decay.’  Jesus’ body did not decay.
    • What does Paul want them to know about Jesus in verse 38 & 39?
      • That forgiveness of sin is found in Jesus …faith in Jesus can free you from your sin.   Something the law never did.   What warning does he give if you reject this? See verse 41 41 “‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’
  • Acts 13:42-49
  • 42 As they were leaving, the people urged them to speak about these matters the following Sabbath. 43 After the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking with them and urging them to continue in the grace of God. 44 The following Sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what Paul was saying, insulting him. 46 Paul and Barnabas boldly replied, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and honored the word of the Lord, and all who had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.
    • How did the people at the Synagogue initially respond to the gospel?
      • See 42-43 Evidently many wanted to hear more from Paul.
    • Why do you think the large turnout happen on the next Sabbath to hear Paul and Barnabas?
      • Because it is good news…forgiveness of sin…resurrection
    • How did some of the leading Jews respond to the crowds?
      • They never could get that many to come to the synagogue, they were jealous. They also saw Paul and Barnabas being honored which to them meant they were losing honor.
    • Contrast the way the Jews handled the gospel versus the Gentiles?
      • One rejects the other is happy to accept. What happens to the gospel then? 49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.
  • Acts 13:50-52
  • 50 But the Jews incited the prominent God-fearing women and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their district. 51 But Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
    • The Jewish leaders were not satisfied to have Paul and Barnabas put out the synagogue they wanted them out of what?
      • The region
    • How were the disciples after Paul and Barnabas had to leave?
      • See verse 52 filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
  • TAKE AWAY:
    • Can we still provide evidence of the resurrection of Jesus today?
    • Why does preaching the gospel produce a variety of results?
      • Depends upon the hearts of the people hearing it. Like the parable of the soils.
    • Is the gospel still able to draw large number people?
    • Paul and Barnabas went through a lot to carry the gospel to Asia? Where are we willing to share the gospel?
Bible Study, Christian Living, Encouragement, God

Acts 13:1-12 (Wednesday Evening Bible Study)

Acts 13:1-12

  • How would you feel about starting 1,300 mile journey but not knowing where destination would be?  
  • Context:
    • We have seen the gospel go from Jerusalem to the city of Antioch, for just Jews to now open to everyone. In Acts 13 we will see the gospel headed to the ends of the earth.
    • Saul and Barnabas had taken the offering from the church in Antioch back to Jerusalem to provide relief for the poor Christians.  Once this task was done they returned back to Antioch with Barnabas’s nephew John Mark.
  • Acts 13:1-3
  • Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off.
    • What do we find in the church in Antioch? See verse 1 Prophets and teachers and it appears we get the names of some of them. 
    • Name                               Origin      Ethnicity
    • Barnabas       Cyprus                              Greek Jew
    • Simeon Niger           N/A               Black African?
    • Lucius       Cyrene                              North Africa
    • Manaen         Israel                              Greek/Herodian
    • Saul Tarsus/ Jerusalem                   Hebraic Jew
    • How important were prophets and teachers to the early church?
      • See 1 Corinthians 12:28 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.  
    • What were they doing when the Holy Spirit communicated to them?
      • They were in the process of worshipping the Lord. The word for worship here is public worship rather than private.  These men had opened their lives to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, how? By the disciplines of worship, fasting and prayer.
        • Worship- The word worship in the Greek as it was used in the O.T. relates to priests making sacrifices. How does that happen under the New Covenant? Christians acts of sacrifice, in giving and helping those in need.  Paul writes in Romans 15:27 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. What did the church of Antioch recently send to Jerusalem?
        • Fasting- Why would someone fast?  The Jews did this on a regular basis twice a week was their custom at this time.   Some fasted as a regular part of worship.  Often we find prayer and fasting going together.  Especially when people are looking for God’s guidance.  It is an effort to set aside the physical to consecrate on the spiritual.  We know Jesus fasted 40days before beginning His ministry.  Jesus predicted his followers would fast in Luke 5:35 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.”
        • Prayer- The Apostles focused on the ministry of prayer and the Word  (teaching). So these leaders are doing the same things the apostles in Jerusalem were doing. It appears here the leaders prayed together.
    • What did the Holy Spirit want?
      • The Holy Spirit selected Saul and Barnabas for special work.  Why them, what do you think? These men could relate to the Jews and the Gentiles and knew how to share the gospel to people.
    • How does the church comply with the Spirit’s direction?
      • They fasted and prayed notice it say they laid their hands on them ( prayed over them). “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
    • What does it mean to set apart?
      • The laying on of hands. Here to commission them or ordain them to a particular service, task or ministry.
    • Do you think it was hard for these leaders of the church in Antioch to lose two of its key leaders to the mission field?
      • I am sure but they were not going to stand in the way of the Spirit’s direction. They knew the Lord could supply other leaders and they understood the global opportunity for the gospel. We might wonder were there not enough unevangelized people in the big city of Antioch to keep the church busy. But who is directing the church to keep moving out? The Holy Spirit  
    • Do you think Saul and Barnabas had an itinerary?
      • They may have picked the 1st location and left the rest up to the Spirit.  Later on Luke writes about on the spot guidance from the Holy Spirit
  • Acts 13:4-5
  • 4 So being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 Arriving in Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. They also had John as their assistant.
    • Where do they head to first?
      • Why begin in Cyprus? This is where Barnabas is from and could be he some contacts there, places to stay also there was fairly large Jewish population in Cyprus. Cyprus is where is Christians came from who first brought the gospel to Antioch. This is an act of spiritual reciprocity.
    • Where did they first proclaim the gospel message at?
      • Salamis was a substantial city. And it may have had several synagogues. In the Book of Acts every time the word synagogue is mentioned Saul/Paul is mentioned in in every one of them. Why start in the synagogue? Paul felt a spiritual obligation to do so. What didn’t happen here which in most of the other cities that go to? We are not told of any opposition to the gospel.
  • Acts 13:6-7
  • 6 When they had traveled the whole island as far as Paphos, they came across a sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God.
    • Where do Saul, Barnabas and John Mark head to next?
      • Paphos, on the other side of the island, this would have been a 100 mile walk along the coast. The center of the island is mountainous which they may have travelled.
    • Who do they meet there first?
      • See verse 6  There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus. Bar-Jesus in the Aramaic means “son of Jesus.” What is odd about this Jewish man?  He also goes by the name Elymas. Bar-Jesus is Jewish sorcerer.  Where do you think they met this man? Most likely in a synagogue! This is odd…what is going on? Why hasn’t this man been kicked out of the synagogue? In the first century sorcery was very popular, even among Jews.
    • Meeting Bar-Jesus leads to meeting Sergius Paulus.
      • Why would the Roman Proconsul on Cyprus want to hear the word of God? He must have heard of the visitors who spoke about the very words of God. In the ancient world it was common for political officials to consult with spiritual advisor to determine the will of the gods for their domain.  But this man will hear is the gospel!
  • Acts 13:8-12
  • 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (that is the meaning of his name) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
  • 9 But Saul—also called Paul—filled with the Holy Spirit, stared straight at Elymas 10 and said, “You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery, you son of the devil and enemy of all that is right. Won’t you ever stop perverting the straight paths of the Lord? 11 Now, look, the Lord’s hand is against you. You are going to be blind, and will not see the sun for a time.” Immediately a mist and darkness fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then, when he saw what happened, the proconsul believed, because he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
    • Why do you think Bar-Jesus (AKA Elymas) suddenly opposed Paul and Barnabas as they shared the gospel?
      • It may be as simple as protecting his position.  If Sergius Paulus believes what Paul is telling him the status of Bar-Jesus may lessen. Remember he has been the advisor to this man. So he seeks to interfere with the conversion of Sergius. Who is Bar-Jesus really working for? The Devil.
    • What does Paul expose about Bar-Jesus?
      • What his heart is full of. 10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?  How is Paul able to do this? What is Paul full of… The Holy Spirit!
    • How did Paul play off of Bar-Jesus’ name?
      • You are not a son of Jesus but rather a Son of the Devil.
    • Paul announced the curse on Bar-Jesus, why blindness?
      • Bar-Jesus is trying to keep the proconsul from becoming a Christian. What was Paul doing before he came to faith in Jesus? Trying to stop the church and the gospel, what did the Lord do to him? Blindness!
    • How are we supposed to handle opposition to the gospel?
      • See II Timothy 2:24-25 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth…
    • Did Paul use gentle instruction here?
      • No! Paul used the Holy Spirit to curse this man…WHY?   Directed by the Spirit to do so and this was so evil it needed to be opposed strongly. Besides what did 3 days of blindness do for Paul?  Lead him to life in Jesus.
    • What impact did this confrontation have on Sergius Paulus?
      • He believed.  But what amazed him? The teaching of about the Lord. The gospel message.
      • So here we have the 1st named convert of the very 1st planned missionary journey and who is it… a Gentile Roman official.
  • TAKE AWAY
    • Should we still seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit… is He still directing the church?  How should we do this?   Maybe we need to worship, fast and pray.
    • Do we have to go to some far off place to be effective?
Bible Study, Christian Living, Encouragement

Acts 12 (Wednesday Evening Bible Study)

Acts 12

  • What are most political leaders’ primary concern?
    • Staying in power, gaining more and having favor with those who can help make that happen.
  • Context:
  • Last week we saw the beginning of the Gentiles coming into the church. Tonight we are in chapter 12 where Luke steps back to the persecution that primarily the Jewish Christians were going thru in Jerusalem.  Here we will see God’s mercy and God’s judgment.
  • Acts 12:1-4
  • About that time King Herod violently attacked some who belonged to the church, 2 and he executed James, John’s brother, with the sword. 3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter too, during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. 4 After the arrest, he put him in prison and assigned four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover.
    • First of all who is this king Herod?
      • He is the Grandson of Herod the Great the one who tried to kill Jesus when Jesus was a baby.  This is not the Herod Jesus appears before and would speak to on the night of his crucifixion.  This king Herod Agrippa the 1st his mother was a daughter of the Jewish High priest so he had some Jewish blood.  His father was killed by his grandpa and he was sent to Rome to be raised and to keep him safe. He was a friend to Emperors Caligula and Claudius who favor him by making him King of the Jews and ruled over Judah, Galilee, Samaria, & Perea.
    • What appears to be King Herod’s motivation in killing James and then planning on doing it to Peter?
      • Look at verse 3…   Herod wants to gain the favor of the Jewish leaders which are the Sadducees and the Pharisees.  We know the Jews don’t care for the church so this is all about gaining favor with these leaders and not so much persecution against all Christians.  Herod is simply a political animal doing what he thinks is best for him, he knows now the Jewish leaders see the Apostles as a threat to their  power in Jerusalem. 
    • What does it mean that James was killed with the sword?
      • Jews would have stoned him so this is the civil government doing this.  Also this is the only death of one of the 12 disciples other than Judas mentioned in scripture.  How much detail do we see about James death?  We get more from Stephens’s death than we do the 1st apostle that dies.
    • Why wasn’t Peter killed right away?
      • Because of the Passover it was consider improper to kill a criminal during the feast remember Herod is trying to look as Jewish and devoted as possible to curry favor.
    • Why four squads of soldiers to guard a man of peace?
      • Do you think they were worried about the church breaking him out of prison?   It would take 16 to guard Peter around the clock. A squad was 4 soldiers… Peter is chained to two of them in the cell and 2 guard the gate.
      • Does make you wonder if the new Peter’s past history when it comes to being in jail.  This is the 3rd time for Peter to be imprisoned the 2nd time he was imprisoned an angel released him.  So maybe they have heard this story.
  • Acts 12:5-11
  • 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was praying fervently to God for him. 6 When Herod was about to bring him out for trial, that very night Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while the sentries in front of the door guarded the prison. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. Striking Peter on the side, he woke him up and said, “Quick, get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. 8 “Get dressed,” the angel told him, “and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Wrap your cloak around you,” he told him, “and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed, and he did not know that what the angel did was really happening, but he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 After they passed the first and second guards, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went outside and passed one street, and suddenly the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s grasp and from all that the Jewish people expected.”
    • Peter is in prison but what is the church doing?
      • Fervently praying to God for him.  This carries the idea of continually praying for Peter…  Look how Luke describes how the church is praying for Peter… fervently… Luke uses this word only one other time in his writings, when Luke describes Jesus passionate prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.
    • Two things are going on in verse 5 that contrast one another,
      • “Peter is in prison” and “The church is was fervently praying.”  So when we read this we need to understand the fervent prayers of the church are far more powerful than Herod’s plans.
    • What was Peter doing when the angel showed up?
      • Sleeping like a baby… What does this suggest? That Peter was not worried.  That he has no fear of dying and his conscience is at peace… the next day he was to die.
    • What does Peter think is going on when the angel escorts him out of prison?
      • Seeing a vision.  In verse 11 The Greek word translated rescue can also “plucked”. God sent an angel to pluck Peter from Herod’s clutches.
    • Is this the first time something like this had happened?
      • Acts 5:18-20 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
    • How do you feel about the fact that God saved Peter but not James?
      • I imagine God had his own reasons.
  • Acts 12:12-19
    • 12 As soon as he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was called Mark, where many had assembled and were praying. 13 He knocked at the door of the outer gate, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer. 14 She recognized Peter’s voice, and because of her joy, she did not open the gate but ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the outer gate. 15 “You’re out of your mind!” they told her. But she kept insisting that it was true, and they said, “It’s his angel.”16 Peter, however, kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. 17 Motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. “Tell these things to James and the brothers,” he said, and he left and went to another place. 18 At daylight, there was a great commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19 After Herod had searched and did not find him, he interrogated the guards and ordered their execution. Then Herod went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.
      • Where does Peter go after being rescued?
        • To the home of Mary the Mother of John Mark.  This would be the same John Mark who accompanies Paul and Barnabas on a missionary journey later in Acts and who turns back.
        • But later John Mark is a great help to Peter and Paul. It is thought that this is the same Mark who wrote the gospel of Mark. 
        • Some think the home of Mary the mother of John Mark is the same place where the upper room was.
      • How is Rhoda’s announcement that Peter’s at the door received? And why?
        • They didn’t believe her, after all they are praying for Peter to be released or saved.  15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” Notice their prayers turn to insults for the servant girl.
      • What is this talk about this being Peter’s angel?
        • Guardian Angel must be the one knocking on the door, implying that Peter is dead. That Herod prematurely executed Peter and his angel was released from his duty. The Jews had traditions about angels and one was the Guardian angel could take the appearance of the one they watched over.
      • When they finally answer the door why are they astonished?
        • Because God actually did what they were asking for.
      • What does Peter want them to do?
        • Spread the word God has answered our prayer and worked a miracle… what would that do for the church community? 
      • What does Peter do now? Does this show lack of faith or common sense?
        • …he left for another place…Common sense… I don’t think Peter would want to attract attention from Herod on the rest of the church in Jerusalem. So Peter goes into hiding. Some think he went to Antioch, but we don’t know.
      • What shows us that Herod could not admit there had been a miracle to Peter’s escape?
        • The execution of all 16 guards.
  • Acts 12:20-25
  • 20 Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. Together they presented themselves before him. After winning over Blastus, who was in charge of the king’s bedroom, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food from the king’s country. 21 On an appointed day, dressed in royal robes and seated on the throne, Herod delivered a speech to them. 22 The assembled people began to shout, “It’s the voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 At once an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give the glory to God, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of God spread and multiplied. 25 After they had completed their relief mission, Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem, taking along John who was called Mark.
    • Why a quarrel with Tyre and Sidon?
      • Tyre and Sidon cities on the coast were dependent on King Herod, the land he ruled provided food supplies.  Maybe the cities has raised their import duties and were charging more for what came thru their ports. And maybe Herod responded by raising the prices or cut off the food supply altogether.
    • How do the representatives of Tyre and Sidon work out a deal with Herod?
      • Thru Blastus.
    • What was the appointed day?
      • It may have been to celebrate Caesar’s birthday. During the celebration King Herod will announce all is good with Tyre and Sidon.
    • How did the crowd of people respond to King Herod in his royal robes?
      • They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.”   According to Josephus Herod arrived in a garment woven of silver the sun reflected light over the crowd. Did Herod know better than to accept this type of praise? I would think so.   Do you think God was ready to deliver judgment on Herd because of what he did to James and tried to do to Peter?
    • This chapter opened with James dead, Peter in prison and Herod gaining popularity but what do we see at the end of the chapter?
      • Herod is dead, Peter was free and the church is growing.
  • TAKE AWAY
    • Are we ever like the people at the prayer meeting in Acts 12?  Should we pray expecting God to answer our prayer? Do we pray earnestly enough?
    • Are we ever amazed when God answers our prayers?
    • Government and rulers look like they are in control but who really is? 
    • Is there an overlap between God’s power and human common sense in the way God rescues his people?
    • How sound would we sleep if we knew they next we were to die?
Bible Study, Christian Living, Encouragement, God

Acts 11 (Wednesday Evening Bible Study)

Acts 11

  • Does doing what is right and good exempt us from criticism?
  • Context:
    • We read about the first Gentile conversion last time. The words of Jesus are being fulfilled from Acts 1:8. “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The last barrier is being overcome by the gospel and it is a big one, the gospel going to the non-Jewish people of the world.
  • Acts 11:1-3
    • The apostles and the brothers and sisters who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, 3 saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.
      • Who hears about Gentiles receiving the “Word of God?”
        • The apostles and other believers.  So the news or rumor got to these people faster than Peter did. How did that happen? Remember Peter had stayed with Cornelius and his family for a few days.
      • What was the criticism against Peter, look at verse 2?
        • “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”    What were these Jewish Christians really upset about?   It was not so much that he shared the gospel with Gentiles but that he ate with them…which mean the food would have been unclean,  but it is more than that.    You see, Peter has blurred the line between the Jew and the non-Jew, the Chosen, versus the outsiders. 
      • In doing this Peter has set aside the superiority and privilege is critics understood they had as Jews.
      • Now we may think the other Jewish Christians critical of Peter are really wrong, that their attitude is terrible. But they haven’t had the vision, and Holy Spirit speak to them specifically about this.. Where would have Peter been without all this help of the vision and the help from the Holy Spirit?   Right where these other believers are at now. 
      • Why is this such a big deal?
        • How did Jews see their relationship with God? They understood that it was special. They had the Law and a code of ethics that separated them from the pagans.  So what Peter did is crossed a line in staying in the home of Cornelius, his behavior implied that the Jewish rules which differentiated from the pagans were no longer necessary. Including the Gentiles into the church will not just be added to it but rather a transformation of it.  The Jews will no longer have their status of Chosen because all are chosen in Christ
  • Acts 11:4-14
  • 4 Peter began to explain to them step by step, 5 “I was in the town of Joppa praying, and I saw, in a trance, an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners from heaven, and it came to me. 6 When I looked closely and considered it, I saw the four-footed animals of the earth, the wild beasts, the reptiles, and the birds of the sky. 7 I also heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 “‘No, Lord!’ I said. ‘For nothing impure or ritually unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But a voice answered from heaven a second time, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call impure.’ 10 “Now this happened three times, and everything was drawn up again into heaven. 11 At that very moment, three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea arrived at the house where we were. 12 The Spirit told me to accompany them with no doubts at all. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we went into the man’s house. 13 He reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. 14 He will speak a message to you by which you and all your household will be saved.’
    • Do you think Peter knew he was going to have to explain his actions of taking the gospel to Cornelius?
      • See verse 12. Is there anything in the text to indicate the this… look at verse 12 These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house.   Why would Peter have these 6 from Joppa with him in Jerusalem unless if left he needed their witness.  
  • Acts 11:15-18
  • 15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came down on them, just as on us at the beginning. 16 I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If, then, God gave them the same gift that he also gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, how could I possibly hinder God?” 18 When they heard this they became silent. And they glorified God, saying, “So then, God has given repentance resulting in life even to the Gentiles.”
    • When Peter recounts what happened did he make it about him?  Who did he put the focus on?
      • God, Holy Spirit and Jesus.
    • Peter reveals his thinking at the time of these events look at verse 16 and following… what comes to Peter’s mind?
      • See verse 16 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”
    • What was the reaction to Peter’s defense of his actions?
      • Praise to God… they agree with Peter that this God calling the Gentiles.
    • Is this the end of this controversy?
      • No it continues for years.  Peter speaks of the validation of the Holy Spirit trumps circumcision as a mark of the inclusion in the Kingdom of God.  But this lesson is not learned by many
  • Acts 11:19-24
  • 19 Now those who had been scattered as a result of the persecution that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 News about them reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel as far as Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord.
    • Does the church immediately launch an all-out effort to preach the gospel to all the non-Jewish people?
      • Not really what we see is it? 
    • What does verse 19 remind the read of and who?
      • Persecution… and Saul.
    • Those who had been scattered by the persecution shared the gospel with who?
      • See verse 19 Jews only
    • Who did the men from Cyprus and Cyrene begin to reach out too?
      • Verse 20 Greek Gentiles.
    • How do we know God approved of this?
      • Verse 21 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 
    • Do we know who these men were?
      • No they were not apostles God is working thru other not just the apostles.   Evidently God thought it was important to have the 1st predominantly gentile church planted in Antioch.
    • Why this city?
      • 3rd largest in the Roman Empire 500K people 70K Jews in it… 300 miles north of Jerusalem. It was a very immoral city because of pagan worship. Other than Jerusalem this is the most important city to the early church.
    • What did the church of Jerusalem do when they learned of this Gentile church?
      • Sent people to check it out… Who did they send?  Do you like their choice?
    • What impact did Barnabas have on the growth of the church?
      • See verse 24 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
  • Acts 11:25-30
  • 25 Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul, 26 and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. 27 In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world. This took place during the reign of Claudius. 29 Each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers and sisters who lived in Judea. 30 They did this, sending it to the elders by means of Barnabas and Saul.
    • What did Barnabas see there in Antioch and what did it cause him to do?
      • The door of evangelism was open there was need for more teaching and preaching and so he goes and finds Saul/ Paul  and  man who can  speak to Jews and Gentiles and be effective…maybe he knew of what God had said about Paul that he would be sent to the Gentiles.
    • What event shows the unity of the church?
      • The gifts that were sent to the church in Jerusalem.
  • TAKE AWAY
    • When should we as believers defend ourselves or someone else before criticism?  When should we just walk away from criticism?
    • How should we handle controversies in the church where we don’t have a thus saith the Lord?
    • If you could choose anywhere to plant a new congregation what strategic city or place would you pick?  Does it make a difference where church is planted?
    • When churches are having a hard time in other places in the world and we learn about how should we respond?
    • The name you wear was coined in Antioch in the 1st century- Christian