Category: Bible Study

Acts 23

• Have you been puzzled by a mystery?  Something you want to understand better but you fail to understand it? We will see Claudius Lysias is still looking for answer concerning Paul.
• Context:
  • Last time we saw Paul he was allowed to give a speech on the steps leading to the Romans barracks beside the temple. He was also going to be flogged by the Romans until he spoke up about his Roman citizenship. The Romans are trying to figure out what is going about Paul that has caused such a stir in the temple. Claudius is going to do what he can to understand it. Let’s begin with the last verse of Acts 22.
• Acts 22:30
• 30 The next day, since he wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews, he released him and instructed the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin to convene. He brought Paul down and placed him before them.
  • How do you think the Sanhedrin felt about having an opportunity to investigate Paul?   
  • How would they look at Paul?
• Acts 23:1-8
• Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience to this day.” 2 The high priest Ananias ordered those who were standing next to him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! You are sitting there judging me according to the law, and yet in violation of the law are you ordering me to be struck?” 4 Those standing nearby said, “Do you dare revile God’s high priest?” 5 “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest,” replied Paul. “For it is written, You must not speak evil of a ruler of your people.” 6 When Paul realized that one part of them were Sadducees and the other part were Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am being judged because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead!” 7 When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, and neither angel nor spirit, but the Pharisees affirm them all.
  • How can Paul say, “…I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day”?
    • Verse 1 Paul is not saying he has never sinned but rather he has carried out his duty consistently with what he thought was the most honoring to God.
  • How well do things start out when Paul is brought before the Sanhedrin?
    • Paul gets slapped for no reason and insults the high priest unknowingly
  • What does Paul mean when he calls the priest a white washed wall?
    • Hypocrite. 
    • Note: By the way the High Priest Ananias was a big hypocrite. He was very pro Roman and bribed the Romans official with lavish gifts to protect him and keep him in that position. He was also one who would use violence to get his way.
  • Why does Paul throw out what he knows is a theological hand grenade, I am Pharisee and believe in the hope of the resurrection?
    • Do you think Paul knows he will not get a fair trial?
  • Do you think Paul tried to start an argument on purpose?
    • See verse 6   
  • What is a Sadducee and a Pharisee?  What is the difference between them?
    • Pharisees related more with the common people and were about keeping the law strictly. The Sadducees came from the leading families of the nation, Priests- Merchants- and the aristocrats. The Sadducees did not believe in the bodily resurrection or angels and spirits.  They rejected the tradition of the elders these things brought them in direct conflict with the Pharisees. Sadducees made up the majority of the Sanhedrin and tended to be more pro Roman, most likely to remain in power.
  • Was Paul on trial because of his hope in the resurrection of the dead?
    • The resurrection of Jesus is central to the gospel.  I think Paul was going to defend himself.  If Jesus had not risen from the dead Paul would not have been in trouble with his fellow Jews.
    • 1st Corinthians 15:17-19 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
• Acts 23:9-11
• 9 The shouting grew loud, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party got up and argued vehemently, “We find nothing evil in this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 When the dispute became violent, the commander feared that Paul might be torn apart by them and ordered the troops to go down, take him away from them, and bring him into the barracks. 11 The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Have courage! For as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so it is necessary for you to testify in Rome.”
  • How bad was the dispute between the two groups?
    • Bad enough for the commander to get Paul out of there before he got hurt or killed. Notice he had to send soldiers in to get Paul out.
  • Does the Roman commander Claudius know any more than what he did about Paul’s situation?
    • Not really. 
  • Considered verse 11, what would these words mean to Paul?
    • “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”  Strength to go on… encouragement. The Lord knew what Paul needed and when.
• Acts 23:12-22
• 12 When it was morning, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who had formed this plot. 14 These men went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves under a solemn curse that we won’t eat anything until we have killed Paul. 15 So now you, along with the Sanhedrin, make a request to the commander that he bring him down to you as if you were going to investigate his case more thoroughly. But, before he gets near, we are ready to kill him.” 16 But the son of Paul’s sister, hearing about their ambush, came and entered the barracks and reported it to Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander, because he has something to report to him.” 18 So he took him, brought him to the commander, and said, “The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, because he has something to tell you.” 19 The commander took him by the hand, led him aside, and inquired privately, “What is it you have to report to me?” 20 “The Jews,” he said, “have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as though they are going to hold a somewhat more careful inquiry about him. 21 Don’t let them persuade you, because there are more than forty of them lying in ambush—men who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, waiting for your consent.” 22 So the commander dismissed the young man and instructed him, “Don’t tell anyone that you have informed me about this.”
  • What oath did the men take in the plot against Paul?  Who was in cahoots with these men?
    • Not to eat until Paul was dead. These 40 called a curse on themselves should they fail to kill Paul. So who all is in this? The 40 men and the Sanhedrin or at least some of the leaders…they ask the chief Priest for assistance. 
  • Who learns of the plot against Paul?
    • His nephew. I wonder how that happen? By the way this is the only reference to Paul’s sister. I wonder if they were Christians. If not it would explain how the nephew learned of the plot because he was hanging around Jewish people who were unsympathetic to Paul and the church.
  • How serious did the commander take this news of a plot to kill Paul?
    • Notice he had seen how the crowd responded to Paul and how the Sanhedrin had responded to Paul notice the steps he takes to insure Paul’s safety a Romans citizen.
    • Since Paul’s conversion he has experienced division where ever he has gone. Those for the gospel and those against.  What do you think it was like for his family? They were probably split too.
• Acts 23:23-35
• 23 He summoned two of his centurions and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready with seventy cavalry and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. 24 Also provide mounts to ride so that Paul may be brought safely to Felix the governor.” 25 He wrote the following letter: 26 Claudius Lysias, To the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings. 27 When this man had been seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, I arrived with my troops and rescued him because I learned that he is a Roman citizen. 28 Wanting to know the charge they were accusing him of, I brought him down before their Sanhedrin. 29 I found out that the accusations were concerning questions of their law, and that there was no charge that merited death or imprisonment. 30 When I was informed that there was a plot against the man, I sent him to you right away. I also ordered his accusers to state their case against him in your presence. 31 So the soldiers took Paul during the night and brought him to Antipatris as they were ordered. 32 The next day, they returned to the barracks, allowing the cavalry to go on with him. 33 When these men entered Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34 After he read it, he asked what province he was from. When he learned he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing whenever your accusers also get here.” He ordered that he be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.
  • What kind of armed escort is being provided for Paul?
    • 470 men…almost half the men Claudius Lysias commanded.
  • How does Claudius present himself in the letter?
    • As the rescuer of a Roman citizen. He laid out the facts in the case that painted him in the most favorable light.
  • Who is working behind the scene to see Paul gets to Rome?
    • God is…so in everything that happens. I bet Paul saw the Lord working out things for him in all that was going on.
  • Where is Paul taken?
    • Caesarea…He will be kept locked up as a political prisoner in the Governor’s palace. Does Paul have friends in Caesarea? Sure Phillip and his 4 daughters.
• TAKE AWAY
  • What can we learn from this part of Paul’s life?
    • The Lord knows how and when to encourage us?  
    • How might he do that?
  • If the Lord wants us somewhere He can make it happen.
  • God knows how to protect His people.

Acts 21:37-40; Acts 22

• How do you defend yourself if accused falsely?
• Context:
  • Paul has returned from his 3rd mission trip lasting 5 years and is now back in Jerusalem.  If you remember the elders thought it would be good for Paul to do something very Jewish like pay for the Nazirite vows for 4 men which required Paul to go to the temple and do this. The reason they suggested this there were rumors about Paul being very anti-Jewish in his preaching which many of the Jewish Christians believed there in Jerusalem.  It was at one of these trips to the temple Paul is accused of taking a Gentile into the inner temple courts and a riot in sues.  Paul is saved by the Romans guards and bound in chains and is in the process of being taken from the temple to the Roman Fortress of Antonia which is next to the temple court. This where we step back into the text… What we will see the 1st of 5 speeches that he will make to defend himself and his faith.
• Acts 21:37-40
• 37 As he was about to be brought into the barracks, Paul said to the commander, “Am I allowed to say something to you?” He replied, “You know how to speak Greek? 38 Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt some time ago and led four thousand men of the Assassins into the wilderness?” 39 Paul said, “I am a Jewish man from Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of an important city. Now I ask you, let me speak to the people. 40 After he had given permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned with his hand to the people. When there was a great hush, he addressed them in Aramaic:
  • Who did the commander (Claudius Lysias) think Paul was?
    • He thought Paul was some kind of outlaw causing trouble.
  • Why did Paul mention where he is from?
    • To make it clear he was not the outlaw.
  • Why do you think the commander let Paul speak to the crowd?
    • The commander is surprised to hear Paul speak Greek and let him know where he was from.  I guess the commander could see that Paul did not appear to be a trouble maker he was rational. Also, Paul mentioned where he was born, in ancient thinking that counted for something, especially if you were from a noble and respected area, which Paul was. And maybe letting Paul speak would clear up a misunderstanding.  And we shouldn’t discount the Holy Spirit working here
  • Are you amazed that Paul was able to motion to the crowd and they quieted down?
    • One reason might be that Paul may spoke in Hebrew…The CSB says Aramaic but the Greek text just says native language…which could be Hebrew or Aramaic.  The Hebrew was the religious language and may have caught their attention.
  • Why do you think Paul wanted to address the crowd?
    • To defend himself from false accusations and to share the gospel.
• Acts 22:1-5
• “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.” 2 When they heard that he was addressing them in Aramaic, they became even quieter. 3 He continued, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strictness of our ancestral law. I was zealous for God, just as all of you are today. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, arresting and putting both men and women in jail, 5 as both the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. After I received letters from them to the brothers, I traveled to Damascus to arrest those who were there and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.
  • What is Paul proving to the crowed?
    • That he is a true Jew. 
  • What does Paul share about himself to show he is a Jew?
    • His birth and birth place
    • His place of training and his Rabbi
    • His Zeal for the law
    • His putting teeth to his zeal by persecuting followers of the Way
  • How well do you think Paul did with identifying with the crowd?
    • He is showing them that he can relate to them. In fact he used to be one of them.  In fact he shows he had more zeal than many of them by persecuting and chasing after Christians even in Damascus.
• Acts 22:6-11
• 6 “As I was traveling and approaching Damascus, about noon an intense light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 “I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, the one you are persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light, but they did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10 “I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ “The Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything that you have been assigned to do.’ 11 “Since I couldn’t see because of the brightness of the light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and went into Damascus.
  • How well does Paul do in relating his personal conversion this to hostile crowd?
    • Is Paul convincing? Does he have their attention? It appears he does.
  • What is the value of telling people one’s story of conversion or renewal of faith and commitment?
    • People relate to it…It makes it personal… 
• Acts 22:12-16
• 12 Someone named Ananias, a devout man according to the law, who had a good reputation with all the Jews living there, 13 came and stood by me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And in that very hour I looked up and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our ancestors has appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the words from his mouth, 15 since you will be a witness for him to all people of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now, why are you delaying? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
  • What does Paul point out about Ananias and why?
    • Devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there.
  • Paul is stressing his Jewish heritage to the crowd and explaining about Ananias brings validity to his conversion.
    • In other words Paul is not a heretic against Judaism. But rather he was led by an orthodox Jew to fulfill his faith by pledging allegiance to the nation’s Messiah.
  • How do the words of Ananias back Paul’s claim of seeing Jesus?
    • See verse 14. The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth.
  • What view do Ananias, Luke and Paul share concerning Christian baptism?
    • The urgency of it, “What are you waiting for?”
    • Baptism is connected to the forgiveness of sin.
    • It is an enacted prayer of repentance, “Calling on His Name.”
    • See immersion into the name of Jesus as an integral element of conversion.
• Acts 22:17-21
• 17 “After I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw him telling me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 “But I said, ‘Lord, they know that in synagogue after synagogue I had those who believed in you imprisoned and beaten. 20 And when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I stood there giving approval and guarding the clothes of those who killed him.’ 21 “He said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
  • Here we find out some new information about Paul that has not been shared before, this private conversation with the Lord during a trance at the temple.
    • Does Paul try to argue with the Lord about leaving Jerusalem?
    • It appears that way. Paul thought the Jews would listen to him because he had formerly persecuted Christians.
  • When did this event occur?
    • See Galatians 1:18 where Paul tells the time after his conversion. 18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. Paul identities a 3 years hiatus between his conversion and his return to his boyhood home.
    • Paul must have caused an issue in Jerusalem because he was debating with Grecian Jews trying to convince them Jesus was the Messiah. Paul wanted to stay in Jerusalem longer but Jesus says leave. In Acts 9:29-30 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
  • What does Paul tell us about Stephen’s stoning?
    • At that time he approved of it.
• Acts 22:22-29
• 22 They listened to him up to this point. Then they raised their voices, shouting, “Wipe this man off the face of the earth! He should not be allowed to live!” 23 As they were yelling and flinging aside their garments and throwing dust into the air, 24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, directing that he be interrogated with the scourge to discover the reason they were shouting against him like this. 25 As they stretched him out for the lash, Paul said to the centurion standing by, “Is it legal for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and is uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went and reported to the commander, saying, “What are you going to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 27 The commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes,” he said. 28 The commander replied, “I bought this citizenship for a large amount of money.” “But I was born a citizen,” Paul said. 29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately. The commander too was alarmed when he realized Paul was a Roman citizen and he had bound him.
  • What subject threw the crowd into an uproar again?
    • The mention of going to the Gentiles.
  • How prejudiced was this crowd?
    • Evidently pretty much so…ESPECIALLY against the Gentiles. They fail to grasp that God loved them too. What did these Jews think of non-Jewish people?
  • How bad did they want to get rid of Paul? What were they shouting?
    • In the original language it carried the meaning of put him to death in fact he should have been put to death a long time ago.  What were their actions? Throwing dust and throwing off their cloaks…a sign of uncontrollable rage.
  • Paul was saved from the crowd but what were the Romans getting ready to do to him?
    • Flogged…beat and ask questions later.
  • What card did Paul play at the last second?
    • I am a Roman Citizen…not only, not to be flogged without a trial but also not to be put in chains either so this could be a big problem…the punishment to the guards would be to inflict the same punishment on them. 
    • How was Paul able to prove that he was a Roman citizen?
      • We don’t know…But notice it was more honorable to be born a citizen than to buy your citizenship. Paul stood in better position with the Roman government than did the Commander.
  • What does the Roman commander know about the situation around Paul?
    • Roman citizen who is Jewish and a near riot centered on him in the temple. So Claudius has more investigating to do…His next step is to take Paul to the Sanhedrin to see if they know anything.  
• TAKE AWAY
  • Is God working in Paul’s life even thru these difficult circumstances? Can God work in our difficult circumstances?
  • Was Paul willing to use whatever opportunity to share the good news about Jesus? What about us?
  • Do think Paul was wise to use his Roman citizenship to protect himself?
  • What else do you see?

Acts 21:17-36

• How do you feel about speaking in front of crowd of people?
• Context:
• Paul has made it to Jerusalem, he is back from his last missionary trip that took 5 years.  Remember he has traveling with him Luke and the men from the Gentile congregations in Greece and Asia in charge of the offerings from their congregation to deliver to the church in Jerusalem.  
• What does Paul know that the Spirit has revealed waits for him in Jerusalem?
• Acts 21:17-19
• 17 When we reached Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters welcomed us warmly. 18 The following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, he reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
  • What does the use of “we” indicate?
    • That Luke is with Paul.  So we have eye witness testimony of what is happening here.
  • Why does Paul want to see James?  Who is this James?
    • This is the half-brother of Jesus an elder in the church at Jerusalem…Why see him?
      • 1) Paul reported in detail what God had done among the gentiles.
      • 2) To give the collection from the gentile churches to help the poor in Jerusalem.
  • Do you remember the last time Paul met with James?
    • It is back in Acts 15 where it was decided what to do about the Gentile Christians; will they be required to becomes Jews as well…the decision put nothing else on the Gentile Christians.
  • How do the Christians in Jerusalem receive Paul and those with him?
    • Warmly…with open arms.  What news does Paul share with them? What God is doing among the Gentiles in Asia and Greece.  Notice it is in detail…maybe Luke read from his notes. Paul has been gone for 5 years so this may have taken awhile.  James and the elders would have a sense of how the gospel is going into all the world. How the gospel was changing pagan culture.
  • Do you think the news and offering brought would have been encouraging to James and the elders in Jerusalem?
• Acts 21:20-26
• 20 When they heard it, they glorified God and said, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law. 21 But they have been informed about you—that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or to live according to our customs. 22 So what is to be done? They will certainly hear that you’ve come. 23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have made a vow. 24 Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay for them to get their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that what they were told about you amounts to nothing, but that you yourself are also careful about observing the law. 25 With regard to the Gentiles who have believed, we have written a letter containing our decision that they should keep themselves from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality.” 26 So the next day, Paul took the men, having purified himself along with them, and entered the temple, announcing the completion of the purification days when the offering would be made for each of them.
  • What problem do the elders inform Paul of?
    • See verses 20-22  …You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs.   There are malicious rumors about Paul and his ministry circulating in Jerusalem.  If Jewish Christians believe this about Paul it could cause a real problem in the church.
  • What do these Christian Jews zealous for the law think Paul is doing?
    • Changing their ancestral customs. Keeping Jews from being Jewish. Remember the Jews were conquered by the Romans but they were allowed leeway to practice their religious traditions and customs which made them distinct from the rest of the Gentile world.
  • Was this rumor about Paul true?
    • No…but had Paul said and written somethings that could be misconstrued?
      • Galatians 5:2 2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.  
      • Galatians 5:6 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
  • What did Paul reject about the O.T. Law?
    • As a means of being made righteous before God…justification only comes by faith in Jesus Christ.
  • Did Paul believe that Jews that became Christians had to give up circumcision, kosher food, and holy day celebrations?
    • No…but that these things did not bring salvation and should not be put as a requirement on others.
  • Does salvation remove cultural distinctions between people?
    • No, it transcends them but does not remove them… 
  • What do the elders suggest to counter the malicious reports about Paul?
    • See verses 23-24 There are four men with us who have made a vow. 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law.  
  • What is going on here?
    • The elders think Paul should be proactive…by assisting four Jewish Christians in the completion of their Nazirite vow. Paying for the sacrifices and head shaving. What is interesting Paul himself had taken the same vow at Corinth recorded in Acts 18:19.  Paul agrees to do this.
  • After asking Paul to do this the leaders of the church do something interesting look at verse 25… What do they recommit too?  “As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”
  • Note: Before Paul could participate in the ceremony of these 4 men he had to be ceremonially clean.  Having come from the Gentile Territories he needed to undergo 7 day purification ritual which meant he had to go inform the priest of the ceremony.
    • Do you find it strange this apostle Paul who writes and preaches about being saved by grace who would never think of putting any of the Jewish custom on the Gentiles still participates in the rituals of Judaism?  Paul never wanted to offend his Jewish country men. He also knew these things did not bring salvation but were part of who he was. Remember he was raised in this all his life.  There is nothing wrong with keeping a vow before the Lord.
  • Note: Paul never gets chance to carry thru his plan…Paul would have needed to make several trips into the temple courtyard in order to carry out certain rites for purification.  On one of these trip everything changed…
• Acts 21:27-36
• 27 When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd, and seized him, 28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people, our law, and this place. What’s more, he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30 The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul, dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. 31 As they were trying to kill him, word went up to the commander of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in chaos. 32 Taking along soldiers and centurions, he immediately ran down to them. Seeing the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the commander approached, took him into custody, and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing and some another. Since he was not able to get reliable information because of the uproar, he ordered him to be taken into the barracks. 35 When Paul got to the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36 for the mass of people followed, yelling, “Get rid of him!”
  • Jews from the province of Asia what would they have against Paul?
    • They probably have heard him preach they recognize him.  Remember Paul preached and argued for the gospel in many synagogues in Asia.  Jews did not think much of Paul they were very jealous of Him.  They were already plotting to kill him back in Corinth.
  • What was the two charges against Paul?
    • See verse 28 “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” 
  • How serious were these accusations?
    • Very serious the 1st is something that was already being rumored… What was the charge that was laid on Stephen the 1st martyr?  It was the same.  The 2nd charge is even more serious…Paul was in the court of Israel which had a sign posted death to Gentiles that cross over into here.  The Romans took capital punishment from the Jews but this is one thing the Romans would enforce for the Jews. If this is proven true they would have no problem executing Paul.
  • How come the crowd reacted so violently and quickly?
    • Are they trying to bring Paul to the authorities or kill him?  They want to kill him.  Was a Gentile with Paul? No…but that did not matter to the mob.
    • The Romans soldiers save Paul from the crowd and put chains on him…remember they are there to keep the peace.
  • Do they presume Paul is innocent?
    • How hard was it for them to get Paul out of the temple?  Since it speaks of a plurals number of officers (Centurions) probably 200 soldiers.
• TAKE AWAY
  • Were the Holy Spirit’s predictions true?
  • What might we learn from this?
  • The elders of the church were concerned about the rumors about Paul but they were also concerned about reconciling and proving the rumors false.  Do you think they were concerned about peace in the body?
  • Do you think Paul was concerned about doing nothing that would further aggravate the situation?
  • When do we decide to bend for the sake of others and when should we stand for your principles?
    • Depends we should not compromise the truth but we are given liberty we can compromise.

Acts 20:7-38

• What is the funniest or strangest thing you have ever seen in a church meeting?
• Context:
  • We will see a strange an event happen at a church service where Paul is speaking tonight.
  • Last time Paul was leaving Greece he went to Philippi  but sent some of his party on ahead to wait in Troas for Paul and the others with him.  By the way the word “We” is being used again by Luke so this means he is back traveling with Paul again. Evidently Luke had been left in Philippi to help the new church there and is now back with Paul. Paul and his companions spend a week in Troas before traveling on. 
• Acts 20:7-12
• 7 On the first day of the week, we assembled to break bread. Paul spoke to them, and since he was about to depart the next day, he kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were assembled, 9 and a young man named Eutychus was sitting on a window sill and sank into a deep sleep as Paul kept on talking. When he was overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 But Paul went down, bent over him, embraced him, and said, “Don’t be alarmed, because he’s alive.” 11 After going upstairs, breaking the bread, and eating, Paul talked a long time until dawn. Then he left. 12 They brought the boy home alive and were greatly comforted.
  • What was the primary reason the church came to together on the 1st day of the week according to verse 7?
    • To break bread…What does that mean? A reference to the Lord’s Supper
  • What time do you think their Sunday service started?
    • Sunday was a normal; work day for the 1st Century world so believers had to gather early in the morning before starting their work day or in the evening after working that day.  It appears this was an evening meeting. So people would have been tired.
  • Why do you think they chose to meet on the 1st day of the week?
    • It is when Jesus resurrected it is also when the Lord appeared to the disciples after His resurrection. We see in Acts that early on the followers of Christ chose to meet on this day
  • Why do you think Paul kept talking until all hours of the night?
    • I think Paul thought he would never be this way again and was trying to encourage and teach. Notice when Paul stopped talking…Day Break!  
  • How does Paul handle the Eutychus fall?
    • Paul interrupts the service to see what happen to the one who fell out the window. The boy is dead yet Paul does something like Elijah puts his whole body on the boy… the power of God saves him. This also like what Peter did raising the Christian lady Tabitha from the dead, found in Acts 9.
• Acts 20:13-16
• 13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul on board, because these were his instructions, since he himself was going by land. 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went on to Mitylene. 15 Sailing from there, the next day we arrived off Chios. The following day we crossed over to Samos, and the day after, we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, for the day of Pentecost.
  • Why do you think Paul walked to Assos instead of sailing with the others?
    • I think it was to spend as much time as possible with the Christians in Troas…this would have been a twenty mile walk for Paul.
  • Why does Paul want to avoid Ephesus?
    • I don’t think he was afraid to go back but if he went there it would be just to say hi and bye…which would mean another emotional good bye which could be time consuming and emotionally draining. In fact he may have thought it would delay his return to Jerusalem.
  • What is Paul’s ultimate destination?
    • Paul has set a goal for himself Jerusalem by Pentecost…I wonder why?  Paul wanted to take part in the feast?  There would be more pilgrims there at that time visiting Jerusalem maybe his hope to be able to preach about Christ in Jerusalem.
• Acts 20:17-21
• 17 Now from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church. 18 When they came to him, he said to them, “You know, from the first day I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and during the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews. 20 You know that I did not hesitate to proclaim anything to you that was profitable and to teach you publicly and from house to house. 21 I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.
  • Why does Paul send for the elders of the Ephesus church?
    • Evidently they were stuck in port of a few days. The Elders were about 30 miles away…Paul wants to see them one more time. So someone went and got them
  • If you look at verses 17-21 what is Paul doing?
    • Reviewing his time with them and reminding them of his example and also defending his actions and ministry…Why would Paul feel like he needs to defend his ministry?  Because there are those who are trying to undermine it… Jewish Christian who don’t like Paul bringing Gentiles into the church; Jews; Pagan religions which were losing followers to the truth…Jealously from other evangelists or leaders.
• Acts 20:22-31
• 22 “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, 23 except that in every town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. 24 But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. 25 “And now I know that none of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will ever see me again. 26 Therefore I declare to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27 because I did not avoid declaring to you the whole plan of God. 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them. 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I never stopped warning each one of you with tears.
  • Look at verses 22-24 what is Paul’s point here?
    • He is explaining his present plans and travels even his motivation.
  • Do you find anything interesting about the Holy Spirit’s guidance to Paul?
    • Compelled by the Spirit for him to go where the Spirit knows Paul will have hardship…did you notice how often the Spirit warns Paul? In every city? What does that mean? Were prophets in the church were warning Paul what lay ahead for him?
  • What was Paul main concern his safety or something else?
    • See verse 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. 
  • Why could Paul claim he was innocent of any man’s blood?
    • Because he has done what Christ called him to do; preach and teach the Word of God.
  • What does Paul charge these elders to do?
    • See verse 28  Keep watch over themselves and the flock they serve.
  • How did God pay for His church?
    • Verse 28 With his blood…does God have blood? Jesus did…
  • Why do the elders need to keep watch?
    • Paul knew trouble was coming from inside and outside the church…Is this the only time Paul has warned them? He says he has warned them for 3 years.
• Acts 20:32-38
• 32 “And now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that I worked with my own hands to support myself and those who are with me. 35 In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 36 After he said this, he knelt down and prayed with all of them. 37 There were many tears shed by everyone. They embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 grieving most of all over his statement that they would never see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
  • What does Paul commit them too?
    • “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace… What does mean for the Elder? Elders better know the word of God and be practicing it!
  • What kind of example did Paul give them according to verses 33-35?
    • Supported himself and others…But what is the point? Working allowed him to help the weak.
  • How hard was this farewell?
• TAKE AWAY
  • Does any of this have application in the church today?  
  • The Holy Spirit may direct us where it is not easy or fun.
  • The church will always be in a spiritual battle; the attack is the same from inside and outside the church. The attack will often be to distort the truth
  • What is the implication for leaders in the church?
    • They need to be committed to God’s Word they need to look after themselves and the congregation
  • What if we are not a leader; how does it apply to us?

Acts 19:21-20:6

• Context:  We have been looking at Paul’s 3rd  missionary journey which has turned into an extended stay of 3 years in the City of Ephesus. This has given Paul the opportunity to concentrate on sharing the gospel in what we now call Turkey.  We saw last week where the community was changing many were giving up there magic arts and turning to God.   There will be more ramifications of this tonight
• Acts 19:21-22
• 21 After these events, Paul resolved by the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem. “After I’ve been there,” he said, “It is necessary for me to see Rome as well.” 22 After sending to Macedonia two of those who assisted him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
  • What are Paul’s plans in the future?
    • Go back to Jerusalem on the way cut thru Greece visit the churches there then after Jerusalem go to Rome.  Paul even sends two helpers ahead of him…Timothy and Erastus.
    • Note: Erastus was well known…in 1929 a stone was found in ancient Corinth that read “Erastus procurator of public buildings, laid this pavement at his own expense.”  Is this the same guy? Romans 16:23…Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works,…
  • Something happens before Paul leaves Ephesus…
• Acts 19:23-27
• 23 About that time there was a major disturbance about the Way. 24 For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, provided a great deal of business for the craftsmen. 25 When he had assembled them, as well as the workers engaged in this type of business, he said, “Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this business. 26 You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made by hand are not gods. 27 Not only do we run a risk that our business may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and her magnificence come to the verge of ruin—the very one all of Asia and the world worship.”
  • Did you notice the name for the church?
    • The Way
  • Is the church seen here as making a large impact on society?
    • Big time…Years (AD160) Later the governor of Bithynia in this area would write to Emperor Trajan bemoaning the fact that the temples were deserted, neglected worship to the gods and no idols were being purchased…because the whole region had become Christians.
  • This fellow Demetrius; was his real concern the religion of Artemis?
    • He is more concerned about the economic impact to him personally…Less worshippers of Artemis less sales of idols…
  • Do you think economic issues and religion clash in our time?
    • Abortion and baby parts…locals don’t want churches moving in because they don’t pay property tax… 
• Acts 19:28-41
• 28 When they had heard this, they were filled with rage and began to cry out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with confusion, and they rushed all together into the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s traveling companions. 30 Although Paul wanted to go in before the people, the disciples did not let him. 31 Even some of the provincial officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent word to him, pleading with him not to venture into the amphitheater. 32 Some were shouting one thing and some another, because the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some Jews in the crowd gave instructions to Alexander after they pushed him to the front. Motioning with his hand, Alexander wanted to make his defense to the people. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 35 When the city clerk had calmed the crowd down, he said, “People of Ephesus! What person is there who doesn’t know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple guardian of the great Artemis, and of the image that fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these things are undeniable, you must keep calm and not do anything rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are not temple robbers or blasphemers of our goddess. 38 So if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a case against anyone, the courts are in session, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further, it must be decided in a legal assembly. 40 In fact, we run a risk of being charged with rioting for what happened today, since there is no justification that we can give as a reason for this disturbance.” 41 After saying this, he dismissed the assembly.
  • What impact did Demetrius’ speech with the craftsmen have?
    • It’s intended effect a near riot… 
  • Who got snapped up in the confusion?
    • Gaius and Aristarchus known Christians and companions of Paul. That these men were known means Paul was well known among the population of Ephesus.
  • Had Paul ever dealt with hostility like this before in Ephesus?
    • See 1 Corinthians 15:32  If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained?
  • Why do you think Paul wanted to appear before the crowd?
    • Help his fellow Christians and defend the gospel. Preach to a big crowd.
  • Do you think it was better that he did not?
    • Yes, I think it only would have escalated the situation.
  • Who were some of the people that tried to keep Paul from speaking to the crowd?
    • Not only other Christians but officials of the province, friends of Paul. It sounds like Paul had some powerful friends.
  • Why do you think the Jews pushed Alexander to speak to the crowd?
    • Probably to point out that Paul and the Way people have nothing to do with the Jews. But he never gets the opportunity 
  • What do you think of the way this near riot was averted?
    • I wonder if this city official was put there by God. The Greek word for the official was Asiarchs- they were in charge of the Emperor cult which co-opted the worship to Artemis) … he used a level head and common sense to defuse the situation (we could use many like him today). Keep in mind that Ephesus was the 4th largest city in the Roman Empire at that time. This guy is there because he is the liaison between the rulers of Ephesus and Rome. He could send a bad report to Rome that they are rioting. 
• Acts 20:1-6
• After the uproar was over, Paul sent for the disciples, encouraged them, and after saying farewell, departed to go to Macedonia. 2 And when he had passed through those areas and offered them many words of encouragement, he came to Greece 3 and stayed three months. The Jews plotted against him when he was about to set sail for Syria, and so he decided to go back through Macedonia. 4 He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 These men went on ahead and waited for us in Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread. In five days we reached them at Troas, where we spent seven days.
  • Do you remember how Paul got to Rome?
    • As a prisoner of Rome close to 3 years later
  • Why did Paul change his plans?
    • See Verse 3  
  • What is Paul doing as he stops and visits with each congregation along the way?
    • Encouraging them…What do you think Paul said to them? he may have said much of what we find in his letters back to the congregations…these are people who are trying to live out a life for Christ in a lost pagan world do you think they might have questions and discouragement?
  • Why are all these other men traveling with Paul?
    • These mean are responsible for getting the offering from the Gentile churches to Jerusalem…Gentile Christians carrying a gift back to help the primarily Jewish church in Jerusalem this is the 2nd times this has happened.
• TAKE AWAY
  • Is it still possible the church may find itself making a change on the local culture?
  • What would happen to the abortion clinics – bars – night clubs if 50%- 75% of the residents of Monroe Co were committed Christians?
  • Is the church called to transform not only individuals but society too?
  • Paul spent a lot of time sharing the gospel but he spent time encouraging and instructing Christians which do you think is the easier…Leading someone to Christ or Nurturing an infant Christian to maturity?
  • What can we learn about Paul’s commitment to Christ and the church?

Acts 18:23-19:20

• Context:
• What we are going to see tonight is the beginning of Paul’s third missionary journey.  This is the longest of Paul’s missionary journeys we have recorded in scripture. It covers the better parts of five years.  In this Paul has a long stay at Ephesus using it like a base of operations. We don’t have a mention of Silas. But I doubt Paul traveled alone.
• Acts 18:23-28
• 23 After spending some time there, he set out, traveling through one place after another in the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native Alexandrian, an eloquent man who was competent in the use of the Scriptures, arrived in Ephesus. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately about Jesus, although he knew only John’s baptism. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately. 27 When he wanted to cross over to Achaia, the brothers and sisters wrote to the disciples to welcome him. After he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.
  • Where did Paul go first and what did he do?
    • Went to the places he has established congregations… What was he doing? Strengthening the disciples.  How did he do that? Teaching, preaching. The region of Galatia and Phrygia make up a large portion of central Turkey.
  • What do we know about this man named Apollos?
    • He was a Jew from Alexandria Egypt, he knew the scriptures (probably mean he had them memorize…the O.T.) He was very enthusiastic, he knew about John’s Baptism…(He knew what John the Baptist taught about Jesus being the Messiah).
  • What was missing from Apollos preaching?
    • He only knew of John’s baptism which was a baptism for repentance. John encouraged people to get ready for the Kingdom of God. Repent, Stop sinning.  It could be that Apollos knew some of the teaching of Jesus but many think that he did not know Jesus had raised from the dead…did not know even of the church  had been established. Which means that Apollos did not know of the new birth the Holy Spirit or the justifying work of the cross.
    • Apollos’ preaching may have been summarized as this… Repent- live a responsible life toward God- social justice all these are good but it missed the atoning death of Christ and connection to it.
  • How did you think about the way Priscilla and Aquila handles the situation with Apollos?
    • They did not criticize in public but took him to their home and instructed him where he was lacking.
  • Armed with the full gospel message what does Apollos do?
    • Goes to Achaia which is Greece, to preach. We know that Apollos went to Corinth and preached some there…He becomes very effective in proving Jesus is the Christ.
• Acts 19:1-7
• While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions and came to Ephesus. He found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” “No,” they told him, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 “Into what then were you baptized?” he asked them. “Into John’s baptism,” they replied. 4 Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy. 7 Now there were about twelve men in all.
  • Paul runs into 12 men they were called disciples but whose disciples were they?
    • Were these men presenting themselves as followers of Jesus…Something must have been said to make Paul ask the question…”Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?  It seems to me that Paul is trying to see their understanding and their spiritual condition.
    • It sounds like they were in the same place as Apollos, they knew of John the Baptist and knew some things about Jesus but were lacking in full knowledge of the gospel.
  • What was defective about their baptism?
    • It was only for repentance it was not into the name of Jesus Christ.
  • What does Paul do for them to confirm baptism in the name of Jesus?
    • Impart miraculous gifts of the Spirit to them.
• Acts 19:8-10
• 8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly over a period of three months, arguing and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some became hardened and would not believe, slandering the Way in front of the crowd, he withdrew from them, taking the disciples, and conducted discussions every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the residents of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord.
  • Where does Paul go next looking for people to share the gospel with?
    • Synagogue.
  • What eventually drives Paul away from the Synagogue?
    • Some of the Jews refused to believe Paul proved that Jesus was the Messiah in Scripture. Once they stop discussing and start attacking, Paul takes the Christians and leaves.
  • How fruitful is Paul ministry in Ephesus?
    • all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord
• Acts 19:11-12
• 11 God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul’s hands, 12 so that even facecloths or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them.
  • What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit working these great miracles thru Paul?
    • It shows Paul is approved by God that His message is true so when Paul preached about the resurrection of Christ people would be inclined to believe it.
  • Did these healing miracles save anybody from sin?
    • No, not in themselves…but if people would believe in the miracles…they may be open to believe in the One who made it possible. Were these healings based on the faith of the peopled healed?
• Acts 19:13-16
• 13 Now some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists also attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I command you by the Jesus that Paul preaches!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were doing this. 15 The evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I recognize Paul—but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them, overpowered them all, and prevailed against them, so that they ran out of that house naked and wounded.
  • How do we know the church is growing having more of an influence in Ephesus?
    • Other Jews in this case were trying to cast out evil spirits using the name of Jesus preached by Paul.
  • How did this failed attempt of trying to drive out evil spirits exalt the name of Jesus?
    • It was not something to be taken lightly…there was real power in His name…more than some incantation…The name of the Lord Jesus was held in honor…that name was respected.
• Acts 19:17-20
• 17 When this became known to everyone who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, they became afraid, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high esteem. 18 And many who had become believers came confessing and disclosing their practices, 19 while many of those who had practiced magic collected their books and burned them in front of everyone. So they calculated their value and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread and prevailed.
  • Verses19-20 what proof of change to we see here?
    • $50,000 up in smoke. This should give us an indication of why there was so many dealing with evil spirits… a bunch of people were messing with sorcery also there was idol worship which Paul connected to demons…There is a spiritual battle taking place here and Satan is losing this city.
  • What impact do you think the gospel had on the community?  
  • What impact on the economy?
• TAKE AWAY
  • How should we handle those who may not teach or understand the complete gospel?
  • What would you say to someone who said baptism is not that important?
    • When and how do we receive the Holy Spirit? Repentance is wonderful but it by itself is not enough…
  • Is there a time to walk away from those who refuse to believe and take the gospel message elsewhere?
  • Can the gospel still change communities today?

Acts 17

• How quick are people willing to accept rumors and gossip as the truth and act on them?
• Context: Last time we saw where Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke make their way from Asia to Macedonia in Europe.  They establish a congregation in Philippi but it doesn’t take long for Paul and Silas to get into trouble get flogged and spend a night in Jail.  If you remember Paul and Silas are asked to leave town.  They travel about a 100 miles to the southwest to the city of Thessalonica. Remember the gospel as not reached this city.
• Acts 17:1-9
• After they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As usual, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” 4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women. 5 But the Jews became jealous, and they brought together some wicked men from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot in the city. Attacking Jason’s house, they searched for them to bring them out to the public assembly. 6 When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too, 7 and Jason has welcomed them. They are all acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king—Jesus.” 8 The crowd and city officials who heard these things were upset. 9 After taking a security bond from Jason and the others, they released them.
  • Notice Paul spends the better part of a month in this city. I am sure he spoke to people every day about Jesus.
    • What did he use to prove Jesus is the Messiah? Scriptures.
  • Look at verse 4… what impact does preaching of the gospel have?
    • People were persuaded to believe. What group was more ready for the gospel message?  God fearing Greeks. Why do you think they were more open to the gospel than the Jews? They did not have to overcome so many of the Jewish expectations of the Messiah.  Also the scripture interpretation was not all settled in their minds. They were open to another meaning.
  • Who disputed Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica?
    • Certain Jews   What was the motivation?  Jealously 
  • Why didn’t the Jews just prove Paul wrong from the scriptures?
    • They couldn’t so they became frustrated.  Who did they end up using to disrupt the ministry? Bad Characters from the market place.
  • How did Jason get caught in the middle of this turmoil?
    • He was at the wrong place at the wrong time. What did he have to do? Post bond.
  • What do you think of how the officials handled the situation?
    • They acted reasonably but did not investigate… they tried to defuse the situation
• Acts 17:10-15
• 10 As soon as it was night, the brothers and sisters sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. Upon arrival, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 The people here were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Consequently, many of them believed, including a number of the prominent Greek women as well as men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul at Berea, they came there too, agitating and upsetting the crowds. 14 Then the brothers and sisters immediately sent Paul away to go to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed on there. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving instructions for Silas and Timothy to come to him as quickly as possible, they departed.
  • What do you think of Paul’s decision to leave Thessalonica?
    • “Discretion is the better part of valor”… Paul and Silas leave Thessalonica and go 50 miles further along the Egnatian Way to Berea after night fell.
  • Why does Luke praise the Bereans for displaying a more noble character than the Thessalonians?
    • They readily accepted the gospel message and were open to examining the scriptures.  
  • Does that mean they were gullible and easily swayed?
    • No! In fact what were they doing every day? They examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. These people were eager for the truth. They matched the message to the scriptures. This shows spiritual maturity. 
  • Evidently some of the Jews in Thessalonica thought it was not good enough that Paul and Silas were out of their city so what do they do?  Would you walk 50 miles to cause trouble for someone else?  
  • Notice what the believers do with Paul…why?
    • They get him out of town.  He must have been the main speaker and seen as the main leader the people are concerned about his safety.
  • Paul knows the Holy Spirit thru the vision he received wanted them to take the gospel to Greece…but kicked out of three cities in row he may have wondered what is God’s will for His ministry.
    • This must have impacted Paul in some ways. Paul ends up alone in Athens maybe wondering what God was going to do next. As far as we know this is Paul’s 1st time to the famous city; the center of the Greek civilization. Paul is an educated man and would have known of many of the famous philosophers from Athens and what they taught. 
• Acts 17:16-21
• 16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed when he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also debated with him. Some said, “What is this ignorant show-off trying to say?” Others replied, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign deities”—because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 They took him and brought him to the Areopagus, and said, “May we learn about this new teaching you are presenting? 20 Because what you say sounds strange to us, and we want to know what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners residing there spent their time on nothing else but telling or hearing something new.
  • Is Paul impressed by their culture in Athens?
    • No distressed. What distressed Paul so much?  The pagan idol worship.
  • How does Paul approach the people with the gospel?
    • See verse 17 reasons with them…Paul never asked anyone to make a mindless decision for Christ He uses scripture for the Jews and those that believe in the one true God.
  • What were many of the Athenians obsessed with?
    • Knowing the newest ideas; they liked to discuss and debate. So Paul enters the debate
    • Paul is taken to the Areopagus which was a legislative body for Athens and could license teachers there were no Jews here quoting scripture here, it would be of little effect.
• Acts 17:22-34
• 22 Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “People of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect. 23 For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands. 25 Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. 26 From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. 27 He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’ 29 Since, then, we are God’s offspring, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination. 30 “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” 32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him, but others said, “We’d like to hear from you again about this.” 33 So Paul left their presence. 34 However, some people joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
  • How does Paul use their own idol worship to introduce them to the one true God?
    • Uses the unknown God.
  • What is the basis Paul speaks from to show them God?
    • Creation
  • What do you think of Paul’s sermon?
    • What truth does He get across… There is one God…who will judge…who can be known…and gives us proof be way of the resurrection of Jesus.
  • What did some have problems with when Paul spoke?
    • The resurrection.
  • How effective was Paul efforts in Athens?
    • It appears some accepted the gospel message but many others rejected it. The audience was split but some people of standing became Christians.   It is hard to convince people of the truth if they believe they already know everything.
• TAKE AWAY
  • Just because things aren’t easy we should not give up on what God has called us to do.
  • Some people will reject us when rejecting the gospel.
  • There is a way to reason with anyone and everyone about the truth of the gospel.
  • The resurrection of Jesus will continue to be hard for many to accept.
  • We as Christians need to enter the battle for ideas. Christianity is still a reasoned faith.

Acts 16:11-40

• How long can you put up with something that annoys you?
• Context:
  • What caused Paul to leave Troas and go to Europe? This is Paul’s 2nd missionary journey. We left Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke in Troas last week. 
• Acts 16:11-15
• 11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, the next day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, a Roman colony and a leading city of the district of Macedonia. We stayed in that city for several days. 13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate by the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women gathered there. 14 A God-fearing woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying. 15 After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
  • Notice Paul heads to the leading city in the area.
    • How did the fact that there was no synagogue in Philippi change Paul’s strategy?  Sabbath they go near the river side looking for the place of prayer the Jews would meet near water for ceremonially washings.
  • Were any of them Jews?
    • It appears no. But believers in the God of the Jews.  But still Gentiles.
  • Who was responsible for Lydia’s conversion?
    • The Holy Spirit or Lord opened her heart to respond.
  • How does Lydia help Paul’s ministry?
    • Providing food and shelter.
• Acts 16:16-18
• 16 Once, as we were on our way to prayer, a slave girl met us who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She made a large profit for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 As she followed Paul and us she cried out, “These men, who are proclaiming to you a way of salvation, are the servants of the Most High God.” 18 She did this for many days. Paul was greatly annoyed. Turning to the spirit, he said, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out right away.
  • Are you surprised to find a demon telling the truth?
  • Why do you think Paul waited so long to command the evil spirit to leave female slave?
    • Maybe he was being patient or he knew it may create a problem. I think that this evil spirit was trying to disrupt the sharing the gospel.
      • You don’t want a demon for a witness because:
        • Wrong Content: The text literally says, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you ‘a’ way to be saved.” This is syncretistic in looking at Christianity as one of the many ways to be saved. 
        • Wrong Tone: We can’t critique this because we were not there. Perhaps she said it sarcastically in such a way as to make light of the content of the preaching. 
        • Wrong Source: Maybe Paul does what he does because he doesn’t want any free press for the enemy. Like Jesus, the best thing Paul could do with a demon is to hush it immediately. 
  • How did Paul expel this spirit from the girl?
    • In name of Jesus Christ
• Acts 16:19-24
• 19 When her owners realized that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. 20 Bringing them before the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are seriously disturbing our city. They are Jews 21 and are promoting customs that are not legal for us as Romans to adopt or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in the attack against them, and the chief magistrates stripped off their clothes and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 23 After they had severely flogged them, they threw them in jail, ordering the jailer to guard them carefully. 24 Receiving such an order, he put them into the inner prison and secured their feet in the stocks.
  • The Gentiles Timothy and Luke with Paul were not seized in Philippi, but Paul and Silas, the Jews were.  Why?
    • Was racism a factor here? 
  • What kind of job did the city magistrates do at investigating these claims?
    • Terrible they just punished them on hearsay doesn’t appear Paul and Silas were even able to defend their side of things or even asked anything…after all they are outsiders and Jews.
  • Why the stocks?
    • Just another form of punishment but also made it harder for them to escape.  
    • Do you think Paul and Silas were discouraged?
• Acts 16:25-34
• 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison standing open, he drew his sword and was going to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Don’t harm yourself, because we’re all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He escorted them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him along with everyone in his house. 33 He took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. Right away he and all his family were baptized. 34 He brought them into his house, set a meal before them, and rejoiced because he had come to believe in God with his entire household.
  • I wonder what Paul and Silas were singing?
    • Was it early Christian hymn or out of the Psalms…whose attention did this get?  The other prisoners.
  • Convenient time for an earth quake especially one that loosens all chains…. What does this tell us about the earthquake? 
  • Why was the Jailer preparing to kill himself?
    • It was his life if anyone escaped. Paul saved this man’s life by calling out.
  • When the jailer found out everyone is still in their cell what does he do?
    • He falls before Paul and Silas wants to know what to do to be saved.
  • How did the jailer get to that point?
    • He saw God working maybe he heard Paul and Silas singing… maybe no one escaping when they could have… maybe recognized God’s hand in all of this. It could be he had heard what the slave girl said or some of the preaching of Paul.
  • To believe in Jesus what did the Jailer need to know?
    • Paul and Silas taught him about Jesus who died for their sins and all that was needed for salvation. Who Jesus is and what  Jesus has done.
• Acts 16:35-40
• 35 When daylight came, the chief magistrates sent the police to say, “Release those men.” 36 The jailer reported these words to Paul: “The magistrates have sent orders for you to be released. So come out now and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They beat us in public without a trial, although we are Roman citizens, and threw us in jail. And now are they going to send us away secretly? Certainly not! On the contrary, let them come themselves and escort us out.” 38 The police reported these words to the magistrates. They were afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 39 So they came to appease them, and escorting them from prison, they urged them to leave town. 40 After leaving the jail, they came to Lydia’s house, where they saw and encouraged the brothers and sisters, and departed.
  • Why do you think Paul insisted on claiming his civil rights as a Roman Citizen the next day?
    • Paul refuses to allow God’s name to be slandered by leaving without a public apology. He is convinced that God orchestrated these events not the magnates of Philippi.
  • Notice the last 3 words, “Then they left.” This means Luke did not go with Paul but stayed behind to help this new church.
• TAKE AWAY
  • If someone would ask you, “What must I do to be saved?” how would you respond?
  • What can you learn from Paul and Silas about enduring adversity? 
  • We should not discourage easily, why?  Because of what we have in Christ…Paul said God is for us!

Acts 15:36-16:10

• Context:
• Last time we saw where it was decided by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem that they would not require the Gentile Christians to obey the Law of Moses.
• But something else came out of that meeting… it anchored the churches commitment to reaching out to the Gentiles with the gospel.
• Paul and Barnabas have returned to Antioch in Syria we don’t how long they worked together after returning from Jerusalem. They were there long enough to do a considerable amount of teaching and encouraging.
• Acts 15:36-41
• 36 After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers and sisters in every town where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they’re doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take along John who was called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended by the brothers and sisters to the grace of the Lord. 41 He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
  • Paul and Barnabas are both teaching and ministering but what do they find to be more called to and concerned with?
    • See Verse 36. They want to go back and check on the congregations they planted in Asia.
    • They both want to do this but what is the disagreement over?  Whether to take John Mark with them.
  • How bad was this disagreement?
    • Look at the word Luke uses concerning John Mark in verse 38 deserted…it turns into a sharp disagreement.
  • Why do you think Barnabas was so insistent to take John Mark with Him?
    • John Mark was His Nephew… Also it was in Barnabas’s nature to do this, he was forgiving, and affirming and accepting when dealing with others…remember he vouched for Paul before the apostles taking a chance on him.
  • How do you think the personalities of the two figured into their dispute?
    • I think they were about opposites…The Paul we find in Acts seems more direct and abrupt…the two of them together brought balance to each other’s natural tendencies.
  • Who do you think was at fault here? How would you resolve the problem?
    • Neither…they both had their own thinking on the issue. I don’t know how you resolve it if neither will give in or compromise.
  • Was it worth giving John Mark a second chance to proof he could handle the rough life has a missionary?
    • John Mark is important to us…he worked with Barnabas then the apostle Peter who gave him the information to write the gospel of Mark…also Mark ends up being there for Paul later in his life.
  • What did the church do about the disagreement?
    • See verse 40; Nothing, the church stayed out of it…it appears the church did not take sides but commended them to the work.  Notice there is no condemnation of Paul or Barnabas. The church learned 2 people can disagree without judging one another.
  • Where did they go?
    • Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus; Paul & Silas went through Syria and Cilicia. Notice this was strategic both went thru their native lands first.
  • What is the good that is going to come out of this dispute between Paul and Barnabas?
    • Two missionary journeys…How did Silas end up in Antioch?  He was one of the witnesses of the meeting evidently he stayed in Antioch rather than returning to Jerusalem.  By the way, Silas was a Roman citizen like Paul which allowed them to move around the Roman Empire.
• Acts 16:1-5
• Paul went on to Derbe and Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman, but his father was a Greek. 2 The brothers and sisters at Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to go with him; so he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, since they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they traveled through the towns, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem for the people to observe. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.
  • Who does Paul find in Lystra?
    • Timothy     
  • Why do you think Paul wants to take Timothy along with him?
    • Timothy could relate to Jews because of his mother and also non-Jews because of his Greek father.  He must be growing in the faith others spoke well of him.  Paul knew that it was important to train up others to carry the gospel.
  • Do you remember what happened in Lystra on the first missionary journey?
    • Paul was stoned and left for dead.  Some disciples were there who must have helped. Most likely tended his wounds. Some think that it may have been Timothy’s mother and grandmother who helped Paul…therefore Paul would have met Timothy on the first journey.
  • Why does Paul circumcise Timothy?
    • See 1 Corinthians 9:20-23: 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law—to win those under the law. 21 To those who are without the law, like one without the law—though I am not without God’s law but under the law of Christ—to win those without the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some. 23 Now I do all this because of the gospel, so that I may share in the blessings.
      • It was not for salvation. Timothy was already Christian. It was for evangelism…So not to offend the Jews in that area. Timothy would have been considered a Jewish outcast because having a Greek Father. By Timothy submitting to circumcision removes many barriers to sharing the gospel with the Jews. 
  • How important will Timothy become to Paul?
    • Very…Paul writes 2 long letters to Timothy and considered him a son in the faith.
  • What are the results of Paul’s visits?
    • See verse 5  5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.
• Acts 16:6-10
• 6 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia; they had been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 Passing by Mysia they went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision in which a Macedonian man was standing and pleading with him, “Cross over to Macedonia and help us!” 10 After he had seen the vision, we immediately made efforts to set out for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
  • Where did Paul want to take the gospel?
    • Bithynia.
  • Where did the Holy Spirit prevent Paul from preaching the gospel?
    • Asia. 
  • How did the Holy Spirit block and prevent Paul’s movement?
    • We don’t know.
  • Why did the Holy Spirit prevent Paul from preaching the gospel?
    • To protect them…That area may not have been ready or maybe the Lord has plans for someone else to take the gospel there.
  • Where did the Holy Spirit want him to go?
    • West
  • What becomes clear after the dream?
    • God is leading them to Greece or Macedonia.
• TAKE AWAY
  • God can bring good out of our failures…that does not mean God wants us to fail.
  • As Christians we should be able to disagree without vilifying one another or judging one another.
  • We should be looking for others to train in the service of the Lord?
  • Do we get frustrated when God does not lead the way we want to go?
  • How do you believe the Spirit of God influences and guides your life?