Category: Christian Living

Acts 15:1-35

• If someone who did not know much about Christianity and they asked you, “How is a person saved?” How would you respond? By the grace of God by way of Faith in Jesus Christ.
• Context:
  • We are in Acts 15 tonight and this crucial question is dealt with.  Paul and Barnabas finished their 1st missionary journey and have returned to Antioch in Syria.  We need to remember that the bulk of the church worldwide is primarily made up of Jewish Christians.  The church was founded in 30AD about ten years later the gentiles in Antioch are receiving the gospel.  Paul & Barnabas go on their 1st missionary journey 46-47 AD.  So the church had thousands of Jewish converts before the 1st non-Jewish person.
• Acts 15:1-5
• Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 After Paul and Barnabas had engaged them in serious argument and debate, Paul and Barnabas and some others were appointed to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this issue. 3 When they had been sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy to all the brothers and sisters. 4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5 But some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
  • Who are these certain people and what are they teaching?
    • See verse 5 They were Jewish Christians… it appears these were Pharisees that had become Christians.  They were teaching that to be saved one must also be circumcised.  We need to understand the circumcision was viewed by Jewish teachers as a pledge to keep the entire Law of Moses.
  • Were they concerned about salvation of Gentiles?
    • These Jewish Christian have been taught all their life that the Law of Moses embodies requirements of Holinesses to God. It appears they were concerned about salvation but thought the only way to receive it was thru Jesus and observing the Law.  
  • Were there sinister motives?
    • We don’t know.
  • Why were Christian Jewish Pharisees mandating circumcision for Gentile Christians?
    • Would Jews share a meal with Gentiles? No they would not.  So circumcision cleared the way for the Jews to fellowship with their Gentile Christian brothers.  In other words they need to submit to being Jews. These Jewish Christians don’t want to give up the law, their kosher food, and Sabbath observance because all these things identify them as a distinct people. So to them Christ is not enough.
  • How did Paul and Barnabas respond to their teaching?
    • Sharpe dispute…They were refuting what these men were teaching. 
  • Why was this issue so important?
    • See Galatians 5:3-4 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 
  • All this had the church in Antioch unsettled.  So much they send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to settle the issue.
    • It was not so much circumcision versus uncircumcision but is the gospel alone sufficient unto salvation.
  • What happened right after Paul and Barnabas give a report on the work they have done?
    • See verse 5…Challenge from the Pharisaic Christians… What is they want done?
• Acts 15:6-11
• 6 The apostles and the elders gathered to consider this matter. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.”
  • What does Peter remind them of?
    • The conversion of Cornelius and family the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on them. The 1st Gentile.
  • Notice how were their hearts purified?
    • By faith not by circumcision and other Law keeping. Whose decision was it to extend saving grace to all people? God’s, so this is not a Peter or Paul decision.
  • What does Peter mean when he says…putting on their necks a yoke that we cannot bear?
    • Yoke is the keeping of the Law…which doesn’t bring salvation.  
  • Are we still under the Law today?
    • Consider the following:
      • As followers of Jesus we are not governed by the law. But we are led by the Spirit of Christ, and prompted by love. And this is magnificently more powerful to change one’s life than law ever was.  
      • Under the New Covenant we are commanded to love God and love people
      • The appeal to obedience under the New Covenant is not law, but what? Relationship. We do not keep New Testament commands in order to earn merit or to escape punishment. (Which are the only two reasons one keeps law.) But we keep them because of the relationship we have with Jesus. Our obedience to the words of Christ reflect the depth of love for our Master and our level of Christian maturity.  
      • What did Jesus do with the law?  See Matthew 5:17 Jesus fulfilled it in two ways, (1) by obeying it completely, and (2) by fulfilling it or retiring it. The law is fulfilled in Jesus living it out and by His sacrifice.
  • According to Peter how is one saved?
    • Verse 11…through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved…
• Acts 15:12-18
• 12 The whole assembly became silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describe all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they stopped speaking, James responded, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for his name. 15 And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written: 16 After these things I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. I will rebuild its ruins and set it up again, 17 so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord—even all the Gentiles who are called by my name—declares the Lord who makes these things 18 known from long ago.
  • Why do you think Paul and Barnabas emphasized the signs and wonders done among the Gentiles?
    • This offers proof of God’s approval for what they were doing.
  • Who is the James that speaks up here? And what does he point out?
    • The half-brother of Jesus. He links Peter’s report with prophecies concerning Gentiles and the kingdom of God. What Paul and Barnabas have told shows the fulfillment of these prophecies is taking place. Where is this prophecy found? Amos 9:11-12
• Acts 15:19-21
• 19 Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For since ancient times, Moses has had those who proclaim him in every city, and every Sabbath day he is read aloud in the synagogues.”
  • What is James conclusion and what does he recommend?
    • No other burden should be added to Gentiles accepting the gospel. He recommends a letter be sent to the Gentile congregations.
• Acts 15:22-29
• 22 Then the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, decided to select men who were among them and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers. 23 They wrote:“From the apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers and sisters among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some without our authorization went out from us and troubled you with their words and unsettled your hearts, 25 we have unanimously decided to select men and send them to you along with our dearly loved Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will personally report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it was the Holy Spirit’s decision—and ours—not to place further burdens on you beyond these requirements: 29 that you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. You will do well if you keep yourselves from these things. Farewell.”
  • What do you think of this letter?
    • Any question why they choose these things for them to avoid? These regulations can be found in Leviticus 17 & 18 directed to Aliens (non-Jewish people living in Israel.)
  • Does the letter make clear the apostles were not behind the teaching about circumcision?
    • It doesn’t even mention it.
  • Are these laws that are given to the Gentile Christians?
    • No!  These are not laws given to the Gentiles. Following Jesus you would avoid sexual immorality. The Immorality mentioned here probably is related to idol worship. In other words, this is not so much about their salvation. So what are these? They are commands or regulations which, when kept, would keep the Jews who might become Christians, from being offended by their potential Gentile brothers and sisters in Christ.  So these prohibitions are not commands for salvation but essentials for Christian unity between the Christian Jew and Christian Gentile. 
• Acts 15:30-35
• 30 So they were sent off and went down to Antioch, and after gathering the assembly, they delivered the letter. 31 When they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and sisters and strengthened them with a long message. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent back in peace by the brothers and sisters to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas, along with many others, remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord.
  • How was the Letter received by the Gentile Christians?
    • They were encouraged by it. It was clear nothing else was being added to the gospel for them.
• TAKW AWAY
  • Should we require more than God does concerning salvation?
  • Godly leaders open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word were able to discern the truth of God’s will and apply this truth in a practical way.
  • False or incorrect teaching needed to be challenged. 
• Additional info: Why we are no longer under the law.
  • One must keep all the law to be justified by it, which has never been done, except by Jesus, (Galatians 3:10–12; 5:3).
  • The law can only condemn. It never makes one righteous (Romans 3:19, 20; 7:10,11; Galatians 2:16–21; 3:10,11,21).
  • The law arouses sinful passion (Romans 7:5). 
  • Law produces sin by informing us of our sin and educating us further as to what sin is and how to do it (Romans 3:20; 7:7, 8). 
  • The law is slavery, grace is freedom (Galatians 4:9–11, 21–26; 5:1). 
  • Those under law are severed from Christ (Galatians 4:11; 5:4). 
  • We have been released from the law (Romans 3:21; 8:1–3). 
  • We died, thus are free from the law (Romans 6:4–7; 7:1, 4; Galatians 2:18–20). 
  • Faith preceded and superseded the law (Galatians 3:15–25). 
  • Only faith can produce righteousness (Galatians 3:5–9). 
  • Christ abolished [KATARGEO = Render powerless], the law (Ephesians 2:15).
  • The law was fulfilled by grace, and thus retired (Romans 3:31; Matthew 5:17).
  • We are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8–10; Acts 15:11). 

Acts 14

• Context:
• At the end of Acts 13 Paul and Barnabas were just leaving the city of Antioch they didn’t leave because they wanted to but because they were expelled from the city because the Jews there encouraged the leaders of the city to force them to leave.
• The Romans had built some good roads in fact you can still see them in places. One such road was the Via Sebaste which ran from Ephesus across most of Turkey and passed thru Pisda Antioch.  Paul and Barnabas use this road to go on to the town of Iconium. Which was only a 90 mile walk from where they were at in Antioch. We continue along with Paul and Barnabas tonight on their 1st missionary journey. We may notice some patterns develop as we work our way.  
• Acts 14:1-7
• In Iconium they entered the Jewish synagogue, as usual, and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they stayed there a long time and spoke boldly for the Lord, who testified to the message of his grace by enabling them to do signs and wonders. 4 But the people of the city were divided, some siding with the Jews and others with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat and stone them, 6 they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside. 7 There they continued preaching the gospel.
  • Paul and Barnabas get into town and go looking for the best place to find potential converts…where is that?
    • Do you see a pattern here? Gospel goes to the Jews first.
  • How did the people respond to the gospel message?
    • See verse 1… There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. 
  • Notice how Luke describes those who do not accept the gospel message?
    • They refused to believe…what does that sound like…like they will never accept it…not only do they not believe it but they are trying to actively oppose it.
  • Why do you think the unbelieving Jews were so against the gospel message of grace?
    • It would remove the boundaries between Jew and Gentile. Making the Jews less distinct, it would also threaten their traditions and take away their spiritual superiority.
  • What did the Jews of Iconium opposing the gospel say to get the non-Jews on their side?
    • We don’t know for sure…
    • Tell them Jesus was crucified and was a rebel against Rome if you support him you are a rebel too. 
    • Tell them Christianity was a new religion that did not support traditional ideas. (The Ancients did not see new as good but rather untried and untrue.) 
    • Misrepresent Paul and Barnabas… distort the message… 
  • Do you see another pattern here when it comes to the Jews and the gospel and how they respond?
    • Unbelieving Jews actively resist the gospel message and try to keep it from others, even working with Gentiles. 
  • What was the reaction from Paul and Barnabas to this initial opposition?
    • See verse 3…  They don’t move on but rather dig in and Get bold…they spend some time there.
  • What did God do to help them?
    • Verse 3 the Lord confirmed the message what does that mean?…by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. 
  • What divides the city?
    • Verse 4…Gospel acceptors Vs rejecters
  • What are Paul and Barnabas called in verse 4?
    • Apostles. Is Barnabas an apostle? Yes, because the Greek word means to send or one who is sent. Here it is not a reference to the 12 apostles. But in a more general sense. Both Paul and Barnabas were sent by the Holy Spirit.  And Paul considered himself as an apostle to the Gentiles. 
  • Were Paul and Barnabas chickens to run away from Iconium?
    • No they used their brains and thought it was better to go down the road to the next city. Rather than be murdered. In fact they not only got out of town it looks like they hide by going out to the country side to smaller towns.
• Acts 14:8-13
• 8 In Lystra a man was sitting who was without strength in his feet, had never walked, and had been lame from birth. 9 He listened as Paul spoke. After looking directly at him and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 Paul said in a loud voice, “Stand up on your feet!” And he jumped up and began to walk around. 11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the town, brought bulls and wreaths to the gates because he intended, with the crowds, to offer sacrifice.
  • Where do Paul and Barnabas go?
    • What kind of place was this? A pagan city, it doesn’t appear there is a synagogue here. This place is a 12 mile walk from the major trade route.  The makeup of the people of Lystra was different then Iconium and Antioch.  Its population was not as educated as the other cities.  These people would have known Greek but they also had their own tribal language.
  • Do you think Paul and Barnabas would have stood out as they came to the city gate?
    • They were not locals.  This all may have happened right at the city gate. This where beggars may have been and city leaders.
  • How could Paul tell if someone had faith to be healed?
    • Maybe his expression or maybe the directing of the Holy Spirit.
  • Does this healing remind you of any earlier healing?
    • Acts 3 where Peter healed the beggar by the temple in Jerusalem, who was lame from birth. Peter healed him so he could walk.
  • How does the crowd react when they witness this miracle?
    • Verse 11. They think Paul and Barnabas are Zeus and Hermes…   Now why would they think that? 50 years earlier the Roman writer Ovid retold an ancient legend about Zeus and Hermes visiting that region disguised as mortals seeking lodging among the residents but they were turned away repeatedly. Finally a poor couple let them stay in their tiny home.  The gods turned their humble home into a temple with marble columns and a golden roof.  Then they destroyed the houses of the people who had refused them a place to stay. This would have been a well-known story back then.
  • Would Paul and Barnabas understand right away what was going on?
    • No because in their excitement the people were speaking in their own language.
• Acts 14:14-20
• 14 The apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their robes when they heard this and rushed into the crowd, shouting, 15 “People! Why are you doing these things? We are people also, just like you, and we are proclaiming good news to you, that you turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to go their own way, 17 although he did not leave himself without a witness, since he did what is good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.” 18 Even though they said these things, they barely stopped the crowds from sacrificing to them. 19 Some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and when they won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. 20 After the disciples gathered around him, he got up and went into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
  • What do Paul and Barnabas do once they realize what is going on?
    • Tear their clothes.
  • Paul begins explaining about the one true God.
    • Why doesn’t he quote scripture like he does with the Jews?  He talks about God from the creation aspect.
  • Satan doesn’t want the gospel preached to anybody so what happened to blunt the efforts of Paul and Barnabas?
    • See Verse 19. 19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead
  • What did these Jews say to the people to get them to oppose the miracle workers?
    • Told them they are against their religion…served a false god.
  • What did the disciples do after Paul is left for dead?
    • They gather around him…what do you think they did? Prayed…Was Paul dead, unconscious or asleep? God helped him no matter what.
• Acts 14:21-28
• 21 After they had preached the gospel in that town and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” 23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 They passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 After they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed back to Antioch where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 27 After they arrived and gathered the church together, they reported everything God had done with them and that he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent a considerable time with the disciples.
  • How did the people in Derbe take to the gospel?
    • Large number become followers of Jesus. 
  • How far is Derbe from where Paul and Barnabas started this trip?
    • Much shorter then retracing their steps. 
  • What did Paul and Barnabas think was important?
    • To go back and strengthen these churches.
  • How do they strengthen these new congregations?
    • Encouragement, they appoint elders in each congregation, laying hands on them. Fast and pray with them.
  • Why did they give a report on the trip once they got back?
    • To encourage the people there and to be accountable to those who helped to send them out.  It would have been encouraging to hear how God was working.
• TAKE AWAY:
  • That ends the 1st mission trip. How would you rate it?  Was it a success?  Did they have trouble?
  • How many churches did they plant? Around 6 or 7
  • Who did they take the gospel message to?
    • They took the gospel to the Jews and the Gentiles…to the uneducated and the educated.
  • Was the gospel message controversial?
    • Yes…Not only did they win people over to Jesus, they made some enemies of those who opposed their message.
  • Are we to still make disciples of Jesus? 

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?

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?

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

Acts 9:32-43

• Can God put us in places where we can help people?
• Context:
  • Where have we seen the gospel message go so far?
    • Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, & possibly to Ethiopia.  Luke has introduced us to Saul, who soon goes by Paul but Luke brings Peter back into the picture as he writes the early church history.
• Act 9:32-35
• 32 As Peter was traveling from place to place, he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed,” and immediately he got up. 35 So all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
  • The town of Lydda was about 22 mile northwest of Jerusalem towards the coast.
  • What is Peter doing away from Jerusalem?
    • Visiting the Saints (Christians). When we last read about Peter traveling, it was with John. Here Peter is traveling by himself. The apostles apparently had a pattern of visiting the saints living in nearby towns. Remember Jesus had taken them on such travels to different towns.
  • What about Aeneas, what is his problem?  How long had he been sick?
    • Bedridden for 8 years. As a side note, this is one of the verses which helps provide support that Acts was written by Luke, a physician, since we see the word “paralytic” used here.  What is Aeneas lying on?  Does this tell us anything? He is using a mat… rather than lying in a bed. This may indicate he is from a poor family. Since he can’t walk it makes it hard to help work and support the family.
      
  • Was Aeneas a Christian, what do you think?
    • Since Peter was visiting the Saints he probably was. 
  • Who acted in faith in this healing miracle?
    • Peter’s faith in the Lord and Aeneas’ faith to respond to Peter’s command to get up and his own faith in the power of God. Peter in claiming that Jesus has healed Aeneas and Aeneas in believing he spoke the truth. There is no mention of Peter reaching down to help Aeneas, Aeneas simply got up. I tend to believe that it was when Aeneas moved to comply, acting in faith, that he was healed.
  • How would you define a miracle if you look at what happened to Aeneas?
    • God does it, it is supernatural, it was immediate and it was complete. Who gets the credit? Jesus Christ!
  • Why do you think Peter heals Aeneas?
    • Compassion, prompted by the Spirit, 
  • Whatever Peter’s reasoning for the healing what did this incident create?
    • Opportunity to spread the gospel.
  • What impact did this miracle have on the people?
    • People turned to the Lord…Was it just because they saw or heard of this healing?  No it gave opportunity for Peter to preach.  The people knew the miracle was true; God was behind what Peter was saying therefore the message Peter brings must be true.  (The word Sharon refers to the area around Lydda… The plain of Sharon “it is a fertile plain running 50 miles roughly along the coast, from Joppa to Caesarea).  The news of this miracle spread far. What is the evidence of the miracle? Aeneas himself, look at verse 35 … Immediately Aeneas got up. 35All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
  • Can God still do miracles?
    • Yes! Who is it up to if a miracle is done? God’s sovereign will…. It is not up to us …all we can do is pray in faith asking God to heal and that He might be glorified in the healing.    If God does not respond with a miracle what then does that mean? Was my faith to weak, did I not say my prayer right… No. More likely God has another plan.
• Acts 9:36-38
• 36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated Dorcas). She was always doing good works and acts of charity. 37 About that time she became sick and died. After washing her, they placed her in a room upstairs. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him who urged him, “Don’t delay in coming with us.”
  • Joppa was a major port city of Judea. It is about 12 miles northwest from Lydda.
  • What was Tabitha / Dorcas known for?
    • Always doing good and helping the poor… We will see she was famous among the widows for making clothes. Tabitha is Aramaic, Dorcas is Greek. Both mean “gazelle.” In a culture where both languages were spoken it is not surprising she was known by both names. This may indicate she was respected by both the Hebraic and Grecian Jews.  
  • Do you ever wonder why someone who is doing good is taken from this life? 
  • Do we know what Tabitha dies from?
    • Just that she was sick.  How quickly is she prepared for burial? The very day of her death which was common for both the Jews and the Greeks at that time.
    • If burial was delayed it was customary to lay the body in the upper room.
  • After she died why do you think men were dispatched to get Peter?
    • A)   Was their hope that Peter would raise Dorcas?  
    • B)   Did they want Peter to pray and comfort those who loved her? 
    • C)   Did they think it was important for Peter to come and pay his respects?
• Acts 9:39
• 39 Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him to the room upstairs. And all the widows approached him, weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them.
  • What does Peter find when gets there?
    • Does this sound like a time of visitation and viewing of the body?
      • I imagine many there were people she had helped showing their lover and concern for her.
• Acts 9:40-43
• 40 Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. 41 He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. He called the saints and widows and presented her alive. 42 This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed for some time in Joppa with Simon, a leather tanner.
  • What is the first thing Peter does?
    • Gets them all out of the room. 
    • Where did Peter learn this?
      • From the example of Jesus. Peter was present at all three occasions recorded in the Bible when Jesus raised someone from the dead. In one story, in the raising of the Jarius’ daughter, Jesus had the crowd removed from the room first.
  • What does Peter do next?
    • See verse 40 … Peter gets on his knees and prays.
      • Why? Could it be Peter is asking what is the Lord’s will for Tabitha. Does the Lord want her brought back to life?
  • What is death for the Christian?
    • For the Christian, death is not an evil, but rather the way God calls us home.  Verse 36 tells us that she was a disciple, so it was not a case of an unbeliever being brought back from Hell so that she can have a second chance. No, if she was to be brought back, it had to be for another reason… what might that reason be? To glorify God and draw others to hear the gospel message. Tabitha responds as did Jairus’ daughter.
  • What great words does Peter use in this resurrection?
    • “Tabitha, get up.” Words of confidence and faith.  These words are one letter off from what Jesus said in raising Jarius daughter from the dead.  Where Jesus said “Talitha Koum” meaning little girl get up. Peter says “Tabitha koum” meaning “Gazelle get up.” This is the first recorded instance of anyone other than Jesus actually raising the dead. Now Jesus had given the power to raise the dead tom the 12 disciples back in Matthew 10:7-8 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, and cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
  • What impact does this miracle bring about?
    • 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Many people come to Christ as a result.
  • What does Peter do after this, see verse 43?
    • 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.  Why do you think Luke puts this tidbit in here?  Peter being a good Jew would He usually stay with someone who is ceremonially unclean… you see a tanner deals wither hides of dead animals many of them unclean animals. Peter’s decision to stay with him shows already a willingness to reject Jewish prejudice and prepares the way for his coming vision in the next chapter and the mission to the Gentiles.
• TAKE AWAY
  • How should we treat the sick, diseased and hurting?
    • Pray for them and encourage them. Show them the love of Christ.
  • Haven’t we all experienced God’s healing spiritually or physically at some time in our life?
  • We do not have Peter here to resurrect the dead but what can we do to prepare others for the greater resurrection?
  • Peter was moved to help fill the needs of people which lead the greater need of seeing the gospel message spread to others

Acts 9:19b-31

• What does it take for us to believe that a person has changed?
• Context:
• Last week in Acts 9 we covered Saul confronted by the risen Jesus.  The next part of the chapter focuses how all this changed Saul. Let’s look again at Saul’s conversion experience.  Ananias is sent by God to heal his blindness and tell him what he needs to do.  Acts 9:17-19a
  • 17 Ananias went and entered the house. He placed his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 And after taking some food, he regained his strength.
• When we consider conversions in the New Testament we don’t find people coming to faith in Jesus simply by dreams, visions, angels or voices from Heaven, do we? In Saul’s conversion Ananias presence is essential. Saul’s conversion is authenticated by 4 elements: 2 are physical and 2 are spiritual. God heals Saul’s blindness thru Ananias and Jesus granted Saul to be filled with the Holy Spirit to enlighten him.  Ananias baptized him and Saul broke his fast and regained his strength. Healing and eating are physical symbols which coincide with the spiritual realities of the Holy Spirit and baptism and Saul changes from persecutor and preacher! 
• Acts 9:19b-22
• Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some time. 20 Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.” 21 All who heard him were astounded and said, “Isn’t this the man in Jerusalem who was causing havoc for those who called on this name and came here for the purpose of taking them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul grew stronger and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
  • Why do you think Saul moved so quickly to preach that Jesus is the Son of God?
    • This is more than just new convert enthusiasm.  One reason Saul had just seen Jesus… another reason is that Saul must be keenly aware of how wrong he has been and don’t you think if would want to begin correcting the damage he has done?
  • Imagine the stir Saul conversion and preaching caused in the Jewish and Christian communities.
    • What was the question being asked? Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”
  • What happens to Saul in the short time he is in Damascus according to verse 22?
    • He became more and more powerful in telling about Jesus and the gospel. Notice he baffled the Jews (meaning Saul bested them in their arguments)… proving Jesus was the Christ.  Verse 20 tells us what he was preaching… Jesus is the Son of God… proving thru scripture of the O.T. Saul had better training in the scriptures under Gamaliel, he is also filled with Holy Spirit and has his own personal experience with Jesus. And Saul was much more motivated in what he was doing.
• Acts 9:23-25
• 23 After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plot. So they were watching the gates day and night intending to kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall.
  • How effective is Saul’s preaching?
    • Good enough that they now saw Saul as their enemy.  Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 11:32
      • 32 In Damascus, a ruler under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to arrest me.
      • So the Jews wanted him dead but king Aretas wanted to catch him and arrest him.
  • Where does Saul go after sneaking out of Damascus?
    • See Galatians 1:15-18
    • Luke doesn’t mention it here but we know that Paul says something about where he went soon after his conversion. It is found in Galatians 1:15-18 .
      • 15 But when God, who from my mother’s womb set me apart and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me, so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me; instead I went to Arabia and came back to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days.
  • What do you think Saul was doing while in Arabia?
    • Most likely the same thing he was doing in Damascus preaching that Jesus is the Christ, God’s son.  This preaching would have happened in Synagogues in Arabia. 
    • NOTE: It is tempting to draw a parallel between Paul’s 3 years in Arabia as 3 years of training under a resurrected Christ and matching that to 3 years the 12 had under Jesus teaching. But that is not what Paul said. Remember Saul/Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit he was more than capable to preach the gospel.
• Acts 9:26-30
• 26 When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple. 27 Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He conversed and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the brothers found out, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
  • Who does Saul try to join?
    • The Disciples; that could mean any of Christians not the 12 Disciples they were referred to now as apostles. To join means to have fellowship with them…worship with them share the Lord’s Supper with them. 
  • Do the Christians of Jerusalem have a right to be skeptical?
    • Saul been gone for at least three years and people still remember him as the chief persecutor of Christians.  They didn’t trust him.  Don’t you think it would be hard to forget the person who had one of your loved ones killed or imprisoned?
    • It is thought that the persecution of the church lessened with Saul’s conversion.
  • What does Barnabas do for Saul?
    • He vouches for Saul… Why? We don’t know for sure, both were from the same province…There is no way to know how Barnabas heard of Saul’s conversion and his preaching.  Barnabas would have been well known and respected by the church in Jerusalem.
  • Why do you think Barnabas took Saul to the apostles?
    • He thought they needed to meet Saul and if they accepted him then the rest of the church would do as well. This may mean the apostles had not heard of Saul’s conversion.
  • Exactly what Apostles did Saul meet with?
    • See Galatians 1:18-19  18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days. 19 But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 
    • Maybe the rest were not in Jerusalem.
  • What did Saul do while in Jerusalem?
    • He spoke about Jesus   
    • Who did he speak too? It appears Saul returns to his old Synagogue…The Hellenistic Jews  Why them?… Remember Stephen: who was he preaching too when he was killed?  Saul maybe overestimated the influence he could have on them.
  • Again we see Saul’s preaching is effective… they cannot out smart him.  So what do they try to do to him?
    • They try to kill him. And Saul is sent off to his home town.
• Acts 9:31
• 31 So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
  • What is the situation for the church throughout Palestine?  What has eased off for a while?
    • Persecution.
• TAKE AWAY
  • The gospel and our Lord Jesus can still change people in a radical way today.
  • Does the church have the right to expect fruits of repentance from a convert?
  • Do we ever need a Barnabas?  Will we be a Barnabas for someone else?
  • We see in the Book of Acts that Christians looked after one another… they were concerned about each other. We need to continue to do likewise.

Acts 9:1-19a

• So we’ve seen the persecution of the Jerusalem Church begin with the stoning of Stephen, and then spread throughout the city, causing most of the Christians outside of the apostles to flee Jerusalem
• This has also now led to the Church spreading and growing, just like Christ had told the apostles it would before His ascension. 
• Samaria has received the gospel. Philip has converted the Ethiopian Eunuch.
• Now we return to the story of Saul, who is leading the charge against Christianity and is now looking to pursue Christians that have fled Jerusalem during the chaos
• Acts 9:1-2
• Now Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest 2 and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
  • This is the beginning of the story of the conversion of Paul, which is the most detailed story we find in the entire Book of Acts.
    • Luke includes this story in three different places in the book.
  • Luke describes Saul as breathing threats and murder against the disciples
    • This draws to mind the description of Saul giving approval of the stoning of Stephen at the end of Chapter 7/beginning of Chapter 8
  • He’s still pursuing new targets for his wrath, but not necessarily murder
    • What is he seeking to do? Arrest those participating in the Way, and bring them back to the Sanhedrin where they may receive the death penalty
  • He does this by doing what?
    • Going to the High Priest, probably still Caiaphas at this point, seeking letters to the synagogues in Damascus for permission to arrest those found to be participating in the Way
  • The question is actually whether any evidence supports a situation in which the Sanhedrin had authority over synagogues so far from home.
    • Damascus was about 150 miles from Jerusalem, a six day walk.
    • Luke does not say that the letters were papers of extradition, however, so the letters may simply have been letters introducing Paul and his mission, as well as recommending that such Jews be handed over to him. They wouldn’t have carried any official authority to enforce an arrest
• Acts 9:3-7
• 3 As he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. 4 Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul said. “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one.
  • Saul wasn’t far from his intended target, which means he had been on the road for more than 5 days at this point
  • Have you ever been blinded temporarily by a bright flash of a camera or something like that? This event would have been even more intense than that, bringing Saul to his knees
  • At the same time, a voice boomed from heaven, addressing Saul. What did the voice of Christ challenge him with in this interaction?
    • To account for his actions, especially in view of the fact that the persecuting of Christians amounted to the persecuting of Christ
    • Could Paul have had this event in mind when he penned II Corinthians 4:6, “6 For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.”
  • Was Paul convinced that he had been permitted to see the resurrected Christ, just as the other apostles had seen Him?
    • I Corinthians 15:3-8: “3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time, he also appeared to me.”
  • Was Saul the only one on the road that experienced this manifestation of Christ?
    • According to Luke’s record, his travel companions heard a noise, but did not understand the conversation or see what Saul saw
    • Saul’s use of Lord here is more than likely a respectful sir, but he soon realized he was being confronted by someone with more power than he had ever experienced in his life
• Acts 9:8-9
• 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. 9 He was unable to see for three days and did not eat or drink.
  • What physically happened to Saul because of this encounter with Christ?
    • He was blinded, and had to be led by the hand into the city
      • Put yourself in his shoes here. He was a powerful and proud man, who is now humbled and having to be led by the hand after encountering Jesus, whom he has just discovered he was persecuting
    • He also fasted for three days. What does this indicate about Saul
      • How completely devastated his spirit was because of this encounter
      • This period was likely a time for much reflection on what he had witnessed and what it meant regarding his place among the people of God
• Acts 9:10-16
• 10 There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” “Here I am, Lord,” he replied. 11 “Get up and go to the street called Straight,” the Lord said to him, “to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, since he is praying there. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him so that he may regain his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has authority here from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
  • Put yourself in Ananias’ place here. What would you have done?
  • He more than likely was not one of the Christians that had fled Jerusalem during the persecution, because Luke describes him as having heard from many people about Saul.
    • He knew of Saul, and his reputation, but doesn’t appear to have first hand knowledge
    • He was still very wary of meeting someone with the reputation of Saul, and maybe even rightfully so
    • He also knew that Saul had authority from the Chief Priests to wreak havoc on those in the Way
  • How did God convince Ananias to go to Saul anyway?
    • He told Ananias what Saul’s mission was going to be, building in a layer of support for Saul after his acceptance of Christ.
• Acts 9:17-19a
• 17 Ananias went and entered the house. He placed his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 And after taking some food, he regained his strength.
  • What happened when Ananias obeyed God’s command and went to find Saul?
    • He laid hands on Saul, and something like scales fell from his eyes
    • Saul also received the Holy Spirit after being immediately baptized, before taking food to regain his strength