Category: God

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?

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?