Acts

Chapters 15 – 21

2009

Chapter 15 - The Council at Jerusalem

Satan hates to see a good work in progress.  He stirs up certain men in Jerusalem and Judea to teach a false doctrine to the flourishing church in Antioch.  These men fell back into the legalistic OT teaching that “Unless you keep the ancient Jewish custom of circumcision taught by Moses, you cannot be saved (v.1).”  Paul and Barnabas were called to be evangelists to the Gentiles and argued that this teaching was incorrect.  They appear before the apostles and church elders in Jerusalem to decide the matter.

1. What do you see as the main point of dissension here?  (A) In essence, the false teachers were saying that Gentiles must be circumcised to be saved.  It was not enough that they should believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; they must also put themselves under the Law of Moses.  This was a direct attack on the gospel of the Grace of God.
2. What is the Gospel of the Grace of God?  (A) The true gospel teaches that Christ finished the work necessary for salvation on the cross.  All a sinner needs to do is to repent and to receive Him by faith.
3. In opposition to the doctrinal statement of salvation by faith alone, what can we say about the doctrine these false teachers were preaching?  (A) They taught a doctrine of “works” salvation.  The moment human merit or works are introduced, then it is no longer a work of grace.  Under grace, all depends on God and not on men.  If conditions are attached, then it is no longer a gift, but a debt.  And salvation is a gift; it is not earned or merited; we can do nothing to be worthy of it) – God gives it to us freely.
4. In Peter’s defense of the Gentile position (vv.7-11), what did he say how God included the Gentiles in His plan of salvation?  (A) God chose Peter to preach to the Gentiles so they could hear the Good News and believe.  God knew the hearts of the Gentiles who believed and confirmed their acceptance by giving them the Holy Spirit just as He gave Him to the Jews.  God cleansed their hearts through faith.
5. What is true of all legalistic doctrines?  (A) They are a “yoke,” or a burden, on the people.  Neither the legalists nor the new believers could live up to the legalistic requirements.
6. What is the point James is making in his quotation from the prophecy of Amos 9:11-12?  (A) This is a prophecy about the millennial kingdom and proves that Gentile salvation was not contrary to God’s plan.  There is no mention that Gentiles must be Jewish converts.
7. James suggests that the Gentiles be given a list of four things to avoid, all of which are found in the Law (vv.20-21).  Is James contradicting himself?  (A) No, the issue was already settled.  He suggested these four points to keep the fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers in peace.
8. What is significant about the letter to the Gentiles in vv.23-29?  (A) The elders assured the Gentiles that those false teachers were not sent by them, and that they, being in fellowship with the Spirit (v.28), require only four things from them.
9. What good example can we learn from in v.36?  (A) To “follow up” on new believers.

Chapter 16- Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

Paul and his fellow apostle, Barnabas, split over John Mark, Paul refusing to take him on the journey because Mark had deserted them once before.  Barney takes Mark to his home island of Cyprus to minister, while Paul chose Silas to minister with him to the churches in Syria and Celicia.  Paul and Silas head west toward Antioch and enter Derbe and Lystra, where Paul had been stoned.

1. What do we see about Paul’s character through his actions?  (A) He was dedicated to his call with no regard for his personal safety.  Preaching God’s message of salvation to a lost world was his only motivation.
2. In Lystra, Timothy joins Paul on his mission.  Tim may have been converted to the faith on Paul’s previous journey there as was his mother Eunice, a Jew, and his grandmother Lois.  It is interesting to see how the apostles ministered.  (A) They traveled in pairs and often invited younger men in the faith to accompany them.  There is strength in numbers and they needed strength to combat the attacks of the evil one.  The younger men gained knowledge and experience as they joined in the missionary work.  This is discipleship in action.
3. In light of the Jewish council’s ruling on Gentile circumcision, why did Paul circumcise Timothy?  (A) The people of the area knew that Tim was Jewish because of his mother and he traveled with other Jews on the mission.  Their first contacts were made in Jewish synagogues and the people might have refused to listen if Tim was not a circumcised Jew.  Circumcising him early on circumvented this problem.  Later in 1 Cor. 9:19-23, we see that Paul was, “…made all things to all men that he might by all means save some. 
4. Paul is so in tune with his God.  How did he conduct his journeys (see vv.6,7,9,10)?  (A) Paul learned from his encounter with God on the road to Damascus.  From then on, he listened as the Spirit of Jesus led Paul wherever he wanted him to go and excluded him from going to certain areas.  He went where God called him!
5. In verse 9, Paul receives a word from God in a vision.  A man from Macedonia calls him to “come over here and help us (v.9).  What does Paul do and why is Macedonia significant?  (A) Paul and his companions left immediately as directed by the Spirit.  It was significant because Macedonia is in Greece and this took the Gospel from Asia to Europe for the first time.  The Lord closed doors in Asia so that Europe could be evangelized.  It is all part of God’s perfect plan.
6. In v. 11 we see the personal pronoun used changed from he to we.  This is where Luke joins the mission.
7. We asked the question of how the Lord made known His will to His servants.  William MacDonald proposes several ways:

q      Jesus revealed His general strategy before His Ascension – be witnesses to all the world.

q      They were guided by the Scriptures

q      Through visions

q      Through prophets

q      Guided by circumstances – persecution, civil authorities asked them to leave; Paul’s appeal to Caesar takes him to Rome; ship wreck.

q      Through the council and initiative of other Christians – the church in Antioch & in Jerusalem, etc.

q      Through direct communication communicating divine will- an angel; the Holy Spirit; an appearance by Jesus to Saul.

8.     Paul travels to Philippi and ministers to the Jews there.  He meets Lydia, a Jewess  who worshipped God.  What do we see God do  (v.14)?  (A) As she listened to Paul preach the Good News, the “Lord opened her heart and she accepted what Paul was saying.”  This is a perfect example of the sovereignty of God in salvation.

9. Satan is the master of deceit.  He empowered a slave girl (a medium) with the spirit of divination (prophecy, seeing the future) literally a “python spirit,” and while she said the right words, why did Paul exorcize the spirit from her?  (A) All demons know that Jesus is Lord and she used the OT name for Him, El Elyon, the Absolutely Sovereign God.  We can never accept the testimony of demons.
10. Paul and Silas are put in prison for delivering the slave girl from her demon and are whipped and jailed for it.  Rather than moan and groan or be consumed with fright and worry, they praise and sing!  Their joy was completely independent of earthly circumstances.  God sends a miracle to free them and the jailer is so amazed that he asks, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved (v.30).”  What is he told.  (A) “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved…”  Nothing else he could do would add to his salvation.  He heard and believed.

Chapter 17 – Paul preaches in Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens

Paul and his companions now leave Philippi and travel southwest along the major trade route along the Aegean Sea.  They arrive in Thessalonica, and as was their custom taught in the synagogue.  The New Living Translation says that he “interpreted the Scriptures to the people,” and the NKJV says that he “reasoned with them.”  Either way is correct, because he showed them, from Scripture, the truth as laid out by the Spirit.  He used OT prophecy to show that the Messiah was indeed the Lord Jesus, and a large number of Jews, godly Greek men and many important women believed.  The unbelieving Jews started a riot and Paul left the city for Berea.  Paul is never discouraged and immediately enters the local synagogue to teach.  This time, the reception is different.

1. How do the local Jews receive the Good News?  (A) V.11 –“The people of Berea were more open-minded and listened eagerly.  They searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas to see if they were really teaching the truth.”
2. How can we apply this today?  (A) We are called to do the same.  Every teaching we come across must not blow us away.  We have the completed Scriptures to search, to study, and to determine the truth.
3. If that is true, why do we have so much dissension in the church, some teaching one thing while others teach just the opposite?  (A) Teachers are just people and sin as often as any other person.  A teacher is held responsible for what he teaches and is responsible to God and to whom he is teaching.  He must be led by the Spirit in discerning what Scripture teaches, must not take verses out of context and bend them to prove a pet doctrine.  He must take all of Scripture and apply it no matter what is being taught and apply it as a whole.  It is easy to prove a particular stance by quoting one or two verses out of context while the whole of Scripture teaches quite a different thing.  The hearer must be just a diligent and search the Scriptures earnestly for the truth and ask the Spirit for discernment.
4. The Jewish troublemakers from Thessalonica hear about Paul’s teaching in Berea and travel there to stir up the city against him.  The believers accompanied Paul to Athens.  While waiting for Timothy and Silas to join him, he was deeply troubled by the idolatry of the city.  In one of the greatest cities of the ancient world, Paul found no interest in the incredible sights but instead found the synagogue and taught there.  He was brought He was brought to the Areopagus (the high court of the city) to express his views about God.  He begins by saying that he noticed that the men of Athens were “very religious” and that he had found among all of the various altars to gods, an altar “To the Unknown God.”  Remember that he was speaking to Gentiles and not Jews, so they had no knowledge of the OT.  Instead, he addressed them with a subject of common interest – religion.  What does Paul see in this inscription on the altar?  (A) The fact that God did exist and the fact that the Athenians were ignorant of Him.  Paul used this as a base to educate them concerning the true God.
5. Paul tells them that since God made all things, He does not need temples to dwell in or idols made by men to worship Him.  What does Paul say in v.26, 27 about God’s role for man?  (A) God could be known to man and all men were equal since all came from one man, Adam.  He continues to tell them that God has beforehand determined every nation on earth (and the people in them) to a preappointed time.  He sovereignly controls the rise and fall of all nations and empires.  “He determines their boundaries (v.26)” - God is responsible for establishing all nations as to their racial identity and their specific geographical locations (Deut. 32:8) and determining the extent of their conquests (Is.10: 12-15).
6. Why dose God do all of these things?  (A) His objective in revealing Himself as Creator, ruler and controller of the world is that man would seek Him and find Him.  Paul tells them that God commands all men to repent because the day has already been appointed when all men will be judged by the Messiah (vv.30, 31) and this we know because this Man Jesus rose from the dead!

Chapter 18 - Paul Ministers at Corinth

Paul travels to Corinth and for a while worked at his profession as a tent maker.  He joined with two other tent makers, Priscilla and Aquila, two Roman Christians banished from Rome by the Emperor.  As always, he taught in the synagogue every Sabbath.

1. What changed when Silas and Timothy came to join him?  (A) Paul was “compelled by the Holy Spirit” (not seen in the NLT), to spend his full time preaching and testifying that Jesus is the Messiah (v.5).
2. In v.6, the Jews rejected Paul and insulted him (in regards to his teaching about Christ; this was blasphemy).  He “shook the dust from his robe and said, “Let your blood be upon your own heads – I am innocent (V.6).”  What did he mean by this statement?  (A) We see this several times in the book and it is in regard to what is written in Ezekiel 33:4; 33:8,9 – Prophets were given the specific task to warn the people to whom they were sent to repent from their sins.  If they failed to warn them, judgment would be upon the prophet.  Paul was saying that the call to repentance was given; the responsibility for their souls was their own.
3. What great thing do you see God doing for Paul (v. 9,10)?  (A) The Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and encouraged him – “Don’t be afraid!  Speak out!  Don’t be silent!  For I am with you and no one will harm you, because many people here in this city belong to Me.”
4. What does God mean when he tells Paul, “…many people in the city belong to Me?”  (A) God had appointed (chosen, elected, predestined) a number of people in Corinth for salvation, who had not yet heard the gospel.  The effect of Paul’s teaching would bring the elect to faith. Paul’s 2^nd missionary journey is drawing to a close as he travels to Jerusalem for the coming Feast.
5. An eloquent Jew named Appolos from Alexandria comes to Corinth, speaks, and teaches accurately about the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.  What does this mean?  Is he teaching the gospel?  (A) He taught about Jesus but did not fully understand Christian truth.  “He knew only the baptism of John” refers to John’s exhortation to repent and make way for the coming of the Lord.  He accepted the message of repentance and even acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah, but was ignorant of the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection, the ministry of the Spirit and the church as God’s witness people.
6. What is wonderful about the remainder of v. 26?  (A) When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately.  This is true discipleship.  It is what we all are called to do.  Are you mentoring someone?  What can you pass on to others?

Chapter 19 – Paul at Ephesus

John the Baptist had a powerful ministry that reached even as far as Ephesus, about 800 miles from Jerusalem.  Paul finds some of these disciples of John in Ephesus and ministers to them.

1.     How would John’s ministry have been good preparation for them to hear the Gospel?  (A) The Gospel is the message of repentance but introduces Christ Jesus as the Savior in whom repentance and forgiveness of sins is received.

2.     Where these people Christians?  (A) In light of the fact that they had not received the Spirit, they were not yet fully Christians.  They did believe in repentance and had repented, but did not know Jesus as the One to whom repentance pointed.  Notice that Paul gives them instruction (v. 4) not on how to receive the Spirit, but about Jesus Christ.  This is quite the opposite of many teachings today with the emphasis on the Spirit and Spiritual gifts rather than on Jesus.  The work of the Spirit is to glorify the Savior.

3.     Follow the sequence in vv.4-6.  They heard (believed in v.4), were baptized, had hands laid on them, received the HS, spoke in tongues and prophesied.  Is this the normal sequence of events for believers?  (A) This is the fourth time in the book of Acts that the Spirit is given.  The receiving of the Spirit is slightly different in each case and given as was required by the different circumstances.  The laying on of hands was an outward sign that their baptism into Christ was complete and now they were included into the church.  They received the Holy spirit and spoke in tongues as proof that they were now included into God’s plan for the church and that the Spirit now indwelt them.  Remember that this all occurred before there was a written and complete New Testament, wherein we find our reason to hear, believe, be baptized and consequently receive the Spirit.

4.     What was the reason for the spectacular miracles Paul performed (v.11, 12)?  (A) As an apostle of Jesus, Paul had the power to perform signs and wonders.  These were proofs of his apostleship, and authenticated the message he preached.  The question arises, whether these miracles can be duplicated today.  The HS of God is sovereign, and He can do as He pleases.  However, we must remember that the apostles and some disciples had supernatural powers given to them to give authenticity to their ministry for Jesus Christ.  The Word was not yet written to educate people about Jesus.

5.     What does v.15 tell you?  (A) This confirms that the power to cast out demons belonged to Jesus and the apostles and no one else.  Even the demons testify to that.

Chapter 20 – Paul’s Journeys In Greece and Macedonia

Paul is always on the move.  Surviving the riot in Ephesus, Paul leaves for Macedonia once again and then on to Greece, probably in Corinth.  He stayed and ministered until the local Jews plotted to kill him.  Paul now wants to return to Syria, probably to Antioch, and to Jerusalem with offerings from the churches for the poor there.  Seven companions are mentioned, men probably are the official representatives of the various churches Paul visited.

1.     Why do you think these seven men from different regions and churches were sent with Paul on his journey?  (A) There may be several reasons: most likely to keep any false accusations from arising about misrepresentation of the monies collected by Paul for Jerusalem.  The Jews used any and all excuses to dishonor Paul.  These men encouraged Paul in the difficult times of persecution he faced in his ministry and Paul often asked that certain of his disciples come to visit and minister with him.  Paul was headed to Jerusalem and these men, mostly Gentiles, were living proof of the success of the ministry to the Gentiles.

2.     In Paul speech in Ephesus to the elders there, he gives us a valuable portrait of what an ideal servant of Christ should look like.  Name some of the characteristics (v.18-35).  (A) The manner in which he lived, with true humility and self-denial; with tears of sorrow and trials; he suffered persecution (vv.18, 19; he never shrank from telling the truth and held back nothing (vv.20, 21); he preached one message - repentance of sin and faith in Jesus.  He taught that one must repent and that it would do no good unless followed by faith in the Son of God.  * Note:  While faith alone as the condition to salvation is taught in the NT, one cannot have faith unless there is repentance.  How could a person truly accept Christ as Savior unless he realized that he needed a Savior?  This realization, brought about by the convicting ministry of the HS, is repentance.

3.     Continuing the ideal servant portrait – vv.22-23 – Paul is always open to the Spirit’s lead, even though he knew it would eventually lead to his death.  V.24 – he considered his life worth nothing unless it was for the work assigned by the Lord – telling others about God’s kindness and love.  VV.25-27 – He taught the people about the Kingdom and all that God wants from you (the NKJV calls it the “whole council of God” which includes: the divine truths of creation, election, redemption, justification, adoption, conversion, sanctification, holy living, and glorification).

4.     Sometimes the New Living Translation falls flat when translating words from the KJV or the NKJV.  The end of v.24 is one of those times.  Paul says, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish the race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God.”  Amen!  His whole life’s ambition was to obey God and to please Him.  If someone was to ask you what the “Gospel of Grace of God” is, what would you say?  (A) It really is the Good News, the message of God’s undeserved favor to guilty, ungodly sinners who deserve nothing but everlasting hell.  It tells how God the Son of God’s love came from heaven’s highest glory to suffer, bleed, and die on Calvary in order that those who believe in Him might receive the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life.  This was and is the Gospel of Grace.

Chapter 21 – Paul’s Journey To Jerusalem

Paul leaves his much loved flock in Ephesus and sails toward Jerusalem.  Arriving at Tyre on the coast north of Judea, Paul meets with local disciples and they tell him that the Spirit was directing him not to go to Jerusalem (v.4).

1.     After seven days, he continues on towards the Holy City.  Is this in direct disregard to the Spirit’s lead?  (A) Most commentators believe that this was not an order from the Spirit not to go to Jerusalem.  Rather, the Spirit had revealed to the believers at Tyre that Paul would face suffering in Jerusalem.  Understandably, they tried to convince him not to go.  We see in 20:22 that Paul had indeed been commanded to go to Jerusalem by the Spirit.

2.     What was Agabus prophesying in v.11?  (A) He foresaw, through the HS, Paul in Jerusalem, being tied up and given over to the Romans for judgment.

3.     *Note – For your own contemplation; Look deep in your heart and ask yourself if you would be willing to say and do what Paul did in v. 13?  Would you be willing to die for the sake of Jesus?

4.     Paul is urged by the elders in Jerusalem to take a Nazarite vow along with four other men, shave his head as the vow required, and pay for the expenses of each of these men.  Why? (A) Paul was in trouble, as always, by the false accusations of the Judaizers, claiming that he taught the Jews to forsake their heritage, abandon Jewish customs and renounce the Law of Moses.  The elders thought that this might convince the Jews that Paul was still a Jew at heart and that he was not turning away from the Law.

5.     Do you think it was strange for someone who was so insistent on keeping the Gentiles from having to adhere to the Law, to be so insistent in he himself keeping it?  (A) It is an issue for debate and has been an issue for a very long time.  In his defense, Paul was acting according to his own principle to be all things to all men, if by any means he might save some (1 Cor. 9:19-23).  However, Paul might have gone too far in his effort to appease the Jews, and thus creating the impression that he was still under the Law.  Some believe that he was inconsistent with his view and teaching, that the believer is not under the Law, either for justification or as a rule of life (Gal. 1 and 2).  The elders themselves agreed that the Gentiles only need to abstain form food offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. In the end, the Jews still falsely accused him and condemned him.

Paul is saved from the mob by the Roman guard, is chained and brought to the Antonia Fortress in Jerusalem.  He asks for and is allowed to speak in his defense.

Acts 15 – 21

Questions

2009

Chapter 15 - The Council at Jerusalem

Satan hates to see a good work in progress.  He stirs up certain men in Jerusalem and Judea to teach a false doctrine to the flourishing church in Antioch.  These men fell back into the legalistic OT teaching that “Unless you keep the ancient Jewish custom of circumcision taught by Moses, you cannot be saved (v.1).”  Paul and Barnabas were called to be evangelists to the Gentiles and argued that this teaching was incorrect.  They appear before the apostles and church elders in Jerusalem to decide the matter.

1. What do you see as the main point of dissension here?  (A) In essence, the false teachers were saying that Gentiles must be ____________ to be saved.  It was not enough that they should believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; they must also put themselves under the ____ of Moses.  This was a direct attack on the gospel of the Grace of God.
2. What is the Gospel of the Grace of God?  (A) The true gospel teaches that Christ ______ the _____ necessary for salvation on the cross.  All a sinner needs to do is to _________ and to receive Him by faith.
3. In opposition to the doctrinal statement of salvation by faith alone, what can we say about the doctrine these false teachers were preaching?  (A) They taught a doctrine of “____” salvation.  The moment human merit or works are introduced, then it is no longer a work of _____.  Under grace, all depends on ____ and not on men.  If conditions are attached, then it is no longer a gift, but a debt.  And salvation is a ____; it is not earned or merited; we can do ______ to be worthy of it) – God gives it to us freely.
4. In Peter’s defense of the Gentile position (vv.7-11), what did he say how God included the Gentiles in His plan of salvation?  (A) God ______ Peter to preach to the Gentiles so they could hear the Good News and believe.  God knew the _____ of the Gentiles who ________ and ________ their acceptance by giving them the Holy Spirit just as He gave Him to the Jews.  God cleansed their hearts through faith.
5. What is true of all legalistic doctrines?  (A) They are a “yoke,” or a _____, on the people.  Neither the legalists nor the new believers could _______ to the legalistic requirements.
6. What is the point James is making in his quotation from the prophecy of Amos 9:11-12?  (A) This is a prophecy about the millennial kingdom and proves that ________ salvation was not ________ to God’s plan.  There is no mention that Gentiles must be Jewish converts.
7. James suggests that the Gentiles be given a list of four things to avoid, all of which are found in the Law (vv.20-21).  Is James contradicting himself?  (A) No, the issue was __________ settled.  He suggested these four points to keep the fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers in ______.
8. What is significant about the letter to the Gentiles in vv.23-29?  (A) The elders assured the Gentiles that those false teachers were not sent by them, and that they, being in ________ with the ________ (v.28), require only four things from them.
9. What good example can we learn from in v.36?  (A) To “_________” on new believers.

Chapter 16- Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

Paul and his fellow apostle, Barnabas, split over John Mark, Paul refusing to take him on the journey because Mark had deserted them once before.  Barney takes Mark to his home island of Cyprus to minister, while Paul chose Silas to minister with him to the churches in Syria and Celicia.  Paul and Silas head west toward Antioch and enter Derbe and Lystra, where Paul had been stoned.

What do we see about Paul’s character through his actions?  (A) He was _______ to his call with no regard for his personal safety.  Preaching God’s message of salvation to a lost world was his _____ motivation.

1. In Lystra, Timothy joins Paul on his mission.  Tim may have been converted to the faith on Paul’s previous journey there as was his mother Eunice, a Jew, and his grandmother Lois.  It is interesting to see how the apostles ministered.  (A) They traveled in ______ and often invited _______ men in the faith to accompany them.  There is strength in numbers and they needed strength to combat the attacks of the ______ one.  The younger men gained knowledge and experience as they joined in the missionary work.  This is discipleship in action.
2. In light of the Jewish council’s ruling on Gentile circumcision, why did Paul circumcise Timothy?  (A) The people of the area knew that Tim was Jewish because of his mother and he traveled with other Jews on the mission.  Their first contacts were made in Jewish _________ and the people might have refused to ____ if Tim was not a circumcised Jew.  Circumcising him early on circumvented this problem.  Later in 1 Cor. 9:19-23, we see that Paul was, “…made all things to all men that he might by all means save some. 
3. Paul is so in tune with his God.  How did he conduct his journeys (see vv.6,7,9,10)?  (A) Paul learned from his encounter with God on the road to Damascus.  From then on, he _______ as the _____ of Jesus led Paul wherever he wanted him to go and excluded him from going to certain areas.  He went ______ God called him!
4. In verse 9, Paul receives a word from God in a vision.  A man from Macedonia calls him to “come over here and help us (v.9).  What does Paul do and why is Macedonia significant?  (A) Paul and his companions left ________ as directed by the Spirit.  It was significant because Macedonia is in Greece and this took the Gospel from _____ to ______ for the first time.  The Lord closed doors in Asia so that Europe could be evangelized.  It is all part of God’s perfect ______.
5. In v. 11 we see the personal pronoun used changed from he to we.  This is where Luke joins the mission.
6. We asked the question of how the Lord made known His will to His servants.  William MacDonald proposes several ways:

q      Jesus revealed His general strategy before His Ascension – be witnesses to all the world.

q      They were guided by the Scriptures

q      Through visions

q      Through prophets

q      Guided by circumstances – persecution, civil authorities asked them to leave; Paul’s appeal to Caesar takes him to Rome; ship wreck.

q      Through the council and initiative of other Christians – the church in Antioch & in Jerusalem, etc.

q      Through direct communication communicating divine will- an angel; the Holy Spirit; an appearance by Jesus to Saul.

7.     Paul travels to Philippi and ministers to the Jews there.  He meets Lydia, a Jewess  who worshipped God.  What do we see God do  (v.14)?  (A) As she listened to Paul preach the Good News, the “Lord _____________ and she _________ what Paul was saying.”  This is a perfect example of the sovereignty of God in salvation.

8. Satan is the master of deceit.  He empowered a slave girl (a medium) with the spirit of divination (prophecy, seeing the future) literally a “python spirit,” and while she said the right words, why did Paul exorcize the spirit from her?  (A) All demons know that Jesus is Lord and she used the OT name for Him, El Elyon, the Absolutely Sovereign God.  We can never accept the ___________ of ________.
9. Paul and Silas are put in prison for delivering the slave girl from her demon and are whipped and jailed for it.  Rather than moan and groan or be consumed with fright and worry, they praise and sing!  Their joy was completely independent of earthly circumstances.  God sends a miracle to free them and the jailer is so amazed that he asks, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved (v.30).”  What is he told.  (A) “______ on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be ____…” -  Nothing else he could do would add to his salvation.  He heard and believed.

Chapter 17 – Paul preaches in Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens

Paul and his companions now leave Philippi and travel southwest along the major trade route along the Aegean Sea.  They arrive in Thessalonica, and as was their custom taught in the synagogue.  The New Living Translation says that he “interpreted the Scriptures to the people,” and the NKJV says that he “reasoned with them.”  Either way is correct, because he showed them, from Scripture, the truth as laid out by the Spirit.  He used OT prophecy to show that the Messiah was indeed the Lord Jesus, and a large number of Jews, godly Greek men and many important women believed.  The unbelieving Jews started a riot and Paul left the city for Berea.  Paul is never discouraged and immediately enters the local synagogue to teach.  This time, the reception is different.

1. How do the local Jews receive the Good News?  (A) V.11 –“The people of Berea were more __________ and _______ eagerly.  They _______ the Scriptures day after day to _________ on Paul and Silas to see if they were really teaching the _______.”
2. How can we apply this today?  (A) We are called to do the same.  Every teaching we come across must not blow us away.  We have the __________ Scriptures to search, to study, and to determine the truth.
3. If that is true, why do we have so much dissension in the church, some teaching one thing while others teach just the opposite?  (A) Teachers are just people and __ as often as any other person.  A teacher is held _________ for what he teaches and is responsible to God and to whom he is teaching.  He must be led by the _______ in _______ what Scripture teaches, must not take verses out of _______ and bend them to prove a pet doctrine.  He must take ___ of Scripture and apply it, no matter what is being taught and apply it as a whole.  It is easy to prove a particular stance by quoting one or two verses out of context while the whole of Scripture teaches quite a different thing.  The hearer must be just a diligent and _______ the Scriptures earnestly for the _____ and ___ the Spirit for discernment.
4. The Jewish troublemakers from Thessalonica hear about Paul’s teaching in Berea and travel there to stir up the city against him.  The believers accompanied Paul to Athens.  While waiting for Timothy and Silas to join him, he was deeply troubled by the idolatry of the city.  In one of the greatest cities of the ancient world, Paul found no interest in the incredible sights but instead found the synagogue and taught there.  He was brought He was brought to the Areopagus (the high court of the city) to express his views about God.  He begins by saying that he noticed that the men of Athens were “very religious” and that he had found among all of the various altars to gods, an altar “To the Unknown God.”  Remember that he was speaking to Gentiles and not Jews, so they had no knowledge of the OT.  Instead, he addressed them with a subject of common interest – religion.  What does Paul see in this inscription on the altar?  (A) The fact that God _________ and the fact that the Athenians were ______ of Him.  Paul used this as a base to educate them concerning the true God.
5. Paul tells them that since God made all things, He does not need temples to dwell in or idols made by men to worship Him.  What does Paul say in v.26, 27 about God’s role for man?  (A) God could be _______ to man and all men were ______ since all came from one man, Adam.  He continues to tell them that God has __________ determined every nation on earth (and the people in them) to a ____________ time.  He sovereignly controls the rise and fall of all nations and empires.  “He determines their boundaries (v.26)” - God is responsible for establishing all nations as to their racial identity and their specific geographical locations (Deut. 32:8) and determining the extent of their conquests (Is.10: 12-15).
6. Why dose God do all of these things?  (A) His objective in revealing Himself as Creator, ruler and controller of the world is that man would ______ Him and ____ Him.  Paul tells them that God commands all men to _______ because the day has already been __________ when all men will be judged by the Messiah (vv.30, 31) and this we know because this Man Jesus rose from the dead!

Chapter 18 - Paul Ministers at Corinth

Paul travels to Corinth and for a while worked at his profession as a tent maker.  He joined with two other tent makers, Priscilla and Aquila, two Roman Christians banished from Rome by the Emperor.  As always, he taught in the synagogue every Sabbath.

1. What changed when Silas and Timothy came to join him?  (A) Paul was “____________ by the Holy Spirit” (not seen in the NLT), to spend his full time preaching and testifying that Jesus is the ________ (v.5).
2. In v.6, the Jews rejected Paul and insulted him (in regards to his teaching about Christ; this was blasphemy).  He “shook the dust from his robe and said, “Let your blood be upon your own heads – I am innocent (V.6).”  What did he mean by this statement?  (A) We see this several times in the book and it is in regard to what is written in Ezekiel 33:4; 33:8,9 – Prophets were given the specific task to ______ the people to whom they were sent to _____ from their sins.  If they failed to warn them, ________ would be upon the ______.  Paul was saying that the call to _________ was given; the responsibility for their souls was their ________.
3. What great thing do you see God doing for Paul (v. 9,10)?  (A) The Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and ____________ him – “Don’t be afraid!  Speak out!  Don’t be silent!  For ___________ and no one will harm you, because many people here in this city ________ to Me.”
4. What does God mean when he tells Paul, “…many people in the city belong to Me?”  (A) God had _________ (chosen, elected, predestined) a number of people in Corinth for _________, who had not yet heard the gospel.  The effect of Paul’s teaching would bring the _____ to faith. Paul’s 2^nd missionary journey is drawing to a close as he travels to Jerusalem for the coming Feast.
5. An eloquent Jew named Appolos from Alexandria comes to Corinth, speaks, and teaches accurately about the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.  What does this mean?  Is he teaching the gospel?  (A) He taught about Jesus but did not ________________ Christian truth.  “He knew only the baptism of John” refers to John’s exhortation to repent and make way for the coming of the Lord.  He accepted the message of repentance and even acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah, but was ignorant of the ___________ of Christ’s death and __________, the ministry of the Spirit and the church as God’s witness people.
6. What is wonderful about the remainder of v. 26?  (A) When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately.  This is true __________.  It is what we all are called to do.  Are you _________ someone?  What can you pass on to others?

Chapter 19 – Paul at Ephesus

John the Baptist had a powerful ministry that reached even as far as Ephesus, about 800 miles from Jerusalem.  Paul finds some of these disciples of John in Ephesus and ministers to them.

1.     How would John’s ministry have been good preparation for them to hear the Gospel?

2.       (A) The Gospel is the message of __________ but introduces Christ Jesus as the _________ in whom repentance and forgiveness of sins is received.

3.     Where these people Christians?  (A) In light of the fact that they had not received the Spirit, they were ___ yet fully Christians.  They did believe in repentance and had repented, but did not know Jesus as the _____ to whom repentance ________.  Notice that Paul gives them instruction (v. 4) ___ on how to receive the Spirit, but about Jesus Christ.  This is quite the opposite of many teachings today with the emphasis on the Spirit and Spiritual gifts rather than on Jesus.  The work of the Spirit is to glorify the Savior.

4.     Follow the sequence in vv.4-6.  They heard (believed in v.4), were baptized, had hands laid on them, received the HS, spoke in tongues and prophesied.  Is this the normal sequence of events for believers?  (A) This is the fourth time in the book of Acts that the Spirit is given.  The receiving of the Spirit is slightly different in each case and given as was required by the different circumstances.  The laying on of hands was an outward ______ that their baptism into Christ was _________ and now they were _______ into the church.  They received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues as _____ that they were now included into God’s plan for the church and that the Spirit now indwelt them.  Remember that this all occurred ________ there was a written and complete New Testament, wherein we find our reason to hear, believe, be baptized and consequently receive the Spirit.

5.     What was the reason for the spectacular miracles Paul performed (v.11, 12)?  (A) As an apostle of Jesus, Paul had the power to perform signs and wonders.  These were _____ of his apostleship, and ____________ the message he preached.  The question arises, whether these miracles can be _________ today.  The HS of God is sovereign, and He can do as He pleases.  However, we must remember that the apostles and some disciples had supernatural powers given to them to give authenticity to their ministry for Jesus Christ.  The Word was not yet written to educate people about Jesus.

6.     What does v.15 tell you?  (A) This confirms that the power to cast out demons belonged to _______ and the _______ and no one else.  Even the demons testify to that.

Chapter 20 – Paul’s Journeys In Greece and Macedonia

Paul is always on the move.  Surviving the riot in Ephesus, Paul leaves for Macedonia once again and then on to Greece, probably in Corinth.  He stayed and ministered until the local Jews plotted to kill him.  Paul now wants to return to Syria, probably to Antioch, and to Jerusalem with offerings from the churches for the poor there.  Seven companions are mentioned, men probably are the official representatives of the various churches Paul visited.

1.     Why do you think these seven men from different regions and churches were sent with Paul on his journey?  (A) There may be several reasons: most likely to keep any false accusations from arising about ____________ of the ________ collected by Paul for Jerusalem.  The Jews used any and all excuses to dishonor Paul.  These men ________ Paul in the difficult times of persecution he faced in his ministry and Paul often asked that certain of his disciples come to visit and ______ with him.  Paul was headed to Jerusalem and these men, mostly Gentiles, were living proof of the ________ of the ministry to the Gentiles.

2.     In Paul’s speech in Ephesus to the elders there, he gives us a valuable portrait of what an ideal servant of Christ should look like.  Name some of the characteristics (v.18-35).  (A) The manner in which he lived, with true humility and _________; with tears of sorrow and trials; he suffered persecution (vv.18, 19; he never shrank from telling the _____ and held back nothing (vv.20, 21); he preached one message - _______ of sin and _______ in Jesus.  He taught that one must repent and that it would do no good unless followed by ____ in the Son of God.  * Note:  While faith alone as the condition to salvation is taught in the NT, one cannot have faith unless there is repentance.  How could a person truly accept Christ as Savior unless he realized that he needed a Savior?  This realization, brought about by the convicting ministry of the HS, is repentance.

3.     Continuing the ideal servant portrait – vv.22-23 – Paul is always open to the Spirit’s lead, even though he knew it would eventually lead to his death.  V.24 – he considered his life worth nothing unless it was for the work assigned by the Lord – telling others about God’s kindness and love.  VV.25-27 – He taught the people about the Kingdom and all that God wants from you (the NKJV calls it the “whole council of God” which includes: the divine truths of creation, election, redemption, justification, adoption, conversion, sanctification, holy living, and glorification).

4.     Sometimes the New Living Translation falls flat when translating words from the KJV or the NKJV.  The end of v.24 is one of those times.  Paul says, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish the race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God.”  Amen!  His whole life’s ambition was to obey God and to please Him.  If someone was to ask you what the “Gospel of Grace of God” is, what would you say?  (A) It really is the Good News, the message of God’s _________ ________ to guilty, ungodly sinners who deserve nothing but everlasting hell.  It tells how God the Son of God’s love came from heaven’s highest glory to suffer, bleed, and die on Calvary in order that those who _______ in Him might receive the forgiveness of _______ and everlasting life.  This was and is the Gospel of Grace.

Chapter 21 – Paul’s Journey To Jerusalem

Paul leaves his much loved flock in Ephesus and sails toward Jerusalem.  Arriving at Tyre on the coast north of Judea, Paul meets with local disciples and they tell him that the Spirit was directing him not to go to Jerusalem (v.4).

1.     After seven days, he continues on towards the Holy City.  Is this in direct disregard to the Spirit’s lead?  (A) Most commentators believe that this was not an order from the Spirit not to go to Jerusalem.  Rather, the Spirit had revealed to the believers at Tyre that Paul would face ________ in Jerusalem.  Understandably, they tried to convince him not to go.  We see in 20:22 that Paul had indeed been ___________to go to Jerusalem by the Spirit.

2.     What was Agabus prophesying in v.11?  (A) He foresaw, through the HS, Paul in Jerusalem, being _____ _____ and given over to the Romans for judgment.

3.     *Note – For your own contemplation; Look deep in your heart and ask yourself if you would be willing to say and do what Paul did in v. 13?  Would you be willing to die for the sake of Jesus?

4.     Paul is urged by the elders in Jerusalem to take a Nazarite vow along with four other men, shave his head as the vow required, and pay for the expenses of each of these men.  Why? (A) Paul was in trouble, as always, by the ______ __________ of the Judaizers, claiming that he taught the Jews to _______their heritage, _________ Jewish customs and renounce the ____ of Moses.  The elders thought that this might convince the Jews that Paul was still a Jew at heart and that he was not turning away from the Law.

5.     Do you think it was strange for someone who was so insistent on keeping the Gentiles from having to adhere to the Law, to be so insistent in he himself keeping it?  (A) It is an issue for debate and has been an issue for a very long time.  In his defense, Paul was acting according to his ____ _________to be ____ _______ to all men, if by any means he might _____ some (1 Cor. 9:19-23).  However, Paul might have gone too far in his effort to appease the Jews, and thus creating the impression that he was still under the Law.  Some believe that he was _____________with his view and teaching that the believer is _____ under the Law, either for justification (declared holy & righteous In Christ) or as a rule of life (Gal. 1 and 2).  The elders themselves agreed that the Gentiles only need to abstain from food offered to______, from_______, from things_________, and from________ ___________. In the end, the Jews still falsely accused him and condemned him.

Paul is saved from the mob by the Roman guard, is chained and brought to the Antonia Fortress in Jerusalem.  He asks for and is allowed to speak in his defense.