Introduction to Acts (or the Acts of the Apostles)

Transcription

1 Who is the author? Introduction to Acts (or the Acts of the Apostles) As Timothy, Paul, Peter and many others are mentioned by name (in the book of Acts), it is extremely they should NOT be considered authors. Strong evidence points to Luke a Gentile Physician who also wrote the Gospel of Luke. Interestingly enough, Luke wrote more in the New Testament than any other writer. He may be the only non-jewish author accredited with books in the Bible. Luke is a likely candidate as the writer of Acts demonstrates a strong familiarity with Greek and the use of medical terminology. When was it written and for time period? Evidence points to the book being written approximately AD (about years after Jesus rose from the dead) The historical time period appears to be AD 30 to around AD 62. Appears to be concluded prior to Emperor Nero s persecution of Christians which began in Mid- 64 AD. Describes a hopeful outlook for Paul who died not many years later after Nero stepped into power. Luke, being a personal friend of Paul s certainly would have mentioned Paul s death (AD 66-68). So, it is fairly likely that Luke s lifespan may not have been extended much beyond the year of Paul s death as he may have written a follow up account. Why was Acts or the Acts of the Apostles written? It was written as a sequel to the Gospel of Luke to provide an accurate history of the beginnings of Christianity, the Church and the apostles. Luke does a fine job in both his gospel and Acts to link historical facts with the timeline of the birth and growth of the Christian church. To show that the Holy Spirit/ Holy Ghost had come just as Jesus promised and through the Spirit s power, the body of Christ began to expand. To demonstrate that the apostles (Greek word meaning sent one ) were truly sent and empowered by Christ. To display the evidence of Christ s resurrection: eye-witness testimony of apostles, continuation of the miracles of Christ through His body, the church, which is the collections of believers. To show evidence of Christ s superiority to the demonic religions: confrontations with sorcerers, demon possessed individuals, and pagan priests To demonstrate evidence of Christ s sovereignty over governments: The futility of official resistance, miraculous releases from prison, judgment upon persecutors (e.g., Herod), favorable court rulings, etc. The supernatural success of the gospel in its unstoppable expansion to many lands, and among all classes (Acts 2:47/ 5:14/ 6:7/ 9:31/ 12:24/ 13:12/ 16:5/ 19:20) It was possibly written as a defense of Paul who had his upcoming trial. Confirmation that the gospel message is for believers of all races and walks of life. Who was Acts written for? Theopholis and all believers

2 Can the book of Acts be trusted as an accurate representation of 1 st century history? Luke's correct use of political titles, which varied from time to time and place to place throughout the Roman Empire has often impressed historians. Luke consistently refers to "asiarchs", tetrarchs", "proconsuls", etc. by their proper titles. Luke used the term politarchs to denote the civil authorities of Thessalonica (Acts 17:6). Since the term politarch was unknown in classical literature, this was considered by critics to be an error on Luke's part. Today, some 19 inscriptions have been found that use this title, five of which are in reference to Thessalonica. [Steve Gregg, The Narrow Path Commentary] In Acts 28:7, Luke speaks of Publius, the chief man of Malta, as "first man of the island." Inscriptions have now been found which give him the title "first man." [source of above examples: F.F.Bruce, "Archaeological Confirmation of the New Testament" in Revelation and the Bible, ed. C.F.Henry, p ] "Readers with some knowledge of ancient history often have occasion to note Luke's careful writing. [Acts 13:7] is an example. In 22 BC Augustus made Cyprus a senatorial province...it was therefore governed by a proconsul or deputy. The name of a proconsul called Paulus has been discovered in a North Cypriot inscription...luke is a consummate historian, to be ranged in his own right with the great writers of the Greeks." [E.M.Blaiklock, Professor of Classics, Auckland University, The Acts of the Apostles, pp.103, 89] "Luke...should be placed along with the very greatest of historians." [Sir William Ramsay, archaeologist, one-time skeptic of the reliability of Acts as history, The Bearing of Recent Discovery on the Trustworthiness of the New Testament, p.222] "Luke was an able and deliberate historian, writing more than one-fourth of the volume of the New Testament - more than any other man. Modern research has vindicated the quality of his work." [W.T. Dayton, The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible: "Luke"] "Both Conzelmann and Hänchen discover in Acts 5:36 a definite error in historical order given to Theudas and Judas, since Josephus dates a Theudas in AD 45, a full decade after Gamaliel's speech in Acts. In other words, Luke made a double mistake: a gross anachronism and faulty order. Such a conclusion does not jibe with our knowledge of Luke's general trustworthiness elsewhere. Is it not more probable that Luke is referring to another man named Theudas, otherwise unknown to us, who lived before Judas? It seems uncommonly bold to jettison the accuracy of Luke and the inerrancy of the Bible on the mere supposition that Josephus is always right, and that no evidence could possibly turn up to clear Luke's reputation. While insisting on their right to treat the Bible 'like any other book'...some critics proceed to treat it like no other book, by bathing it in the acid solution of their skepticism and historical pessimism." [Clark Pinnock. A Defense of Biblical Infallibility, pp.22-23] Luke was, at one time, accused of inaccuracy in Luke 3:1, where he made reference to Lysanias, tetrarch of Abilene, ruling at the beginning of John the Baptist's ministry in 27 AD. Critics said the man never existed. The only Lysanias known to historians was a King Lysanias executed by Antony at Cleopatra's instigation in 36 BC - much too early to be the man mentioned by Luke. Then was found a Greek inscription from Abila (from which Abilene takes its name) containing a reference to "Lysanias, the tetrarch." The inscription is dated between 14 and 29 AD. [Steve Gregg, The Narrow Path Commentary]

3 Chapter 1 1. Read Luke 1:1-4. In the first chapter of Acts, what is Luke making reference to? 2. Theophilus means Lover of God. What demonstrates, in the brief verses in Luke, that his name is likely a good representation of who he is? 3. Jesus appeared to the disciples over a period of 40 days after His resurrection. What are some other major events of the Bible, that you can recall, include a period of 40 days? 4. Read Acts 1:5. Read also 20:21-22 and John 3:5-6. Now read Ephesians 4:4-5. When the Apostle Paul speaks of One Baptism, what do you think he is referring to? 5. According to verse 6, what was still unclear in the apostles minds? What was likely their thought of what Jesus was to do next? 6. What is the important purpose of the Holy Spirit, according to Jesus statement to the disciples? 7. Where did Jesus tell the disciples to begin witnessing about Him? Where did he tell them to end? Since the Greek word for earth and for land, which is ge and the Hebrew word for earth and for land is erets, why might the disciples have understood Jesus to instruct them to just preach only to people of Israel?

4 8. In the past 40 days, Jesus appeared and disappeared in the disciples presence. Then Jesus visibly ascended into the clouds in the book of Luke. After his ascension, how many disciples were gathered together shortly thereafter? 9. In Psalms 69:19-28 and in Psalms 109:1-20, David speaks of his adversaries. How does Peter reference these scriptures and use an application to Judas? 10. Who was chosen to take Judas Iscariot s position as an Apostle (meaning sent one ) and by what means? What were the qualifications determined to take this vacant position? When James, the brother of John, was martyred for his faith, why didn t the disciples replace him as an apostle? Why wouldn t the disciples have chosen someone who was newly on fire for the Gospel?

5 Chapter 2 1. In the Old Testament, Pentecost (or Feast of Weeks/ Harvest). This festival occurred about the harvest time. What different type of harvesting was being fulfilled? 2. We find that Jews were gathered for the feast of Pentecost from where? When the disciples were speaking as the Holy Spirit gave them the ability, what phenomenon took place in the crowd? 3. When the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, they were given the ability to speak in other tongues (or languages). Many have taken this passage and have made the statement that if you can t speak in other tongues then you don t have the baptism of the Holy Spirit. AS A GROUP Read 1 Corinthians 12 and discuss. What gifts and their importance are listed in this chapter? What does Paul say about the gifts that confirm that not all believers have ALL of them? 4. Now, read 1 Corinthians 14 (Paul s letter to the church in Corinth). How should we view this gift of the Spirit? What is the danger of using this gift without regard to unbelievers? According to Paul, what is the understanding of the mind when someone is speaking in tongues? 5. What prophet predicted the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? To which nations was the gift to be given? 6. Peter states in verse 21: And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Jesus states in Matthew 7:21-23: Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers! How can both sets of statements be true? 7. Peter quotes the prophet Joel who speaks of the Last Days yet Peter confirms this is fulfilled in Peter s generation. How do we need to be careful in assuming the context of that phrase? (Reference also, Hebrews 1:2, and James 5:3).

6 8. What was prophesied about Jesus body and who prophesied it (reference Psalms 16)? Read Psalm 22:1-18. What did the prophet, who also wrote Psalms 110, say would happen to the Messiah? According to Psalms 110, Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father. Read Acts 7: What brought Jesus to his feet? 9. Who did Peter say the promise of baptism, repentance and the Holy Spirit was given to? 10. Read Exodus 32. What happened on the very first Pentecost? As a result of Israel s sin, how many people were put to death? What happened to the crowd when the feast of Pentecost was fulfilled through the Holy Spirit? How many lives were changed that day and in what manner? 11. How did the Church operate during this time that kept them so closely bound together? Explain how the disciples lifestyle is different than communism?

7 Chapter 3 1. The beggar positioned himself at the gate called Beautiful. The gate was accessed by many people on their way to the temple. Why might the beggar have positioned himself there? 2. How was the beggar able to make it to the gate on the daily basis? 3. From history and biblical evidence (see Psalm 55:17, Acts 2:15, Acts 3:1 and Acts 10:9), it appears that the Jews prayed the 3 rd, 6 th, and 9 th hours of the day. Which hour were the disciples making their way to the temple? 4. Jesus had traveled in and out of Jerusalem many times and had, likely, passed through the gate called Beautiful. Why didn t Jesus heal this beggar and what does it say about his call in each believer s life? 5. How did the people respond to the beggars healing? a. How did the beggar respond? 6. What important points did Peter make in his response to the crowd s amazement of the healing (about the nature of Jesus, the nature of himself and the past actions of the crowd)? a. What names/ titles did Peter call Jesus and what significance do they have? b. What prophets did Peter mention foretold the coming of Christ? 7. What was the command of salvation that Peter gave to the crowd and what was the order of the steps? 8. Peter explained, to the people, that Jesus was the prophet that Moses had spoken about in the book of Deuteronomy. How was Moses like a foreshadowing of Jesus? 9. Which prophet started speaking about the power of the spirit that was to come? 10. According to Peter s words, to whom was Jesus first sent to?

8 Chapter 4 1. Why were the Sadducees greatly disturbed about Peter and John s teaching? a. Read Matthew 22:29-30, Mark 12:24-25, and Luke 20: What point are the Sadducees trying to make about how they perceive the resurrection as ridiculous? b. How does Jesus respond? c. What point does Jesus make concerning the patriarchs? d. What point does Jesus make regarding marriage after the resurrection? 2. After the miracle was performed, what happened to the number of believers at that time? 3. How was Peter s response to the Jewish authorities both bold and evangelistic? 4. According to Peter, where can salvation be found? 5. Why were the religious authorities astonished at Peter and John s responses? 6. Verses state: Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. How can these verses apply to our present society and culture? 7. Who did what God s power and will had decided beforehand should happen? 8. What occurred after the prayer concluded? a. How were the believers given the ability to speak the word with boldness? 9. Why was there no needy people found among the believers?

9 Chapter 5 1. What do you think was the motivation of Ananias and Sapphira to do what they did? 2. Ananias and Sapphira receive a severe penalty for their actions. What was so wrong about what they did? 3. Peter informs Sapphira that she and her husband tested the Holy Spirit. Who were the two that Peter said Ananias lied to? a. What does this indicate about the Trinity? 4. Ananias and Sapphira died 3 hours apart. How did Peter give Sapphira the opportunity to redeem herself? 5. What are areas in our own lives that we can Test the Lord? 6. What was performed among the people as a note to the authenticity of the apostles? 7. The early believers would meet at Solomon s Colonnade or Solomon s Porch (depending on the version). Read verses 13 and 14. Are these verses contradicting each other? 8. How were people miraculously healed by God through Peter? 9. What was the motivation of the Sadducees and the chief priests for arresting Peter? 10. When the apostles were arrested, an Angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and informed them to preach the good news at the Temple. Why might the Angel have chosen the Temple as the appropriate location? 11. When Peter and the apostles were arrested again, they advised the Sanhedrin of their reason for preaching in rebellion to what they d previously been commanded by the Judaic leadership. How did the Sanhedrin initially consider responding? a. What did they eventually decide to do and through what examples were they convinced to do so? 12. What did the disciples rejoice? a. How does this differ much from the American perception of what we should rejoice about?

10 Chapter 6 1. In reading the first verse of this chapter, what appears to be implied about the fluctuation of the believers and what may have been occurring at the time that this was being written? 2. What complaint was being made by the Hellenistic Jewish women? a. What plan did the disciples put into motion? i. What criteria was required to be one of those in charge of the solution? ii. Who were put in charge of the solution? 3. Nicolas, who was a Greek convert to Judaism, eventually left Christianity for Gnosticism. This was attested to by many of the early fathers (such as Irenaeus, Theodoret, Epiphanius, Hippolytus among others) who indicated that he was the one they refer to in Revelation 2:6 and Revelation 2:15. In reading also, Acts 6:5, what is indicated concerning Nicolas a couple decades earlier? a. What does this tell us about what we are free to do concerning the gift of salvation? (Reference, also, John 15:1-6 and Romans 11:17-22). 4. What did a great number of priests become obedient to? 5. Who began performing signs and wonders in the presence of the people? a. What group of individuals were opposing him? i. How were they successful in arresting him?

11 Chapter 7 1. As Stephen addresses the crowd, he begins showing his knowledge of the Old Covenant. What did Abraham have to do in order to be given the Promised Land? a. How much time, did God convey, would transpire before Abraham s descendants would occupy the Promised Land? 2. What background on Joseph does Stephen communicate to the crowd? a. When Joseph s father came to him, how many relatives traveled with him to settle in Egypt? i. Knowing that there were millions in Israel at the time Stephen was speaking, why was that number important to mention? 3. What is conveyed by Stephen concerning Moses ability with actions and words? a. Read Exodus 4: After spending 40 years in isolation from the Israelites and the Egyptians, how did Moses respond to God s call? 4. When God appeared in the form of the burning bush, He stated that he is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. How do we know that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are still living? (Reference Luke 20:34-38). 5. Read Deuteronomy 18: What does this passage have to do with Stephen s speech to the crowd? 6. How was Stephen trying to convey, from scripture (Isaiah 66:1), that the focus was no longer going to be at the physical temple? 7. What charges did Stephen accuse the crowd of? 8. Read Colossians 3:1 and Hebrews 1:1-4. What does this tell us about where Jesus is? a. What brought Jesus to His feet? 9. As the people martyred Stephen, what gracious act did he do on their behalf? 10. Who was guarding the clothes of those stoning Stephen and would never forget this moment?

12 Chapter 8 1. Read 1 Corinthians 15:9. How does this verse from Paul s (Saul) letter to the church in Corinth relate to the 8 th chapter in Acts? a. Read also Ephesians 3:8 from Paul s letter to the Ephesians. How does Paul rank himself here? b. Now read 1 Timothy 1:15. How did Paul describe himself? i. Now read Matthew 23:1-36 and Mark 9: What sinful actions appeared to Jesus as severe? 2. Philip was one of those chosen by the apostles to be a leader in the early church. What demonstrated the Spirit of God was working through Him in Samaria? 3. We are introduced to Simon. Several historical records confirm that this man had magical power. Where did this power come from? 4. How did Simon respond to the message of Jesus? a. What appeared to be drawing him to the message? 5. What brought the Apostles Peter and John to Samaria? a. What did Simon attempt to pay for? b. How did the apostle Peter respond to Simon s request and what did Peter see in Simon? 6. According to historical tradition, Simon Magus (the Simon who is being referenced in this chapter) was well-known as a later heretic and the founder of Gnosticism. How does this demonstrate that a conversion needs to be more than a one-time emotional response? 7. Where did the angel tell Philip to go? a. Where did this path lead him to? b. Read Isaiah Chapter 53. Explain why this passage applies to Jesus? 8. The eunuch Philip spoke to had tremendous authority in Ethiopia. Why might God had wanted his conversion to be among the first in that nation? a. What was the final request the Ethiopian made of Philip? b. What occurred to Philip that confirmed his work was done with the Eunuch?

13 Chapter 9 1. What demonstrates Saul s tenacity with regards to his Judaic faith at the beginning of this chapter? a. Did Saul s tenacity go away after his conversion why or why not? 2. Read Jesus initial question to Saul. Now read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, which was written by Saul (Paul). How did Paul expand on the statement Jesus made to him and what does it mean? 3. In some early transcripts the last half of Acts 9:5 and Acts 26:14, Saul (Paul) indicates that he heard Jesus say it is hard to kick against the goads. What is a goad and what does this mean? 4. What happened to Paul after the vision? a. What did his companions see and hear? 5. What was Ananias chosen to do? a. How did he attempt to provide insight to The LORD about the nature of Saul? b. What was Ananias told about Saul s purpose and how would Saul s life be? 6. Read Acts 9:23. In Paul s letter to the Galatians (a church he had recently planted), he gave them insight about what happened immediately after his conversion. Read Galatians 1: In the light of this passage in Galatians, how much time had passed between Acts 9:18 and Acts 9:26? a. What do we learn about Paul s apostleship? 7. Upon Paul s return to Damascus, how did he escape the threat to his life? a. When he tried to join the believers in Jerusalem, what stopped him? b. How was he able to become part of the church in Jerusalem? 8. According to the context of this chapter, how did the Churches in Judea, Samaria and Galilee multiply in number of believers? a. What can we learn from this? 9. When Peter went to Lydda, what miracle was performed and who received credit? 10. With Joppa being near Lydda, the believers brought Peter there for what type of help? a. Where did Peter stay after the miracle, and what became well-known?

14 Chapter In the beginning of this chapter we learn that Cornelius is not a Christian. However, how does the text inform us that he was seeking God? 2. What was Cornelius commended for? Who commended him and what instructions were given to him? 3. Describe Peter s vision. What was the reason Peter declined to eat what he saw in the vision? 4. What was God s purpose and meaning of the vision? 5. How, in today s society, might we need to learn the same lesson that Peter learned? In Paul s letter to the Galatians, Paul confirms a confrontation that he had with Peter in Antioch. Read Galatians 2: How does this demonstrate that even after God has convicted our heart, peer pressure can continue to be a roadblock? 6. If Jesus called himself a servant, why then does Peter stop Cornelius from bowing and paying Peter honor? Read Revelation 19:9-10. Read also Revelation 22:8-9. John received the visions of Revelation over a period of time. How did John also fall into a habit that is, even now, hard for many to avoid? 7. According to Chapter 10, what is the determining factor to God s acceptance of people? 8. In Old Testament law, an Israelite would become unclean when they would come in contact with any number of things that could make them unclean: Dead bodies, sick people, unclean animals, etc. How were things different with Jesus (reference: Luke 8:43-48, Matthew 8:1-3, Mark 5:35-42, Luke 7:11-17)? Knowing that we are the Body of Christ, how should things be different with us? 9. What were the circumcised believers astonished about? 10. What is the difference between water baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit? 11. Is there a specific order on which baptism (spiritual or water) should be first and why?

15 Chapter What evidence in early chapter 11 displays the influence of Judaism on the believers in Jerusalem? a. Read 1 Corinthians 7: What message was Paul communicating to the church in Corinth? b. Read Jeremiah 4:4, Jeremiah 31: Now what was Paul trying to communicate with Romans 2:25-29? c. Read Galatians 5:1-6. What is Paul communicating to the church in Galatia? 2. What was the word of the LORD that Peter remembered and why was it important? 3. In verse 18, there is the statement So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life. What does the phrase repentance unto life mean? 4. In reading verses 19, what did the disciples misunderstand about the Great Commission (reference Matthew 28:16-20)? 5. Where were the disciples first called Christians? 6. Why would it be important to remain in one place (see verse 26) for Barnabas and Saul? 7. What did the prophet Agabus predict? a. How did the disciples respond to the prophecy?

16 Chapter Who was put to death by the sword? a. Who put him to death? b. Who was pleased with these actions? 2. During what festival was Peter put into prison? What does this tell us about what time of year it was? 3. What is interesting about how Peter is being guarded? 4. How did Peter get out of the prison and what did he think was going on? 5. After Peter escapes, he exclaims: "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating." What do you think the Jewish authorities were anticipating? 6. When Rhoda told the disciples that Peter was at the door, the disciples responded You're out of your mind. What does this tell us about their expectations? a. Whose house did Peter come to? 7. James, the brother of John was killed prior to Peter being put in prison. Who was Peter speaking of when he said: Tell James and the brothers about this? 8. What was the penalty for the guards who could not account for Peter? 9. According to history, Herod experiences pain in the heart and stomach--peritonitis from a perforated appendix, combined with intestinal roundworms, ten to sixteen inches long. This excruciating condition continues for five days until he dies. Why did Herod experience such a horrific death? 10. What lesson can be learned from Herod s poor example?

17 Chapter Before Barnabas and Saul were sent out, what took place to seek the LORD s will? 2. Elymas, which means The Learned One, was greatly opposed to Paul and Barnabas s message. Who was Elymas and why was he opposed to their message? 3. How did the physical change that occurred to Elymas relate to his present spiritual condition? 4. What happened to the Proconsul as a result of what Paul did (through The Lord) to Elymas? 5. How did Paul seize an opportunity to minister in the synagogue in Antioch in Pisidia? What might have been Paul s reasoning for summarizing nearly a millennium of Hebrew history before mentioning the message of Jesus Christ? 6. What were the prophecies that Paul mentioned regarding David? What are their meanings and purposes? 7. How did the Jewish authorities react when nearly the whole city came to hear Paul and Barnabas speak? How did Paul and Barnabas respond to them? 8. Read Isaiah 49:6. What did the Lord command Paul and Barnabas to do for the Gentiles through Isaiah the prophet? 9. After this, who did the Jewish authorities choose to join as enemies of Paul and Barnabas s message? Why did they choose them? 10. How did the Gentiles respond to Paul and Barnabas s message and why did they respond this way?

18 Chapter How did the LORD, through Paul and Barnabas, confirm the message of the Gospel? 2. What was necessary for the lame man to become healed? How can this be applied spiritually? 3. Who joined forces to try to bring an end to Paul and Barnabas? Why was there such strong opposition to their message? How did Paul and Barnabas avoid the plot for their destruction? 4. Everyone who hears the gospel comes from their own culture and beliefs. When Paul was in Lystra, how did the people respond when a miraculous sign was performed through him? 5. Jesus allowed the people to worship to him when he was on earth. Why did Paul and Barnabas try to sway the people from offering sacrifices to them? 6. What is the meaning of Paul and Barnabas s statement: 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy"? 7. What is evident about the crowd who in the same day was willing to give sacrifices to and then destroy the apostles? 8. What does this chapter tell us about what we must endure as we enter the Kingdom of God? 9. One of the more popular, so called Christian, messages of our time is the Health and Wealth Gospel. It teaches that your faith is weak if you are experiencing trials rather than a healthy and wealthy life. What do these passages confirm about what will be included in our walk with Christ? o Read the following passages: John 16:33 Romans 12:12 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 2 Corinthians 7:4 1Thessalonias 1:6-7 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3 Relation 1:9 Revelation 2:10 Romans 5:3 James 1:2-3 1 Peter 4: In reading Acts 14: What is important that we can learn from these verses?

19 Chapter Some of the Jewish believers were teaching Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved." How is this similar to some of the modern day traditions or rituals taught in some of today s churches? 2. Verse 5 indicates: Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses." How would this requirement nullify the purpose of Jesus death and resurrection on the cross? 3. Read the following passages: Romans 2: Corinthians 7:18-19 Galatians 5:2-6 Philippians 3:2-3 What does the Apostle Paul teach about the value of physical circumcision? 4. In Peter s brief sermon to the people, what was the message he was conveying to them? 5. James instructed the Gentile Church to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. Why didn t James include many of the other important aspects of God s law? 6. Read Acts 15: James quotes the passage from Amos 9: What is the tabernacle or tent referenced in this passage (read the references below)? 1 Corinthians 3: Corinthians 6:14-18 Ephesians 2: Peter 2: After delivering this letter from the Jerusalem council to many of the churches in the Roman world, how did Paul later clarify his standing concerning food sacrificed to idols with the Corinthians (reference 1 Corinthians 8:1-13)? 8. In real estate, there are 3 important things to remember: Location, location, location. In scripture, there are 3 important things to remember: Context, context, context. And this context applies to the passage being read as well as cross references, if applicable. First read 1 Corinthians 6:12 and without any context, explain what you think it would mean: Now read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 and explain the passage, in context. 9. Paul and Barnabas disagreed about John Mark s accompanying. What does this tell us about Paul s personality type? What does this tell us about Barnabas s personality type? Read Colossians 4:10. Since Paul wrote Colossians, what do we learn about Paul s later relationship with John Mark and how Barnabas and Mark were family?

20 Chapter Who spoke well of Timothy in this chapter? a. What was the reason Paul had Timothy circumcised? 2. What was happening to the number of believers at this time? 3. Since Mysia was in the province considered Asia during this time, how are we to interpret verses 6 & 7? a. What force kept the apostles from preaching in the region known as Asia during this time? b. Why might they have been restrained from preaching there? c. In what manner was Paul and his companions convinced where to preach next? 4. Purple cloth was of great worth in the first century. What does this tell us about Lydia and her offer to the apostles? a. When Lydia accepted the faith what was done for her household? b. What did Lydia plead for Paul and his companions to accept? 5. What was the slave girl s ability? a. How did she have such an ability? b. What does this tell us about similar abilities in our modern age? 6. Why might Paul have waited several days before rebuking the evil spirit in the slave girl? a. How did Paul cast out the evil spirit? b. Why were the owners of the slave girl angry with Paul s actions? 7. What did the magistrates fail to ask of Paul and his companions before beating them? 8. What happened at the prison while Paul and Silas were singing hymns? a. Why was the jailer about to kill himself? b. What was the jailer told about how to be saved? i. What happened to his household? 9. When the magistrates told Paul & his companions that they could leave in peace, how did Paul respond?

21 Chapter What location, in Thessalonica offered an opportunity to Paul and his companions to share the Gospel? During what day of the week was Paul making his case that Jesus is the Messiah? 2. When Paul spoke to the Thessalonians explaining that Jesus was King and Christ (the Messiah), who was their allegiance supposed to be to as King and self-proclaimed deity? What might some of the ramifications have been for following Jesus in this Grecian culture? Besides the God-fearing Greeks, who else responded to Paul s message? 3. What was the reason that Paul and Silas left Thessalonica to visit Berea? Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. One view (especially of the early church) of the Lawless one or Man of Sin Paul spoke of in 2 Thessalonians is that false religious leadership would arise after the fall of the Caesars and it was, in fact, the political leadership in Rome that was holding back the rise of this, false, religious leadership. Due to what occurred in Thessalonica (in the 17 th chapter of Acts), Paul would not name the He in which was restraining the Lawless one. The more modern view (tied to the pre-tribulation rapture) is that, in fact, it is the Holy Spirit who is holding back the Lawless one and when the church is raptured during the last 7 years of the earth s history that the Holy Spirit is also removed and now the power of the Anti-Christ can be manifested. In looking at the two views above, can you indicate how each may have some validity? 4. How did the Bereans differ from the Thessalonians? What lesson can be learned by their difference? 5. Paul also discussed the Gospel with Stoics and Epicureans. The Stoic sect developed about 30 years prior to Christ s birth & the Epicurean sect was founded over 300 years before Christ s birth. The Stoics recognized that there were deities, but felt that all human matters were governed by fate. The Epicureans did not recognize deities but felt the best thing you could do was pleased your senses. How did this create a challenge for Paul as he tried to share the Gospel? 6. According to verse 21: All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas. How did Paul manipulate the conversation to speak about the Gospel of Jesus Christ? 7. What points about the nature of God and his creation did Paul mention in his discourse? What was one area some seem to be at odds with?

22 Chapter How did Paul earn his keep while staying with Priscilla and Aquila? 2. When did Paul reason with the Jews and the Greeks? When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, where did Paul s time get spent, exclusively? 3. Paul said to the Jews, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." Why did he say this? 4. When Paul left Priscilla and Aquila, how was his next location strategically located? Who believed because of Paul s ministry there? How was Paul encouraged by the LORD during this time? As a result of this encouragement, how long did Paul stay there? 5. Gallio, the Proconsul, was not a Jew. How did handle the Jew s united attack against Paul? Who was Sothenes and what did the Jews do to him after this? What does this show about Gallio? 6. What evidence, in this chapter appears that Paul may have taken the vow of a Nazarite? 7. When Paul traveled to Galatia and Phrygia, who did he meet that had limited training, but was an eloquent speaker? How did this eloquent speaker learn about God more adequately? 8. How did Apollos prove that Jesus was the Christ to the Jews?

23 Chapter According to the first portion of chapter 19, what are the differences between John s Baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit? 2. How did people receive the Holy Spirit in this chapter? a. There are many churches that claim that you are not filled with the Spirit unless you can speak in tongues. In referencing 1 Corinthians 12, how can you confirm that this is a wrong assumption? 3. Verse 8 states: Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. How might arguing persuasively be acted out effectively? How might it be ineffective? Verses 11-12: God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. Were the handkerchiefs extraordinary? Explain your answer: 5. Read Colossians 1: What things did Jesus create? a. With this in mind, why did the Sons of Sceva (a Jewish Priest) encounter opposition when they used Jesus name to drive out evil spirits? 6. What did many of the new believers do to demonstrate the change they had made in their lives? a. How can we, effectively do this in our own generation? 7. Why was the silversmith, named Demetrius, upset that Paul came to Ephesus? 8. How did Demetrius create the great opposition against Paul and his companions? 9. Verse 32 indicates: The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. How does this verse also apply to present day riots? 10. How did the riot end?

24 Chapter Which region, is it noted, that Paul encouraged the disciples with many words? Where did he leave to for 3 months and decide to come back? What was the reason he decided to come back and who was responsible for he reason to leave? 2. How does the use of pronouns change in this chapter that indicates involvement of the author of the book of Acts? 3. In verse 7 we read: On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. What does this verse have to do with Christian culture verses their Judaic roots? Is this a verse that proves that we must worship on Sunday? 4. What was the reason that Paul spoke for so long in Troas? What occurrence probably affected the crowd more than Paul s speech? 5. Paul intended to make it to Jerusalem in time for day of Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks. Thinking back, earlier in the book of Acts, what happened on the first day of Pentecost after Jesus resurrection? 6. What did Paul indicate was his testimony or declaration to both Jews and Greeks when he came to the province of Asia? 7. Why was Paul going to Jerusalem, against the wishes of his Christian friends? 8. Why do you think Paul felt led to say these statements? 25 "Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 9. In verse 29, Paul states: I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. What or whom is he referring to? 10. Describe what Paul s statement means: 32 "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

25 Chapter At what area did Paul and his companions stop for 7 days and stay with the disciples there? Where did they urge Paul NOT to go? Who accompanied Paul as they left? What did they do once they reached the beach? 2. Who did Paul and his companions visit who had 4 daughters who prophesied? What does the statement indicate about this man saying that he was one of the seven? 3. What was the prophet Agabus s message to Paul? After hearing this prophecy, what did everyone communicate to Paul? What was Paul s response to the people? What does this also indicate can be in store for believers even when they are following God s will? 4. Who did Paul meet with and discuss all that was happening with the message being spread to the Gentiles? Why was this message important to tell in the location where they were? 5. Read verse 21. What was true about the report, but what, also, was twisted from the message that Paul was giving to the Gentiles? What was the plan to try to put to rest these controversies? How was James different in his passions than Paul? When we agree on the most important aspects of Christianity, why is it more important to live in unity as Paul did with these disciples? Referring back to the Jerusalem council and the letter that was dispersed to the regions of the Gentile believers, what did James remind Paul was the most important aspects of living a holy life? 6. How was Paul s peaceful time in Jerusalem drastically changed? Who was responsible for this change and what was there assumption? What did they intend to do to Paul and how were there plans thwarted? 7. What action did the Roman commander, then, immediately take that assumed that Paul was a dangerous criminal? 8. What was Paul s request to the commander? 9. In what language did Paul speak to the crowd?

26 Chapter When did the crowd suddenly become quiet? a. Why did they become quiet? b. What name did Paul drop that was respected by the Jewish community and how might he have hoped this would connect with the group? 2. To what extent did Paul originally go (also reference Acts 26:9-11) to in order to prevent the message of Jesus Christ? 3. What did Jesus words (on the road to Damascus) to Paul indicate about how persecution should be understood? 4. Who was martyred (earlier in the book of Acts) in front of Paul with his approval? a. How might this event have affected his ministry and how he approached evangelism? 5. When did Paul s public speech stop? a. Why did it stop at that time? b. What did Paul indicate he saw in his vision that should have been a strong indication that the crowd would have been unresponsive? 6. How did Paul shrewdly avoid being flogged? a. How did the soldiers react with this information? 7. Where did the commander bring Paul to appear?