Week 27, Acts 21:27-22:29 Hook

Transcription

1 Week 27, Acts 21:27-22:29 Hook Main Point: God orchestrates opportunities for His people to faithfully represent Him. Historic Event: Progress has a way of persisting despite naysayers. Below are quotes from some people of power who had serious doubts about new technology: 1876: The Americans have need of the telephone, but we do not. We have plenty of messenger boys. William Preece, British Post Office 1876: This telephone has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. William Orton, President of Western Union 1889: Fooling around with alternating current (AC) is just a waste of time. Nobody will use it, ever. Thomas Edison 1903: The horse is here to stay but the automobile is only a novelty a fad. President of the Michigan Savings Bank advising Henry Ford s lawyer, Horace Rackham, not to invest in the Ford Motor Company 1946: Television won t be able to hold on to any market it captures after the first six months. People will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night. Darryl Zanuck, 20th Century Fox

2 1961: There is practically no chance communications space satellites will be used to provide better telephone, telegraph, television or radio service inside the United States. T.A.M. Craven, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) commissioner 2007: There s no chance that the iphone is going to get any significant market share. Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO 1 Would you consider yourself an early adopter of new technology? What products do you enjoy now but doubted when they were first introduced? Describe a significant cultural movement that some tried to stifle. What were the causes for concern? Why did the movement take off despite the naysayers? Transition: Today s lesson will examine the powerful advancement of the Gospel to all peoples despite those who would seek to hamper it. 1

3 Week 27, Acts 21:27-22:29 Book Main Point: God orchestrates opportunities for His people to faithfully represent Him. Text Summary: Acts 21:27 22:29 Previously, Paul had been welcomed back to Jerusalem with the report that his teachings had been greatly distorted, and tensions were high within the devout Jewish population. Paul extends a metaphorical olive branch by demonstrating his respect of Jewish piety, but nothing he does quells the crowds, who are further agitated by the arrival of Jews who have pursued him since his ministry in Asia Minor. The Roman authorities are eventually involved in the rioting, taking Paul captive and initiating the judicial process, but not without God s allowing Paul to make use of the moment for another Gospel presentation. Read: Acts 21:27-40 [Read] Sub-Point: God orchestrates the people and events in our lives for His purposes. Verses Just as Paul is nearing the completion of his purification rituals, angry voices cry out in accusation, seeking to agitate the crowds that are already on edge (v. 27). These men have followed him from Asia and are certainly behaving in a similar manner to the previous crowds of devout Jewish who had harassed the apostles in Lystra and Berea (following him from Antioch and Iconium, and Thessalonica, respectively). 2 In fact, they may have followed him directly from Ephesus, since they could identify Trophimus the Ephesian (v. 29). 3 The mob accuses Paul quite dramatically, claiming he had been teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the Law and this place, defiling their holy city (v. 28). This is ironic for two reasons, the first being that Paul had just demonstrated his desire to maintain Jewish purity by participating in their purification rituals. Secondly, their somewhat exaggerated claim about the scope of Paul s teaching is prophetic, given his desire (and ultimate influence!) to see the Gospel go to all the nations. The Jews distort the content of his message, however, in the same way they accused Stephen of attacking the primary tenets of their religious heritage. 4 Q: How do people today falsely claim that Christianity wants to ruin the things they value? (Examples: love, marriage, gender roles, social justice, art, politics, natural resources, etc.) Q: How have you experienced harassment for desiring to live in accordance with God s will? 2 Peterson, 589; cf. Acts 14:19 and 17:13. 3 Peterson, Marshall, 367 (the people, the law, the land, the temple).

4 Verses The Jews from Asia provoke the crowd to act, and Paul is surrounded, dragged out of the temple, and attacked with the intent to kill (v. 30). The city was in such an uproar that the local Roman authorities, stationed near the temple to prevent uprisings, are notified of the riot (v. 31). 5 This narrative closely mirrors Luke s account of Jesus return to Nazareth. After preaching from Isaiah in the local synagogue about God s plan to save both Jew and Gentile, the congregation rises up against Him, drives Him out of the town, and threatens to throw Him off the cliff (Luke 4:16 30). Those familiar with the account remember Jesus calmly walking back through the crowd, completely unharmed. Will the same now happen with Paul? Verses The Roman soldiers arrive and momentarily rescue Paul from the fury of the mob, freeing him from his attackers, but binding him in chains in order to question him (vv ). Paul will later recall his repeated imprisonment for the sake of the Gospel in his letters, promising to his readers that God s purposes were still at work even while he was in chains. 6 This moment begins the fulfillment of Agabus s Spirit-led prophecy from earlier (Acts 21:11). 7 Q: When have you learned to trust that God is at work, even in the middle of a bad situation? The presence of the guards is not enough to calm the agitated crowd, however, and they continue to shout, creating chaos and prompting the Romans to physically carry Paul away to preserve his safety for further questioning (vv ). Luke signals to the reader that Paul s earthly journey is nearing its end by calling to mind the cries of Jesus accusers. Once again, the mob shouts, Away with him! (v. 36; cf. Luke 23:18; the Greek is identical). Once again, Paul s circumstances parallel the suffering Jesus endured on His way to the Cross. Q: How does meditating on Jesus unjust suffering help you when you face similar situations? Verses Approaching the prison, Paul asks for an opportunity to speak, perhaps to defend himself (v. 37). The guard, in turn, begins questioning him to discern his identity and his purposes for instigating such an uproar (v. 38). The guard s reference to the Egyptian is confirmed by the ancient historian Josephus, who records the account of a failed uprising that occurred around A.D The leader of the revolt, an Egyptian, escaped and was never heard from again, but the guard still would have been wary of his reemergence at this point. 5 Peterson, Cf. Eph. 6:18b 20; Phil. 1:7; 2 Tim. 2:8 10. In each of these letters, Paul not only maintains his faith in God s sovereignty but cherishes the opportunities his chains gave him to proclaim the Gospel to new audiences. 7 Marshall, Peterson, 592; Marshall 371.

5 Paul declares his pedigree, being of both Jewish descent and a citizen of a highly influential city in the region, and his request to speak to the crowd is granted (v. 39). 9 Paul begins making his defense in the local Aramaic dialect (v. 40). Read: Acts 22:1-29 [Read] Sub-Point: God provides us with opportunities to boldly represent Him. Verses 1 5a Paul begins with the same phrase Stephen used at his defense, Brothers and fathers (v. 1; cf. Acts 7:2). 10 When the crowd realizes that Paul is speaking to them in their local dialect, they grow even quieter (v. 2). He has caught their attention by speaking as one of them. This is Paul s first tactic, which is to demonstrate how much he has in common with the people. We will see that Paul s attitude toward Judaism dominates the next chapters as he seeks to persuade various people that he is a loyal Jew and that his mission is not anti- Jewish. 11 Q: How do you aim to communicate patiently and personally to those who disagree with you? Paul then highlights his biography as a proud citizen of the well-known city (Tarsus) who moved to Jerusalem as an adolescent to study with one of the most prominent teachers of the time, the rabbi Gamaliel (v. 3). 12 Paul also describes his fervent commitment to Judaism and his pursuit of those who forsook the tradition to follow the way of Jesus Christ (vv. 4 5). In saying this, Paul s statement has placed him alongside his audience as a zealous defender of the law. 13 Not only that, he excelled in the study and practice of Pharisaic teaching. 14 Paul is drawing out common threads between their backgrounds in order to highlight his next point. Q: What are some ways you can find common ground with people you share the Gospel with? Verses 5b 16 Next, Paul shares an account of his dramatic encounter with Jesus and subsequent conversion to Christianity, emphasizing God s hand in the matter and the 9 Marshall clarifies, Paul was concerned to establish his respectable Jewish background and civil status: he was not the kind of person to cause a riot in the temple. This is not a reference to his Roman citizenship, which does not emerge until later (22:25). 10 Marshall, Peterson, 590; Peterson also writes, Paul does seek to persuade his audience that his mission is deeply rooted in the world of Judaism and is unquestionable the will of God (595). 12 Marshall, Marshall, Peterson, 597.

6 unexpected heart transformation he experienced. 15 No one but God could accomplish this. No longer is Paul an accessory to the murder of Christians; he is now called to be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard (v. 15). Verses 6 11 track very closely with Luke s narration that we studied earlier in Acts 9:1 8. Throughout his testimony, Paul refers to Jesus as Lord. In doing so, he is confirming Jesus resurrected state and His oneness with Yahweh ( Lord ), the God of the Jews. This echoes Stephen s vision of the Messiah, which he declared in Acts 7: Q: How does your conversion or your spiritual maturing testify to the power of God at work? In verses 12 16, Paul retells his meeting with Ananias, emphasizing his devout character and adherence to the Law. The man was well-known and well-respected in Tarsus, a credible witness then, and a credible witness now before the mob of angry Jews. 17 Verses Luke records the last portion of Paul s defense that the crowd allows before turning on him again. Here, Paul impresses upon them his desire to stay and continue ministering to his fellow Jews. He is even in their temple praying when his encounter with God occurs (v. 17). God has a different, greater plan, however, and wants to use Paul to initiate the sending of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem and Judaism to the Gentile nations (v. 21). One reason for leaving is to preserve his life, but Paul s departure was not intended to be simply the means of his own safety but was to affect God s previously intimated purpose of sending him to all men and specifically to the Gentiles. 18 The irony is that the Jews earlier accusation of Paul s teaching everyone, everywhere was actually God s plan (Acts 21:28). In his final sentences, Paul briefly references the martyrdom of Stephen, which he aided prior to his conversion, and though this helps prove his conversion, it also holds the Jews accountable. Q: How has God showed you His plans were greater than the ones you thought were best? Verses Paul s continual references to Stephen, as well as his commitment to the Gentiles, prove to be too much for the crowd to handle. As soon as the word Gentile is spoken, the people erupt with vicious threats, no longer open to hearing the story of God s work in his life (v. 22). Amidst all the noise and histrionic demonstrations, the tribune orders Paul to be bound and flogged for questioning (vv ). 15 His change in direction and subsequent ministry can be explained only in terms of God s unmistakable intervention in his life (Peterson, 605). 16 Peterson, Peterson, ; Marshall, Marshall, 377.

7 Verses Immediately Paul reveals his trump card, for he knows it was illegal to submit a Roman citizen to this method of examination (v. 25). 19 When the tribune is told about Paul s citizenship, he responds with sarcasm, answering that anyone is able to buy their citizenship with bribery (vv ). He is taken aback, however, when Paul states that his citizenship is one of birth, which outranks the tribune s in value. 20 This immediately quiets the tribune and causes him to fear the potential repercussions of illegally prosecuting a full-fledged Roman citizen (vv. 29). 21 Though Paul uses most of his platform to speak as an opportunity to share the Gospel, we also see him respond to the circumstances with discernment and wise timing. Q: What guides your words and actions in circumstances when you are unfairly treated? 19 Marshall, Peterson, Marshall, 379.

8 Week 27, Acts 21:27-22:29 Took Main Point: God orchestrates opportunities for His people to faithfully represent Him. Current Event: Iran ranks number eight in the list of worst Christian-persecuting countries in the world. 22 However, according to research conducted by Operation World, Iran was cited as number one in the list of countries with the fastest growth rate of Christianity. In 2016 Iran witnessed a 19.6 percent rise in its Christian population. 23 Despite the Iranian government s efforts, a massive underground church movement is sweeping through Iran; this movement is largely driven among the youth of Iran. According to a Fox News report, experts predict that by the year 2020, the Christian population of Iran will reach 7 million, 10 percent of the country s population. 24 What effect does persecution have on the growth or decline of Christianity? Describe other regimes in history that attempted to stamp out Christianity. What was the resolution to those attempts? How can your class aid in the spread of the Gospel in Dallas? In America? Across the globe? Teacher: Break your class into small groups and pray for Iran. Thank God for His power and ability to save sinners despite the efforts of those who would seek to silence Christians. Pray for the safety of believers in Iran and a boldness informed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lesson Conclusion: These scenes fulfill Jesus predictions to His disciples that Luke records in his Gospel. Jesus promises that when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say and they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness (Luke 12:11 12; 21:12 13). Paul continually demonstrates his faithfulness to God s calling, and it is in passages such as these where we witness confirmation of God s hand in the events of Paul s life. God has given Paul incredible opportunities to travel in order to sow the seeds of the Gospel, and from this

9 time on, Paul will use every moment of his captivity to do the same. The same can be true for us. When we are obedient to God s guidance, He puts us in the right place at the right time to do His will. He brings us into communication with the people He wants to reach with the Gospel. Even more, He never leaves us to do this on our own. He promises His constant presence and the Holy Spirit to guide our witness as we testify to the Gospel. Challenges Lift your eyes It can be difficult to trust God is at work when the circumstances seem to say otherwise. When you face unfair treatment, or events in your life are not what you expected, pray that God would help you believe in His greater plan. Search the Bible for narratives that confirm His ability to accomplish good things even when His people are surrounded by chaos. Seek a close friend or mentor you can regularly confide in, someone who will encourage you to lift your eyes above your situation and fix them on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). Speak with love Examine if you are skilled in the art of peaceful communication. When you speak against a false idea or present the truth of the Gospel to someone, is your approach abrasive? Is your attitude self-righteous? When you see someone model healthy evangelism, ask that person to teach you how to build bridges in conversation so your witness is more winsome. Pray God helps you rely more on His discernment so you don t rely solely on your personality or intellect. Allow time for the Holy Spirit to guide your heart so you don t rush too quickly into the moment. Take time to pray specifically that your faith in God s eternal protection will grow strong enough to calm your fear or anger in difficult circumstances. Share your story When was the last time you told someone about God s work in your life? Practice your testimony by telling a friend the significant events of your life that led you to faith in Jesus Christ. Consider how your story testifies to God s character, and search for Bible verses you can use to share what you have learned about Him. You can also read a biography of a Christian you admire. Take notes on how that person used the circumstances of his or her life to testify about the Gospel. Pray that God deepens your thankfulness for your salvation so it becomes the automatic overflow of your heart when you share.