DEDUCTIVE LESSON TWENTY-SIX The Never-Ending Story Have you ever been watching a movie only to have it come to a premature ending with some important questions seemingly unanswered? Later you discover that the film company has already planned the next installment in the series. Some movie series have gone on so long that the actor playing the leading man has changed several times. For example, seven different actors have portrayed James Bond in the twenty-five 007 spy movies. In a similar fashion, during the opening introduction to the Book of Acts, our pastor shared that it was a book with a beginning but no end. J. Vernon McGee shares that the narrative of Acts is not concluded but breaks off with Paul preaching in Rome, and will not end until the rapture of the church. 1 As in the current made-fortelevision miniseries A.D. The Bible Continues, each chapter in the Book of Acts is a new sequel in the series. In the history of the church, each generation has been a new chapter in the Book of Acts and we are the characters in the still-to-be-written portion of the book. You might say that although the actors may change in the newest episodes, the director and scriptwriter will stay the same. Because of the unchanging nature of the director, we can find ultimate assurance in knowing that the same providence of God that protected and guided the early saints in Scripture is still in play for us today. Paul earlier had expressed a desire to preach the gospel in Rome (Acts 19:21) and no imprisonment, slander, storms, shipwreck, or venomous snakebites could keep him from his destination. Paul s greatest longing was to see his people, the Jews, accept Jesus as their Messiah (Romans 9:3), but even in their rejection of God s gracious offer of salvation, Paul was able to see God at work. As William Barclay shares, Paul comes to a conclusion that this is the work of God. This very rejection by the Jews is the very thing that opened the door to the Gentiles. There is a purpose in everything. On the helm of things there is the hand of the unseen steersman God. 2 In 1956, at the height of the Cold War, partially to distance itself from the atheist Soviet Union, the United States of America adopted In God We Trust as the official motto of our country. It had appeared earlier on much of our paper currency and now appears on all coins as well, making it the most published phrase in the world. Despite a 2003 poll showing 90% of the population approved our motto 3 secularists have frequently challenged its use on the basis of separation of church and state. However, the US Supreme Court ruled in 1984 that the motto did not endorse any religion, because they have lost through rote repetition any significant religious content. 4 According to our Supreme Court, the motto In God We Trust has lost any real meaning, so the question for us is, Can I, as a believer, trust God? To restate the question, Do I believe God is trustworthy based on the evidence? The biggest single takeaway from the overwhelming majority of commentators on the Book of Acts is that based upon the historical record we have studied, God is completely sovereign (in total control of every aspect of our lives) and providentially works all things for His glory and the ultimate good of His people. Corrie ten Boom no stranger to suffering, having survived a Nazi concentration camp looking back on the landscape of her life could say, This is 1
what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see. 5 It is my prayer that our study together of the Book of Acts will allow you to live with a confidence and trust in God greater than you ve ever experienced. Thanks to the revelation of God in our study, we can say with full assurance, Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. 1 McGee, J. Vernon. Thru The Bible Commentary Series Acts. Dallas: Thomas Nelson Publishing, 1991. Page 167 2 Barclay, William. Daily Bible Study Series Acts. Edinburgh, Scotland: St. Andrew Press, 1953. Page 211 3 http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/polls/tables/live/2003-09-29-religion-poll.htm 4 http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=465&invol=668 5 http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/102203.corrie_ten_boom Memory Verse I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7 8 NKJV Prayer Start by reading over the passage and asking the Holy Spirit to give you fresh insights and wisdom in understanding it. Then read through the entire passage two or three times. Day 1 Paul s Ministry on Malta Acts 28:1 10 The small island where Paul shipwrecked is named Malta (Melita in some older translations). The name Malta appropriately means refuge and given the small size of the island relative to the vast expanse of open sea, finding it was extremely providential. The entire island is only about one sixth the size of Orange County (122 square miles) but one of the most densely populated counties in the world. It is located about 50 miles south of Sicily. 1. Victims of shipwrecks were often enslaved or murdered by those onshore. Most translations refer to the locals of Malta as natives; however, in the Greek they were called barbarians because they didn t speak Greek. a. Describe the reception the locals gave and their reaction to Paul s snakebite in verses 1 6. b. Some churches within the Pentecostal Holiness movement (specifically the Church of Jesus with Signs Following) use Paul s apparent recovery from a lethal bite and Mark 16:17 18 (also Luke 10:19) as justification for using venomous snakes as part of their worship service. What do these scriptures teach and do you feel this is appropriate? 2
c. Paul had been mistaken for deity earlier in Lystra (see Acts 14:8 18). How did Paul s reaction and the eventual outcome differ in these two incidents? 2. In addition to Paul s miraculous healing from a lethal snakebite, what other signs or events confirmed his apostolic authority to those on the island? 3. Paul spent nearly three months on Malta and yet we don t read of any sermons or preaching and not a single conversion is recorded. Some commentators think Paul was recharging his batteries while others feel Luke merely chose not to record the evangelistic events. Which viewpoint do you favor based upon: a. Paul s other trips and activities. b. What he wrote in passages such as 1 Corinthians 2:2. c. Jesus marching order for His disciples (the keystone verse of the Book of Acts) in Acts 1:8. Memory Verse Fill in the blanks I have fought good fight, I finished the race, have kept the. Finally, there is up for me crown of righteousness, the Lord, the Judge, will give me on that, and not to only but also all who have His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7 8 NKJV Day 2 Paul s Arrival in Rome Acts 28:11 16 After overwintering three months on Malta, Paul and his companions boarded another grain ship that had spent the winter on Malta and departed for Rome. They first sailed from Malta to Syracuse on the island of Sicily, likely making the trip in one long day of sailing over 90 miles. They next sailed from Syracuse to the mainland of Italy to Rhegium, about 72 miles. From there they sailed up the coast to Puteoli, the major port of Rome, which is about 150 miles by land from Rome. At this time Rome had been settled for nearly 800 years and had a population of about two million people, half of which were slaves. 3
1. The ship on which they sailed had the twin brothers, Castor and Pollux (sons of Zeus), as figureheads. The twins were thought to offer protection to the ship that had safely wintered in Malta. What did Paul rely upon as his source of protection while at sea (see Acts 27: 22 26)? 2. Despite many barriers in his path leading to Rome, Paul finally enters the city built on seven hills. What assurances did Paul have along the way that despite his circumstances he would eventually arrive in Rome? Please see Acts 19:21, 23:11, and 27:24. 3. A flourishing church existed in Rome before Paul arrived and a number of its members had traveled 43 miles to greet him. Paul had written a letter to the Church of Rome about six years earlier. What was Paul s original intention for his visit to Rome according to: a. Romans 1:8 15 b. Romans 15:22 29 c. According to our passage, how did the Roman believers serve as a source of encouragement to Paul? d. According to 2 Corinthians 1:3 5, how should we be a source of encouragement to others in the Body of Christ? Memory Verse Fill in the blanks I fought good, I finished race, have the. Finally, is up me crown righteousness, the, the Judge, give me that, and to only also all have His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7 8 NKJV 4
Day 3 Paul s Meeting with the Locals Acts 28:17 29 This is Paul s sixth and final defense of himself and explanation of the gospel. It is likely the leaders mentioned here were the heads of the local synagogues of which 15 to 20 existed in Rome at this time. About ten years earlier, the Jews had been expelled from Rome for disturbing the peace so they were quite reluctant to create needless controversy. It is reasonable that Paul reached Rome before any correspondence could have come from Jerusalem as he was on one of the first ships to arrive in the spring of AD 60. 1. Paul was about building bridges rather than barriers with his audience. a. How did he lower their anxiety as he started his defense (verse 17)? b. How was this introduction similar to Stephen s (Acts 7:2) and his address to the Sanhedrin (Acts 23:1)? c. In what practical ways can we build bridges with our audience when sharing the gospel? 2. How did Paul summarize the events that led him to become a prisoner in Rome in verses 17 20? Indeed Lysias (Acts 23:28), Felix (Acts 24:22), Festus (Acts 25:18), and Herod (Acts 26:31) had declared Paul not guilty. 3. It is interesting to note that they referred to Christianity as a sect or party the same word is used to describe the sects of the Pharisees and Sadducees, meaning that they believed Christianity was just a subset of Judaism. Also, notice that this sect that started with 120 believers in one room on that Day of Pentecost has now spread to a countless number everywhere across the Roman Empire. How did the Jewish leadership respond to Paul s explanation and what was their attitude towards Christianity going in to Paul s explanation of the gospel? 5
4. It has been said that the same sun (or Son) that melts ice will also harden clay. What was Paul s message and what was the audience s response? Note: persuaded is better translated, to have confidence in a point of view. 5. Paul condemns the disbelieving Jews by quoting from Isaiah 6:9 10. This passage is also referenced by Jesus in Matthew 13:13 15, Mark 4:12, Luke 8:10, John 12:39 40, and by Paul again in Romans 11:8. Explain what is meant by this passage and how it applies to the unbelieving Jews. Memory Verse Fill in the blanks I good, finished, have. Finally, up crown, the, Judge, me, and only all His. 2 Timothy 4:7 8 NKJV Day 4 Epilogue Acts 28:30 Most commentators believe that after two years Paul was released from prison and went on to Spain only to be rearrested and martyred by Nero four years later (around AD 66). It is likely that his accusers never arrived from Jerusalem to bring charges against him. Paul s two years of house arrest where fairly profitable as he wrote Ephesians, Philemon, Philippians, and Colossians during this time. Paul was also actively evangelizing during this time. 1. According to Acts 28:30, summarize his two years in Rome. 2. In one of his prison epistles, Paul writes about God s providential use of his circumstances for the furtherance of the gospel. In the Greek, the phrase is a military term used for the advance of an army in a military campaign. What good do you learn from his imprisonment according to Philippians 1:13 14? 6
3. As the events from our nation s capital unfold on the evening news, it is easy to question whether or not God s plan for One Nation Under God is still viable. What do the following passages teach us about God s sovereignty over government? a. Philippians 4:21 22 (how Paul was in a unique place to share with the leaders of the Roman Empire) b. Esther 4:14 c. Proverbs 21:1 4. Besides writing letters to churches, Paul was able to win some for the Lord. a. What do you learn from Philemon 10? b. From this same epistle, name those who faithfully ministered with him while he was in prison (see Philemon 24). What name in that list might surprise you and why? Memory Verse Fill in the entire verse from memory. 2 Timothy 4:7 8 NKJV Day 5 Take Away / Summary If one of your friends at work or a neighbor were to ask you what you did on Tuesday, you would tell them you went to a Bible study. The next question would likely be, What did you learn? We often summarize an entire athletic contest or a movie in a few brief sentences and easily convey the essence of the event. Now apply these same skills to give a summary of the passage in a sentence or two. Then, in an additional sentence or two, describe what impact this passage will have on how you live. 7
What s The Big Idea? At the end of my first full year of leading a group of men in Bible study, the wife of one of our group members ran into me at church and demanded to know What have you done to my husband? She went on to explain that she would be forever grateful for the kinder, gentler version of her husband that had emerged from our study of God s Word. The study of God s Word has the power to change our heart, mind and actions. According to Isaiah 55:11: So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. What impact has our study together in the Book of Acts had upon your understanding of God and how has this changed your attitude, outlook and actions? Memory Verse I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7 8 NKJV Key Words/Phrases Write out the definition of these key words. You can use a regular dictionary or go to one of the Greek sources listed in the Tool Box at the end of the study. You may also use a concordance to see where else and how the word is used in the Bible. How would these phrases instruct or encourage us today? Seeing You Will See and Not Perceive (Acts 28:26) With All Confidence (Acts 28:31) Epilogue: 8
The following passage was sent to me by one of our group leaders and I thought it was worth sharing. Wanted: Thinkers by Charles R. Swindoll Entertainment is everything today. So important, in fact, that we have television programs and magazines devoted solely to the subject. All of which makes it real difficult to be committed to substance rather than the superficial. This includes reading widely, probing deeply, seeing with discernment, rejecting the false, learning the facts. In short, thinking! Critic Neil Postman, author of Amusing Ourselves to Death, correctly argues that television is converting us from a word-centered culture to an image-centered culture. Even the news broadcasts are under increasing pressure to entertain more than inform. Ted Koppel, the penetrating [former] host of Nightline, calls this Vannatizing (after Vanna White, Wheel of Fortune s celebrity hostess, whose role on the highly rated game show is a matter of looking cute and saying hello and bye-bye ). Toddler talk. Don t think; just look. Don t question; relax. There s not much room on television for complexity, says Koppel. We now communicate with everyone and say absolutely nothing. I can handle Vannatizing a game show. But when it comes to our faith, Vannatizing is intolerable. When will we ever learn that sacred things cannot be staged and remain sacred? What will it take to finally convince us of what Muggeridge stated so well, You cannot present an authentic message by means of an inauthentic medium? My hope rests in the remnant of believers who still believe in thinking... who have an insatiable hunger for learning... who appreciate the hard work that goes into knowing where they stand theologically and yet knowing where they need to bend practically. What I m pushing for is more who know what they believe, and why. Folks who can spot phony baloney before it hits the headlines... who know some guru is spouting heresy even though his promises sound inviting. Folks who don t wait to be told every move to make, who are challenged within to grow, to study, to learn. Such discernment never comes automatically. Thinking is hard work, but, oh, so rewarding. And so essential for survival. Furthermore, you won t feel quite so intimidated the next time some guy who just heard you re a Christian leans over and asks why. Your defense will make better sense. I believe Swindoll s comments ring true. When he describes the remnant of believers that still believe in thinking it truly describes the men of valor who have completed this year s study in the Book of Acts. The study this year has challenged us and stretched us but also has grown us in our walk with the Lord, and for your participation and patience with the author you have my undying admiration and appreciation. 2015 Mark Newton. All rights reserved. 9
Express permission granted for use and reproduction by Harvest Christian Fellowship, Riverside, CA. www.harvest.org Timeline for the Life of Paul 10
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