The Book of. Acts. Part two. Acts By Donald Townsley [1]

The Book of Acts Part two Acts 13-28 By Donald Townsley [1]

The book of Acts PART TWO CHAPTER THIRTEEN LESSON ONE PAUL AND BARNABAS' FIRST JOURNEY TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL AND ESTABLISH CHURCHES 1. The prophets and teachers named in the church at Antioch (verse 1). 2. The command of the Holy Spirit to separate Barnabas and Saul for the work He called them to do (verses 2-3). (1) They took John Mark with them (verse 5). 3. They first went to Seleucia and sailed from there (a seaport). 4. They sailed to the Island of Cyprus (verse 4). (1) Preaching on the Island of Cyprus (verses 4-12). 1. Salamis: at the eastern end of the island. (1) Preached in the synagogue of the Jews. 2. Paphos: across the island from Salamis. (1) Barjesus -- a false prophet who was a sorcerer (a Jew). 1. Simon was a sorcerer (Acts 8: 9-10). (2) Sergius Paulus -- the deputy of the country, a prudent man who desired to hear the word of God. (3) Barjesus (Elymas) withstood Paul and Barnabas. 1. He wanted to turn away the deputy (Sergius Paulus) from the faith. (4) Saul (Paul), filled with the Holy Spirit, set his eyes on him and said: 1. That he was full of subtlety and all mischief. 2. That he was a child of the devil. 3. That he was an enemy of all righteousness. 4. And that he was perverting the right ways of the Lord. (5) He was blinded (verse 11). (6) When Sergius Paulus saw what was done, he believed (verse 12). 1. "Believed" here stands for all the steps of conversion. 2. He was "astonished at the doctrine of the Lord". 5. To Perga -- in Pamphylia. (1) John Mark left them, returning to Jerusalem. [2]

6. To Antioch -- in Pisidia (verse 14). (1) Went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. (2) Paul's sermon (verses 13-41). (3) The impression that it made (verses 42-43). (4) The second Sabbath day in Antioch (verses 44-53). 1. The gospel opposed by the Jews (verses 44-45) (1) Almost the whole city came together to hear the word of the Lord (verse 44). (2) When the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy and "spake against those things which were spoken by Paul". 1. Contradicting and blaspheming. 2. Paul and Barnabas turn to the Gentiles with the gospel (verses 46-47). (1) Many "believed" (obeyed the gospel) --(verses 48-49). 3. The Jews raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them out of their coasts (verse 50). 4. Paul and Barnabas "shook off the dust of their feet against them" ( verse 51). 5. They left disciples behind who were filled with joy (verse 52). 7. To Iconium ACTS CHAPTER THIRTEEN QUESTIONS 1. Name the prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch (verse 1): 2. What did the Holy Spirit say for them to do in verse 2? 3. What did they do before they sent Saul and Barnabas away? (verse 3) 4. From what seaport did they sail to Cyprus? (verse 4) 5. Where did they preach the word of God in Salamis? (verse 5) 6. Who did Paul and Barnabas have with them? (verse 5) 7. Who was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus? (verses 6-7) 8. Who did Sergius Paulus call for? ; and what did he desire? (verse 7) 9. What did Elymas do? (verse 8) 10. List four (4) things that Paul (who was filled with the Holy Spirit) told Elymas he was guilty of (verses 9-10): (1) (2) (3) [3]

(4) 11. What miracle did the Lord enable Paul to perform on Elymas? (verse 11) 12. When the deputy saw the miracle, what did he do? (verse 12) 13. Does the word "believed" in verse 12 include all the plan of salvation? 14. From what place did John return to Jerusalem? (verse 13) 15. Where did Paul and Barnabas go when they got to Antioch in Pisidia? (verse 14) 16. Were they invited to speak in the synagogue? (verse 15) 17. To whom did Paul address his sermon? (verse 16) 18. Who else preached a sermon like this one in the seventh chapter of Acts? NOTE: Paul's sermon is in three logical divisions: 1. The historical background of Jesus -- verses 17-23 2. Proof that Jesus was the promised Savior -- verses 24-37 3. He appealed to the people to accept Jesus, and warns about rejecting Him -- verses 38-41 19. After giving the historical background of Jesus, who did he say that Jesus, the Savior, descended from? (verses 22-23) 20. Paul proves the Messiahship of Jesus by the testimony of who? (verses 24-25) 21. He proves Jesus is the Messiah by (verses 26-29): 22. He proves Jesus is the Messiah by (verses 30-37): 23. Through whom did Paul preach they could have the remission of sins? (verse 38) 24. What does Paul say of "all that believe" (or obey the gospel)? (verse 39) 25. Could they be justified by the law of Moses? (verse 39) 26. What is Paul warning them to beware of in verses 40-41? 27. What did the Gentiles want Paul to do the next Sabbath? (verse 42) 28. What did Paul and Barnabas persuade the Jews and religious proselytes to do? (verse 43) 29. The next Sabbath day when almost the whole city came to hear the word of God, what was the attitude of the Jews? (verses 44-45) 30. What did Paul and Barnabas say to the Jews? (verse 46) [4]

31. What had the Lord commanded them? (verse 47; Isaiah 49:6) 32. What was the Gentile's attitude when they heard what was said? (verse 48) 33. What does Luke say about the word of the Lord in verse 49? 34. What did the Jews do? (verse 50) 35. What did Paul and Barnabas do? (verse 51; Luke 9:5) 36. What was the attitude of those who had become disciples there? (verse 52) [5]

The book of Acts PART TWO CHAPTER FOURTEEN LESSON TWO 1. Preaching the Word in Iconium: (1) They went into the synagogue of the Jews and preached the Word. (2) A great multitude of both Jews and Greeks "believed" (verse 1). 1. "Believed" here stands for ALL the steps of obedience: (1) Hearing (2) Believing (3) Repenting (4) Confessing (5) Being Baptized (3) The preaching of the gospel aroused opposition. 1. The "unbelieving Jews" stirred up the Gentiles. (1) "made their minds evil affected against the brethren". 1. The Devil has been doing this a long time. 2. He does it today. (4) They stayed in Iconium a long time. 1. Preached the Word boldly (verse 3). 2. Confirmed the Word that was preached with signs and wonders (Mark 16: 17-20). (5) The preaching of the gospel divided the city. 1. Part held with the Jews and part with the apostles. (1) The gospel is God's uniting power and dividing power. 1. The gospel will unite all believers in the body of Christ (John 17: 19-20; Eph. 2:16). 2. The gospel divides the believers from the unbelievers -- the saint from the sinner (Matt. 10: 34-37; Luke 12: 51-53). (2) The gospel divides every city. (6) Wicked men planned to stone them (verse 5). (7) Paul and Barnabas were aware of this plot and fled to Lystra (verse 6). 2. Preaching at Lystra. (1) Here they preached the gospel. 1. Converted Timothy (Acts 16:1; I Tim. 1:5). (2) The miracle performed on the man who was impotent in his feet (verse 8; Acts 3:6): 1. He was crippled from his mother's womb. 2. Had never walked. 3. He heard Paul and had faith (verse 9). 4. Paul said to him: "stand upright on thy feet". (1) The miracle was genuine -- "and he leaped and walked" (verse 10). [6]

(3) The people's attitude toward what Paul had done: 1. They said, "The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men" (verse 11). (1) They called Barnabas, Jupiter. (2) They called Paul, Mercurius (because he was the chief speaker). (3) They wanted to worship them (verse 13). (4) The apostles protested this worship: 1. By their actions. 2. By their speech (verse 15). (5) They enlightened the people concerning God's nature. 1. God is a living, self-existent Being (verse 15). 2. God is Creator (verse 15). 3. God is good in that He providentially cares for man (verse 17). 4. In times past God allowed the Gentile nations to walk in their own ways (verse 16). (1) During this time God made no attempt to break up this ignorance (Acts 17:30 -- "God winked at" does not mean that God excused it.). (2) But they are without excuse (verse 17). 1. Romans 1: 20-24 (6) The stoning of Paul (verses 18-24). 1. Here we see the persistence of evil men (verse 19). (1) Certain Jews came from Antioch and Iconium. (2) They "persuaded the people" (verse 19). 1. The "fickleness" of man. 2. One day they wanted to worship Paul, the next day they stoned him. (7) Good had been done -- disciples had been made (verse 20). 3. The next day Paul and Barnabas went to Derbe. (1) Preached the gospel to that city and taught many. 4. They then returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch (of Pisidia). (1) Confirming the souls of the disciples (verse 22). 1. They did this because they were concerned for the disciples they had made ( 2 Cor. 11: 28). (2) Exhorting the disciples to continue in the faith, "and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (verse 22). (3) Elders were ordained in every church (verse 23). 1. How could they find qualified men so fast? (1) These newly-formed congregations and Jews in them who were well-versed in the scriptures, and were men of high character. 1. They were not men who lived wicked lives before their conversion. 2. These men had been in the church probably two or three years. 5. They passed throughout Pisidia. [7]

6. Came to Pamphylia. (1) Preached the word in Perga (of Pamphylia). 1. A seacoast town where they had landed when they came into Asia Minor. 7. Went down into Attalia (verse 25). (1) Coming home, they sailed from Attalia. 1. Could have been no ship at Perga. 8. Back to Antioch (of Syria). (1) From where they had started. (2) They had fulfilled the work they set out to do (verse 26). (3) They called the church together and rehearsed all that God had done with them (verse 27). (4) They stayed there a long time with the disciples (verse 28). ACTS CHAPTER FOURTEEN QUESTIONS 1. When Paul and Barnabas left Antioch in Pisidia, where did they go? (verse 1) 2. Where did they preach in Iconium? (vs. 1) 3. How many obeyed the gospel in Iconium? (vs. 1) 4. Does the word "believed" in verse one mean faith only? 5. What did the unbelieving Jews do to the Gentiles? (vs. 2) 6. How did the Lord give "testimony unto the word of his grace"? (vs. 3) 7. How were the people of the city of Iconium divided? (vs. 4) 8. When an assault was made on Paul and Barnabas, where did they flee? (vs. 5, 6) 9. What did they continue to do? (vs. 7) 10. How long had the man at Lystra been "impotent in his feet"? (vs. 8) 11. What did Paul do to the man who was "impotent in his feet"? (vs. 8-10) 12. When the people saw what Paul had done, what did they say and do? (vs. 11-13) 13. In verse 14, what did Barnabas and Paul do? [8]

14. What did they preach to the people? (vs. 15) 15. In times past how did God "suffer" nations to walk? (vs. 16) 16. What was the witness that God gave of Himself to these people? (vs. 17) 17. Did they have a hard time restraining the people from making sacrifice unto them? (vs. 18) 18. In what city was Paul stoned? (vs. 6, 19-20) 19. To what city did they depart the next day? (vs. 20) 20. After they had preached the gospel in Derbe, they returned again to,, and (vs. 21) 21. What did they do in the cities? (vs. 22) 22. What did they ordain in every church? (vs. 23) 23. They sailed from to (vs. 25-26). 24. What did they do when they got to Antioch? (vs. 27) 25. How long did they stay at Antioch? (vs. 28) [9]

The book of Acts PART TWO CHAPTER FIFTEEN LESSON THREE The Question of Authority 1. The question arose over circumcision. (1) "Certain men" arose in the church and taught that the Gentiles had to be circumcised in order to be saved. 1. Circumcision was part of the Law. (1) It was a sign of the covenant made with Abraham, and was to be perpetuated as a sign of membership in that covenant. (2) All males were circumcised the eighth day (Lev. 12:3). (3) Circumcision was a prerequisite of their observing the Passover (Ex. 12:48). (2) Certain of the sect of the Pharisees had become members of the church and were teaching this doctrine (Acts 15: 5). 1. Paul called them "false brethren" (Gal. 2: 4-5). 2. Judaizers: These Judaizers would have destroyed the church if Paul and others had not stood. (1) Men must stand today concerning: 1. Worldliness 2. Institutionalism 3. Indifference 4. Divorce for any cause -- and remarriage. (3) The Judaizers went to Antioch to teach their false doctrine (15:1). (4) Barnabas and Paul knew the truth concerning this matter, and had quite a discussion with them (15:2). (5) Some at Antioch wanted Paul, Barnabas, "and certain other of them" to go to Jerusalem to the apostles about the matter (15:2). 1. Paul went because God sent him ( Gal. 2:2). 2. He took Titus as a test case (Gal. 2:3). 3. The church at Antioch paid the expenses for this trip (15:3). (6) On the way to Jerusalem they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria and told of the conversion of the Gentiles (15:3). (7) When they got to Jerusalem they were received of the church. 1. They declared all things that God had done with them (15:4). (8) Then the Judaizers ("certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed") rose up, saying that: 1. The Gentiles should be circumcised, and 2. Keep the law of Moses. [10]

(9) The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter (15:6). 2. Peter's Speech (1) God directed Peter to go to the Gentiles (15:7). (2) God endorsed the reception of the Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit (15:8). (3) Faith produced the exact same effect in both Jew and Gentile (15:9). (4) Therefore, "Why tempt ye God," (15:10): 1. To put a yoke upon the Gentiles that the Jews were not able to bear (15:10). (5) Salvation is by grace (15:11). 3. Paul and Barnabas speak: (1) Told of the continuance of the work that Peter had begun among the Gentiles (15:12). 4. James speaks -- mentions Peter's speech (15:14). (1) Said Peter's speech fit in with what the prophets had written (Amos 9:11). 1. James said the prophets agreed (15:15). 2. He quotes only one prophet, Amos (Amos 9:11). (2) James' conclusions: 1. Verse 19: "That we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:". (1) Don't trouble them with the Law of Moses. 2. Verse 10: "But that we write unto them, that they abstain from... (1) "pollutions of idols," (2) "fornication," (3) "from things strangled," (4) "from blood" 3. Verse 21 seems to be saying that the Jews had these instructions in the Law of Moses. (1) These things were not wrong because they were in the Law of Moses, but because it is the Law of God NOW. 5. James' conclusions pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church (15: 22). 6. The apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to select some of their own brethren (Judas and Silas) to accompany Paul and Barnabas to Antioch with letters stating the decision reached in Jerusalem. (1) The authority of the Holy Spirit accompanies the decision written in the letter (15:28), showing that the decision reached was the will of God. (2) These were inspired letters. 7. These inspired letters were sent out to: (1) Antioch (2) Syria (3) Cilicia (15:23). [11]

8. The letters said they gave no such commandment, "Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law:" (15:24; 15:1). (1) These were false teachers. (2) Their teaching would subvert (ruin, destroy) their souls. 1. We learn that where there is no commandment, there can be no action and please God (15:24). 9. The letters said that no burden was to be placed upon the Gentile Christians other than what the Holy Spirit placed upon them -- only such "necessary things" were required by the Holy Spirit: (1) Four things they were to abstain from: 1. "meats offered to idols" (I Cor. 8: 4-13); 2. "from blood" (Lev. 17: 13-14; Gen. 9:4); (1) Christians are not to eat blood. 3. "from things strangled"; (1) The blood must be drained from the body of the animal we use for food. 4. "from fornication" (15:29): (1) Fornication violates the purpose for which God made the body (I Cor. 6: 13-20). 1. God's plan for man's sexual needs is marriage (I Cor. 7: 1-5; Heb. 13:4; Matt. 19:1-9; One flesh (Gen. 2:24). (2) Fornication destroys homes (Matt. 19:9). (3) Fornication will cause the soul to be lost eternally (Gal. 5: 19-21). 10. The epistle delivered caused rejoicing (15:31). 11. The two men who came from Jerusalem to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas were Judas and Silas (15:27). (1) They were prophets (inspired) -- Acts 15: 32; Eph. 3:5. (2) After they had been there awhile, they were "let go" to go back to the apostles in Jerusalem (15:33). (3) Silas did not want to go back -- he stayed (15:34). 12. Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch -- teaching and preaching the word of the Lord -- with many others. (15:35) (1) If the church is to grow it has to have lots of teaching. [12]

THE SECOND JOURNEY PREPARATION: 1. Paul talked to Barnabas about revisiting the churches they had established (15: 36). (1) Paul wanted to know how they were doing. 1. Preachers need to be concerned with the people they convert. (1) Timothy was such a man (Phil. 2:20). (2) To some preachers today it is "just a job". 2. The contention between Paul and Barnabas over taking John Mark with them (15: 37-39): (1) Barnabas was determined to take John Mark with them (15:37). 1. John Mark had gone with them on the first journey, and had turned back at Perga in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13). (2) Paul thought it was not good to take John Mark with them because he had turned back (15:38). 1. This was an important mission and Paul did not want it jeopardized by John Mark with them because he had turned back (15:38). (1) Prov. 25: 19: "Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint" 1. Cannot eat with the broken tooth. 2. Cannot walk with the foot out of joint. (3) There was sharp contention between Paul and Barnabas over this (15:39). 1. So sharp that they parted company, each going separate way. (1) God does not conceal the defects of His best servants: 1. Abraham's lies (Gen. 12: 11-13). 2. Moses' presumption (Num. 20: 7-12). 3. Paul and Barnabas' quarrel. 2. They separated without ill will. (1) Their trouble was not from hearts that were hardened and impenitent, but over an honest feeling about a man -- John Mark. 3. They did not allow their disagreement to hinder the work of the Lord. (1) The best of men will have disagreements. 1. They must not let disagreements hinder the work of the Lord. 2. They must not become bitter. (2) Let us notice some things Paul and Barnabas did not do: 1. Neither "quit the church". 2. They did not come to "blows". 3. They did not "split the church" over this matter of opinion. 4. They did not maliciously seek revenge. 5. They did not destroy the work they had planned. (4) There was a beneficial result: 1. Two teams of workers went forth. (1) Each took a co-worker and took a portion of the work they felt they could profitably do. [13]

THE JOURNEY BEGUN: 1. Barnabas took John Mark and sailed to Cyprus (15:39). (1) This was the homeland of Barnabas (Acts 4: 36). (2) Luke does not give us any report on his work. 2. Paul took Silas, a prophet, from Jerusalem (15:40) (1) They went through Syria (places not named) 15:41. (2) They went through Cilicia (places not named). 1. This was the land of Paul's birth. 2. He was from Tarsus in Cilicia. 3. They confirmed the churches in the faith in these places (15:41). ACTS CHAPTER FIFTEEN QUESTIONS 1. What were the men who came down from Judea teaching? 2. How did Paul and Barnabas react to their teaching? (verse 2) 3. Where and to whom did they determine that Paul and Barnabas should go about this question? (verse 2) 4. Was Paul sent to Jerusalem about this question by God? (Gal. 2:2) 5. Did the church pay their expenses for this trip? (verse 3) 6. When they came to Jerusalem, who received them? (verse 4) 7. What did Paul and Barnabas declare to them? (verse 4) 8. Who rose up and said "that it was needful to circumcise them" (the Gentiles)? (verse 5) 9. Who came together to consider this matter? (verse 6) 10. In verses 7, 8, and 9, what did Peter say that showed there is no difference between Jew and Gentiles? 11. What was Peter's conclusion in verse 10? [14]

12. How did Peter say that both Jews and Gentiles are saved? (verse 11) 13. What did the multitude do in verse 12? 14. Did James say that the prophets agreed with what Simon (Peter) had said? (verses 13-17) 15. What does verse 18 say is known unto God? 16. What was James' conclusion? (verses 19-20) 17. Who were the men chosen to be sent to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas? (verse 22) 18. They sent letters to Gentile Christians in what places? (verse 23) 19. What did they say in the letter that they had heard? (verse 24) 20. What did they say seemed good unto them? (verse 25) 21. What good thing did they say about Barnabas and Paul? (verse 26) 22. Was this letter inspired by the Holy Spirit? (verse 28) 23. Name the four things they were to abstain from? (verse 29) 24. What was the reaction at Antioch when they read the letter? (verses 30-31) 25. What did Judas and Silas do, being prophets? (verse 32) 26. Which one of the prophets stayed in Antioch? (verses 33-34) 27. What did Paul and Barnabas continue to do in Antioch? (verse 35) 28. What did Paul say to Barnabas? (verse 36) 29. What was Barnabas determined to do? (verse 37) 30. What was Paul's attitude toward taking John Mark with them again? (verse 38) 31. What word describes the contention between Paul and Barnabas? (verse 39) 32. Where did Barnabas and John Mark sail to? (verse 39) 33. Who did Paul choose to be his new companion in the gospel? (verse 40) 34. Where did Paul and Silas go? (verse 41) [15]

The book of Acts PART TWO LESSON FOUR THE SECOND JOURNEY, continued ACTS CHAPTER SIXTEEN 1. They came to Derbe and Lystra. (1) Paul was stoned at Lystra on his first trip -- Acts 14: 19-20. (2) Here they find the fine young preacher, Timotheus (verse 1-3). 1. Paul had Timothy to go with them to the work (verse 3). 2. He circumcised him "because of the Jews" (verse 3). (1) This was a matter of expediency -- so he would be accepted. (2) Paul's attitude -- I Cor. 9: 19-22. (3) If they had wanted Timothy circumcised as a doctrinal matter, Paul would have refused - - he did on Titus (Gal. 2:3). (1) This matter of circumcision had been settled once and for all by revelation (Acts 15). 2. As they went forth they were delivering this decision to the churches (verse 4). (1) These churches were growing in number (verse 5). 3. They went throughout Phrygia. (1) Iconium (2) Antioch in Pisidia 4. They went through the region of Galatia. 5. They were forbidden of the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. (1) This is not the continent of Asia, but a Roman province. (2) In this province were the cities of Ephesus, Sardis, Smyrna, Philadelphia, Laodicea, Pergamum, and Thyatira. 6. He was also forbidden to go into Bithynia (verse 7). 7. So he passed by Mysia, coming down to Troas (verse 8). (1) Troas was on the shore of the Aegean Sea. 1. Here at Troas, Paul had a vision in the night (verse 9). (1) Joel had prophesied in Joel 2 that men would see visions in this age. 1. Cornelius had a vision in Acts 10:3-7. 2. Peter had a vision (Acts 10:19; 10: 9-18). 2. What Paul saw in his vision: (1) A man from Macedonia pleading with him to come over to Macedonia and "help us" (verse 9). 1. Macedonia was the province north of Greece (Achaia) in Europe. (1) Corinth was located in Greece (or Achaia). 3. Here at Troas, Luke (the writer of the book of Acts) joins Paul's company (verse 10). (1) The pronoun "we". 8. Paul immediately made plans to go into Europe. [16]

(1) He took with him Silas, Timothy and Luke. THE GOSPEL CARRIED INTO EUROPE 1. The Apostle Paul, Timothy, Silas and Luke board a ship at Troas and sail across the Aegean Sea (verse 10). 2. They stopped at the Island of Samothracia and spent the night (verse 11). 3. The next day they came to Neapolis, a seaport (verse 11). 4. From here they went inland to Philippi. (1) Philippi was a chief city of that part of Macedonia. 1. It was a Roman colony, enjoying certain privileges of self-government. (2) There was no Jewish synagogue here (verse 13). (3) Some Jewish women gathered at the riverside on the Sabbath to worship (verse 13). (4) Paul and his company met with these women and preached to them (verse 13). 1. The conversion of Lydia (verses 14-15). (1) Lydia -- prior to conversion: 1. She was an industrious woman. (1) She was from Asia Minor. (2) She sold purple dye (verse 14). 2. She was a religious woman. (1) She had found the place of prayer on the Sabbath (verses 13-14). 1. She is a good example for us today. (1) When we are going to be in a strange town we need to find out where the saints meet (Heb. 10:25). (2) Some of the best prospects are religious people. (2) Lydia's Conversion 1. She heard the word (verse 14) -- Rom. 10:17; Matt. 28: 19-20; Mk. 16: 15-16 2. The Lord opened her heart (verse 14). (1) This was done with the word of God. (2) God does not use miracles to open the hearts of men and women. 3. "she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul" -- (verse 14). (1) She put into practice the things spoken by Paul. 1. Baptism was one of these things. 2. She and her household were baptized. (1) No infants -- they could not hear nor attend to the things spoken. (3) Lydia -- The Christian: 1. She was grateful and opened her house to Paul and his company (verse 15) (40). 2. She was faithful to the Lord (verse 15). (1) What it means to be faithful to the Lord: 1. Love the brethren (I John 4:20). (1) Speak to them. (2) Encourage them. (3) Comfort them. [17]

(4) Never pout at them. 2. Faithful to the church. 3. Faithful in life. 2. The Damsel possessed with a spirit of divination (verses 16-24). 1. As Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke went to pray they were met by this damsel (verse 16). (1) She was possessed by a demon -- just as people were when the Lord was on earth (Matt. 12:22). 1. Zechariah prophesied there would be demon possession (Zech. 13: 1-2). (2) This showed the power of God over the Devil when God's servants could cast out his demons. 2. She followed Paul, Silas, Luke and Timothy saying, "These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation" (verse 17). (1) She did this many days (verse 18). 3. This grieved Paul (verse 18). (1) He did not want the devil's servant advertising his work in the gospel. (2) He did not want the work of God identified with the Devil. 4. Paul cast the demon out of her (verse 18). 5. When Paul did this, her masters saw the hope of their gain was gone (verse 19). 6. The reaction of her masters: (1) They drew Paul and Silas into the marketplace unto the rulers. 1. The charge they made against them (verses 20-21). 7. The magistrates rent off their (Paul and Silas') clothes and commanded them to be beaten. (1) Paul talked about his beatings (II Cor. 11: 23-25). 8. They were beaten with many stripes (verse 23). 9. They were cast into the inner prison and put in stocks (verse 24). 3. The Prison Experience (verses 24-34). (1) The Suffering: 1. Had been beaten. 2. They were in stocks. 3. They were in the inner prison -- likely an underground dungeon, dark, deep and damp. 4. They were bruised and bloody. (2) Joy in suffering: 1. They did not brood over wrongs done them. 2. They prayed and praised God as midnight (verse 25). (1) The secret of their joy was faith (I John 5:4). 1. Because of our little faith, we fail (Matt. 6:30) and are unhappy. 3. Their fellow-prisoners heard them (verse 25). 4. A Mighty Miracle (Verse 26). (1) The effect: [18]

1. On the jailor (verse 27). 2. On the prisoners (verse 28). (2) Why the miracle? 1. To vindicate the preachers and their message -- they had been falsely charged. 5. The Jailor's Conversion: (1) The Jailor's question (verses 29-30) -- "What must I do to be saved?" (2) The answer -- Verse 31: 1. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." 1. The jailor was an unbeliever, so the first thing he needed to do was believe. 2. They preached a sermon to him so he could believe (verse 32). (1) Rom. 10:17 -- faith comes from hearing the word of the Lord. (3) This question was asked on Pentecost: 1. "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" -- (Acts 2:37). (4) The answer: (Acts 2:38) -- "Repent and be baptized". 1. The different answer was given because these people already believed. (5) Saul (Paul) asked this question (Acts 9:6). 1. He was told to go into the city and it would be told him what he must do. (1) The answer Ananias gave him -- Acts 22:16 -- be baptized. 1. Saul was a believing, penitent man, so he was told only to be baptized and wash away his sins.. (6) Notice the prompt obedience (verse 33). 1. Obedience to the gospel is something that cannot be put off. (7) The preachers entertained in the jailor's home (verse 34). 6. The Release (verses 35-40). (1) When day came (after they baptized the jailor), the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, "Let those men go". 1. The jailor told Paul what they had said (verse 36). 2. Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, and had rights that had been violated (verse 37). (1) They had beaten them openly -- uncondemned. (2) Had cast them into prison. (3) Roman law exempted Romans from degrading forms of punishment. (4) The magistrates had committed a crime. (2) Paul's answer: "let them come themselves and fetch us out" (verse 37). (3) When the magistrates heard this, they feared. 1. Because of Roman law. (4) The magistrates themselves came to the prison (verse 39) and asked them to depart out of the city. 7. When Paul and Silas went out of prison, they went to the house of Lydia. (1) She had shown them hospitality. (2) They comforted the brethren (verse 40). 1. New converts need comfort -- Paul and Silas had been in all the distress, but they unselfishly comforted the brethren. [19]

ACTS CHAPTER SIXTEEN QUESTIONS 1. Who was the "certain disciple" that Paul found at Lystra? 2. What is said about Timothy's reputation? (verse 2) 3. Did Paul want Timothy to go with him? (verse 3) 4. Why did Paul circumcise Timothy? (verse 3) 5. As they went through the cities, what did they deliver? (verse 4) 6. What did they establish the churches in? (verse 5) 7. Were the churches growing? (verse 5) 8. Where did the Holy Spirit forbid them to preach? (verse 6) 9. What place did the Spirit "suffer them not" to go? (verse 7) 10. Where did Paul have the vision? (verse 8-9) 11. What did the man in the vision say to Paul? (verse 9) 12. After Paul had seen the vision, what did he do immediately? (verses 10-12) 13. Describe the course Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke took to Philippi: (verses 11-12) 14. What did they do on the Sabbath? (verse 13) 15. What did Lydia do for a living? (verse 14) 16. After Lydia and her household was baptized, what did she say to them? (verse 15) 17. What did the damsel who had the spirit of divination do that grieved Paul? (verses 16-18) 18. What did Paul do to the spirit in the damsel? (verse 18) 19. When Paul cast the spirit out of the damsel, what did her masters do to Paul and Silas? (verses 19-20) 20. What charges did they make against them? (verses 20-21) 21. What did the multitude do to them? (verse 22) 22. What did the magistrates do? (verse 22) [20]

23. When they were put in prison, what charge did the jailor receive? (verse 23) 24. How did he carry out this charge? (verse 24) 25. What did Paul and Silas do at midnight? (verse 25) 26. What suddenly happened? (verse 26) 27. What was the keeper of the prison going to do to himself when he saw the prison doors were open? (verse 27) 28. What did Paul cry out to the keeper of the prison? (verse 28) 29. What did the keeper do in verse 29? 30. What question did he ask in verse 30? 31. What was the first thing he needed to do (verse 31) 32. What did they do next? (verse 32) 33. How does faith come? (Rom. 10:17) 34. What did the keeper of the prison do the same hour of the night? (verse 33) 35. What did the jailor do after he was baptized? (verse 34) 36. What message did the magistrates send by the sergeants? (verse 35-36) 37. What was Paul's reaction to their message? (verse 37) 38. What was the reaction of the magistrates when they heard that they were Romans? (verse 38) 39. What did the magistrates do in verse 39? 40. In verse 40, what did Paul and Silas do? [21]

The book of Acts PART TWO LESSON FIVE THE SECOND JOURNEY, continued ACTS CHAPTER SEVENTEEN QUESTIONS 1. Going back to chapter 16, how had Paul and Silas been treated? (I Thess. 2:2) 2. When Paul and Silas left Philippi, did Luke (the writer of Acts) go with them to Thessalonica? (Acts 16: 40; 17:1) 3. Can the pronoun "they" grammatically include Timothy? (Acts 16:40; 17;1) 4. Does it not seem that Timothy also stayed at Philippi with Luke for a while? 5. Name the places they passed through on their way to Thessalonica: (verse 1) 6. What did they find when they came to Thessalonica? (verse 1b) 7. How many Sabbath days did Paul reason with them out of the scriptures? (verse 2) 8. What did Paul show from the scripture? (verse 3) 9. After they heard the preaching, what did some of them do? (verse 4) 10. Where did the persecution come from? (verse 5) 11. When they could not find Paul and Silas, what did they do to Jason and certain brethren? (verse 6) _ 12. In verses 6 and 7 what two things did they charge Paul and Silas with? 13. How did the people and the rulers feel about these charges? (verse 8) 14. What did the rulers do? (verse 9) 15. What did the brethren do with Paul and Silas? (verse 10) 16. Why were the Bereans more noble that those in Thessalonica? (verse 11) 17. What did many of them do? (verse 12) 18. When the Jews of Thessalonica knew Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, what did they do? (verse 13) [22]

19. What did the brethren do immediately? (verse 14) 20. Did Silas and Timotheus stay at Berea? (verse 14) 21. Where did Paul go from Berea? (verse 15) 22. What message did he send to Silas and Timothy? (verse 15) 23. What stirred Paul's spirit in Athens? (verse 16) 24. While Paul waited for Silas and Timothy to come what was he doing? (verse 17) 25. Who were the philosophers who encountered Paul? (verse 18) 26. Where did they take Paul? (verse 19) 27. What did they want to know? (verses 19, 20) 28. What did the Athenians and strangers there spend their time doing? (verse 21) 29. What was "Mars Hill" or the "Areopagus"? (verse 22) 30. List some six (6) major things Paul preached about God: (verse 23 -ff) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) 31. What does God command all men to do? (verse 30) 32. Has the Judgment Day been appointed? (verse 31) 33. What did they do when they heard of the resurrection of the dead? (verse 32) 34. What did Paul do in verse 33? 35. Is the word "believe" in verse 34 comprehensive -- standing for all the plan of salvation? [23]

The book of Acts PART TWO LESSON SIX THE SECOND JOURNEY, continued and Beginning of THE THIRD JOURNEY QUESTIONS ACTS CHAPTER EIGHTEEN 1. When Paul departed from Athens where did he go? 2. Who was the Jew that Paul found when he came to Corinth? (verse 2) 3. What was his wife's name? 4. Did Paul live with Aquila and Priscilla? 5. What did they do for a living? (verse 3) 6. What did Paul do every Sabbath day? (verse 4) 7. When the Jews rejected the gospel, what did Paul say to them? (verse 6) 8. When Paul left the synagogue where did he go to preach? (verse 7) 9. What did Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, do? (verse 8) 10. What did many of the Corinthians do? (verse 8) 11. What did the Lord tell Paul in a vision? (verses 9-10) 12. How long did Paul stay at Corinth? (verse 11) 13. When the Jews rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, what was Gallio's attitude? (verse 12-16) 14. What did they do with Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue? (verse 17) 15. When Paul left Corinth to go to Syria, who went with him as far as Ephesus? (verse 18-19) 16. Where did Paul go in Ephesus to reason with the Jews? (verse 19) 17. Did they want Paul to stay longer? (verse 20) 18. Did Paul promise to return to Ephesus? (verse 21) [24]

19. What did Paul do when he landed at Caesarea? (verse 22) 20. After Paul had spent some time in Antioch, where did he go? (verse 23) 21. What was his purpose in going to these places? (verse 23) 22. Is this the beginning of the third journey of Paul? (verse 23) 23. What was the name of the man who was "eloquent" who came to Ephesus? (verse 24) 24. What baptism was Apollos preaching? (verse 25) 25. What did Aquila and Priscilla do when they heard him preach? (verse 26) 26. When Apollos went into Achaia what did the brethren do? (verse 27) 27. What did Apollos do to the Jews? (verse 28) A Contrast of John's Baptism with Christ's Baptism: JOHN'S BAPTISM CHRIST'S BAPTISM Was authorized by God the Father -- John 1: 33 Was temporary -- Luke 1: 17; Acts 19:4 Was for the Jews only -- Luke 1:16; 7: 29-30 Was preparation for the coming Kingdom -- Matt. 3: 1-3 Looked forward to Christ and His death -- Acts 19: 1-5 Did not put one into Christ Did not put one into the church -- Matt. 11:11 Does not constitute the new birth Was under the Old Law Was authorized by Christ -- Matt. 28: 18-20 Was permanent -- Matt. 28:19-20 Is Universal -- Matt. 28: 19-20 Put one into the Kingdom of Christ -- John 3: 3-5; Col. 1:13 Looks back to the death and blood of Christ -- I Cor. 15: 1-4 Puts one into Christ -- Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6: 3-4 Does put one into the church -- I Cor. 12: 13; John 3: 1-5 Does constitute the new birth -- John 3: 3-5; Mk. 16:16 Is under the Law of Christ [25]

The book of Acts PART TWO LESSON SEVEN The Third Missionary Journey QUESTIONS ACTS CHAPTER NINETEEN 1. When Paul came to Ephesus what did he find? (verse 1) 2. What did Paul ask these disciples? (verse 2) 3. What was their answer? (verse 2) 4. What question did he ask them in verse 3? 5. What was their reply? (verse 3) 6. What did Paul say about John's baptism? (verse 4) 7. What did they do when they heard what Paul said? (verse 5) 8. How did they receive the Holy Spirit? (verse 6) 9. How many men were there? (verse 7) 10. How long did Paul preach in the synagogue? (verse 8) 11. When some were hardened and did not believe, where did Paul go to do his preaching? (verse 9) 12. How long did he preach in the school of Tyrannus? (verse 10) 13. What did God do by the hands of Paul? (verse 11) 14. From Paul's body, what was brought to the sick? (verse 12) 15. Did these vagabond Jews have any power, or were they frauds? (verses 13-15) 16. What did the man, in whom the evil spirit was, do? (verse 16) 17. What was the result of this? (verse 17) [26]

18. What did many that believed do? (verses 18-19) 19. What did the Word of God do? (verse 20) 20. What did Paul purpose to do? (verse 21) 21. Who did Paul send into Macedonia? (verse 22) 22. What was the "stir" about in verse 23? 23. Who was Demetrius? (verse 24) 24. Who did he call together? (verse 25) 25. How did he say they had gotten their wealth? (verse 25) 26. What did Demetrius say Paul was teaching? (verse 26) 27. What did he say was in danger because of what Paul was teaching? (verse 27) 28. What was the reaction of what he said? (verse 28) 29. What was the whole city filled with? (verse 29) 30. What did the disciples not allow Paul to do? (verse 30) 31. What did Paul's friends desire that he not do? (verse 31) 32. Did most of the people know why they had come together? (verse 32) 33. Who did the Jews put forth? (verse 33) 34. When they knew Alexander was a Jew, what did they do for a space of two hours? (verse 34) 35. Who appeased the people? (verse 35) 36. Where did the town clerk say the image of Diana came from? (verse 35) 37. The town clerk told them to do "nothing." (verse 36) 38. What did he say Paul and those with him had not done? (verse 37) 39. What did he (the town clerk) say Demetrius and the craftsmen should do? (verse 38) 40. How did he say things should be settled? (verse 39) 41. What did he say they were in danger of? (verse 40) 42. What did he do at the end of his speech? (verse 41) [27]

The book of Acts PART TWO LESSON EIGHT The Third Missionary Journey QUESTIONS ACTS CHAPTER TWENTY 1. Who had caused the uproar? (verse 1, see 19: 24) 2. Where did Paul depart to go? (verse 1) 3. What did Paul do in Macedonia? (verse 2) 4. Name the churches of Macedonia: 5. Was Corinth in Greece? 6. How long did Paul stay in Greece? (verse 3) 7. Why did Paul change his plans for his trip? (verse 3) 8. Name the men who accompanied Paul (verse 4): 9. They went on before Paul and tarried in what place? (verse 5) 10. What were these men carrying to the Jerusalem church? (Acts 24:17; I Cor. 16: 1-3) 11. When did Paul and Luke sail away from Philippi? (verse 6) 12. How long did it take for them to get to Troas? (verse 6) 13. How long did they stay in Troas? (verse 6) 14. Why did they stay here seven days? (verse 7) 15. How long did Paul preach? (verse 7) 16. Is this the only example we have in the New Testament that teaches us when to eat the Lord's Supper? (1) Where is it to be eaten? I Cor. 11:20; Acts 20:7 17. How does Luke describe the lighting in the upper chamber? (verse 8) 18. What was the name of the young man who went to sleep, fell out of the window, and died from the fall? (verse 9) 19. Did Paul bring him back to life by a miracle? (verse 10) 20. What did Paul do after this happened? (verse 11) [28]

21. How did they feel about Paul bringing the young man back to life? (verse 12) 22. Did Paul get on ship with his companions at Troas? (verse 13) 23. How did he get to Assos? 24. Why did Paul hasten his journey? (verse 16) 25. When Paul got to Miletus, he sent to Ephesus for who? (verse 17) 26. What did Paul remind the Ephesian elders of in verse 18? 27. How did he serve the Lord? (verse 19) 28. Did Paul preach all the truth to them? (verse 20) 29. What was his manner of teaching the gospel? (verse 20) 30. What did Paul say he preached? (verse 21)? 31. Did Paul know what would befall him in Jerusalem? (verse 22) 32. What did the Holy Spirit witness in every city? (verse 23) 33. What was Paul's attitude toward this? (verse 24) 34. What did Paul say they would see no more? (verse 25) 35. What did Paul say he was "pure" of? (verse 26) 36. What had Paul not shunned? (verse 27) 37. What did Paul tell the Ephesian elders to take heed to? (verse 28) 38. What was the price paid for the church? (verse 28) Made nigh -- Eph. 2:13 Peace is given -- Col. 1:20 Redemption obtained -- Heb. 9:12 Purged from dead works -- Heb. 9:14; I John 1:7 Reconciled -- Col. 1:20 Sanctified -- Heb. 10:29 Justified -- Rom. 5:9 Forgiven -- Eph. 1:7 BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST -- Acts 20:28 39. What did Paul say would happen after his departing? (verse 29) [29]

40. Did Paul say some would arise from among them? (verse 30) 41. What did he tell the elders to do? (verse 31) 42. What will the "word of his grace" do? (verse 32, 24) 43. What did Paul say he had not coveted? (verse 33) 44. What did he say they knew? (verse 34) 45. What were the words of the Lord Jesus that they were to remember? (verse 35) 46. At the end of Paul's speaking, what did he do? (verse 36) 47. What was the elders' response to Paul? (verse 37) 48. What did they sorrow most about? (verse 38) [30]

The book of Acts PART TWO LESSON NINE The Third Missionary Journey and Trouble in Jerusalem QUESTIONS ACTS CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE 1. List the places on their trip from Miletus to Tyre: (verses 1-3) 2. How long did they stay with the disciples in Tyre? (verse 4) 3. In light of Acts 20: 6,7, why did they stay over here seven days? (verse 4) 4. Did the disciples at Tyre go with them till they were out of the city? (verse 5) 5. From Tyre they sailed to (verse 7). 6. How long did they stay with the brethren there? (verse 7) 7. The next day where did they go? (verse 8) 8. Whose house did they enter? (verse 8) 9. How many daughters did he have? (verse 9) 10. What did these virgin daughters do? (verse 9) 11. Who was the prophet who came down from Judea? (verse 10) 12. What did he do with Paul's girdle, and what did he say the Holy Spirit said? (verse 11) 13. After they heard what Agabus said, what did they try to get Paul not to do? (verse 12) 14. What did Paul say he was ready to do? (verse 13) 15. When Paul would not be persuaded, what did they do? (verse 14) 16. After those days, they packed and went up to.(verse 15) 17. With whom did they lodge in Jerusalem? (verse 16) 18. How did the brethren in Jerusalem receive them? (verse 17) 19. The following day they went to (verse 18). 20. Who was with James? (verse 18) 21. What did Paul declare unto them? (verse 19) [31]

22. When they heard of Paul's work among the Gentiles, what was their reaction? (verse 20) 23. What had the Jewish brethren been informed of Paul? (verse 21; I Cor. 9: 19-20; Acts 16:3) 24. How did James and the elders advise Paul to settle this matter concerning what he was teaching about the customs of the Jews? (verses 22-24) 25. From what were the Gentiles to keep themselves? (verse 25) 26. Did Paul take the advice of James and the elders? (verse 26) 27. What Jews were the leaders in stirring up all the people against Paul? (verse 27) 28. What charges did they bring against Paul? (verse 28) 29. Was Paul guilty of the charge? (verse 29) 30. What did they do with Paul? (verse 30) 31. Who kept Paul from being killed? (verse 31, 32) 32. What did the chief captain command, and what did he want to know? (verse 33) 33. Where did he command that Paul be carried? (verse 34) 34. Did the soldiers carry Paul away in their arms because of the violence of the people? (verse 35) 35. What did the multitude cry? (verse 36) 36. What did Paul ask the chief captain? (verse 37) 37. What two questions did the chief captain ask Paul? (verses 37, 38) 38. What was Paul's answer? (verse 39) 39. Did Paul ask to speak to the people? (verse 39) 40. In what tongue did Paul speak to the people? (verse 40) [32]

The book of Acts PART TWO LESSON TEN Trouble in Jerusalem QUESTIONS ACTS CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO 1. What did Paul want them to hear? (verse 1) 2. In what language did Paul make his defense? (verse 2) 3. Where was Paul born? (verse 3) ; and who was his teacher? 4. How did Paul describe the way he persecuted Christians? (verse 4) 5. Why did Paul go to Damascus? (verse 5) 6. At what time of day did the "great light" shine round about Paul? (verse 6) 7. What did Paul hear the voice say? (verse 7) 8. What answer did Paul get to his question, "Who art thou, Lord?" (verse 8) 9. Did those who were with Paul understand the voice that spoke to him? (verse 9) 10. Whose voice was it? (verses 9-10) 11. Did the Lord tell Paul what he needed to do to be saved, or did He send him somewhere else to get the answer? (verse 10) 12. How did Paul get to Damascus (after the light shone round about him and he could not see)? (verse 11) 13. Why did Ananias say the Lord had appeared to Saul? (verses 12-15) 14. What did Ananias tell Saul to do to be saved? (verse 16) 15. What did Paul say he saw while he was in a trance in the temple? (verses 17-18 ) 16. What did the Lord tell Paul to do? (verse 18) [33]

17. What did Saul say he did to persecute believers (Christians)? (verses 19-20) 18. Who did the Lord say He would send Saul to? (verse 21) 19. After they heard Paul's defense, what did they say about him? (verse 22) 20. How did the people act after they heard him? (verse 23) 21. What did the chief captain command to be done to Paul? (verse 24) 22. What did Paul say to the centurion? (verse 25) 23. What did the centurion say to the chief captain? (verse 26) 24. What did the chief captain say to Paul in verse 27? 25. How did the chief captain say he obtained freedom? (verse 28) 26. How did Paul say he got his freedom? (verse 28) 27. What was the chief captain's attitude after he found out Paul was a Roman? (verse 29) 28. Who did the chief captain bring Paul before the next day? (verse 30) [34]

The book of Acts PART TWO LESSON ELEVEN The Trouble in Jerusalem QUESTIONS ACTS CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE 1. How did Paul tell the council that he had lived "until this day"? (verse 1) 2. What did the high priest command them that stood by Paul to do? (verse 2) 3. What did Paul call the high priest? (verse 3) 4. What did Paul say to show the inconsistency of the high priest? (verse 3) 5. What did some who stood by ask Paul? (verse 4) 6. What was Paul's answer? (verse 5) 7. Paul perceived that one part of the council were and the other part were. (verse 6) 8. What controversial question did Paul bring up? (verse 6) 9. When Paul did this, what happened? (verse 7) 10. What did the Sadducees believe? (verse 8) 11. What did the Pharisees believe? (verse 8) 12. What did the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part say? (verse 9) 13. What did the chief captain fear? (verse 10) 14. What did the chief captain command the soldiers to do? (verse 10) 15. What did the Lord say to Paul? (verse 11) [35]

16. What did more than 40 of the Jews plot to do? (verses 12-13) 17. To whom did the Jews tell their plot? (verse 14) 18. What was their (the plotters) plan? (verse 15) 19. Who heard of the plot and told Paul? (verse 16) 20. What did Paul do when he heard of the plot? (verse 17) 21. What did the centurion do with Paul's nephew? (verse 18) 22. What did the chief captain do with him? (verse 19) 23. What did the chief captain ask him? (verse 19) 24. What did he tell the chief captain? (verses 20-21) 25. What did the chief captain charge the young man? (verse 22) 26. How well did the chief captain guard Paul as he sent him to Caesarea? (verse 23) 27. At what time of night did they leave with Paul? (verse 23) 28. Who was he sending Paul to? (verse 24) 29. In Claudius Lysias' letter to Felix, did he tell the story like it was? (verses 26-30; read also Acts 22: 24-29) 30. What was the conclusion of Claudius Lysias after hearing Paul's trial before the Jewish council? (verses 28-29) 31. Why does he say he sent Paul to Felix? (verse 30) 32. Who went with Paul from Antipatris to Caesarea? (verses 31-33) 33. What question did the governor ask Paul? (verse 34) 34. When he heard Paul's answer, what did he say? (verse 35) [36]