Queen's Road Cell

Before you begin this lesson, read Luke 12:8-12 and 21:12-19. Then read Acts 23:11–26:32 prayerfully, observing how Paul acted before governors and kings and imagining yourself in his place.  For Thought and Discussion: How do Luke 12:8-12 and Luke 21:12-19 resemble Paul’s experiences and actions?       cf. Acts 9:15 " a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israe l"   Luke 12:8-12 speaks of Jesus acknowledging us if we acknowledge Him, and of being taught of the Spirit what to say in the hour of trial. 21:12-19  There would be betrayal and arrest, but an  opportunity to bear witness. Words and wisdom would be given. We will be preserved to the end. cf. 2 Ti 4:18 " The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen."   Paul was likely not fearful. He welcomed the opportunity to witness (21:39-40, 23:1,...

4. Paul called his speech a “defense” (22:1; Greek: apologia). Summarize what he said to the Jews in 22:1-21.  Mentioned his origin and education in Jerusalem Mentioned his zeal for Judaism, even persecuting Christians to Damascus The events of the Jerusalem road and his interaction with Ananias, a devout Jew who told him 'The God of our Fathers' had a plan for him A miraculous encounter with God in the temple warning him about his danger from the Jews and commissioning him to go to the Gentiles    5. How did Paul shape this speech to appeal to the Jews? Observe the details in 21:40–22:21. He spoke in Hebrew He mentioned his Jewish origins and upbringing in Jerusalem, his interaction with devout Jews He mentioned the authority of the Jewish religious rulers  HIs commisioning by the Jewish God His reception of a message from God in the Temple His surprise of being rejected by Jews and the sending away to Gentiles.    6. Why did 22:21 make the Jews interrupt ...

 For Thought and Discussion:  a. In your judgment, did the request for Paul to pay for the Nazirites undermine the agreement mentioned in 21:25? Why or why not?  That agreement applied to Gentile churches. Here Paul was requested to take steps to confirm his personal standing as an observant Jew   b. By joining in Jewish rites, do you think Paul was undermining his teaching to the Gentiles in Galatians 2:11–5:15? Was he being like Peter in Galatians 2:11-14? Why or why not? (You might look at Romans 15:1-2; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.)  The issue mentioned in Galatians was the critical need not to compromise on justification by faith alone: Gentiles (or Jews) must not think that they need to follow Jewish rituals to be saved. This was not a salvation issue. He did not want to cause unnecessary misunderstanding and offence.    Peter had behaved without integrity in changing his behaviour when observed by conservative Jews , for fear of being thought irreligi...

 Philip the evangelist (21:8). About twenty-five years earlier, Philip reached Caesarea on his missionary wanderings (see 8:40). Apparently, he eventually settled there, married, and raised a family. “Evangelist” may have been Philip’s office, as Paul was an apostle and Agabus was a prophet.   Agabus (21:10). The same man who prophesied famine about fifteen years earlier (see 11:27-29). His demonstrative method of prophecy (see 21:11) was used by Old Testament prophets to make their points more vivid than mere words could.    6. Why was Paul going to Jerusalem (see 20:22; 24:17)?   " I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me" (20:22)   "Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings." (24:17)  He was compelled (" bound ' cf. 21:11) by the Spirit  He ...

 Even before the silversmiths’ riot, Paul had planned to leave Ephesus and go to Jerusalem (see 19:21). Although Luke barely mentions the reason (see 24:17), we know that Paul’s chief errand was to deliver money collected from his Gentile churches as a gift to the poor believers in Jerusalem (see Romans 15:25-33; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8:1–9:15). To gather this money, Paul intended to visit the churches in Macedonia and Achaia—in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and Corinth. From Acts 19:21, Romans 1:8-15, and Romans 15:17-33, we also know that Paul was already convinced he “must visit Rome also” and that he hoped to bring the gospel to Spain thereafter.   Luke tells us little of what Paul did after he left Ephesus and before he reached Greece (see 20:2), but Paul’s letters fill in some details. While in Ephesus, Paul learned of a dispute in the Corinthian church. He sent two letters to settle the strife (one is lost  - referred to in I Corinthians 5:9. ; the o...

“What aspects of your former lifestyle did you have to give up when you became serious about being a Christian?” Leisure Changed priorities re time  Foul language Tithing   For Thought and Discussion: How do people you know attempt to gain health, money, love, success, and security? Are any of their methods similar to magic? (Think about the health books, money books, or success books you have seen.)  Job- hopping Gambling   For Thought and Discussion: is healing still one way God shows His power? What are some other ways?   Yes, but He also shows His power in life lived with joy despite physical trouble and suffering (cf. 2 Cor 12:9). He shows His power in how His children enjoy and glorify Him Improbable events. In the movements of history. Through faithful preaching (2 Cor 10:4)   8. Why were the Ephesian silversmiths against Paul (see 19:23-27)?  Their business was threatened (19:24,27) Their religion was mocked (19:26) The significance of the...