Queen's Road Cell

 For Thought and Discussion: Why do you think Luke wrote so little about the church in Rome? How did his choice of information in 28:17-31 serve his overall plan for Acts? Acts does not give the history of individual churches. Rome was already evangelized. Luke wanted to descrbe how the gospel reached Rome through an apostle through the work of the Spirit   Acts describes the foretold reception of the gospel by Gentiles (1:8) even as it describes the rejection of the Jews. Paul is potrayed as a non-political figure, innocent of legal charges.      For Thought and Discussion: Why do you think Luke ended Acts where he did? What does this tell you about the theme of Acts?    At the end of Acts the gospel is stll being proclaimed without hindrance. The task is unfinished.   For Thought and Discussion:  a. Why was it so important to Luke to show how Paul related to the Jews?   Paul approached the Jews first. He was courteous. He made the...

 3. Think about each of Paul’s comments and actions. What do you learn about him (his gifts, character, beliefs, attitudes toward people, view of God, and so on)?  leadership. He took charge  confidence, steadiness. Even though he was a prisoner.  closeness to God: an angel appeared to him. He belonged to God and worshipped God. He had faith. He gave thanks to God  bravery. Rising above danger  concern for people compassion for the sick God in control of everything  Ready to speak up.   4. Paul’s life was saved several times on this trip: land was sighted, the crew did not abandon the passengers, the centurion kept the soldiers from killing the prisoners, nonswimmers could float ashore even though the ship ran aground, and the viper was somehow harmless.  a. What did the Maltese natives conclude from all this (see 28:4-6)? Paul deserved death: we misjudge culpability from external circumstances Paul was an invincible god: we misjudge power fr...

1. Briefly summarize what happened on the voyage to Rome (see 27:1–28:16).   Paul was placed in the care of a centurion and put on a ship The ship sailed on the Mediterranean It was caught up in a storm and was on the brink of capsizing.for 2 weeks Paul took control of and dealt with the situation. The vessel ran around in Malta with everyone safe Paul gained honour because he survived a snake bite, then healed the father of the chief Roman official there. He stayed in Malta 3 months  Doing God’s will doesn’t mean we have a smooth journey    2. What did Paul say and do during the trip to Rome?  27:9-10   He warned the centurioi not to proceed with the voyage: “ Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 27:21-26  He encouraged the men with God's promise. “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. ...

Six of us (KH, Joyce, Grace, WJ, Joe, Gibson) went to visit Qin and to see what we could do to be involved in her ministry in HCMC. Silas, Joanna and Sophie joined us because Silas was there for work. Everybody carried things there, including books, coffee, games as well as things for flood victims in central Vietnam. KH and Joyce visited young leaders on one of the  nights, Joe, Grace and WJ visited sime other friends on the other night. On Saturday morning and afternoon, WJ and Grace spent time witht he orphanages teaching football.  KH and Joe joined the Lohs to rehearse with the International Christian Fellowship worship team. Gibson arrived in HCMC on Saturday night after his final exam pape. All of us attended the ICF worship service on Sunday morning. KH shared on "The Christian and anxiety and depression" with some Christians.  The 6 of us from the Cell then flew to Da Lat on Sunday afternoon to chill for the next 2 days before flying back to SIngpaore on Tuesday ...

  “Festus fully intends to honor his commitment to send Paul to Nero. But he has a problem. Paul’s appeal places the governor in the unenviable position of having to justify sending Paul to Nero without specific charges. Nero and his officials would not take kindly to a governor who showed incompetence in judging trivial matters. Festus was unable to formulate a charge against Paul because the accusations by the Jews pertained to religious matters having nothing to do with Roman law.” (R C Sproul) Herod Agrippa II: He was a client king whose territory was primarily in the northern regions of Judea, around the Sea of Galilee, including areas like Trachonitis, Batanaea, and Chalcis. He did not directly govern the core province of Judea (which included Jerusalem). Porcius Festus: He was the procurator (governor) of the Roman province of Judea, Samaria, and Idumaea. His jurisdiction included the administrative capital, Caesarea Maritima, and the religious center, Jeru...

5. a. How did his expectation of resurrection and possible judgment affect Paul (see 24:15-16)?  He knew there was life after death He took care to have a clear conscience. There was assurance of reward, not of condemnation  b. How did this idea affect Felix (see 24:25)?  Felix was 'alarmed'.  c. Why do you think the prospect of judgment affected these men so differently?  One welcomed it and was ready for it. The other feared it.   Optional Application:  a. What do you think were the truths about righteousness, self-control, and judgment that Paul discoursed upon (see 24:25)? Righteousness = living according to God's standards Self-control = mastery over one's impulses and desires Coming judgment = a future event where all people will be held accountable.    b. How should these truths affect your attitudes and actions? How are these relevant to the decisions currently facing you? Talk to God about this.   We also live in the ...