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Acts 48. Acts 25:13 - 26:30

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  “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...
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Acts 47. Acts 24:22 - 25:12

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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 ...
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Acts 46. Acts 23:23 -24:21

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 2. Consider the lengths to which the Jewish fanatics were willing to go to silence Paul (see 23:12-15). What human and divine factors prevented them (see 23:16-30)? Paul's nephew hearing of their plans The nephew's concern and efforts for Paul  A Roman guard of soldiers, with mounts, at night His Roman citizenship The character of the tribune: trusting Paul's favour with the Roman tribune/centurion. For Thought and Discussion: a. Why was it so important to Paul to keep a clear conscience before God and man (see 23:1; 24:16)? b. Is this important to you? If so, why? How do you show it?  Conscience is an internal rational capacity that bears witness to our value system. It s erves as a witness to what we already know. (Rom. 2:15, 9:1)  When we conform to the values of our conscience we feel a sense of pleasure or relief. But when we violate the values of our conscience, it induces anguish or guilt. (TGC). It  is a trustworthy guide only when it is informed and ...
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Acts 45. Acts 22:30 - 23:12

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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,...
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Acts 44. Acts 21.27 - 22:21

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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 ...
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Acts 43. Acts 21:17-26

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 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...
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Acts 42. Acts 21:1-16

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 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 ...
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