Acts Q

A Study of
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
-Acts 1:8
Fellowship of Christian University Students (FOCUS)

Wildwood Community Church
NOTE: Additional copies of this study may be obtained from http://faculty-staff.ou.edu/R/

William.R.Reed-1/Bstudies/index.html
INSTRUCTIONS
This study is formatted to be a daily study of Acts to be
done over a period of 12 weeks. I have tried to design a
study that will require, on average, about 20 minutes a day
to answer. That being said, please remember that the death
of a good Bible study is a legalistic adherence to a list or
schedule. Godly discipline requires a sensitivity to what the
Holy Spirit wants to teach you. If you find yourself being led
in a direction different from where my questions would take
you, forget my questions, and listen to the higher
authority. Most of all, enjoy the Word of God. There is no
book like it in all of creation.
Note: I would very much appreciate any suggestions you might

have to improve this study. Feedback on whether the questions
are too vague, take too long to answer, are too academic, etc. is
very much appreciated. Feel free to email me any thoughts you
might have as they come up. My email address is
breed@ou.edu. Thanks!
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BRIEF BACKGROUND NOTES ON ACTS
Who wrote it? It was written by Luke, a Gentile physician who

converted to Christianity and traveled with the Apostle Paul on his
missionary journeys.
What is the relationship between Acts and the Gospel of Luke? The
Book of Acts was originally part of a two-volume book. The first
volume consisted of the Gospel of Luke. The second volume is the book
we now know as The Acts of the Apostles. The two volumes were
initially circulated together. However, sometime in the late first or early
second century, the Gospel of Luke was spun off and circulated with the
other Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and John). The second volume became a
stand-alone work. It was at this time that it acquired the title it is known
by today.
Who were the recipients? Luke-Acts is addressed to someone named

Theophilus (cf. Luke 1:1-4, Acts 1:1,2), about whom we know very
little. It was likely intended to be read by others, particularly Gentiles.
Why was it written? At the beginning of the Gospel of Luke, Luke

states that his goal is that Theophilus might know the exact truth
about the things you have been taught. Luke later referred to this first
volume as recording the things that Jesus began to do (Acts 1:1).
Thus, Acts should be seen as an account of the continuation of Jesus
works on earth. Above all, Acts roots the Christian faith in history.
What Jesus did in real peoples lives back then, He can and does do
today.
When was it written? The evidence suggests that it was written around
64 A.D.
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WEEK ONE: Acts 1:1-2:47
Days One and Two:

1. Read Acts 1:1-2:47.
Historical Note: Most commentators believe that the events recorded here
occurred around 30 A.D.
2. Summarize these verses by making an outline consisting of numerous sections,

attaching a brief description for each section. For example, one such outline of
Acts 1:1-2:47 is given below:
1:1-8. Jesus teaches His disciples after His resurrection.

1:9-14. Jesus ascends to heaven and the disciples wait for the Holy Spirit
to come.
1:15-26. The disciples select Matthias to take Judas place.
2:1-13. The Holy Spirit descends on the disciples, causing them to speak in
foreign languages.
2:14-21. A crowd gathers round, and Peter tells them that this is a sign that
they are in the Last Days.
2:22-36. Peter tells the crowd that the purpose of this event is to witness that
Jesus is the Messiah, resurrected from the dead.
2:37-41. Three thousand are saved that day.
2:42-47. The new believers sell their possessions and form a new
community in which everything is shared.
Write your own outline in the space below. Try not to refer to other outlines that
may be presented in your Bible and elsewhere.
(NOTE: Making an outline is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in Scripture.

It forces you to think through the content and organization of the text. In
addition, it becomes a valuable resource for later review. If you have never done
this before, you will probably find this hard to do the first time around. However,
it will become easier over time. Persevere! You will be glad you did.)
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Day Three:
1. Review Acts 1:1-2:47.
2. Think of some questions that might lead to an important spiritual discovery.
For example, Acts 1:20-26 describes how the Apostles chose Matthias to be a
replacement for Judas. Accordingly, you might ask, Why was it important to
choose an apostolic replacement for Judas?
Write your questions in the space below, then pray that God would answer your
question(s).
Day Four:
1. Read Acts 1:1-8.
2. What instructions/orders did Jesus give His disciples before He ascended to

heaven?
3. Why did Jesus tell His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 1:4,5)?
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4A. The Greek word for witness is martus. This word appears 35 times in the New
Testament. It appears 13 times in the Book of Acts, more than in any other New
Testament book. Thus, it is fair to say that a key theme of the Book of Acts is
being a witness.
4B. Would you like to be a better witness of Jesus? How do you think you could
become that?
Day Five:
1. Read Acts 1:15-2:4.
Biblical Note: The Old Testament festival Pentecost derives its name from
Greek, where it means the 50th day. The original purpose of the festival was to
celebrate the end of the grain harvest by bringing the firstfruits of the wheat
harvest to the Temple (Exodus 34:22). However, it also became celebrated as the
anniversary of the giving of the Law from God to Moses 50 days after the first
Passover.
2. There is great spiritual significance to the fact that God chose to distribute the
Holy Spirit on the anniversary of the giving of the Old Testament Law to Moses:
The Old Testament Pentecost marked the giving of the Law on tablets of stone.
The New Testament Pentecost marks the giving of the Holy Spirit, and the writing
of the Law on the hearts of believers. As such, this day of Pentecost described in
the Book of Acts represents the New Testament analog of the giving of the law.
Further, it represents the fulfillment of the promise of a new covenant which
God promised His people in the Old Testament. Look up the verses below and
briefly explain in the space below how they support this connection between the
Old and New Testament days of Pentecost:
Jeremiah 31:31-34:
Ezekiel 36:26,27:
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3. Why do you think it was important to choose a replacement for Judas? (HINT:
What is significant about the number twelve?)
4. One possible explanation for the importance of the number twelve is that the
Twelve Apostles represent the New Covenant version of the twelve sons of Jacob
(Israel). Recall that the twelve sons of Jacob went on to form the twelve tribes of
Israel. Recall also that Jeremiah 31:31 says, Behold, days are coming, declares
the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the House of Israel and the
House of Judah.
While the nation of Israel as a whole rejected this New Covenant, God
was not stymied by the failure of the nation of Israel to respond. Instead, He
preserved a remnant and made them into a new nation of believers to carry on
His kingdom work. The reason for replacing Judas was to emphasize this
symbolism. Does this seem like a reasonable explanation to you?
5A. The Book of Acts is notable for its accounts of miracles and supernatural
interventions. These supernatural events are best understood as the New
Testament analog to the great miracles associated with the deliverance of the
Israelites from Egypt and the establishment of the Jewish nation.
In the Old Testament, God delivered His people from bondage in Egypt,
established a covenant with them at Mt. Sinai, and established them as a nation in
the land of Canaan.
In the New Testament, God delivered His people from bondage to sin
through the sacrifice of Jesus, which took place at the celebration of Passover. He
ushered in a New Covenant by placing His Law in the hearts of believers through
the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which was initiated on Pentecost, the
anniversary of the giving of the Law to Moses. And He established His nation
of believers by building up the church, as described in the subsequent chapters of
the Book of Acts.
Just as God did great miracles to establish the nation of Israel, so He did
great miracles to establish His church. In other words, while God still does
miracles today, the Book of Acts is not meant to present a normal picture of life
within Christianity, just as the books of Exodus through Joshua were not meant to
be normative for life in the Old Testament. These miracles should remind us that
God is clearly drawing a parallel between what He did to establish the Old
Covenant, and His acts to establish a New Covenant with His people.
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5B. Read the attachment at the end of this weeks study entitled On the Differences
Between the Old and New Covenants. Write any thoughts or questions you
have about these two covenants in the space below.
Day Six:
1. Read Acts 2:14-39.
2. What is the great and glorious day of the Lord (cf. Acts 2:20)?
3. The twin facts that (i) Jesus the Christ/Messiah had been crucified and was risen
from the dead (cf. Acts 2:22-24), and (ii) the great and glorious day of the Lord
is coming, are sufficient to evoke an immediate response from Peters listeners
(cf. Acts 2:37). Why do you think Peters listeners responded so strongly to these
facts?
4. Why did Peter tell the people to repent and be baptized in order to be saved? Why
didnt he tell them to simply believe?
5. What did you find most spiritually impacting in this weeks study? Elaborate.
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ON THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW COVENANTS
For the distinction between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant,
consider the following verses:
Hebrews 8:7-13a: For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no
place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said:
"The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house
of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their
forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not
remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. This is
the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I
will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and
they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother,
saying, `Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the
greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." By
calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete
Scripture frequently characterizes the differences between the Old Covenant

and the New Covenant by contrasting law/works/flesh versus grace/faith/Spirit. To
see that, consider the following verses:
Romans 3:21-22a: But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made
known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes
through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
Galatians 3:19a,24: What, then, was the purpose of the law? the law was put in
charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.
Romans 8:3,4: For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God
did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He
condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in
us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Galatians 3:6-14: Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as
righteousness." Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The
Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel
in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." So those who have
faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. All who rely on observing the
law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do
everything written in the Book of the Law." Clearly no one is justified before God by the
law, because, "The righteous will live by faith." The law is not based on faith; on the
contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them." Christ redeemed us from the
curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is
hung on a tree." He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come
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to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the
Spirit.
Romans 7:6: But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which
we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.
Galatians 4:21-26: Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of
what the law says? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman
and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary
way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. These things may
be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from
Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands
for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she
is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our
mother.
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WEEK TWO: Acts 3:1-4:31
Days One and Two:

1. Read Acts 3:1-4:31.
occurred around 30-32 A.D.

attaching a brief description for each section (cf. Days One and Two of Week
One). Write your own outline in the space below. Try not to refer to other
outlines that may be presented in your Bible and elsewhere.
Day Three:
Write them in the space below, then pray that God would answer your question(s).
Day Four:
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1. Read Acts 3:1-10.
2. The stated times for prayer in Judaism were (1) early in the morning, in
connection with the morning sacrifice; (2) at the ninth hour of the day (about three
o'clock in the afternoon); and (3) at sunset (source: NIV Bible Commentary in the
Zondervan Bible Reference Library software). Accordingly, this passage of
Scripture finds Peter and John going to the templethe central place of worship
in Judaism--to participate in prayers. What is significant about the fact that the
early Christians continued to follow the teachings of Judaism? (HINT: Did the
early Christians think of themselves as starting a new religion?)
3. The cripple begged money from passersby at the temple gate. However, Peter and
John did not give him money. Instead, they healed his crippledness and gave him
the power to walk. Notice they werent intending on going out healing. They
were intending to pray in the Temple. Why do you think they decided to heal this
man rather than give him money, or walk on by?
4. In Acts 3:6, Peter says, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." What is significant about Peters
invocation of the name of Jesus Christ? (HINT: See Acts 3:16.)
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Day Five:
1. Read Acts 3:11-26.
2. Peter begins his address to the Men of Israel by pointing out that they (i)
handed Jesus over to be killed, (ii) asked for a murderer to be released in Jesus
place, and (iii) are thus responsible for Jesus death. Why do you think Peter
begins his address to the people in this way?
3. Peter then goes on to say, "Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as
did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the
prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. After seemingly piling on the guilt,
Peter then emphasizes his listeners innocence in ignorance. Why do you think he
does this?
4. Peter closes his message by calling on his listeners to Repent, then, and turn to
God, so that your sins may be wiped out. In your own words, without using
Christian lingo, explain what Peter was asking his listeners to do.
5. Do you think Peters address can serve as a model today for how Christians can
share the message of Jesus Christ with non-Christians? Explain why or why not.
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Day Six:
2A. The NIV Bible Dictionary in the Zondervan Bible Reference Library software,
gives the following background information about the Sadducees:
SADDUCEES. One of the religious parties that existed among the Jews in the
days of Christ and the early church, but exercised comparatively little influence
among the people. The Sadducees were the political party of the Jewish
aristocratic priesthood from the time of the Maccabees to the final fall of the
Jewish state. They became leaders in the Hellenizing movement that began with
Alexander the Great. Because of their sympathy with the policy of Antiochus
Epiphanes, they took no part in the Maccabean struggle, which was supported
mainly by the Pharisees. The Sadducees under the Romans become the party
favorable to the government. The Sadducees are mentioned by name in the NT
only about a dozen times; but it must be remembered that when mention is
made of the chief priests, practically the same persons are referred to. After the
Day of Pentecost the Sadducees were very active against the infant church.
Distinctive characteristics of the Sadducees were (i) they were comfortable in
accommodating the world, (ii) they were highly rationalistic and generally
opposed to anything that smacked of the supernatural (e.g., the afterlife, angels,
demons, etc.)
2B. Based on this description, why do you think the Sadducees were antagonistic to
Peters preaching?
3. To what extent do you think people today, both Christians and non-Christians,
have the same problems with the Christian message as the Sadducees did?
Elaborate.
5. These beginning chapters of Acts detail the formation of the Christian church.
Note that the church starts in Jerusalem, the capital of Judaism. Explain why, of
all places in the world, Jerusalem after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ would have
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been the most unlikely place in the world to start the Christian church. (In other
words, can you see why the fact that Christianity starts and thrives in Jerusalem,
the capital of Judaism, constitutes powerful evidence supporting the truth of
Christianity?)
6. After being commanded to keep quiet, Peter and John respond, ..we cannot help
speaking about what we have seen and heard (Acts 4:20). Why couldnt Peter
and John just appreciate what God had done for them and keep it to themselves?
Why did they feel compelled to spread the truth that had been given to them?
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WEEK THREE: Acts 4:32-6:7
Days One and Two:

1. Read Acts 4:32-6:7.

Day Three:
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Day Four:
1. Read Acts 4:32-37.
2. What do you think about the practice of the beginning church to sell their goods
and to share with everyone who had need?
3A. Imagine that you were a part of a Christian community in which people radically
shared their income/possessions with others in the community. What would be
some positive aspects of this?
3B. What would be some negative aspects of this?
4. Given your understanding of the Bible, do you think churches today should be
more like the beginning church when it comes to possessions?
5. If you answered yes to the preceding question, what could you do as an individual
to help your church be more generous with its possessions?
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Day Five:
2. What exactly was Ananias and Sapphiras crime?
3. Are your surprised at the harshness with which God judged these two? Can you
think of any legitimate reason why God would be so hard on them?
4. What lesson can we learn from this incident?
5A. Read Acts 5:17-40.

5B. Read Acts 4:1-22.
6. Put yourself in the shoes of the members of the Council/Sanhedrin. Try and
imagine how you would have behaved towards Peter and the apostles testimony.
How do the members of the Council/Sanhedrin behave differently than what you
would have done had you been in their place?
7. Why do you think that people today are often disinterested in knowing whether
the claims of Christianity are true?
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Day Six:
1. Read Acts 6:1-7.
2. These verses represent the first signs of trouble in paradise in the beginning
church. Reading between the lines, it is clear that the complaint of the
Hellenistic/Grecian Jews against the native/Hebraic Jews involved more than just
the overlooking of widows in the distribution of food.
Can you speculate about the source of the problem? (HINT: Hellenistic
Jews were probably Jews who had lived a substantial portion of their lives outside
of Israel and had relocated to their spiritual homeland. In contrast, Hebraic Jews
were Jews who had lived their whole lives in Israel.)
3. The apostles responded to an immediate problem (i.e. making sure that everyone
got served food) with a structural change in the administration of the church (i.e.,
the creation of a deacon-like position to assist in the management of the day-to-
day affairs of the church). Why do you think they did this?
4. What lesson can we learn from this incident?
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WEEK FOUR: Acts 6:8-8:3
Days One and Two:

1. Read Acts 6:8-8:3.

Day Three:
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Day Four:
Historical Note: Concerning the Synagogue of the Freedmen, the NIV Bible
Commentary in Zondervans Bible Reference Library software says that this was
a synagogue composed of Greek-speaking Jews who had been born outside of
Israel, having later immigrated to their spiritual homeland. The word "freedmen
can indicate either (i) former slaves who won their freedom, or (ii) free persons as
opposed to slaves. Being transplants, no doubt these Hellenistic Jews were
viewed suspiciously by the Hebraic Jews. Perhaps because of this, they were
particularly sensitive to anyone from their community (such as Stephen) who
could harm their reputation as faithful Jews. This would explain their aggressive
response to Stephens preaching.
2. The charges against Stephen are fourfold:

(i) He spoke against this holy place (i.e., the Temple)
(ii) He spoke against the law
(iii) He said Jesus would destroy the Temple
(iv) He said Jesus will change the customs Moses handed down to the Jews
Explain how each of these charges has a basis of truth in Christianity. For
example, with respect to (i): Christianity doesnt say the Temple is a bad thing.
However, it does teach that the Holy Spirit indwells each Christian, so that the
Christian, in essence, becomes the temple of God (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:16: Don't
you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in
you?). Continue in this fashion for charges (ii) through (iv).
Elements of truth in charge (ii):
Elements of truth in charge (iii):
Elements of truth in charge (iv):
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Day Five:
1. Read Acts 7:2-7:53.
2. Confirm that Acts 7:2-7:50 can be divided into three parts:

(i) Acts 7:2-8: The founding of the nation of Israel through the patriarchs.
(ii) Acts 7:9-43: The nation of Israel continually rejects Gods prophets.
(iii) Acts 7:44-50: God does not reside in the Temple.
3. With respect to part (i), why do you think Stephen begins his address by
emphasizing how God raised up a people for Himself by calling it out of other
nations?
4. With respect to part (ii), identify the specific instances in Acts 7:9-43 where the
Israelites rejected Gods prophets.
5. Acts 7:25 could be translated as follows: And he supposed that his brethren
understood that God was granting them salvation through him; but they did not
understand. What does that remind you of?
6. With respect to part (iii), why do you think Stephen ends his address by
downplaying the Temple, stating that God does not live in houses built by men
(cf. Acts 7:48)?
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Day Six:
1. Review Acts 7:2-53.
2. Consider the following parallels between (i) the history of the nation of Israel as
recounted by Stephen in Acts 7:2-53, and (ii) the (infant) Christian church.
ISRAEL THE CHURCH
Abraham called out of Mesopotamia The church called out of Israel

God is the main orchestrator of events God is the one who has been initiating
(cf. Acts 7:2-8 and note that God is the the events that have caused the church
main subject) to grow
The leaders of Israel (the 12 patriarchs) The leaders of Israel (the Sanhedrin)
persecute Joseph persecute Jesus
God protects Joseph and the His
God is protecting the church against a
people against a hostile environment
hostile environment (persecution by
(first famine, later persecution by the
the Jews and, later, the Romans)
new Pharoah)
Moses (the Law Giver) rejected by his Jesus (the Law Fulfiller) rejected by
people a first time, resulting in his His people a first time, resulting in His
exile crucifixion
Acts 7:25 a perfect description of Jesus

Acts 7:25 a perfect description of (NOTE: the word translated
Moses deliverance (NASB)/rescue (NIV)
could also be translated salvation)
Jesus rejected by his people a second

Moses rejected by his people a second
time after a period of 40
time (cf. Acts 7:37-41) after a period of
days/Pentecost (via the rejection of the
40 years
gospel delivered by His apostles)
God will not be contained within the
The Old Testament says that the
nation of Israel, but will expand to the
Temple cannot contain God
Gentiles
3. Do you think these parallels are a coincidence?
4. Read Acts 7:51-59.
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5. Are you a little surprised by how harshly Stephen speaks to the religious leaders
in Acts 7:51-53? Why or why not?
6. Do you think this is the way that the Holy Spirit wanted Stephen to address the
religious leaders? If you answered yes, what does this tell us about the character
of God?
7. Respond to the following statement: We live in an age where many violent acts
are committed by religious fundamentalists. Stephens strident tone towards the
Sanhedrin seems similar to the harsh language that religious fundamentalists use
in condemning spiritual enemies today. It shows that Christianity, like many
fundamentalist religions, contains seeds of hate, despite its self-proclamation as a
religion of love.
8. What did you find spiritually impacting in this weeks study? Elaborate.
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WEEK FIVE: Acts 8:4-9:30
Days One and Two:

1. Read Acts 8:4-9:30.

Day Three:
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Day Four:
1B. Where is Samaria? (HINT: Check out the map attached to the end of this weeks
study.)
1C. What is significant about the fact that the first recorded instance of gospel
preaching outside of Jerusalem takes place in Samaria? (HINT: Read Acts 1:8.)
2B. Did Simon really become a Christian? How do you account for the way that Peter
addresses him in Acts 8:20-23--particularly in verse 22?
3B. Consider the following verses:
John 3:5-7: Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom
of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the
Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be
born again.'
Titus 3:5,6: He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in
righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and
renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus
Christ our Savior
Romans 8:9: However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the
Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he
does not belong to Him.
1 Corinthians 12:7: But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for
the common good.
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2 Corinthians 1:21: Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in
Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our
hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
3C. The preceding verses make clear that being born again, -- that is, becoming a
Christian -- is synonymous with receiving the Holy Spirit. How then do you
reconcile the fact that the Samaritan converts did not receive the Holy Spirit until
substantially after they accepted Christ?
Day Five:
1. Read Acts 8:26-40.
Note: Acts 8:32,33 is an excerpt from Isaiah 52:13-53:12. This is one of the most
amazing prophecies in Scripture, written around 700 B.C.
2. Where is the approximate location of the desert road that goes down from
Jerusalem to Gaza? (HINT: Check out the map attached to the end of this
weeks study.)
3. Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12 and identify all the references in these verses that allow
us to conclude that the suffering servant described in these verses refers to Jesus
Christ.
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4. Acts 8:35 states, Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told
him the good news about Jesus. What specifically do you think Philip would
have told the Ethiopian official based upon the Isaiah passage?
Day Six:
1A. Read Acts 9:1,2.
1B. Where is Damascus? (HINT: Check out the map attached to the end of this
weeks study.)
1C. Where have we seen Saul mentioned previously in the Book of Acts?
1D. Why do you think Saul was so intent on persecuting the disciples?
2B. Sauls conversion to Christianity came about because God had chosen Saul for a
specific mission. What was that mission?
2C. God went to great lengths to convert Saul. Why do you think God did this? Why
didnt God use one of the other disciples to take the gospel to the Gentiles?
(HINT: The Bible does not address this question, so you have to speculate for an
answer.)
3B. Where have we seen Barnabas mentioned previously in the Book of Acts?
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3C. What role did Barnabas play at this point in Sauls life? Can you think of a way
that YOU can be a Barnabas to somebody else?
4. After meeting with the apostles in Jerusalem, Saul is taken to Caesarea and Tarsus
(his hometown). Find these places on the map attached to the end of this weeks
study.
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WEEK SIX: Acts 9:31-12:25
Days One and Two:

1. Read Acts 9:31-12:25.

Day Three:
1. Review Acts 9:31-12:25.
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Day Four:
1. Read Acts 9:32-43.
2. Where is Lydda and Joppa? (HINT: Check out the map attached to the end of this
weeks study.)
3. By now, the Book of Acts has recorded a great variety of miracles, so that one is
tempted to say, Ho, hum, more miracles. How do the events of Acts 9:32-43
progress the story of the advance of Gods church?
4. Read Acts 10:1-11:18.

Background Note #1: Cornelius was a non-commissioned officer in command
of a Roman cohort, which numbered anywhere from 300-600 soldiers. Most
importantly, he was a Gentile, a non-Jew.
Background Note #2: To appreciate the significance of Cornelius conversion
requires an understanding of the relationship between Jews and Gentiles at this
point in history. The Jews saw themselves as Gods chosen people (Leviticus
20:23; 26:14-38), called to live holy lives in contrast to the rest of the world (i.e.,
the Gentiles). The Jews were forbidden to associate with Gentiles (Joshua
23:7), marry them (Joshua 23:12; 1 Kings 11:2), or worship their gods.
In order to minimize the spiritual pollution associated with
intermingling with Gentiles, extreme regulations were imposed by the scribes and
Pharisees by the time of Acts. Two points were of particular sensitivity: idolatry,
and uncleanness.
The following example illustrates the severity of regulations designed to
prevent idolatry. Not only was an idol grove to be shunned; that is, a wooded
place in which idolatry was practice, but wood taken from an idol grove was also
to be shunned. Further, bread baked using wood from an idol grove was
prohibited, as was clothes made from a weavers shuttle constructed of wood from
an idol grove.
Along the same lines, not only was a Gentile considered unclean, but so
was the house he lived in, as well as any objects touched by a Gentile (cf. Acts
10:28). Further, food produced by Gentiles was not to be eaten by Jews.
In a sense, to a strict Jew, Gentiles represented everything that was wrong
with the world: Gentiles were the anti-Jews, the unchosen, the unclean. Nothing
good could come from contact with them. Only spiritual defilement could result
from interactions with them. (Source: Merrill F. Unger, Ungers Bible Dictionary,
Chicago: Moody Press, 1966, page 462.)
5. Where is Caesaria? (HINT: Check out the map attached to the end of this weeks
study.)
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6. Was Cornelius the first non-Jewish convert to Christianity? What about the
Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-29?
7. The significance of Cornelius conversion can be inferred from the large amount
of attention (66 verses!) devoted to this one event. What makes this event so
significant? After all, there are many instances in the Old Testament of non-
Israelites who became converts (e.g., Ruth, Rahab, Naaman, Uriah the Hittite, the
Ninevites at the time of Jonahs preaching, the converts at the time of Esther,
etc.).
Day Five:
1. Read Acts 10:1,2.
2. In your own words, describe the kind of man Cornelius was.
3. Do you think Cornelius would have gone to heaven had Peter not come to him
and shared the gospel?
4. Read Acts 10:34,35.
5. It is often said that Christianity is different from the other religions of the world,
because it is not based on doing good works, but on faith. How do you reconcile
this statement with Acts 10:35, where it says that God accepts men from every
nation who fear him and do what is right?
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6. Many modern historians credit the expansion of Christianity to the Gentiles as the
result of the apostle Paul. What does the Book of Acts have to say about this
claim?
7. Many modern historians credit the expansion of Christianity to the Gentiles as a

strategic move by the leadership of the infant church to expand its base. What
does the Book of Acts have to say about this claim?
8. Who was really responsible for the expansion of Christianity to the Gentiles?
What application does this have for your life?
Day Six:
1. Read Acts 11:19-30.
2. Where is Phoenicia, Cyprus, Antioch, and Tarsus? (HINT: Check out the map
attached to the end of this weeks study.)
Historical Note: Cyrene was a Libyan city in North Africa, separated from Egypt
by the Libyan Desert. It is not on this weeks map.1
3. How do the events of Acts 11:19-30 progress the story of the advance of Gods
church?
4. Read Acts 12:1-19a.
5. God intervenes supernaturally to preserve Peter, but James the brother of John
was killed, as were other key believers (e.g. Stephen). Why do you think God
chose to preserve Peter but not the others?
6. What can we learn about the character of God from the fact that he saved Peter,
but not James?
1
Cyrenaica is the name of the country surrounding Cyrene, and it can be located on next weeks map.
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7. Read Acts 12:19b-23.
8. What can we learn about the character of God from the death of Herod?
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WEEK SEVEN: Acts 13:1-15:35
Days One and Two:

1. Read Acts 13:1-15:35.

Day Three:
1. Review Acts 13:1-15:35.
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Day Four:
1. Read Acts 13:4-12.
2. Where is Cyprus? Where is Salamis and Paphos? (HINT: Check out the map
attached to the end of this weeks study.)
3. Where is the first place that Saul and Barnabas go when they reach Cyprus? What
is significant about that?
4. What are some noteworthy aspects of the conversion of Sergius Paulus?
5. The events described in these verses took place approximately 5-10 years after the
conversion of Cornelius, another prominent Gentile convert. What is significant
about that?
6. The NIV Bible Commentary on Zondervans Bible Reference Library says this
about the significance of the conversion of Sergius Paulus:
The conversion of Sergius Paulus was, in fact, a turning point in Paul's
whole ministry and inaugurated a new policy in the mission to Gentiles--namely,
the legitimacy of a direct approach to and full acceptance of Gentiles apart from
any distinctive Jewish stance. This is what Luke clearly sets forth as the great
innovative development of this first missionary journey (cf. Acts 14:27;15:3).
Earlier Cornelius had been converted apart from any prior commitment to
Judaism, and the Jerusalem church had accepted his conversion to Christ. But the
Jerusalem church never took Cornelius's conversion as a precedent for the
Christian mission and apparently preferred not to dwell on its ramifications. Paul,
however, whose mandate was to Gentiles, saw in the conversion of Sergius Paulus
further aspects of what a mission to Gentiles involved and was prepared to take
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this conversion as a precedent fraught with far-reaching implications for his
ministry.
Do you agree with this assessment of the conversion of Sergius Paulus?
Do you have any further thoughts on this?
7. The opening up of the church to Gentiles was a huge event in the life of
Christendom. It required a great effort for Jewish Christians to open their eyes to
people beyond their own people group. While Paul never lost his heart for Jews
(cf. Romans 9:1-5), he realized that this group as a whole was unresponsive to the
gospel, while othersthe Gentileseagerly embraced it.
How about you? What is your people group? If you are a Christian,
have you found that the members of your people group are responsive to the
gospel? If not, have you considered moving beyond your people group to find
others who might be more responsive to the good news of salvation?
Day Five:
1. Read Acts 13:13-41.
2. Where is Perga? Where is Pisidian Antioch? (HINT: Check out the map attached
to the end of this weeks study.)
3. Where is the first place that Saul and Barnabas go to preach when they reach
Pisidian Antioch? What is significant about that?
4. Paul begins his address in Acts 13:16 by stating, "Men of Israel, and you who
fear God What is significant about that?
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5. Briefly summarize the flow of Pauls sermon in Acts 13:16-41. In particular,
where does he start his sermon, what is the main point of his sermon, and how
does he progress his argument to get to his main point?
6. According to Paul, what is the main benefit of believing in Jesus?
7. The Jews whom Paul addressed believed in the same God that Christians worship
today. Was their faith sufficient for them to go to heaven when died?
8. In your opinion, can a person become a Christian without sensing a need to have
their sins forgiven?
9. What do you think Paul means when he says in Acts 13:39, and through Him
everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed
through the Law of Moses. What does it mean to be freed from all things?
Day Six:
1. Read Acts 13:49-14:20.
2. Where is Iconium? Where is Lystra? Where is Derbe? (HINT: Check out the
map attached to the end of this weeks study.)
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3. Everywhere Paul goes, there is violent resistance to his message. Why do you
think that is?
4. Read Acts 15:1-35.
5. What is circumcision?
6. The men from Jerusalem were saying, "Unless you are circumcised, according to
the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved (Acts 15:1)? Why do you
think these Judaizers viewed circumcision as such a crucial issue?
7. Passions on the other side of this issue were also high. In the Book of Galatians
(which many commentators believe was written shortly before the events
described here in Acts), Paul writes, Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you
let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I
declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey
the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from
Christ; you have fallen away from grace. But by faith we eagerly await through
the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither
circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith
expressing itself through love (Galatians 5:2-6). Why do you think the Holy
Spirit (through Paul) viewed circumcision as such a crucial issue?
8. Briefly summarize the decision made by the leaders of the church in Jerusalem
with respect to the issue of circumcision.
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9. As a practical matter, circumcision isnt very important to us today. In your own
words, explain why the principle underlying this issue is of utmost importance in
understanding the essence of Christianity.
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WEEK EIGHT: Acts 15:36-18:22
Days One and Two:

1. Read Acts 15:36-18:22.

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Day Three:
1. Review Acts 15:36-18:22.
Day Four:
1. Consider the following verses:
Acts 14:21,22a: They preached the good news in that city and won a large
number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,
strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.
Acts 15:36: Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go back and visit the
brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how
they are doing.
Can you see a lesson in these verses for Christians who are engaged in ministry?
2A. Read Acts 15:36-41.
2B. These verses record a falling out between Paul and Barnabas. This is a little
embarrassing! Here we have two godly men -- pillars of the early church --
having a fight. Further, their conflict is forever recorded in Scripture. Why do
you think the Holy Spirit through Luke caused this incident to be written in the
Bible? What do you think He wanted us to learn from this?
3B. Where is Derbe? Where is Lystra? (HINT: Check out the map attached to the end
of this weeks study.)
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Biblical Note: In Acts 16:10, the pronoun we occurs. It will frequently reappear
throughout the Acts narrative. The we refers to the fact that the writer of Acts,
the physician Luke, joined Paul at Troas, and hence the narrative now includes
him. The NIV Bible Commentary in the Zondervan Bible Reference Library
software says this about the use of we in Acts: It is at Troas that the first of the
"we" sections of Acts appears (16:10-17). Because (1) this "we" section stops at
Philippi, (2) the second "we" section (20:5-15) begins when the missionaries
revisit Philippi after the third missionary journey, and (3) the ministry at Philippi
receives the greatest attention (thirty verses) in this fifth panel, we may
reasonably suppose the narrator implied in "we" was Luke and that he was a
resident of Philippi who traveled from Troas to Philippi with Paul and Silas.
4B. Where is Phrygia? Galatia? Asia? Mysia? Bithynia? Troas? (HINT: Check out the
4C. In verse 6 it says that the Holy Spirit kept them from going to Asia. In verse 7
it says that the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to enter Bithynia. In verse
10 it says that God called them to go to Macedonia. What is significant about
this?
4D. It seems like there is a fair amount of trial and error going on here, with God
generally keeping Paul in the dark about where He wants him to go, punctuated
with divine interventions that direct him towards or away from a particular place.
4D1. Why do you think God did it this way?
4D2. What lesson can we learn from this?
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Day Five:
1A. Read Acts 16:11-40.
Background Note #1: Among other things, Philippi was famous for its medical
school. Its graduates practiced throughout the world. It is probable that Luke had
previously spent time in Philippi. He likely received his medical training here.
Background Note #2: It is noteworthy that on the Sabbath, Paul and his
companions went outside the city gate to the river, where [they] expected to find
a place of prayer (Acts 16:13a). This suggests that there were very few Jews in
Philippi. In Jewish law, a synagogue congregation could be formed only if there
were at least ten male heads of households. Failing this, a place of prayer under
the open sky and near a river or the sea was to be arranged. Philippi apparently
had very few adult male Jews and so was without a synagogue.
Background Note #3: Pauls ministry began inauspiciously in Philippi. He was
probably persuaded to begin his Macedonian ministry in Philippi because his new
traveling companion Luke encouraged him to do so. There were few Jews to
witness to there, and his converts were undistinguished. A widowed or unmarried
immigrant (Lydia), a jailor (probably a retired Roman soldier), and possibly a
slave girl. On top of that, he was mistreated and beaten severely by the local
authorities despite being a Roman citizen.
1B. Where is Samothrace? Neapolis? Philippi? (HINT: Check out the map attached to
the end of this weeks study.)

Background Note: The charge that the Thessalanicans lodged against Paul was
that he was promoting an illegal religion, a violation of Roman law (religio
illicita). This charge was made repeatedly against Paul, and sets up the important
hearing before the proconsul Gallio in Corinth, which we will read about later in
this weeks study.
2B. Where is Amphipolis? Apollonia? Thessalonica? Berea? (HINT: Check out the
2C. In Acts 17:2, it states that, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath
days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the
Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is
the Christ, he said.
Can you think of any verses from the Old Testament that Paul might have used to
prove that Jesus is the Christ?
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3A. Read Acts 17:16-34.
Background Note: In Roman times, the Areopagus was the chief judicial body of
Athens. Pauls appearance before this council was for the purpose of determining
whether he would have the freedom to speak freely about Christianity. Perhaps
rumors of the charges against Paul had arrived from Thessalonica, so that there
was concern that Paul might cause unrest in the city. It seems that Pauls address
to the Areopagus was unsuccessful. He was not awarded the right to propagate
Christianity, and hence he decided to leave.
3B. Where is Athens? (HINT: Check out the map attached to the end of this weeks
study.)
4B. Where is Corinth? (HINT: Check out the map attached to the end of this weeks
study.)
4C. Pauls ministry to Greece was initiated by a vision and an opportune meeting in
Troas with a Philippian physician (Luke) who provided very timely assistance.
Approximately a year had passed since that time. How do you think Paul felt
about the progress of his ministry?
(HINT: Think through his stops in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens and
try and determine if Paul would have found the ministries there to be encouraging
or discouraging.)
4D. Here is what Scripture tells us about how Paul felt about things at this time: In
the Book of 1 Thessalonians, Paul writes that he was distraught over the
Thessalonian converts, wondering if they would survive the persecution that had
broken out against them:
1 Thessalonians 2:14,17-3:5: you, brothers, became imitators of God's
churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own
countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews,But,
brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in
thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we
wanted to come to you--certainly I, Paul, did, again and again--but Satan stopped
us. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the
presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our
glory and joy. So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left
by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow
worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in
your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well
that we were destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling
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you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.
For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your
faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our
efforts might have been useless.
Further, Paul writes in 1 Corinthians that he was pretty beaten down by the
time he appeared in Corinth:
1 Corinthians 2:3: I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much
trembling.
Add to that the fact that he had not been given permission to preach in
Athens, and that the churches in Philippi and Berea were not very impressive, and
it is easy to see that Paul was likely feeling depressed. That Pauls emotional state
was impacted by the state of his ministry is clearly evident in the following
passage:
2 Corinthians 11:27-29: I have labored and toiled and have often gone without
sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have
been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my
concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led
into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
4D1. With this is mind, now how would you answer the question, How do you think
Paul felt about the progress of his ministry?
4D2. What lesson can we learn from this?
Day Six:
1. Read Romans 18:12-22.
Historical Note: Concerning Gallio, the NIV Bible Commentary in the Zondervan
Bible Reference Library software states, Gallio was the son of Marcus Annaeus
Seneca, the distinguished Spanish rhetorician. He moved to Rome and was
adopted by the Roman rhetorician Lucius Junius Gallio.The importance of
Gallio's decision was profound. Luke highlights it in his account of Paul's
ministry at Corinth and makes it the apex of all that took place on Paul's second
missionary journey. No Roman authority had yet repudiated Christianity's claim
to share in the religio licita status of Judaism--neither in Macedonia or in Athens.
If Gallio had accepted the Jewish charge and found Paul guilty of the alleged
offense, provincial governors everywhere would have had a precedent, and Paul's
ministry would have been severely restricted. As it was, Gallio's refusal to act in
the matter was tantamount to the recognition of Christianity as a religio licita; and
the decision of so eminent a Roman proconsul would carry weight wherever the
issue arose again.
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2. The time period spanned by Acts 18:1-22 was likely longer than that covered by
Acts 15:36-17:34, despite the fact that the latter is a much longer section of
Scripture. This time appears to have been a very successful for Paul. Christianity
now had a claim to being a legitimate religion, the church in Corinth was large
and growing, and Paul picked up two more ministry leaders in Priscilla and
Aquila who could help the ministry. How do you think Paul felt about the
progress of his ministry at this time?
3. What lesson can we learn from this?
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WEEK NINE: Acts 18:23-21:16
Days One and Two:

1. Read Acts 18:23-21:16.
Historical Note: Most commentators believe that the events recorded here occurred
around 53-57 A.D.

attaching a brief description for each section (cf. Days One and Two of Week One).
Write your own outline in the space below. Try not to refer to other outlines that may be
presented in your Bible and elsewhere.
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Day Three:
1. Review Acts 18:23-21:16.
2. Think of some questions that might lead to an important spiritual discovery. Write
them in the space below, then pray that God would answer your question(s).
Day Four:
1. Read Acts 18:23-28.
2. Where is Galatia (NOTE: Paul probably traveled through southern Galatia)? Where is
Phrygia? Where is Ephesus? (HINT: Check out the map attached to the end of this
weeks study.)
3. In Acts 18:25, it says that Apollos knew only the baptism of John. What does that
imply that Apollos did NOT know?
5. Where is Ephesus? (HINT: Check out the map attached to the end of this weeks study.)
6A. Were the disciples who had received Johns baptism -- but not the Holy Spirit --
Christians? That is, were they saved prior to being baptized into the name of the Lord
Jesus?
6B. What lesson can we learn from this?
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7. God does not usually mark the new life of a Christian with miracles and signs. Even in
the Book of Acts, there is no indication that the Ethiopian eunuch spoke in tongues or
prophesied upon becoming a Christian (Acts 8:26-40). If you are a Christian, how can
you know whether you have received the Holy Spirit?
Day Five:
1. Read Acts 19:8-41.
Historical Background: [From the NIV Bible Commentary of the Zondervan Bible
Reference Library software] It is certainly strange to read of healings occurring through
[handkerchiefs and aprons]. But Ephesus was the home of all sorts of magic and
superstition, and the phrase "Ephesian writings" was common in antiquity for documents
containing spells and magical formulae. So Paul was likely just meeting his audiences at
a point of common ground in order to impress them and lead them on to the Good News
of salvation in Christ. The virtue, of course, lay not in the materials themselves but in the
power of God and the faith of the recipients.
2. What are some of the extraordinary things that are recorded in these verses?
3. Why do you think God would choose to work in such extraordinary and magic-like
ways?
4B. These verses briefly summarize an extensive missionary journey that started in Ephesus,
passed through Macedonia and Achaia, and ended up in Troas. Use the map attached to
the end of this weeks study to follow the path of this missionary journey.
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5. Acts 20:4 states that Paul was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea,
Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and
Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. It is important to remember that
these men were not professional religious people. They were ordinary folks with jobs
and families who were willing to leave everything behind because they had tasted
something so wonderful and true that they could not continue to live their old lives. How
about you? Suppose you had been asked by Paul to accompany him on his trip? How
would you have felt about that?
6. Consider the following verses:

Matthew 4:18-22: As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for
they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of
men." At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two
other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with
their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left
the boat and their father and followed him.
Do you think you could ever get to the point where you would be willing to leave
everything behind to follow Jesus? Would you want to?
Day Six:
1. Read Acts 20:13-16.
2. Use the map attached to the end of this weeks study to follow the journey from Troas, to
Assos, to Mitylene, to Kios, to Samos, and Miletus.
3. Where was Paul heading towards?
4. Read Acts 20:17-38.
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5. Summarize the main points of Pauls talk to the Ephesian elders.
6. What do you find noteworthy about Pauls talk?
7. Do you think that you could point to your life as an example to other Christians? What
part of your life could be best used as an example to others? What part of your life most
holds you back from being an example to others?
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WEEK TEN: Acts 21:17-23:35
Days One and Two:

1. Read Acts 21:17-23:35.

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Day Three:
1. Review Acts 21:17-23:35.
Day Four:
1. Read Acts 21:17-26.
2A. Right after Paul tells the Jerusalem leadership about Gods work among the
Gentiles, the leaders respond by telling Paul that thousands of Jews have
believed and all of them are zealous for the law. Why do you think the leaders
immediately changed the topic to the zealousness with which the Hebraic
believers held to the law?
2B. Consider the following paraphrase of Acts 21:17-26:

[Paul speaking] Hey guys, guess what? Gods been doing wonderful
things among the Gentiles. Thousands have embraced salvation in
Christ and the Gentile church is growing by leaps and bounds!
[Leaders respond] Paul, thats great about all those Gentiles coming to
faith in Jesus. However, we have a problem! We have a lot of Jews who
have become Christians here in Jerusalem, and they hold tightly to their
Jewish heritage. They believe strongly that being Christian does not
mean relinquishing the religious traditions and customs with which they
express their faith. They have heard that you are telling Jews to give
these things up, and they are really angry about it.
In your opinion, does this paraphrase capture the flow of thought in Acts 21:17-
26?
3. In Acts 21:24, the Jerusalem leadership advises Paul to take four Hebraic
Christians and pay for their purification rites. Why do you think they
recommended this course of action to Paul?
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4. While Paul and the Jerusalem leadership were willing to accommodate Jewish
sensitivities on some parts of the Law, they apparently were willing to take
considerable heat over their position that Gentiles did not need to get circumcised
(cf. Acts 15:5, 15:24-29). Why do you think they treated circumcision different
from other works of the Law?
5. We know from Pauls writings that he constantly emphasized that the Christian
life was based on faith, not works of the law.
Romans 8:28: For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from
observing the law.
Galatians 2:16: knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law
but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we
may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the
works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.
Why would Paul be willing to blur this point by publicly participating in works
of the Law like purification rites?
6. What lesson can we learn from how the early church handled the issue of how
Hebraic Christians were to relate to their Jewish heritage?
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Day Five:
NOTE: Yesterdays study addressed how Christianity is about FAITH. It is not about
adopting a certain set of rituals/cultural behaviors, NOR about giving up a certain set of
rituals/cultural behaviors. Todays lesson asks you to apply this principle in some
practical ways.
1. Give an example of something in the Christian life that is nonnegotiable -- that

is, something on which you would not be willing to budge no matter how upset it
got people.
2. Identify a practice or behavior that could be part of a persons religious heritage

but against GACP (generally accepted Christian practices), where in your
opinion it would be okay to continue this practice/behavior. (This can be hard, so
dont sweat it if you cant think of something.)
3. How about homosexuality? What would you say to a person who came from a
homosexual lifestyle and became a Christian? Would you tell them that being a
Christian required them to give up their homosexual behavior? Why or why not?
4. In some cultures, it is common for a man to have more than one wife. What
would you say to a person with this heritage who became a Christian? Would you
tell them that being a Christian means that they can not have more than one wife?
Suppose they already had several wives. Would you tell them that being a
Christian required them to give up their excess wives?
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5. Suppose somebody became a Christian out of a different religious experience
(Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, etc.) and feared persecution over their Christian faith.
Would you tell them that being a Christian required that they go to church?
Would you tell them they could no longer go to the temple where they previously
worshipped?
Day Six:
1. Read Acts 21:37-22:21.
Background Note: Gamaliel was the most famous Jewish religious leader of his
time. He was a Pharisee and a widely known scholar of the law. He was a
grandson of Hillel, and the first of only seven rabbis to be given the title of
Rabban (source: The NIV Bible Dictionary in the Zondervan Bible Reference
Library software). When Paul says he was trained in the law by Gamaliel, his
listeners would have known that he had received the finest possible training in
Judaism.
2. Summarize the main points of Pauls talk to the Jewish crowd.
3. Read Acts 2:14-2:36.
4. Summarize the main points of Peters talk to the Jerusalem Jews.
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5. Why do you think Paul didnt use this occasion to talk about more about how
Jesus was the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament, like Peter did?
6. What lesson can we learn from this when it comes to witnessing about Jesus?
7. If you were going to witness about how Jesus had worked in your life, what
events/experiences would you highlight?
60
WEEK ELEVEN: Acts 24:1-26:32
Days One and Two:

1. Read Acts 24:1-26:32.

Day Three:
1. Review Acts 24:1-26:32.
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Day Four:
1. Read Acts 24:1-23.
Historical Note: Antonius Felix, was born a slave and freed by Antonia, the
mother of the emperor Claudius. He was a brother of Pallas, who was also a
freedman of Antonia and became a good friend of the young prince Claudius.
Through the influence of Pallas, Felix was appointed in A.D. 48 to a subordinate
government post in Samaria. In 52 Claudius appointed him governor of Judea.
[Tacitus said of him that "he revelled in cruelty and lust, and wielded the power of
a king with the mind of a slave."] During his governorship, insurrections and
anarchy increased throughout Palestine. Try as he would to put down the
uprisings and regain control, his brutal methods only alienated the Jewish
population more and led to further disturbances. Despite his low birth, Felix had a
succession of three wives--the third being Drusilla, the youngest daughter of
Agrippa I, who had been unhappy as the wife of Azizus, king of Emesa; Felix
desired her because of her beauty and persuaded her to leave Azizus for him. The
relationship between these two seems to have been based upon greed, lust, and
expectations of grandeur. [Because Drusilla was Jewish (at least in part), Felix
learned much of Jewish life and customs.] SOURCE: The NIV Bible Dictionary
in the Zondervan Bible Reference Library software.
2. Acts 24:1-23 reports the first of three trials in this weeks study, which in turn
follow on Pauls speech before the crowd in Jerusalem (Acts 21:37-22:21) and his
appearance before the Sanhedrin (Acts 23:1-10). In some respects, these trials
seem repetitious. Can you think of a reason why the Holy Spirit wanted these
details recorded in the Bible?
3. Read Acts 24:24,25.
4. Acts 24:24b states that Felix sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about
faith in Christ Jesus. Why do you think Felix did that? Do you think he had a
sincere desire to hear the truth about Jesus?
62
5. Many people find Christianity intellectually interesting. That is, they dont
really think Christianity is true, but they like to know what it is that causes so
many people to believe in it. Do you think that was Felixs motivation for
listening to Paul?
6. Acts 24:25 states that Felix became frightened/afraid as a result of his

conversation with Paul. Why do you think he became afraid?
7. Respond to the following statement:

If Felixs interest in Christianity was merely intellectual, he would have no reason
to be afraid, since he would not have believed its teaching about judgment.
Thus, the fact that he was afraid indicates that he thought there must be some truth
in what Paul was saying.
Do you agree with this statement?
8. What do you think held Felix back from embracing Christianity?
9. Think of non-Christians you know. What do you think holds them back from
embracing salvation through Jesus?
63
Day Five:
1. Read Acts 24:26,27.
2. Paul waited in jail for two years while Felix delayed making a decision about him,
all the time hinting strongly about a bribe. How do you think Paul felt about his
situation?
3. Why do you think God allowed this to happen? What possible purpose could God
have for Paul sitting in jail for two years?
4. Have you ever had a time in your life that seemed to make no sense at all?
Briefly describe that time.
5. What lesson can we learn from the fact that God was willing to have Paul sit in a
jail for two years for no apparent reason?
Day Six:
1. Read Acts 24:27-25:12.
Historical Note: Porcius Festus replaced Felix as procurator of Judea. According
to Josephus, Felix was removed because of his inability to manage relationships
with the Jewish population. Hostilities and violent uprisings dominated Felixs
rule. The climax came as a result of a conflict between Jews and Greeks at
Caesarea. Felix harshly punished the Jews for this outbreak. Many Jews were
killed, taken prisoner, or plundered of their wealth; and a delegation of Jews went
to Rome to complain. As a result, Felix was recalled to Rome and replaced by
Festus. SOURCE: The NIV Bible Dictionary in the Zondervan Bible Reference
Library software.
64
2. Read Acts 25:13-26:32.
Historical Note: King Agrippa II was the son of Herod Agrippa I (Herods death is
recorded in Acts 12:21-23). In 53 A.D. the Roman emperor Claudius appointed
Agrippa king over Iturea, Trachonitis, and associated areas immediately north of
Judea. As ruler of the adjoining kingdom to the north, Agrippa II came to pay his
respects to Festus, the new ruler of Judea.
While Agrippa did not have formal authority in Judea, he was appointed
by Claudius as the curator of the temple, with the power to depose and appoint
the high priest in Jerusalem. He developed an interest in the Jewish religion, and
was regarded by Rome as an authority on Jewish matters.
With Agrippa II was Bernice, his sister one year younger than himself. She
was previously married to her uncle, but came to live with her brother after her
uncle/husbands death in 48 A.D. It was widely rumored in both Rome and
Palestine that they had an incestuous relationship. SOURCE: The NIV Bible
Dictionary in the Zondervan Bible Reference Library software.
3. Consider the following verse:

Acts 26:28: Then Agrippa said to Paul, Do you think that in such a short time
you can persuade me to be a Christian?
In this passage of Scripture, Paul tried to persuade Agrippa of the truth of
Christianity. What do you think was his most compelling argument?
4. In your opinion, what is the best argument in favor of Christianity?
65
5. The branch of theology that is concerned with proving the truth of Christianity is
known as apologetics. There are a huge number of websites that engage in
apologetics.
5A. Check out the website: http://rationalchristianity.net/. Read through some of the
articles. Is there anything there you found compelling? Briefly elaborate.
5B. Do you know of any websites that are especially good sources of apologetics?
What are their addresses? What makes them so good?
66
WEEK TWELVE: Acts 27:1-28:32
Days One and Two:

1. Read Acts 27:1-28:32.

Day Three:
1. Review Acts 27:1-28:32.
67
Day Four:
1. Check out the map attached to this weeks study and follow Pauls journey to the
following places:
- Caesaria
- Sidon
- Myra
- Cnidus
- Fair Havens
- Malta
- Syracuse
- Rhegium
- Puteoli
- Rome.
2. Read Acts 27:1-26.
3A. Consider the following verses:

Acts 18:9,10: One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: Do not be afraid;
keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to
attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.
Acts 23:11: The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, Take
courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in
Rome.
Acts 27:23,24: Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve
stood beside me and said, `Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before
Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.'
3B. Why do you think God kept reminding Paul to not be afraid and to have
courage?
4. One possible reason for why God kept encouraging Paul is that Paul struggled
with fears when it came to his safety. Do you think this is a reasonable
possibility?
68
5. We tend not to think of Paul being fearful because of the many courageous things
that he did. Yet the real Paul struggled with fear.
1 Corinthians 2:1,3: When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with
eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.
I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.
How about you? Are there issues in your life that you wrestle with that
other people may not be aware of? Do you ever worry that these issues will
hinder you from being the person you want to be? That God wants you to be?
Just between you and God, elaborate on this below.
6. What lesson can we learn from how God interacted with Paul that can encourage
us in our lives?
Day Five:
1. Read Acts 27:27-28:6.
2. This section of Scripture reads like the Perils of Pauline: It is filled with
various escapades in which Paul escapes one peril after another. What lesson do
you think the Holy Spirit wants us to learn from this section of Scripture?
3. Read Acts 28:7-31.
4. In Acts 28:20b, Paul states that It is because of the hope of Israel that I am
bound with this chain. What is this hope of Israel Paul is referring to?
69
Background Note: Naves Topic Bible in the Zondervan Bible Reference Library
software has the following entry under MESSIANIC HOPE: (Matthew 13:17;
Acts 9:22; Hebrews 11:13; 1 Peter 1:10-12). Created by prophecy (Genesis
49:10; Numbers 24:17; Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1-9; 40:3-5; 55:3-5; 62:10-11; Jeremiah
23:5-6; 33:15-17; Daniel 2:44; 7:13-14; 9:24-27; Micah 5:2; Zechariah 9:9;
Malachi 3:1-3; Acts 13:27), by the covenant with David to establish his throne
forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Chronicles 17:11-14; 22:10), by the messianic
psalms (Psalm 2; 16; 21; 22; 45; 72; 87; 89; 96; 110; 132:11, 17-18). Confirmed
in the vision of Mary (Luke 1:30-33). Exemplified, by the priest Zechariah (Luke
1:68-79), by the prophet Simeon (Luke 2:25, 29-32), by the prophetess Anna
(Luke 2:36-38), by the wise men of the East (Matthew 2:1-12), by John the
Baptist (Matthew 11:3), by the people (John 7:31, 40-42; 12:34), by Caiaphas
(Matthew 26:63; Mark 14:61), by Joseph of Arimathea (Mark 15:43; Luke
23:51), by the disciples on the way to Emmaus (Luke 24:21), by Paul (Acts 26:6-
7).
5. The nation of Israel yearned for a Messiah who would free them from their
worldly enslavement. What is the great message of hope that Christianity has
for you?
Day Six:
70
Prologue: With Acts ending so abruptly, we must look elsewhere for information about
Paul's Roman imprisonment and its aftermath. Accepting the Prison Letters as having
been written during this time, we may surmise that Paul fully expected to stand before
Caesar's court and that, while we cannot not be certain about the outcome, he did expect
to be released (cf. Philippians 1:19-26; Philemon 22). We may date such a release around
63. Accepting the Pastoral Letters as genuine, after Paul's release from this imprisonment,
he continued evangelizing the eastern portion of the empire (at least in lands surrounding
the Aegean Sea)--perhaps even fulfilling his desire to visit Spain (cf. Romans 15:23-24).
And since 2 Timothy 4:6-18 speaks of a second trial in a tone of resignation, we may
conclude that Paul was rearrested about 67 and, according to tradition, beheaded at Rome
by order of Nero (SOURCE: NIV Bible Commentary in the Zondervan Bible Reference
Library software).
2. Take some time to reflect on this semesters study of Acts. List some things that
you learned in the space below.
71
3. What truth or thing you learned most impacted you from this semesters study?
Elaborate in the space below.
72
73
AN OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF ACTS
The Birth of the Church

1:1-8. Jesus teaches His disciples after His resurrection.
1:9-14. Jesus ascends to heaven and the disciples wait for the Holy Spirit to come.
1:15-26. The disciples select Matthias to take Judas place.
2:1-13. The Holy Spirit descends on the disciples, causing them to speak in
foreign languages.
2:14-21. A crowd gathers round, and Peter tells them that this is a sign that they are
in the Last Days.
2:22-36. Peter tells the crowd that the purpose of this event is to witness that Jesus
is the Messiah, resurrected from the dead.
2:37-41. Three thousand are saved that day.
2:42-47. The new believers sell their possessions and form a new community in
which everything is shared.
The Church Experiences its First Opposition

3:1-10. Peter and John heal a crippled man.
3:11-26. Peter uses this occasion to persuade the crowd to become Christians.
4:1-4. Peter and John are arrested, but many are saved.
4:5-22. Peter and John testify to the religious leaders, are ordered to stop talking
about Jesus, and are released.
4:23-31. The new community of believers praises God for what He is doing.
The Church Expands Greatly and Problems Arise Within

4:32-37. Members of the new community share their possessions to help those in
need.
5:1,2. Ananias and Sapphira sell their possessions to give to the church, but
secretly hold back some for themselves.
5:3-11. Ananias and Sapphira are supernaturally stricken dead once their deed is
found out.
5:12-16. The numbers of the community continue to grow, with large crowds
coming to be healed.
5:17-28. Peter and the other apostles are arrested for preaching Jesus name and
appear before the Sanhedrin.
5:29-40. The Sanhedrin orders the apostles flogged, but releases them, again
commanding them to cease their preaching of Jesus.
6:1. The apostles continue their teaching, and many more are saved.
6:2-7. A problem arises with the Hellenistic Jews, and the apostles appoint
deacons to make sure that needs in the body are being met.
74
Stephen is Arrested and Killed and a Great Persecution Breaks Out in Jerusalem
6:8-7:1. Opposition arises against Stephen and he is arrested and brought before
the Sanhedrin.
7:2-7:50. Stephen testifies before the Sanhedrin of Israels history towards God.
7:51-53. Stephen accuses the religious leaders of rejecting God just like their
forefathers did.
7:54-59. The members of the Sanhedrin stone Stephen to death.
8:1-3. A general persecution arises against the church, with Saul as an active
participant.
Christian Witnesses Expand Their Ministry to Samaria

8:4-8. Philip preaches Jesus and performs miracles in Samaria.
8:9-13. Many receive Christ, including a renowned magician by the name of
Simon.
8:14-17. Peter and John come down from Jerusalem and the Holy Spirit falls upon
the new believers.
8:18-25. Simon attempts to buy the power of the Holy Spirit and is rebuked by
Peter.
8:26-40. Philip is prompted by the Holy Spirit to approach a member of the
Ethiopian royal court and leads that man to Christ.
God Converts the Persecutor Paul

9:1,2. Saul heads to Damascus to persecute Christians.
9:3-9. Jesus appears to Saul in a vision, causing Saul to lose his eyesight.
9:10-16. Jesus appears to a disciple by the name of Ananias and tells him to go to
Saul.
9:17-19a. Ananias restores Sauls eyesight.
9:19b-25. Saul begins to preach Jesus, causing his life to be threatened.
9:26-30. Barnabas arranges for Saul to meet with the apostles in Jerusalem, after
which Saul goes to Tarsus.
God Converts the Gentile Cornelius

9:31-35. Peter travels to Lydda and heals a paralytic.
9:36-43. Peter is summoned to Joppa and raises a woman from the dead.
10:1-8. An angel appears to a devout, Roman centurion by the name of Cornelius
and tells him to send for Peter.
10:9-16. Peter has a vision telling him to kill and eat unclean animals.
10:17-24a. Cornelius men find Peter and take him to Cornelius in Caesaria.
10:24b-29. Peter explains to the assembled people how God had showed him that
Gentiles are not unclean.
10:30-48. Peter shares the gospel with these Gentiles, the Holy Spirit falls upon
them, and Peter has them baptized.
11:1-18. Peter returns to Jerusalem where he silences criticism of his baptizing
Gentiles by telling the disciples what the Holy Spirit had done.
75
God Establishes a Gentile Church in Antioch, Led by Barnabas and Paul
11:19-21. The persecuted disciples leave Jerusalem sharing the gospel wherever they
go, including Antioch, where a community of believers forms.
11:22-26. The disciples in Jerusalem send Barnabas to Antioch, and Barnabas
fetches Saul to help with the fledgling church there.
11:27-30. The prophet Agabus prophesizes a great famine, and the disciples send
Barnabas and Saul to carry contributions to Jerusalem.
12:1,2. Herod begins to persecute the church in Jerusalem, killing James the
brother of John.
12:3-19a. Herod has Peter arrested, but Peter is released by an angel of the Lord.
12:19b-23. Herod is slain by God because he did not give God the glory.
12:24,25. The church continues to grow, and Barnabas and Saul, along with John,
who was also called Mark return to Antioch.
Pauls First Missionary Journey

13:1-3. The Holy Spirit selects Barnabas and Paul to go out with the gospel.
13:4-12. Paul and Barnabas travel to Cyprus, where they convert a high-ranking
Roman official over local opposition.
13:13-15. Paul and his companions travel to east Asia Minor, to Pisidian Antioch.
13:16-41. Paul gives a sermon to the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch.
13:42-52. After many Gentiles believe, Paul and Barnabas are expelled by the Jews.
14:1-7. Paul and Barnabas travel to Iconium, where they lead many to Christ
before they are forced to flee for their lives.
14:8-18. Paul and Barnabas travel to Lystra, where they heal a lame man and are
mistaken for gods.
14:19,20a. Some Jews from Antioch and Iconium incite the people, Paul is stoned and
left for dead, but survives.
14:20b-28. Paul and Barnabas travel to Derbe, then retrace their steps back to Antioch
to report to the church what God has done.
The Church Decides That Gentile Christians Need Not Be Circumcised

15:1. Believers from Jerusalem show up in Antioch and tell the Gentiles there
they must be circumcised.
15:2-4. Paul and Barnabas travel to Jerusalem to get a judgment from the churchs
leaders on the circumcision issue.
15:5-20. The church decides not to enforce circumcision on the Gentiles.
15:21-35. Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch along with a delegation from
Jerusalem to communicate the decision on circumcision.
Pauls Second Missionary Journey

15:36-39. Paul and Barnabas have a disagreement and part ways.
15:40,41. Paul takes Silas and strengthens the churches in Syria and Cilicia.
76
16:1-5. Paul travels to Derbe and Lystra to encourage the churches, and adds
Timothy to his entourage.
16:6-8. Paul is kept by the Holy Spirit from going into Asia and Bithynia, so he
travels north and then west to the coast of Turkey, to Troas.
16:9-12. Paul receives a vision directing him to Macedonia, so he leads his party to
Philippi.
16:13-15. A Gentile worshipper of God named Lydia receives the gospel and she
and her household are baptized.
16:16-18. Paul heals a slave girl with a demon-inspired gift of prophecy.
16:19-24. The slave girls owners inspire a riot against Paul, and he and his
companions are arrested.
16:25-34. An earthquake miraculously opens up the jail, leading to the conversion of
the jailor and his household.
16:35-40. Paul is released by the city officials and leaves Philippi.
17:1-9. Paul travels to Thessalonica, many come to Christ, but the Jews start a riot
that forces him to leave.
17:10-15. Paul travels to Berea, where many respond to the gospel, but opposition
again forces him to leave.
17:16-21. While waiting in Athens for his partners to join him, Paul shares the
gospel, and is brought to a meeting of the Areopagus to present his ideas.
17:22-34. Paul tells the Athenians that it is time for them to repent and worship the
true God, or they will be judged.
18:1-8. Paul goes on to Corinth, where Silas and Timothy rejoin him, and many
Gentiles respond to the gospel.
18:9-11. God tells Paul he is safe at Corinth, and Paul stays there for a year and a
half.
18:12-17. The Jews instigate a riot against Paul, but are rebuffed by the local
authorities.
18:18-21a. Paul travels to Ephesus and leaves two disciples, Priscilla and Aquila, to
engage in ministry there.
18:21b,22. Paul leaves Ephesus and returns to the church in Antioch.
Pauls Third Journey, Ending With a Mission to Jerusalem

18:23. Paul strengthens the churches in Galatia and Phrygia.
18:24-28. Apollos is instructed in the truth and becomes a powerful witness in
Ephesus and Corinth.
19:1-7. Paul returns to Ephesus and baptizes some disciples who had only been
familiar with Johns baptism.
19:8-12. God uses Paul for great impact in Ephesus over a two-year period.
19:13-20. Some Jewish exorcists are overcome by demons as they use Pauls name,
causing many practitioners of magic to renounce their evil deeds.
19:21-41. Ephesian craftmen start an uprising against Paul that is ultimately
unsuccessful.
20:1-6. Paul leaves Ephesus and travels to Troas, crosses over to Macedonia and
Achaia, where he spends considerable time, and then returns to Troas.
77
20:7-12. Paul brings a young disciple back to life and sets his sights on Jerusalem.
20:13-17. Paul and his party travel to Miletus, where he sends for the Ephesian
church leaders.
20:18-38. Paul charges the Ephesian elders to be on guard for themselves and their
church.
21:1-9. Paul travels to Caesaria en route to Jerusalem, where he stays with Philip
the evangelist.
21:10-16. Paul is warned by the prophet Agabus that he will encounter great
difficulties, but nevertheless travels onward to Jerusalem.
Paul is Arrested in Jerusalem

21:17-20a. Paul reports to the Jerusalem leadership about Gods work among the
Gentiles.
21:20b-25. The Jerusalem leadership advises how Paul can defuse the tensions with
the Hebrews.
21:26. Paul goes to the Temple as part of his agreement to pay the purification
rites expenses for several poor Hebrew men.
21:27-30. A riot breaks out as the Jews mistakenly think that Paul has brought
Gentiles into the Temple.
21:31-36. Roman soldiers rescue Paul.
21:37-22:21. Paul explains to the crowd how he became a follower of Jesus and was
given a ministry to the Gentiles.
22:22,23. The crowd once again erupts when Paul mentions the Gentiles.
22:24-29. The Roman commander orders Paul to be flogged but stops when he finds
out Paul is a Roman citizen.
22:30-23:5. The Roman commander orders the Sanhedrin to try Paul in his presence.
23:6-9. Paul gets the Pharisees and Sadducees to turn on each other when he
announces that he believes in the resurrection of the dead.
23:10. The Sanhedrin turns violent and once again the Roman commander has to
rescue Paul.
23:11-22. The Jews plot to kill Paul, but the plot is reported to the Roman
commander.
23:23-35. The Roman commander sends Paul to Felix, the Roman governor in
Caesaria.
Paul Defends Himself Three Times Before Roman Rulers

24:1-9. The Jewish leaders accuse Paul before Felix of desecrating the Temple and
inciting riots.
24:10-21. Paul defends himself by saying that the real reason the Jewish leaders are
after him is because he is a follower of the Way.
24:22-26. Felix delays making a decision about Pauls case, but is convicted by
subsequent conversations with Paul.
24:27-25:12. After two years, a new governor, Porcius Festus, hears Pauls case, with
the result that Paul appeals his case to Caesar.
78
25:13-27. King Agrippa visits Festus and Festus asks for advice in deciding the
crime with which to formally charge Paul.
26:1-23. Paul gives his testimony, explaining how he went from a persecutor of
Christians to an evangelist to the Gentiles.
26:24-32. Paul parries with Festus and Agrippa, leading Agrippa to conclude that
Paul has not committed a chargeable offense.
Paul Travels to Rome to Appeal to Caesar

27:1-3. Paul sails from Caesaria to Sidon.
27:4-8. Paul travels from Sidon, to Myra, to Cnidus, and finally arrives in Fair
Havens on Crete behind schedule due to difficult sailing conditions.
27:9-13. Against Pauls warning, the ship sets sail for a safe winter harbor.
27:14-20. The ship is hit by a hurricane-like storm and is dragged out to sea.
27:21-26. Paul tells the men he has received a vision assuring him that they will
survive the storm.
27:27-44. The ship runs aground in Malta, and while the ship is lost, all the men
survive.
28:1-6. Paul is attacked by a viper but is not harmed.
28:7-11. Paul spends 3 months on Malta, healing many and earning the
appreciation of the islanders.
28:12-16. Paul sails from Malta, to Syracuse, to Rhegium, to Puteoli, and finally
arrives in Rome.
28:17-22. Paul meets the Jewish leaders in Rome and arranges a meeting for him to
tell them about the Christ.
28:23-29. The meeting does not go well, and Paul announces that he is taking the
gospel to the Gentiles.
28:30-32. For two years, Paul is allowed great freedom to preach the gospel in
Rome.
79

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A Study of

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

Fellowship of Christian University Students (FOCUS)

NOTE: Additional copies of this study may be obtained from http://faculty-staff.ou.edu/R/

Note: I would very much appreciate any suggestions you might

Who wrote it? It was written by Luke, a Gentile physician who

Who were the recipients? Luke-Acts is addressed to someone named

Why was it written? At the beginning of the Gospel of Luke, Luke

Days One and Two:

2. Summarize these verses by making an outline consisting of numerous sections,

1:1-8. Jesus teaches His disciples after His resurrection.

(NOTE: Making an outline is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in Scripture.

2. What instructions/orders did Jesus give His disciples before He ascended to

Scripture frequently characterizes the differences between the Old Covenant

Days One and Two:

2. Summarize these verses by making an outline consisting of numerous sections,

Days One and Two:

2. Summarize these verses by making an outline consisting of numerous sections,

3B. What would be some negative aspects of this?

2. What exactly was Ananias and Sapphiras crime?

4. What lesson can we learn from this incident?

5A. Read Acts 5:17-40.

4. What lesson can we learn from this incident?

Days One and Two:

2. Summarize these verses by making an outline consisting of numerous sections,

2. The charges against Stephen are fourfold:

Elements of truth in charge (ii):

Elements of truth in charge (iii):

Elements of truth in charge (iv):

2. Confirm that Acts 7:2-7:50 can be divided into three parts:

ISRAEL THE CHURCH

Abraham called out of Mesopotamia The church called out of Israel

Acts 7:25 a perfect description of Jesus

Jesus rejected by his people a second

3. Do you think these parallels are a coincidence?

4. Read Acts 7:51-59.

Days One and Two:

2. Summarize these verses by making an outline consisting of numerous sections,

2A. Read Acts 8:9-25.

3A. Read Acts 8:14-17.

3B. Consider the following verses:

2A. Read Acts 9:3-16.

3A. Read Acts 9:17-30.

Days One and Two:

2. Summarize these verses by making an outline consisting of numerous sections,

4. Read Acts 10:1-11:18.

2. In your own words, describe the kind of man Cornelius was.

4. Read Acts 10:34,35.

7. Many modern historians credit the expansion of Christianity to the Gentiles as a

4. Read Acts 12:1-19a.

Days One and Two:

2. Summarize these verses by making an outline consisting of numerous sections,

4. What are some noteworthy aspects of the conversion of Sergius Paulus?

6. According to Paul, what is the main benefit of believing in Jesus?

4. Read Acts 15:1-35.

Days One and Two:

2. Summarize these verses by making an outline consisting of numerous sections,

2A. Read Acts 15:36-41.

3A. Read Acts 16:1-5.

4A. Read Acts 16:6-10.

4D1. Why do you think God did it this way?

4D2. What lesson can we learn from this?

2A. Read Acts 17:1-15.