Bible For Life Study Guide: Acts

ACTS
18 studies
2015 © Anchored Press
John E. Botkin
Series Editor
Douglas Brubaker
Published 2015
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®
(ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News
Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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Contents
The Bible for Life Study Guides 5
1. Mission Unstoppable 7
2. Continuing Christ’s Mission (1:1-26) 15
3. The Spirit of Christ (2:1-47) 21
4. Confidence in the Gospel (3:1-4:31) 29
5. The Holiness of the Church (4:32-5:42) 36
6. Wisdom and Witness in Opposition (6:1-8:3) 43
7. A Narrative of Surprising Conversions (8:4-9:31) 52
8. The Power of a Changed Life (9:32-11:30) 60
9. Suffering and Sovereignty (12:1-25) 68
10. Gospel Advance for a Global Church (13:1-14:28) 76
11. Preserving the Gospel (15:1-35) 83
12. Providence and Power (15:36-16:40) 89
13. Turning the World Upside Down (17:1-18:22) 97
14. Together for the Gospel (18:23-20:35) 106
15. Loving the Church (20:36-21:26) 114
16. Faithfulness in Suffering (21:27-23:22) 120
17. Christ and Caesar (23:23-26:32) 128
18. The Mission Continues (27:1-28:31) 138
Notes 147
References 151
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The Bible for Life Study Guides
What is a Bible for Life Study Guide? As the name suggests, it’s a study
guide designed to let the Bible impact your life. As God’s word, the
Bible should change how we worship, think, interact with others, and
more. In other words, the Bible should transform how we live our lives.
With this basic conviction, the Bible for Life Study Guide series
is intended to get people into the Bible, book-by-book. Designed to be
used by individuals or groups, each study includes a series of
questions to help unlock the Bible for life. First, there are questions to
get you thinking about the meaning of the passage. Then, there are
questions to get you to thinking about how to apply the text to your
daily life. Finally, there are questions meant to help you think through
how to best share what you’re learning with others, either for
evangelism to unbelievers or for the encouragement of believers. We
hope that all of these questions will drive you to pray over the truths
and applications discovered in your study of God’s word.
The best way to use this guide is to spend some time reading
over the passage, asking God to help you understand it, and jotting
down some notes as you think through it. The text of the passage is
even included in this booklet so you can underline or otherwise “mark
up” the text as you think through it. Reading, thinking, and praying
ahead of time will allow you to come better prepared if you plan on
using this book for group study and discussion.
We also encourage you to use the Notes sections at the end to
record some concluding thoughts you may have after completing the
study as well prayer requests that may be shared during a group
study.
May God richly bless your prayerful study of his Word!
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Study 1
Avoiding a Cheap Imitation

Back in the 1980s the Coca Cola Company made one of the worst
decisions in the history of its business. Such was the failure of this
decision that had the company not reversed its course, it could have
went under. What was this decision that now looks so foolish? The
creation of ‘New Coke.’ To their (small) defense, in the 1980s almost
anything seen as traditional was thrown out. Everyone seemed to
want what was new and hip. The times demanded a new Coke. It
needed something that would excite consumers and lead the company
through the end of the 20th century. So, old Coke went away.
But the plan failed. There was a backlash. The new Coke was not
that good. Though young at the time, I still remember the news stories
and ridicule. More than anything, people said it tasted like flat Pepsi—
a cheap imitation of Coke’s competition. Coke sales plummeted. Panic
ensued in Atlanta where Coke’s national headquarters is located. It
didn’t take long before they reversed course. They halted production
and pulled the new Coke from the shelves. Soon the “original formula”
Coke was hitting the stores again. But the marketing campaign was
clever. They didn’t just bring back Coke. They brought back Coca Cola
Classic. Soon, New Coke faded away. Today, though Coke still sells
varieties in diet, cherry, low-carb and non-caffeinated, they never stop
selling the original.
Sadly, many in the Church have failed to learn the lessons that
almost cost Coke its business. They want to monkey with God’s design
for the Church. They try to improve on it, make it more modern, or
post-modern. Some are well-intentioned, attempting to make it look
relevant and appealing to a new generation. But in the end, what they
end up with is something flat. The Church becomes a cheap imitation
of the world. The result is that people are left yearning for the original
once again. They may not even know what they want. But once they
experience it, God’s people begin to flourish and thrive under God’s
original, simple design for his Church. The best place to find that
design and how it is worked out practically is the book of Acts.
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The Unstoppable Gospel
Some call this book ‘The Acts of the Apostles.’ Others say it should be
called, ‘The Acts of the Holy Spirit.’ Regardless of what the book simply
known in the New Testament as Acts should be called, it is all about
one thing: the unstoppable progress of God’s kingdom through the
preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
As you read through Acts, you’ll see apparent roadblocks that
threaten this progress. Sometimes it is sin or disunity from within the
Church and other times it is attacks from the outside. As you think,
‘How are the apostles going to handle this? What’s the Church going
to do about that?’ you’ll see every time that the gospel advances.
Nothing stops the mission of God to reach the nations. Not even the
Roman government, the most powerful nation in existence at the time,
can stop God’s work of the Church to preach Christ and see sinners
saved.
A Gospel Sequel
Who wrote such a fantastic record of the early Church? Though not
mentioned by name in the book of Acts itself, it’s clear that Luke wrote
this biblical narrative. How do we know? It actually begins with what
we know about Luke from the rest of the New Testament and how we
know that he wrote the Gospel attributed to him.
So, what do we know about Luke? He is mentioned three times,
beginning with Paul’s letter to the Colossians. There, the apostle says,
“Luke, the beloved physician and Demas greet you” (Col 4:14). In the
letter to Philemon, we read, “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ,
sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke,
my fellow workers” (Phlm 23). And in Paul’s final letter before his
death—the book of 2 Timothy—he writes, “Demas, in love with this
present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica . . . Luke
alone is with me.” (4:10). From these verses a basic picture of this man
begins to emerge. We know that he is a physician and a fellow worker
with Paul in his apostolic ministry. This means he travelled with Paul
and was part of his ministry team, preaching the gospel and starting
churches. Given the beatings and abuse and hardships Paul suffered
as an apostle, it’s not unreasonable to assume Luke not only served in
preaching and teaching, but in caring for Paul as a doctor as well.
Finally, it’s clear that at some point the going had gotten rough for the
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apostle and everyone with him took off for something easier. But not
Luke. He remained with Paul to the very end, even when a close
associate like Demas dropped out of the race. It’s not hard to
understand why he was beloved by Paul.
We know that Luke wrote the Gospel attributed to him because
of the witness of the early Church. The earliest list of New Testament
books from the second century says that Luke wrote it.1 Along with
that, all of the early church fathers in the second and third centuries—
people like Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Clement of
Alexandria—said that Luke was the author. Even the famous heretic
Marcion, writing against New Testament writers in the middle of the
second century, said it was Luke. Given that there is no evidence to
suggest otherwise, it’s easy to trust the testimony of these early,
reliable witnesses to Luke’s authorship.2 Probably the most important
reason Luke was accepted as an author is because of what we already
saw in his close association with the apostle Paul. In fact, the ancient
church history Eusebius reports that Paul used to begin quotes from
the Gospel of Luke by saying, “According to my Gospel.”3
Once we see that Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke, it becomes clear
that he also wrote the book of Acts. In addition to a common writing
style, Acts begins the same way as the Gospel: with an introduction to
a man named Theophilus and a comment about the author’s first book
(Acts 1:1). Together, Luke’s Gospel and Acts form a two-part work
that spans the beginnings of Jesus’ life to his death and resurrection,
the sending of his disciples, and the spread of the gospel all the way
from Jerusalem to Rome. Having written both his Gospel and Acts,
Luke becomes the person who wrote most of the New Testament. Yes,
Paul wrote more letters, but Luke wrote more words—almost one
third of the New Testament. It is no overstatement to conclude that
“The debt we owe to Luke is tremendous.”4
Reading Acts
As we begin this study of the book of Acts, we want to begin with a big
picture view of the book as a whole. From this larger view, we want to
understand the key themes in the book of Acts. These themes run
through the course of the book and help bind together the smaller
themes and specific passages of the book. Beginning with an overview
of Acts will help you better understand the more in-depth work of the
remaining studies.
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To get the most benefit from this study, we encourage you to
plan time to read through all of Acts in one sitting. However, reading
through an entire book of the Bible may not be something you’ve ever
done before. Moreover, the length of Acts may make that seem like a
daunting task. Perhaps, then, you’ll read it over two days, covering
fourteen chapters each day. Still yet, you might read the book over a
week: four chapters a day for seven days. However you go about it,
spend time with Acts, gaining a clear sense of its content.
After you’ve read through the book of Acts, go through the
questions below, using the references to specific passages to answer
them. This study will lead you through the main themes of Acts. It is
meant to give you an overview of the whole book which will better
prepare you for the deeper look at Acts in the remaining studies.
The Authority of the Risen Christ

Luke doesn’t think of his two-volume work as the story of Jesus and
the story of the Church. Instead, he writes in such a way that we are
to see two stages of Christ’s ministry. Though he came into the world
as the Savior of the World, in Acts we see Christ actively reigning as
Lord. The advance of the Church is in no way disconnected or
abstracted from his rule over all things.
1. Consider the following verses and reflect on how they reveal the
authority of the risen Christ.
Acts 1:8
Acts 4:5-10
Acts 7:55-60
2. If God has given us Acts to serve as an example as much as history,

how does the ongoing authority of Christ affect how you view life?
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How should it change how you and your church engages in gospel
ministry?
3. What encouragements can you draw out for everyday life from the
reality of Christ’s reign over all things?
The Fulfillment of the Great Commission

Jesus says to his disciples, “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and
in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (1:8). This great
commission for the church is also a roadmap for the book of Acts. The
gospel begins in Jerusalem, moves into Samaria, and from there to the
Gentiles at the end of the world. As this unfolds, Luke records the
faithfulness of Christ’s disciples and the power of the gospel to change
lives. This becomes an example and encouragement for the Church
today. The great commission is still our commission and our aim
should be to fulfill it.
4. Read some examples of the early church’s mission. What are some
different ways the gospel advanced? What common themes do
you notice?
Acts 2:1-41
Acts 8:4-8
Acts 11:19-26
Acts 18:24-28
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5. Consider some of Luke’s summary statements. What is the result
of preaching the gospel to all peoples?
Acts 2:41
Acts 2:47
Acts 5:14
Acts 6:7
Acts 9:31
Acts 11:24
6. What does this say about God’s plans for the Church and its
mission? Are these same priorities and expectations present in
your local church?
The Centrality of the Local Church

Sometimes gospel ministry is reduced to evangelism. Sharing the
good news of Christ for salvation is essential, but it’s not all that we
are called to do. As disciples are made, Luke clearly shows the
assembling of those disciples into local churches. This emphasis is still
crucial for us to grasp today. It is not good for Christians to be alone.
Luke not only shows the importance of the local church but what they
should look like in life and ministry. The Church is about more than
organizational unity. It is life together, driven by a common love
rooted in the shedding of Christ’s precious blood for sinners. The
Church loves one another and is committed to one another because
they are the people for whom Christ died.
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7. Perhaps the most famous statement about the Church is found in
2:42-46. What picture of church life do we see in these verses?
What did the Spirit-filled believers commit to do and be?
8. How did the life of the early church compare to Jesus’ prayer for
his disciples in John 17:20-23? What can you learn from this
relationship?
9. Observe some of the concerns seen in the prayers of the early

church.
Acts 4:23-31
Acts 6:1-6
Acts 13:1-3
10. How do these examples differ from your prayers or the corporate
prayers of your church? Why might they be different? Why should
they be the same?
Pray, Live, and Share
11. How would you summarize what you’ve seen in this study?
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12. From the what you’ve seen in this study, how can you pray with:
Rejoicing to God
Repentance of sin
Requests for change
13. Who can you prayerfully share these things with, for evangelism
or encouragement?
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Study 2
We Had Better Wait

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is a well-known pastor from the last century.
On at least one occasion he told the story of an old Welsh preacher
who was asked to speak at a convention in a small town.5 The people
were already assembled and ready to begin, but the preacher was
running late. He was still in the room he had been given for
preparation before the meetings. Wondering why he was late, the
leaders of the convention meeting sent a maid back to the house to
fetch him.
She came back and reported that he was talking to somebody
and she did not want to disturb him. They said, “That is strange
because everybody is here. Go back and tell him that it is after time
and he must come.”
She went again and returned with the same report: “He is talking
to somebody.”
The leaders asked, “How do you know that?”
She answered, “I heard him say to this other person who is with
him, ‘I will not go and preach to these people, if you will not come with
me.’”
One of the leaders quickly said, “Oh, it is all right, then. We had
better wait.”
The Welsh preacher did not want to engage in the ministry of the
Word without the aid of God who had given the Word. As a young
preacher, that story helped my own sense of neediness in the pulpit.
Moreover, there is much to be said about remembering this in all parts
of life. After all, doesn’t Jesus say that apart from him we can do
nothing (John 15:5)?
Still yet, this story points to the other side of the same theological
coin. Not only can we do nothing apart from Christ, but we are assured
that Christ will always be with us. As we make disciples, the risen
Jesus promised to be with us to the end of the age, ruling with all
authority over our mission (Matt 28:18-20). Luke makes clear at the
beginning of Acts that Christ is with us because we are continuing his
mission until his return.
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Acts 1:1-26
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do
and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given
commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
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He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs,
appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of
God.
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And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from
Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you
heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized
with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
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So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at
this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for
you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own
authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon
you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things,
as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their
sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two
men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do
you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you
into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
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Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which
is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had
entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter
and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and
Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the
son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to
prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his
brothers.
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In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of
persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to
be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David
concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For
he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”
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(Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and
falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.
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And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field
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was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For
it is written in the Book of Psalms,
“ ‘May his camp become desolate,

and let there be no one to dwell in it’;
and
“ ‘Let another take his office.’

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So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that
the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism
of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men
must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put
forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and
Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of
all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in
this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his
own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and
he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Power for Christ’s Mission (1:1-11)
1. Notice how Luke begins the book of Acts. How does he tie it to his
previous Gospel work? How is Jesus still the focus of this book just
as he was before?
2. Christ promises the disciples will receive power when the Holy
Spirit comes upon them. What is this power meant to help them
accomplish? How does this relate to what Jesus taught in John
15:1-11?
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3. Considering your answer to the previous question, how should we
think about ministry today? What should we do and why is the
power of the Holy Spirit essential? What might the consequences
be when we try to do ministry apart from the Spirit of Christ?
4. When John Calvin comments on verse 6, he famously says that

“There are as many errors in this question as words.”6 That may
be an exaggeration, but it is true that they’re still clinging to some
old thinking. How do Christ’s words in the following verses help
correct their misunderstanding?
5. What assurance does the angel give the disciples? How should this
have encouraged them, as well as God’s people today, in fulfilling
the Church’s mission?
Prayer for Christ’s Mission (1:12-14)
6. Glance down at verse 15 and notice how many disciples there

were at this point. After receiving their instructions from the risen
Christ, what do the disciples do?
7. How does Luke describe their prayer? What do you think they
were praying for?
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8. Consider all the details Luke gives us about this time of prayer
among God’s people. How is this a model for the church today?
What can you do to help encourage this model of prayer in your
local church?
Provision for Christ’s Mission (1:15-26)
9. Some look at vv. 15-19 as an example of the Bible contradicting

itself. At first glance, the description of Judas’ demise doesn’t seem
to match what we see in Matthew 27:3-5. But consider an analogy:
if you told someone you sang songs at church and another
member said that you heard a sermon, would one of you be
wrong? More than likely, the service included both. Likewise, how
might we harmonize these two accounts as complimentary, rather
than contradictory?
10. When Peter addresses the 120 disciples, what does he say they
need to do? Where did he get the idea for this action?
11. What two qualifications are laid out for an apostle to replace
Judas? Why do you think these two criteria are significant?
12. Thinking back over the chapter, what practical conclusions can
you draw about the relationship between prayer, Scripture, and
obedience in the Christian life?
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13. How would you summarize what you’ve seen in the passage?
14. From what you’ve seen in this study, how can you pray with:
Rejoicing in God
Repentance of sin
Requests for change
or encouragement?
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Study 3
The Spirit of God Remembered
In his book, The Forgotten God, Francis Chan says, “If I were Satan and
my ultimate goal was to thwart God’s kingdom and purposes, one of
my main strategies would be to get church goers to forget the Holy
Spirit.”7 Perhaps more than forgetting him, today we simply do not
understand him.
Some people today think of the Holy Spirit like something out of
the Star Wars movies. The Jedi all seek to encourage and bless each
other with the phrase, ‘May the force be with you.’ In the framework
of Star Wars, the force is an impersonal field of energy that surrounds
and flows through all living things. By concentrating, individuals can
tap into that force and wield its power according to their own
purposes. Sadly, some think of the Holy Spirit like this—nothing more
than an impersonal force that we can control for our own purposes
through faith, fasting, claiming promises, positive confession, or more.
But that is no biblical view of the Holy Spirit.
Scripture is clear that the Spirit is the third Person of the Triune
God. As God, the Spirit is holy, eternal, all-knowing, all-present, and
all-powerful. As God, the Spirit is a he, not an it. The Spirit is a divine
Person who teaches, comforts, and guides, filling believers that they
might live according to his will.8 In Acts, the Spirit is sent by the Father
and the Son to empower the Church to be the Church and accomplish
the work of the Great Commission.
So, what about Chan’s thesis? Have you forgotten about the Holy
Spirit? Have you underestimated his power in your life? Or do you
depend on him daily? Paul commands the Ephesians to be “filled with
the Spirit” (Eph 5:18). Is that something you are consciously doing
each day? Do you seek him—his power and leadership—together
with your church family? Or have you forgotten the presence of God
in your midst?
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Acts 2:1-47
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.
2
And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing
wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided
tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And
they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues
as the Spirit gave them utterance.
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Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every
nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together,
and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in
his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are
not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each
of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and
residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
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Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene,
and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and
Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of
God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What
does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new
wine.”
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But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed
them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to
you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you
suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was
uttered through the prophet Joel:
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“ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
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even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
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And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
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the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
22
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And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of
the Lord shall be saved.’
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“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested
to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did
through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus,
delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you
crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up,
loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held
by it. 25 For David says concerning him,
“ ‘I saw the Lord always before me,

for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
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You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
29
“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch
David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this
day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with
an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne,
31
he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was
not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God
raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at
the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise
of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing
and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself
says,
“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at my right hand,
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until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’
36
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made
him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to
Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And
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Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name
of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift
of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and
for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
40
And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort
them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those
who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day
about three thousand souls.
42
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came
upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through
the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in
common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and
distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day,
attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they
received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and
having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day
by day those who were being saved.
The Glory of God’s Presence (2:1-13)
1. The pouring out of the Holy Spirit is a major event in the history
of redemption. Consider the implications of “tongues of fire”
appearing at his coming. What does fire represent about God in
these Scripture passages:
Exodus 3:1-6
Exodus 13:17-21
Leviticus 9:22-24
24
2. Chapter 2 opens with a comment about the Day of Pentecost. In
the Old Testament, Pentecost was the celebration that took place
fifty days after Passover (Lev 23:15-21). Also called the Feast of
Weeks, this was a time of thankfulness, marking the firstfruits of
the grain harvest in Israel as God’s provision.9 Read Romans 8:20-
23. How is the giving of the Spirit the firstfruits of God’s new
creation?
3. Read the text closely. Was the miracle that accompanied the
coming of the Spirit one of hearing or speaking? How does this
miracle reverse the judgment brought by God on humanity’s
disobedience in Genesis 11:1-9?
The Fulfillment of God’s Promises (2:14-36)
4. Though supernaturally speaking in foreign languages by the

Spirit’s power, many listening believed the disciples were drunk.
Peter says God is fulfilling his promise in Joel 2 in their midst.
Many today think Joel’s prophecy is about the last days. Does it
surprise you that Peter says it was fulfilled at Pentecost? Why or
why not?
5. The Spirit was active in Old Testament, but would often empower
specific people for specific tasks, sometimes even for a limited
time. Now he is given equally and fully to all of God’s people. The
new covenant pouring out of the Spirit is marked by abundance
and permanence. How is this reflected in Joel’s prophecy? Why
should this bring comfort to Christians today?
25
6. Notice how Peter pivots from the end of Joel’s prophecy to
preaching the Gospel. What is the pivot point? How does the
coming of the Spirit in fulfilment of God’s promise authenticate
the life and ministry of Jesus?
7. Summarize the four-point gospel message preached by Peter.

Apart from Joel 2, how does he show Christ fulfilling Scripture?
The Grace of God’s Pardon (2:37-41)
8. What is the people’s response to Peter’s preaching? What does he

tell them to do?
9. What assurances does Peter give them? What exhortations do the

disciples give them?
10. How many were saved that day? How does this also point to the
theme of Pentecost (cf. Rev 5:9-10)?
26
The Gathering of God’s People (2:42-47)
11. To what did this early Church devote themselves? How well would
you rate yourself and your church for keeping these same
priorities important today?
12. How did awe, love, and joy mark the early Church? How evident
are these fruits of the Spirit in your life today?
13. What was the result of the way the Church lived and worshiped
together? Consider Romans 10:13-14. Luke doesn’t explicitly say,
but what must have marked the early church? How is this a
natural response to the Spirit’s presence in our life?
14. Because this passage describes a Spirit-filled church, it is

important that the church always reflect this pattern. Is there
anything that we might expect to be different today? What part of
this passage is more sought after by Christians today—the
supernatural experiences or the displays of everyday godliness?
Is this a right priority?
27
Rejoicing in God
Repentance of sin
Requests for change
or encouragement?
28
Study 4
This Is To Be Your Ministry

The cell of the Chinese prison was dark and disgusting. There was no
chair or bed, but the nineteen-year old girl sat up in the corner, fearing
infection if her cuts soaked in the filth covering the floor. Though her
body was sore and bleeding, this young Christian prayed with thanks-
giving that she was counted worthy to suffer for Christ.
Soon her prayers turned toward asking for wisdom. How would
she continue to serve the Lord? She wanted to continue preaching the
gospel but didn’t see how she would be able to serve. Then, as she one
day quietly sang a hymn, the Lord impressed this thought upon her
mind: ‘This is to be your ministry.’ Though she was in prison, she was
surrounded by people; people who needed to hear of Jesus.
The young woman called for the guard. When he came, she asked
him if she could do work for him. He looked surprised and suspicious.
“Look,” she reasoned. “This prison is filthy. Let me go into the cells and
clean up the excrement. Just give me some water and a brush.” He
agreed and soon she was regularly on her hands and knees cleaning
the cells of other prisoners. And while she labored with her hand she
also prayerfully preached the gospel of Jesus Christ.
People who had lost all hope of caring human contact now found
themselves served by a woman with a message of hope and peace.
One-by-one, they heard the promise of forgiveness through the death
and resurrection of Christ and believed. When the warden discovered
that the prisoners had become Christians, he was furious. He insisted
the young woman write out a confession of her crimes against the
people of China. She agreed and wrote out the message of the gospel,
hoping the warden and guards would read it and believe.10
Such real-life situations are a bit hard for many Christians in the
West to identify with. Though there is some persecution, it is mild by
comparison. But when suffering comes, especially of the sake of the
gospel, how do we respond? Furthermore, what kind of confidence do
we have in the gospel itself? Do we really believe that it will change
hearts? Is the gospel powerful enough to change even the hearts of the
hardened prison wardens?
29
Acts 3:1-4:31
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer,
the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they
laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask
alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go
into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at
him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on
them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have
no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus
Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand
and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.
8
And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with
them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him
walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the
Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with
wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
11
While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded,
ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter
saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this,
or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have
made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of
Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you
delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided
to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked
for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life,
whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his
name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see
and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this
perfect health in the presence of you all.
17
“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also
your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that
his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn
back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may
come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ
appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for
restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy
prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a
prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he
tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that
30
prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who
have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed
these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that
God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring
shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 God, having raised up his
servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you
from your wickedness.”
4 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain
of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed
because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the
resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in
custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those
who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to
about five thousand.
5
On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together
in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and
Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they
had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name
did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them,
“Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today
concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man
has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of
Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified,
whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you
well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which
has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for
there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must
be saved.”
13
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived
that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And
they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who
was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.
15
But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they
conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men?
For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all
the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it
may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no
more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them
not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John
31
answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you
rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we
have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them,
they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people,
for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom
this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
23
When they were released, they went to their friends and reported
what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they
heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord,
who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them,
25
who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the
Holy Spirit,
“ ‘Why did the Gentiles rage,

and the peoples plot in vain?
26
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’—
27
for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy
servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along
with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand
and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon
their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word
with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and
wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered
together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and
continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Confidence in Preaching (3:1-26)
1. Chapter 3 opens with a powerful miracle of healing. According to

Peter, who actually healed this man? How did the miracle of
healing help open doors for gospel ministry?
32
2. We may not see immediate healings today, but how might a
similar concern for physical needs help inform our ministry? How
can a church ensure the gospel remains at the center of its
ministry while still showing mercy in practical ways?
3. What common elements can be found in Peter’s sermon here and

in chapter 2? What can you glean from those similarities for your
own witnessing and preaching?
Confidence in Persecution (4:1-22)
4. What effect did the apostle’s preaching have on the Jewish

leaders? What effect did it have on the crowd listening to them?
5. When called to give an account of their ministry, what did Peter

say? What kind of exclusivity is seen in their message? Why is this
important today?
6. Who prompted Peter to speak and say what he said? What

observation did the Jewish leaders make about Peter and John?
What connection can we make between the apostle’s teaching,
Jesus, and the Holy Spirit?
33
7. How did the apostles respond to the threats and admonishments
of the Jewish leaders? Is this an all-pervasive principle for any
occasion or something to guide Christians in specific situations?
Confidence in Prayer (4:23-31)
8. When Peter and John are released, what do they do? What did they
do that was expected? What was unexpected?
9. In light of what happened, these Christians begin to pray together.

They are unified in prayer. Think through the prayer itself and
consider the following questions:
Which of God’s attributes drives their prayer?
What effect does this have on them and their prayer?
What serves as the basis for their prayer?
What do these believers ask for in their prayer?
What is their response to God’s answer?
10. How does your way of praying differ from the early Christians?
How might you change how you pray in light of their example?
34
11. Pastor Derek Thomas says of these early disciples, “Prayer is what
they relied on, and you can’t get away from it. We saw it [earlier]:
that they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and
fellowship, and the breaking of bread, and in the prayers. Prayer
was one of those marks of the early church, of the early
community. They did everything by prayer. That’s why Paul will
say, ‘In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving,
let your requests be made known unto God.’”11 Does prayer have
a central, vital place in your life and your church? What can you
do to encourage any changes that might need to be made?
Rejoicing in God
Repentance of sin
Requests for change
or encouragement?
35
Study 5
The Freedom of Authenticity

King Louis XIV of France was a regular attender of church. He even
had a chapel in the royal palace for services. It is said that one day,
when the king and his attendants arrived at the chapel for the regular
service, no one else was there but the preacher, François Fénelon. The
King was frustrated and demanded to know why he was the only one
there. Fénelon replied, “I had published that you would not come to
church today, in order that your Majesty might see who serves God in
truth and who flatters the king.” Sometimes hypocrisy can come in
simple forms as well. Readers Digest once told the story of a 12-year-
old boy who was waiting for his first orthodontist appointment and
was a bit nervous. Apparently, he wanted to impress the dentist. So,
on the patient questionnaire, under the section labeled “Hobbies” he
had written, “Swimming and flossing.”
Regardless of where it’s found, hypocrisy is always motivated by
self-love. We want to impress others, to make them think that we are
something that we know in our hearts we are not. But New Testament
Christianity is about the exact opposite. It is not a religion of works
that lead us to feel secure. Instead, Christianity has a radically freeing
effect. As John Piper says, “Christianity is not a matter of external
conformity to religious expectations. It is a matter of internal liberty.
It is not a matter of force and law. It’s a matter of freedom and love.
Being a Christian means being changed from the inside out so that you
fall in love with God and other people and fall out of love with
things.”12
Ask yourself: who you serve? Do you serve your own interests
by living up to the expectations of others, or do you serve God? If you
serve God, you will find your worth in God’s love for you and death of
Christ for you. You will realize that your acceptance by God is found
only because of Jesus—his death and resurrection for you. Knowing
this, believing this, then frees us to worship and serve God without
fear of what others think of us.
36
Acts 4:32-5:42
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul,
and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own,
but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles
were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great
grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them,
for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the
proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was
distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called
by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite,
a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the
money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of
property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of
the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy
Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?
4
While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was
sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this
deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias
heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear
came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up
and carried him out and buried him.
7
After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing
what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold
the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to
her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord?
Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door,
and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and
breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and
they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear
came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
12
Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people
by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s
Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in
high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord,
multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the
sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came
by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also
37
gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those
afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
17
But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the
party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the
apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel
of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,
20
“Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of
this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at
daybreak and began to teach.
Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they
called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent
to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they
did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We
found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but
when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain
of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly
perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And
someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison
are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain
with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were
afraid of being stoned by the people.
27
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council.
And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you
not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your
teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter
and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The
God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.
31
God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give
repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to
these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who
obey him.”
33
When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.
34
But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held
in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men
outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care
what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days
Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about
four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were
dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in
the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He
38
too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present
case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this
plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will
not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!”
So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they
beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let
them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they
were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in
the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and
preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Spiritual Generosity (4:32-37)
1. Verse 32 opens with a very strong statement about the unity of

the church at that time. Given what you’ve seen in Acts so far, what
has motivated this level of commitment to the community?
2. Some have used passages like this and Acts 2:44 to say that the
early Christians practiced a form of communism. How is what we
see here different from formal communism that is imposed by a
national government? How is what we see here better than
communism?
3. What specific acts of generosity by Christians enable the support

of poorer believers? How is this typified by Barnabas? Why is this
hard for many Christians to imitate today? Why is it hard for you?
39
Spiritual Hypocrisy (5:1-11)
4. These verses provide a sharp contrast to what comes before.

According to what Peter says, could Ananias and Sapphira have
kept the piece of property or the money for themselves? What was
their actual sin? What might have motivated it?
5. Why do you think God brought such immediate and public

judgment on Ananias and Sapphira?
Spiritual Authority (5:12-21a)
6. Through the empowering of God’s Spirit, what was taking place

through the apostles and among the church?
7. What motivated the high priest to arrest Peter and those with
him? How did God demonstrate his true authority over the Jewish
council?
8. What were the apostles told to do by the angel? How would you
describe their response to this charge? This wasn’t an instruction
to do something new. So, why do you think the angel commanded
them to do this?
40
Spiritual Clarity (5:21b-42)
9. What did Peter and John do once they were freed? What was the
reaction of Israel’s leaders when they were spotted preaching
again?
10. What explanation did the apostles give for their refusal to obey
the instructions given by Israel’s leaders? How did this
demonstrate clarity about their faith, mission, and responsibility
to Christ? How can believers wisely apply this today?
11. What did the lone voice of Gamaliel stop the council from doing?
What is his rationale? How did he speak better than he knew?
Rejoicing in God
Repentance of sin
Requests for change
41
or encouragement?
42
Study 6
Faithful Christianity Is Persecuted Christianity

Though now living in exile, the man known as Brother Yun was once
a leader of the Chinese house church movement. As a result, he
suffered terribly for his faith. Over the years, he’s been imprisoned
several times and even tortured. Before he left China, Yun worked
with other house church leaders to organize a program to raise up and
train 100,000 missionaries from China. The plan was to send them
back along the Silk Road, evangelizing Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim
lands. Being a missionary to the kinds of places they want to go is
difficult. But some have gone and they are being used by God. It’s
interesting to see the kind of training they have. According to their
training material, they teach:
1. How to suffer and die for the Lord. We examine what the Bible says
about suffering, and look at how the Lord’s people have laid down
their lives for the advance of the gospel throughout history.
2. How to witness for the Lord. We teach how to witness to the Lord
under any circumstance, on trains or buses, or even in the back of
a police van on our way to the execution ground.
3. How to escape for the Lord. We know that sometimes it is the Lord
that sends us to prison to witness for him, but we also believe that
the devil sometimes want us to go to prison to stop the ministry
God has called us to do. We teach the missionaries special skills
such as how to free themselves from handcuffs, and how to jump
from second-story windows without injuring themselves.13
That is far from seminary training in the Western world! But as far as
these Chinese Christians are concerned, this is part of normal
Christian living, and you need to be prepared for it. Suffering because
of persecution is something they expect.
And they’re right. If we engage in faithful Christian living, we will
experience some kind of suffering from persecution. Most believers in
North America will never find themselves jumping from second story
windows or experiencing imprisonment and torture for their faith.
43
But they will almost surely experience the loss of friends, ridicule at
work, or estrangement from family because of the gospel. In these
times, we should remember and take comfort from Jesus’ words:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile
you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on
my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven,
for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt 5:10-
12).
Acts 6:1-8:3
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a
complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their
widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve
summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that
we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore,
brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the
Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will
devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what
they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full
of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and
Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they
set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
7
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the
disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests
became obedient to the faith.
8
And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and
signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the
synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and
of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and
disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and
the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly instigated men
who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses
and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes,
and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the
council, 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never
ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, 14 for we have
44
heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will
change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” 15 And gazing at him, all
who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
7 And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” 2 And Stephen said:
“Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our
father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,
3
and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go
into the land that I will show you.’ 4 Then he went out from the land of the
Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him
from there into this land in which you are now living. 5 Yet he gave him no
inheritance in it, not even a foot’s length, but promised to give it to him as
a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child. 6 And
God spoke to this effect—that his offspring would be sojourners in a land
belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them four
hundred years. 7 ‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and
after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.’ 8 And he gave
him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of
Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac became the father
of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.
9
“And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God
was with him 10 and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor
and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt
and over all his household. 11 Now there came a famine throughout all
Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food.
12
But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our
fathers on their first visit. 13 And on the second visit Joseph made himself
known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh.
14
And Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his kindred,
seventy-five persons in all. 15 And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he
died, he and our fathers, 16 and they were carried back to Shechem and
laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons
of Hamor in Shechem.
17
“But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to
Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt 18 until there arose
over Egypt another king who did not know Joseph. 19 He dealt shrewdly
with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, so that they
would not be kept alive. 20 At this time Moses was born; and he was
beautiful in God’s sight. And he was brought up for three months in his
father’s house, 21 and when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted
45
him and brought him up as her own son. 22 And Moses was instructed in
all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.
23
“When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his
brothers, the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them being wronged,
he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the
Egyptian. 25 He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was
giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. 26 And on
the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried
to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each
other?’ 27 But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside,
saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Do you want to kill
me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 At this retort Moses fled and
became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two
sons.
30
“Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the
wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 When Moses saw
it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came
the voice of the Lord: 32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham
and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look.
33
Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the
place where you are standing is holy ground. 34 I have surely seen the
affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning,
and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to
Egypt.’
35
“This Moses, whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and
a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer by the hand of
the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 This man led them out,
performing wonders and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the
wilderness for forty years. 37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites,
‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’ 38 This is
the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who
spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living
oracles to give to us. 39 Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him
aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, 40 saying to Aaron, ‘Make
for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from
the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ 41 And they
made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were
rejoicing in the works of their hands. 42 But God turned away and gave
them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the
prophets:
46
“ ‘Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices,
during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
43
You took up the tent of Moloch
and the star of your god Rephan,
the images that you made to worship;
and I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’
44
“Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he
who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that
he had seen. 45 Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they
dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So it was
until the days of David, 46 who found favor in the sight of God and asked to
find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon who built
a house for him. 48 Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by
hands, as the prophet says,
49
“ ‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord,
or what is the place of my rest?
50
Did not my hand make all these things?’
51
“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you
always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the
prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who
announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have
now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law as delivered by
angels and did not keep it.”
54
Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they
ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into
heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of
God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of
Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud
voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast
him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their
garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were
stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And
falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this
sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
47
8 And Saul approved of his execution.
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in
Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea
and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made
great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and
entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and
committed them to prison.
Church-Serving Wisdom (6:1-7)
1. What problem faced the Church in these verses? Why did this have
the potential to cause harm to the Church?
2. How did the apostles respond? How did their plan take the
problem seriously but keep their ministry priorities clear?
3. How did the Church respond to the apostles’ plan? What positive
effect did they experience as a result?
Spirit-Filled Witness (6:8-15)
4. Notice the description of Stephen in these verses as well as before

(6:3-5). How should these virtues mark the life of all of God’s
people?
48
5. Why were Stephen’s detractors frustrated by their debate? Who
was the focus of his teaching and evangelizing? Can the
descriptions of Stephen be said of your own knowledge of
Scripture and daily conversations?
6. How did Stephen’s very countenance reflect the godliness of his

life? Does this sound like anyone else you’ve read about in the
Bible (cf. Exodus 34)? Given your fellowship with Christ, might
someone be able to say the same thing of you that they said of
Stephen?
Christ-Driven Word (7:1-53)
7. Stephen responds to the accusations against him with a sermon.

It is one of the longest that we have recorded in Scripture, and it
displays his deep understanding of the Old Testament (6:9-10)
and how it culminates in Christ (7:52). What place and what
people are the focus of his sermons?
8. The temple was a place of worship where God made his glorious
presence known. How does Stephen argue that God has revealed
his glory, made his presence known, and received worship apart
from the temple?
9. How does Stephen show that Israel has always rejected and
harmed God’s appointed leaders? How is Christ no different?
49
Stiff-Necked Wrath (7:54-8:3)
10. Why did the religious leaders respond with such anger towards
Stephen? Had he committed any sin? How does this bear out what
Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:12?
11. How does Stephen display his Christlike character, even in death?
12. When Stephen is murdered, he becomes the first Christian martyr.

How did this open up hostility against the Church? Look ahead to
the first verse in the next section. How did God use persecution
against the Church to further his plans?
Rejoicing in God
Repentance of sin
Requests for change
50
or encouragement?
51
Study 7
“Christ Is a Great Saviour”

No one knew what God would do with John. Though raised by a
Christian mother, hearing the truths of the gospel, his life would
quickly go off the rails. After her death, he went to sea with this father.
Though leaving the Navy when his father retired, he was latter press-
ganged into service. He became known as a brawler and was whipped
many times for his offenses. John later deserted the Royal Navy and
fled to Africa where he worked for a Portuguese merchant. He reached
the lowest point of his life, begging for food in the streets. John thought
his life would be better when found his way to serve as first-mate on
the ship of another slave trader. However, one night a violent storm
overtook the ship and John feared he would die.
It was then that the grace of God found its way into John’s life. As
he fought hard against the storm at the wheel of the ship, he
remembered some Bible verses from Proverbs that his mother had
taught him: “Because I have called and ye have refused . . . I also will
laugh at your calamity.” Feeling conviction for his wasted and
debauched life, John called in prayer, “Lord, have mercy upon us!” And
God did. The ship was spared and John’s life was changed.
After this, John would become an Anglican priest and proponent
of abolishing the slave trade. Moreover, he became famous world-
wide for many of the hymns he penned. Most well-known is a hymn
he entitled, “Faith’s Review and Expectation.” Today, it’s usually
called, “Amazing Grace.” Who could have imagined what God would
do in the life of John Newton? No wonder that in old age, Newton
would say, “My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things;
That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour.”14
In the chapters before us, the same saving God is at work in
surprising ways to bring sinners to himself. The result is that gospel
is advanced, just as Christ promised, beyond ethnic and political
borders. God is beginning the surprising work of creating a global
church.
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Acts 8:4-9:31
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip
went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And
the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip
when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits,
crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many
who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that
city.
9
But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced
magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself
was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to
the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.”
11
And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed
them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good
news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were
baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after
being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great
miracles performed, he was amazed.
14
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received
the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down
and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had
not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name
of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received
the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through
the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying,
“Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may
receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish
with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with
money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not
right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and
pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven
you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of
iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing
of what you have said may come upon me.”
25
Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they
returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the
Samaritans.
26
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south
to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place.
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27
And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court
official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her
treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning,
seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29And the
Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him
and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand
what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides
me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage
of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter

and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth.
33
In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”
34
And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet
say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his
mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about
Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water,
and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being
baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went
down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And
when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip
away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
40
But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he
preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
9 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of
the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the
synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way,
men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he
went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from
heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice
saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said,
“Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
6
But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The
men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but
seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were
54
opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him
into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate
nor drank.
10
Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said
to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the
Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the
house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is
praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and
lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias
answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil
he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from
the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to
him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before
the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how
much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and
entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the
Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent
me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18
And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he
regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he
was strengthened.
For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And
immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son
of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the
man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name?
And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before
the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and
confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the
Christ.
23
When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, 24 but their
plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night
in order to kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down
through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.
26
And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the
disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he
was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles
and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke
to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
28
So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the
name of the Lord. 29 And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But
55
they were seeking to kill him. 30 And when the brothers learned this, they
brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31
So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had
peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in
the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
Powerful Conversion (8:4-8)
1. This section begins with Philip going into Samaria. History tells us
why this was significant. During the Israelite exile, the King of
Assyria sent Gentiles to resettle in Samaria around 722 B.C.
Eventually the Jews there intermarried with them, but the mixed
ethnicity of their children left them despised by both the Jews and
Gentiles. These Samaritans were so cut-off from Jewish culture
that they had their own version of the Pentateuch, their own
temple on Mount Gerizim, and their own version of Israel’s
history. The ancient Jewish historian Josephus wrote that the
animosity between the Jews and the Samaritans was so high at
times that they battled against each other so intently that the
Romans were called in to pacify and crucify many of the rebels.15
How might Jewish Christians have reacted to Philip’s journey?
Considering what we saw in Acts 1, why should this have been
expected?
2. What did Philip preach in Samaria? How did God authenticate his
message to them?
3. What was the people’s response to the gospel? Why should this be
the lifelong response of believers everywhere?
56
False Conversion (8:9-25)
4. What do we learn about the man in Samarian named Simon? What

happened to his reputation once the people believed the gospel?
5. Why do you think the Holy Spirit did not make his presence
known before Peter and John came from Jerusalem? Do you think
this should be seen as normative today?
6. What was Simon’s response when he saw the Spirit come upon the
Samaritans? What did he ask of the apostles? Think back to
Simon’s past and Peter’s rebuke. What do you think Simon hoped
to achieve by his request?
7. What evidence do you see that Simon’s conversion was not

genuine? What danger is there that people today may believe they
are saved but aren’t? How can you minister to them?
Unexpected Conversion (8:26-40)
8. Conventional wisdom says that we ought not leave a thriving

work and go where there seems to be nothing happening. But who
directed Philip to leave Samaria? What can learn from this?
57
9. Who did Philip encounter? What does Luke tell us about him? How
might 1 Kings 10 help explain how this eunuch came to have a
copy of the Old Testament and faith in Israel’s God?
10. Think carefully about how Luke describes Philip’s method of

evangelism. What principles can you glean from his example?
Astonishing Conversion (9:1-31)
11. Previously, we read about Saul approving of the martyrdom of

Stephen (cf. 7:54-8:1). What does Saul want from the Jewish high
priest in this passage? Read Philippians 3:4-6. How was Saul
thinking of his life at this point?
12. How does God stop Saul in his tracks? What is revealed to him?
Read 2 Corinthians 4:3-6. How might Saul’s words there reflect his
own experience on the Damascus road? How can you see this in
your own conversion experience?
13. What is Ananias’ response to God’s instructions? How does his

address to Saul reveal his full obedience to Christ?
58
14. What does God reveal about his plan for Saul’s life? How will his
life display both greatness and weakness? What implications does
this have for how you should understand God’s will for your own
lives?
15. How is Paul’s post-conversion life marked by community, mission,

and persecution? Do you think this is normative for all believers?
Are any of these area lacking in your own life or church? If so,
why?
Rejoicing in God
Repentance of sin
Requests for change
or encouragement?
59
Study 8
The Twist in the Story

I think it’s probably safe to say that everyone loves a good twist in the
story. You’re reading a book and you think you know who the murder
is or what the main characters will do, and suddenly the author gives
you the literary equivalent of the judo throw and you don’t have a clue
who what’s going to happen anymore! Or perhaps you’re watching a
movie thinking you’ve got a handle on things, and suddenly the plots
twists and turns, sending the story is off in a totally different direction:
good guys turn bad, bad guys are redeemed, or the psychiatrist you
thought was alive is really dead.
In the last study we saw the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. If you
remember, Saul had been a great persecutor of the Church. With
religious zeal he hunted down and arrested, even killed many
Christians. Yet, God dramatically steps in and reverses the course of
Saul’s life. By his grace, God changes Saul into a man who no longer
despises Christ and his people, but worships Christ and loves his
people.
Now, just when we think we know where the story is going, God
changes things again. It looks like Saul is the rising star of the early
Church. Then suddenly he is gone back to Tarsus and the apostle Peter
takes center stage again. But more than a change in who’s at the front
of the growing church, God is about to change how the church itself
grows within a few short days. Now, just as God promised, the gospel
will begin to explode among the Gentiles as many come to faith in
Christ. To prepare both Peter and the church for his change, God
reveals himself in power and grace.
Acts 9:32-11:30
Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to
the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas,
bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him,
“Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And
60
immediately he rose. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him,
and they turned to the Lord.
36
Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated,
means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. 37 In those
days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid
her in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing
that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to
us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he
arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him
weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while
she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and
prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened
her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand
and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her
alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in
the Lord. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a
tanner.
10 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what
was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all
his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually
to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel
of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror
and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your
alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to
Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is lodging with one
Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke
to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier
from among those who attended him, 8 and having related everything to
them, he sent them to Joppa.
9
The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city,
Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he
became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were
preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and
something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners
upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of
the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But
Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is
common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time,
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“What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three
times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
17
Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he
had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius,
having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate 18 and called out
to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And while
Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men
are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without
hesitation, for I have sent them.” 21 And Peter went down to the men and
said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your
coming?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-
fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was
directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear
what you have to say.” 23 So he invited them in to be his guests.
The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the
brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And on the following day they
entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together
his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him
and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up,
saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went
in and found many persons gathered. 28 And he said to them, “You
yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit
anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call
any person common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without
objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”
30
And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in
my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright
clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms
have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask
for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a
tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind
enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to
hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
34
So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God
shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does
what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel,
preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you
yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from
Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus
of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing
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good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with
him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the
Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,
40
but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to
all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who
ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded
us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by
God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear
witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins
through his name.”
44
While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who
heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had
come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was
poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking
in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone
withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy
Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the
name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
11 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea
heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter
went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 “You
went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began and
explained it to them in order: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a
trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let
down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. 6 Looking
at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds
of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But
I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever
entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven,
‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ 10 This happened three
times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 11 And behold, at that very
moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me
from Caesarea. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no
distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the
man’s house. 13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his
house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he
will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your
household.’ 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on
us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he
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said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy
Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we
believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s
way?” 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified
God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that
leads to life.”
19
Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose
over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch,
speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them,
men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the
Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was
with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The
report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent
Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was
glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast
purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And
a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to
Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to
Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great
many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
27
Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28
And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that
there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the
days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to
his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so,
sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
God’s Healing Power (9:32-43)
1. According Peter, who healed Aeneas? Can we make the same

assumption about Tabitha? Why or why not?
2. What happened after both healings? Why is this to be expected?

Can we draw out any implications about God’s plan for healing
from these things?
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God’s Universal Plan (10:1-11:18)
3. Cornelius is described as a “devout man who feared God.” Notice

the two acts of piety that were a regular part of his life. This
devotion marks him out as a God-fearer—a Gentile who
worshipped the God of Israel but who had not fully converted to
Judaism. We might think that would be enough for salvation. But
why is it now not enough to be right with God (cf. Acts 4:12)?
4. Read Romans 10:9-15. Given what Paul says there, why do you
think God sends Cornelius to Peter?
5. Read Leviticus 11:2-47. Why was Peter so confused about this

vision? How does God make clear his intentions for Peter and the
Church?
6. Peter hears from God again. This time he is told that visitors are
looking for him and that he should go with them. Once Peter
arrives at Cornelius’ house, how has he understood the meaning
of the vision he had? What does he do as a result?
7. What response do we see to the preaching of the gospel? How did

God make clear this response to Peter? Why were the Jewish
believers so astonished?
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8. Read Ephesians 2:11-22. Why are these events so significant for
the Church and the history of redemption? How does this help us
understand why Peter went to Jerusalem to report on what
happened? Why does this give you hope today for our own life and
ministry?
God’s Sovereign Providence (11:19-30)
9. How do we see the evil meant against the Church become a good
meant by God?
10. In what way does God continue in Antioch what he began in

Caesarea?
11. What does Barnabas do to encourage these young Christians?

Given what we’ve seen about the priorities of the Church (Acts
2:42) and what we know about Saul (Acts 9:1-22), why do you
think Barnabas sent for Saul to come up to Antioch? What
principle can we learn from these verses about how to care for
new believers?
12. Given other descriptions of Spirit-filled Christianity that we saw

earlier (Acts 2:52-47), why should the prophecy of Agabus and the
response of the church not be surprising to us?
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Rejoicing in God
Repentance of sin
Requests for change
or encouragement?
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Study 9
God’s Enemies and the Church Triumphant

The history of the world is filled with a long list of terrible tyrants,
including those who specifically opposed the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Scripture says there will always be such leaders until Christ returns.
In Revelation 13, John is given this vision of a great beast that rises out
of the sea. That beast is supposed to represent political and civil
power that opposes God and his people; a beast that continually lives
and grows throughout all time. Just previous, in chapter 12, we see a
great dragon—that serpent who began his scheming deceits in Eden
is now seen as a great red dragon bent on the destruction of God’s
people and the glory of Christ. His rage continues.
It’s a sobering thought. In light of such opposition, it is easy for
us to take our eyes off of God and begin to focus on the all the earthly
obstacles that appear to stand in our way. It would be easy to make a
huge list of things that not only threaten our own personal growth and
maturity, but the growth of God’s church. Discouragement of such
things can set in. We can become pessimistic about the growth of the
church and the progress of the gospel. We can get to where we think
it’s enough to simply dig-in and hold the line for God.
But God wants us to see that nothing can stop his sovereign
purposes. After all what becomes of those enemies in Revelation?
They are wiped out of existence. Such divine destruction is promised
in Revelation 14 and fully realized by chapter 19. God has declared
that his church will cross this entire globe and gather in people from
all nations. Because he has decreed it will happen, and because he is
at work in the world until Christ returns, the gospel will be proclaimed
and people will believe. Despite suffering now, the Church is
victorious on the last day.
Both of these realities—suffering and sovereignty—are on
display in Acts 12. Here, Luke pauses to dwell on the wicked acts and
ultimate destruction of Herod Agrippa to remind us in graphic color
that such men are nothing compared to the all-powerful God of
heaven.
Therefore, how we live must reflect that. In light of God’s
sovereignty, we can and should live in ways that display confidence in
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him and his promise that nothing can stop his saving plan. We must
be faithful to God’s calling on our lives and trust in his sovereign
power to bless the gospel’s advance and put down threats to his
church. We must trust that promise of Christ that he would “build [his]
church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt 16:18).
Acts 12:1-25
About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged
to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and
when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also.
This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized
him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to
guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.
5
So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God
by the church.
6
Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter
was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries
before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the
Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on
the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his
hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your
sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you
and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that
what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a
vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came
to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord,
and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel
left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the
Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from
all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
12
When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of
John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together
and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a
servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in
her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was
standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But
she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!”
16
But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and
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were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he
described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And
he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed
and went to another place.
18
Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the
soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 And after Herod searched for
him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they
should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and
spent time there.
20
Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they
came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s
chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on
the king’s country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal
robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them.
22
And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”
23
Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not
give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
24
But the word of God increased and multiplied.
25
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had
completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was
Mark.
Persecution (12:1-6)
1. There are three Herods mentioned in the Bible. First, there is

Herod the Great who was in power when Jesus was born (Matt
2:1-21). Then there’s Herod Antipas. He was one of Herod the
Great’s sons. He is the Herod that Jesus calls “that fox” (Luke
13:31-35), and who ultimately becomes involved in Jesus’ trial
(Luke 23:6-12). Then there is the third Herod; the one we see in
Acts 12. He is Herod Agrippa, the nephew of Herod Antipas. He is
the governor of Judea and had to balance keeping happy the Jews
and Rome. On the one hand, he had to prevent rebellion and
uprising, and on the other, he had to ensure that things went the
way the emperor wanted. How did Herod seek to the keep the
Jews happy in the opening verses of Acts 12?
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2. Read Mark 10:35-40. How did Jesus foresee what would happen?
What does this say about the suffering of God’s people?
3. If a wicked political leader arrested and killed a leader in the

Church, how would you react if you were soon arrested as well?
What would you likely expect to happen to you? How does Peter
respond to his arrest under the same circumstances? What does
this say about how he viewed Christian suffering and God’s
sovereignty?
Prayer (12:4-17)
4. Notice what the church did while Peter was in prison. Is this a
priority for us today? Do you regularly and earnestly pray for
other believers experiencing persecution for their faith?
5. How did God answer the church’s prayers for Peter? Meditate on
the fact that James died but Peter was rescued. What can you learn
here about God’s plan for individual believers and the church?
What does this mean for how you trust God in difficulty?
6. What were the Jewish people expecting to happen to Peter? How

did this affect the Church’s prayer life? What example do they set
for us today? How should you pray in light of God’s sovereignty?
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7. How does Rhoda’s response to Peter and the church’s response to
Rhoda help show the historicity of Luke’s account? How can you
see wisdom in Peter’s speech and actions?
Preaching (12:18-24)
8. What happened when Peter was found missing? Were the actions
of Herod fruitful?
9. How did God bring judgment on Herod? Why did he bring

judgment on him?
10. What happened after Herod’s death? Luke doesn’t give us the
details, but based on what we’ve seen so far, how did this happen?
What assurance does this give you about the growth of the
church? What does this teach you about the responsibility of
believers despite suffering?
11. John Stott says, “At the beginning of the chapter, Herod is on the
rampage—arresting and persecuting church leaders; at the end he
is himself struck down and dies. The chapter opens with James
dead, Peter in prison and Herod triumphing; it closes with Herod
dead, Peter free, and the word of God triumphing. Such is the
power of God.”16 How should such power inform your daily life
and ministry?
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Rejoicing in God
Repentance of sin
Requests for change
or encouragement?
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Study 10
A Turning Point in History

Acts chapter 13 marks a crucial turning point in the narrative of the
book. But more than that, it marks a turning point in the history of the
world. John Piper says that “It is almost impossible to overstate the
historical importance of this moment in Antioch in the history of the
world.”17 What makes such an impact, not just in the Church, but for
the entire world?
Remember that just before Jesus ascends to the Father in heaven
he tells his disciples, “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). We said
that verse was basically the outline for the book of Acts. It’s a
summary of God’s plan to take the gospel from the disciples and the
Jewish nation to the very ends of the earth. So far, we’ve seen the
gospel go from Jerusalem to Judea and then to Samaria. We’ve also
seen tentative steps of gospel movement to the Gentiles as the
message of Christ reached changes the lives of an Ethiopian eunuch,
Cornelius and his household, and some Greeks in Antioch.
However, in chapter 13, something different is happening;
something bolder and more intentional. Piper goes on to explain that:
“Before this word from the Holy Spirit there seems to have been no
organized mission of the church beyond the eastern seacoast of the
Mediterranean. Before this, Paul had made no missionary journeys
westward to Asian Minor, Greece, or Rome, or Spain. Before this Paul
had not written any of his letters which were all the result of his
missionary travels beginning here.” But what happens in chapter 13
“resulted in a missions movement that would make Christianity the
dominant religion of the Roman Empire within two and a half
centuries and would yield 1.3 billion adherents of the Christian
religion today with a Christian witness in virtually every country of
the world. And 13 out of the 29 books of the New Testament were the
result of the ministry that was launched in this moment.”
That missions movement still continues to this day.
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Acts 12:25-14:28
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had
completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was
Mark.
13 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers,
Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a
lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were
worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me
Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after
fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
4
So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and
from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they
proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had
John to assist them. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far
as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet
named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of
intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the
word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his
name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
9
But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked
intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all
righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making
crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of
the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a
time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about
seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed,
when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of
the Lord.
13
Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga
in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14 but they
went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath
day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from
the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to
them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the
people, say it.” 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:
“Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people
Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the
land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for about
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forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19 And after destroying
seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an
inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them
judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God
gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty
years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their
king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse
a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ 23 Of this man’s offspring
God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before his
coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of
Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you
suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming,
the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’
26
“Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who
fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27 For those
who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him
nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every
Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. 28 And though they found in
him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed.
29
And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him
down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the
dead, 31 and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with
him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.
32
And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers,
33
this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is
written in the second Psalm,
“ ‘You are my Son,

today I have begotten you.’
34
And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, qno more to return
to corruption, he has spoken in this way,
“ ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’

35
Therefore he says also in another psalm,
“ ‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’
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36
For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation,
fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37 but he
whom God raised up did not see corruption. 38 Let it be known to you
therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is
proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from
everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.
40
Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:
41
“ ‘Look, you scoffers,
be astounded and perish;
for I am doing a work in your days,
a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’ ”
42
As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told
them the next Sabbath. 43 And after the meeting of the synagogue broke
up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and
Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the
grace of God.
44
The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of
the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with
jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him.
46
And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that
the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge
yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.
47
For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
“ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,

that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
48
And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying
the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life
believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole
region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the
leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas,
and drove them out of their district. 51 But they shook off the dust from
their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were
filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
14 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue
and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks
believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned
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their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time,
speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace,
granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the people of
the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the
apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with
their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and
fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding
country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.
8
Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He
was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul
speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to
be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he
sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had
done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come
down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul,
Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus,
whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands
to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the
apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and
rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these
things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good
news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who
made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In
past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet
he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you
rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food
and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the
people from offering sacrifice to them.
19
But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the
crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that
he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and
entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.
21
When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many
disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,
22
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue
in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the
kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every
church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom
they had believed.
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24
Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when
they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from
there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the
grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived
and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done
with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And
they remained no little time with the disciples.
Seeking God’s Face (12:25-13:3)
1. Paul and Barnabas are returning to Antioch and they bring along
a ministry partner named Mark. What was the church doing when
God directed them to send out Paul and Barnabas? Is this a normal
part of your local church experience?
2. Consider Jesus’ teaching about fasting (Matt 6:16-18). Was the

church being disobedient by fasting in ways that allowed others
to know about it? How can believers fulfil the intention of Jesus’
teaching and still fast together?
3. If prayer and fasting is about seeking God, enjoying him more than
his gifts, what lessons can we learn about the connection between
God’s blessing and direction and the church’s desire for God
himself?
Sending God’s Workers (13:4-12)
4. How important had Paul and Barnabas been to the Church in

Antioch? What does this say about the kind of people that should
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be sent out for mission work? Are there principles we can learn
from this passage about our strategies for making disciples?
5. How did Satan try to discourage or hinder this budding

missionary journey? How did God encourage his servants and
authenticate the gospel?
Speaking of God’s Grace (13:13-52)
6. Why did Paul begin his mission by preaching to his fellow Jews at
the synagogue? Why was it important for him to show from the
Scriptures that the grace of God is fulfilled in Christ?
7. What provoked some of the Jews to mock and revile Paul’s

teaching about Christ? What did they do to stir up others to
oppose him and Barnabas?
8. How did Paul react to the Jewish opposition? What comfort and
direction did Paul take from the Scriptures? Why was this an
encouragement to the Gentiles?
Suffering for God’s People (14:1-28)
9. What did some Jews do to the minds of those in the city?

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10. How did Paul and Barnabas respond? Is that surprising? Is this
your natural response to opposition?
11. Consider Paul’s basic description of his mission strategy in

Colossians 1:24-29. How does this shed light on his willingness to
endure suffering in ministry? Is this strategy intended to be
transferred and applied to all believers today? Why or why not?
12. According to Luke, why did Paul and Barnabas return home the
same way they went out on their missionary journey? What can
this help you understand about the importance of disciple-
making, leadership, and the nature of the local church?
13. So far in Acts, you’ve seen several examples of apostolic preaching.

What’s been the central message? Why do you think God inspired
Luke to record sermon after sermon that all has the same basic
message? How should this affect mission strategies and preaching
today?
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Rejoicing in God
Repentance of sin
Requests for change
or encouragement?
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Study 11
The Jerusalem Council
This chapter comes right in the middle of Acts. In many ways, it comes
in the middle of the Bible. Understanding this chapter is absolutely
crucial for understanding the nature of the gospel, how the Bible fits
together, and how we as Christians are supposed to live today. This
chapter is so important because it shows God bringing about the
progress of the gospel across ethics lines and the beginnings of a truly
global church.
In some ways, this progress has been expected. Jesus said that it
happened in Acts 1:8, which is not about geography as much as
theology. We have seen how the Gentiles had been brought into the
church one step at a time. At first there were isolated cases of saving
faith, like the conversion of the African official (Acts 8) and the Roman
centurion (Acts 10-11). Then, the Spirit of Christ began to move in
Syrian Antioch (Acts 11-12), which resulted in the first multi-ethnic
church (Acts 13:1). As a result, the church in Antioch church launched
the first strategic mission to the Gentile as it sent out Saul and
Barnabus as missionaries (Acts 13:3).
Gradually the Jewish Christians came to see the Lord’s hand in
the inclusion of the “nations” into the Church. It was widely
understood that the Gentiles were also capable of “repentance unto
life” and, thus, salvation in Christ (Acts 11:18). However, there was a
sticking point. Soon a controversy arose about how the new Gentile
converts were to be incorporated into the church. Would they have to
keep Law of Moses?
Acts 15:1-35
But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers,
“Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you
cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension
and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were
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appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this
question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through
both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the
Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they came to
Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the
elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some
believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It
is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of
Moses.”
6
The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this
matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said
to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice
among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the
gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them,
by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no
distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.
10
Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke
on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able
to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the
Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
12
And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul
as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them
among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied,
“Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the
Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the
words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
16
“ ‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
17
that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’
19
Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the
Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the
things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has
been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses
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has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath
in the synagogues.”
22
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole
church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with
Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading
men among the brothers, 23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both
the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in
Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some
persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling
your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good
to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you
with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and
Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For
it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater
burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been
sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and
from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do
well. Farewell.”
30
So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having
gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And
when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And
Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and
strengthened the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent
some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had
sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and
preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Legalistic Challenge (15:1-5)
1. Chapter 15 comes hard on the heels of the events described in the

previous chapter. Looking back to the last few verses of chapter
14, what do Paul and Barnabas declare about God’s work through
the gospel?
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2. Luke opens the chapter by stating the problem directly. What
were some men from Judea teaching? According to verse 5, these
men were Pharisees who had become disciples of Jesus. How does
the Pharisees’ reputation for caring about the Law of God help us
understand why they would be inclined to believe what they were
teaching?
3. Who argued with these men about the Gentiles? Think back to
what you’ve seen so far in Acts. Why did they have good standing
to disagree with the men from Judea who were preaching
circumcision for the Gentiles?
Divine Confirmation (15:6-18)
4. What took place because of this dissension over the Gentiles? Why
was issue important enough to require such a meeting? What was
at stake?
5. What experiences does Peter recount for the group? What

conclusion does he draw from this experience?
6. Paul and Barnabas relate their experiences again. Then James

offers his opinion. On what basis does James explain his conviction
about the matter?
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7. Think about the testimony of Peter, Paul, and Barnabas along with
the reasoning of James. What does this teach us about how we
should evaluate our experience?
Loving Community (15:19-35)
8. James says that it’s not necessary for Gentiles to convert to

Judaism in order to be saved. The Law pointed to Christ, and now
that he has come, the Law is no longer binding over the lives of
God’s people. However, there are synagogues all over the Roman
Empire, where the Law is preached weekly. Even Jews who have
become Christians will likely live according to certain parts of the
Law (especially the food laws) out of tradition. How can the
Gentiles show love for their Jewish brothers and sisters, according
to James?
9. How is James’ proposal different than that of the men from Judea?
How do we see here an enduring principle for the Church, even in
matters unrelated to the Law of Moses?
10. How did the Jewish leaders of the Church show love toward the
Gentiles? How did the believers in Antioch respond?
11. Thinking back over the entire chapter, what important lessons can
you glean about the gospel, salvation, and fellowship among God’s
people?
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Rejoicing in God
Repentance of sin
Requests for change
or encouragement?
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Study 12
The Divine Apparatus at Work for Salvation
The famous Baptist pastor from a by-gone age, C. H. Spurgeon, once

reflect in a sermon on his visit to Amsterdam. There, he said he visited
the shop of a diamond cutter. In the shop, he saw many large wheels
and lots of powerful machinery at work. He says, “I must confess that
it seemed very odd that all that great array of apparatus should be
brought to bear upon a tiny bit of crystal, which looked like a fragment
of glass. Was that diamond worth so much that a whole factory should
be set to work to cut its facets, and cause it to sparkle?”18 He says, at
least the diamond-cutter believed it was worth it.
Spurgeon continued to meditate on this and went on to say that
the great work of that diamond-cutter on such a seemingly small
object is very much like God’s work in redemption. He says,
Now, when I look abroad upon providence, it seems preposterous to
believe that kingdoms, dynasties, and great events should all be co-
operating and working together for the accomplishment of the diving
purpose in the salvation of God’s people. But they are so working. It
might have seemed preposterous, but it was not so, that these great
wheels should all be working for the cutting of a single diamond; and
it is not preposterous, however it may seem so, to say that all the
events of providence are being ordered by God to effect the salvation
of his own people, the perfecting of the precious jewels which are to
adorn the crown of Christ for ever and ever.19
What caused Spurgeon to marvel is the very jewel we find in this
study’s passage. From direct intervention in history to the broad
strokes of providence, God is working to bring individuals to faith in
Christ and begin an arm of his church where it had not been before. In
seeing this magnificent working of God, we can also see some
encouragements for us today. These encouragements will help
sustain us as we seek to be faithful to God’s call on our lives to spread
the gospel at home and around the world.
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Acts 15:36-16:40
And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the
brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see
how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called
Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had
withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the
work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated
from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,
40
but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the
brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia,
strengthening the churches.
16 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named
Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father
was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium.
3
Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circum-
cised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew
that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities,
they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been
reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5 So the
churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers
daily.
6
And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been
forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they
had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit
of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to
Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia
was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and
help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to
go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the
gospel to them.
11
So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace,
and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a
leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We
remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went
outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of
prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come
together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of
Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord
opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after
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she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you
have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.”
And she prevailed upon us.
16
As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl
who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by
fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are
servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”
18
And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly
annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of
Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
19
But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized
Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
20
And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These
men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. 21 They advocate customs
that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd
joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them
and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted
many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer
to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the
inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God,
and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great
earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And
immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were
unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were
open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the
prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm
yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed
in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he
brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they
said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your
household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who
were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and
washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
34
Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And
he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
35
But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those
men go.” 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The
magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in
peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly,
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uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into
prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come
themselves and take us out.” 38 The police reported these words to the
magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman
citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out
and asked them to leave the city. 40 So they went out of the prison and
visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged
them and departed.
Growth Despite Sin (15:36-16:5)

1. This passage opens as Paul is about to begin his second missionary
journey. What is the purpose of this trip?
2. Luke explains that Paul and Barnabas separate because of a “sharp

disagreement.” What was the disagreement about? Why was this
a legitimate concern?
3. Despite this disagreement, God was at work. What good con-

sequence came out of this separation?
4. Paul has Timothy circumcised. Just prior to this, Paul was insistent
that believers did not need to become circumcised or keep the
Law for salvation. So, why does he circumcise Timothy? Consider
how 1 Cor 9:19-21 might explain his actions.
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5. Mark had previously bailed out while on mission with Paul and
Barnabas. Paul didn’t want it happening again and Barnabas
wanted to give him another chance. So, what eventually happened
to Mark? Consider these passages:
Colossians 4:10-11
2 Timothy 4:9-11
Given these verses and the fact that he is the author of a Gospel,
what can we see about how Mark finished his life in Christ? What
encouragement can you draw from his life?
Guidance Despite Faithfulness (16:6-15)
6. What did the Holy Spirit prevent Paul from doing? If Paul was
faithfully and wisely trying to fulfill his calling, why did God direct
him elsewhere? What might this say about how we plan and view
our ministries?
7. How did God direct Paul? What might he have expected to find
when he arrived in Macedonia after such a dramatic call? What did
he find instead?
8. Luke says that Paul and their group were in the city for several
days and went out to find a place of prayer on the Sabbath. Paul
went looking for such a place because he didn’t find a synagogue
in the city. The phrase “place of prayer” is a term for a Jewish
meeting place that was established when there wasn’t enough
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men to establish a synagogue. How many men did he find at the
riverside? Given the leadership responsibilities of men in Jewish
culture, what does this say about the spiritual state of Philippi?
9. How did God encourage Paul by his time in Philippi? How was
God’s sovereign hand seen in salvation?
Glory Despite Opposition (16:16-24)
10. We’re told that Paul was “greatly annoyed” by this slave girl who
followed him and his team. How could she have hindered his
ministry?
11. How did she experience deliverance? How was the power of the
risen Christ revealed?
12. Why did the owners respond in anger toward Paul? What charge
do they bring against him and his team? What happens as a result?
Grace Despite Weakness (16:25-40)
13. Richard Wurmbrand, who suffered for his faith in a communist

prison for 14 years, once wrote that “The Communists believe that
happiness comes from material satisfaction; but alone in my cell,
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cold, hungry and in rags, I danced for joy every night.”20 Though
not dancing, Paul and Silas are praying and singing hymns, just
having been beaten and imprisoned. Does this surprise you? Is
this how you would react?
14. The jailer is awakened by God’s display of power and fears the
worst. Because of the punishment he would receive for letting the
prisoners escape, he loses all hope of life itself. How does this
despair open a door for the gospel? How did faith in Christ lead to
an immediate and obvious change in the guard?
15. How did God orchestrate legal freedom for Paul and Silas? Some
might see Paul’s response to the magistrates as less than gracious,
but it was actually driven by great wisdom. Given Christianity’s
relationship to the Roman Empire at this point, how did Paul’s
response help the entire Church?
16. Previously, Peter was imprisoned and an angel facilitated a

stealthy jailbreak (12:6-11). Here, the prison is shook and the
shackled unlocked by divine power, but Paul and Silas do not
immediately run free. What can we learn about the plan and
providence of God through this contrast of circumstances?
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Rejoicing in God
Repentance of sin
Requests for change
or encouragement?
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Study 13
It Would Be Hell to Me
When missionary Henry Martyn heard of a Muslim talking of Jesus

being at the feet of Mohammed pulling at his robes asking permission
to act, it deeply grieved him.21 The man telling him the story asked
what was wrong and Henry replied, “I could not endure existence if
Jesus was not glorified; it would be hell to me, if he were to be always
thus dishonored.”
The Muslim man was astonished at this and asked, ‘Why?’ Henry
replied, “There is no saying why you feel pain; it is feeling. It is because
I am one with Christ that I am thus dreadfully wounded.”
Those are the same kind of emotions that are running through
Paul in Acts 17. But do they run through us? It is wonderful be
passionate about missions and evangelism out of a concern to see
people saved. It’s right to want to see them experience the forgiveness
of sins that only Christ can bring. Paul shows this kind of compassion
and talks about it as a motivation for our evangelism in his letters.
But there is a deeper, more foundational motivation for sharing
Christ. We see this throughout the Bible and in Paul’s own ministry.
More than anything, the glory of God should drive our mission. As one
who had experienced the grace and mercy of God, one who had come
to understand the sweetness and the glory of Christ, it simply crushed
Paul to see that glory go to some pile of wood or statue of stone. The
sheer idolatry of sinners provoked his spirit more than anything else.
We see this as he confronts the blindness of his fellows Jews and the
raw paganism of the Gentiles.
For both groups, Paul had the same message and the motivation.
But how he approached those groups was different. When Paul spoke
with the Gentiles, he knew that they knew nothing of the Hebrew
Scriptures, nothing of the covenant promises of God, or the promised
Messiah, Jesus. Thus, he adapted his message to the audience. He
didn’t start with the promises about Christ revealed in the Scriptures.
Instead he began with God’s general revelation of himself through
nature and built on the people’s own ideas and attempts to show them
the truth about Christ.
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This doesn’t mean that Paul engaged in syncretism. Just the
opposite. He preached the same gospel to Jew and Gentile alike. But
he used wisdom on how he got there. He started with where the
people were, then challenged their beliefs with the truth. As Vaughn
Roberts explains, “Paul is not just proclaiming truth, he is also
contradicting error. He is engaged in demolition work. . . . God can’t
just squeeze in to your idolatrous way of thinking, as if you are the
creator and you squeeze God on your terms. No! He is the great
creator. He is the Lord of Heaven and Earth. We are dependent on him,
not he on us. That’s the first truth about God.”22
This is the example of the gospel ministry that Luke shows us
throughout Acts, but especially in the chapters we’ll look at in this
study. It’s an example that turns the upside down (Acts 17:6).
Acts 17:1-18:23
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came
to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went
in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them
from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the
Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I
proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and
joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a
few of the leading women. 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some
wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar,
and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.
6
And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the
brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have
turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has
received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying
that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 And the people and the city authorities
were disturbed when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken
money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
10
The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea,
and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these
Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word
with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things
were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women
of high standing as well as men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica
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learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they
came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. 14 Then the brothers
immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy
remained there. 15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as
Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to
him as soon as possible, they departed.
16
Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was
provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he
reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in
the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some
of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And
some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems
to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus
and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the
Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are
presenting? 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to
know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the
foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling
or hearing something new.
22
So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens,
I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along
and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this
inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as
unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and
everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples
made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed
anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and
everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live
on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the
boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and
perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far
from each one of us, 28 for
“ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’;
as even some of your own poets have said,
“ ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
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29
Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being
is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination
of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands
all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which
he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed;
and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
32
Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked.
But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out
from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom
also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and
others with them.
18 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew
named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife
Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome.
And he went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade he
stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 And
he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews
and Greeks.
5
When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied
with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 6 And when
they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to
them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I
will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he left there and went to the house of a man
named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the
synagogue. 8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord,
together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing
Paul believed and were baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in
a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I
am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in
this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months,
teaching the word of God among them.
12
But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united
attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is
persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 But when Paul
was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter
of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept
your complaint. 15 But since it is a matter of questions about words and
names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of
these things.” 16 And he drove them from the tribunal. 17 And they all seized
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Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the
tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.
18
After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the
brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At
Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. 19 And they came
to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the
synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay
for a longer period, he declined. 21 But on taking leave of them he said, “I
will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.
22
When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church,
and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time there, he
departed and went from one place to the next through the region of
Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
Gospel Courage (17:1-15)
1. What was Paul’s custom when entering a new town? Why was this
important for his mission? What was the good result?
2. Who opposed Paul? What were Paul and Silas accused of doing?
How was this an accurate statement, even if his opponents didn’t
fully understand why?
3. Paul was helped to escape the mob and went to the neighboring
city of Berea. What did he do there? Were the results different
from his time in Thessalonica? What might this tell us about
gospel ministry?
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4. How do the Bereans set an example for believers today? What are
some practical ways you can imitate them?
5. Later, Paul recounts this time of ministry in 1 Thess 1:1-2:12. How

do his words there better help you understand his ministry and
the circumstances under which he served?
Gospel Contextualization (17:16-34)
6. Paul enters Athens for the first time in these verses. We may be
familiar with the ruins of great architecture still found there, but
Paul sees it in all its glory. Yet, what strikes him more than
anything else? Is this how you see the world?
7. What does Paul do in the midst of rampant idolatry? What is the

response of the Greeks in that city?
8. Paul is brought to the place of public discourse and discussion of

all things religious and philosophical. Consider his message,
thinking through his explanation of:
Humanity’s understanding of God
Humanity’s relationship to God
Humanity’s response to God
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9. Note carefully when the Athenians stopped listening to Paul. Who
was Paul talking about that led them to reject his message?
Gospel Confirmation (18:1-23)
10. At this point, it’s good to reflect on where Paul has been so far. In
Philippi, Paul was able to plant a church that was growing, but he
was also beaten, jailed, and thrown out of town. In Thessalonica,
amidst reception to the gospel, opposition forced him to leave the
city by night. In Berea, people listened intently to his message and
studied the Scriptures with him. Many believed, but then the same
people who caused trouble in Thessalonica forced him to leave
again. Arriving in Athens, philosophers scoffed at his message and
cut off his speech before he could finish the good news of Christ.
Though some believed, his message was largely met with
indifference. Over a short period of time, Paul has been beaten,
jailed, mocked, and driven out of town several times. To add insult
to injury, he is without money and alone. He’s used up all that was
given to him to support his mission and he’s had to leave his
partners behind to help encourage the churches when he was
forced to leave. Not surprisingly, Paul will later say that he arrived
“in weakness and in fear and much trembling” (1 Cor 2:1-3). But
is it surprising that Paul continues on in his mission?
11. How did God use community to bring encouragement to Paul?

Consider the impact of his friendship by reading some of the last
words Paul writes before his death in 2 Tim 4:19.
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12. In what ways does God still use friendship to encourage his people
today? What does this tell you about the importance of staying
connected and open in community?
13. What “occupies” Paul in Corinth? What was the response? How
did God further encourage Paul in his ministry?
14. The Lord spoke to Paul in a vision. We might think this was a
regular occurrence for the apostles, but it seems not to have been
based on the accounts found in the New Testament. How did the
Lord’s words confirm Paul’s ministry? What specific motivation
does God give him? How does this insight affect your own
understanding of evangelism and salvation?
Rejoicing in God
Repentance of sin
Requests for change
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or encouragement?
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Study 14
The Klondike Derby

My last year in Cub Scouts before moving on to Boy Scouts was one of
my best years in scouting. What made that year so great? I was picked
to participate in the Klondike Derby. The Derby is an annual event
based on the tradition of the original Klondike Gold Rush. Each troop
was allowed a small team of scouts who would act at the dogs, pulling
a sled through a local campground in winter. Passing several stations
along a course, the team would have to complete various challenges,
earning points for their team.
What made the event so challenging and rewarding was the
necessity of teamwork. Each member of the team had to do their best,
but no one scout was sufficient for each station. Every scout had to
work together in order to complete the challenge.
Such teamwork can be seen in the apostolic approach to
ministry as well. Luke shows us partnership among the Church in the
passage we’ll look at in this study. Believers come alongside one
another for evangelism and encouragement. Here we see a picture of
God’s people working together for the gospel of Christ. Skills and
gifting are used to build up the body and advance God’s kingdom.
As you study these chapters, rejoice in what God did among
these early believers. Then, remember passages like Hebrews 10:24-
25, which says, “let us consider how to stir up one another to love and
good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some,
but encouraging one another.” How will you work together with God’s
people in your church?
Acts 18:24-20:38
Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He
was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been
instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and
taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the
baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when
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Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him
the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wished to cross to Achaia,
the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him.
When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had
believed, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the
Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
19 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed
through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some
disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you
believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy
Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into
John’s baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of
repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after
him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of
the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit
came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
7
There were about twelve men in all.
8
And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly,
reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when
some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the
Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the
disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued
for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord,
both Jews and Greeks.
11
And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so
that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried
away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out
of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to
invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying,
“I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish
high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered
them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 16 And the
man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and
overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and
wounded. 17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both
Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord
Jesus was extolled. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came,
confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had
practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the
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sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty
thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase
and prevail mightily.
21
Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through
Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been
there, I must also see Rome.” 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his
helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
23
About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way.
24
For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of
Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered
together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know
that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that
not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and
turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are
not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come
into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may
be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her
magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”
28
When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great
is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with the confusion,
and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and
Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel. 30 But
when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let
him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him
and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 Now some cried
out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most
of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd
prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander,
motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34 But
when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried
out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
35
And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of
Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is
temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from
the sky? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to
be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who
are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore
Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone,
the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges
against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled
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in the regular assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged
with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this
commotion.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the
assembly.
20 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after
encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When
he had gone through those regions and had given them much
encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and
when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail
for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean,
son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus
and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus
and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas,
6
but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and
in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.
7
On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to
break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day,
and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in
the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named
Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still
longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story
and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and
taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.”
11
And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he
conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And
they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.
13
But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take
Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land.
14
And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to
Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite
Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went
to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might
not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if
possible, on the day of Pentecost.
17
Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the
church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:
“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the
first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with
tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;
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20
how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable,
and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to
Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord
Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by
the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the
Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions
await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to
myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from
the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now,
behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about
proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to
you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink
from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention
to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you
overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own
blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among
you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise
men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
31
Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease
night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you
to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to
give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted
no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands
ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all
things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the
weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It
is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
36
And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with
them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced
Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he
had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied
him to the ship.
Teaching Disciples (18:24-19:10)
1. Look back at Acts 18:21-23. Paul is beginning his third missionary

journey. What is his intention on this trip? How is this different
from his previous trips?
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2. Apollos knew the Scriptures pointed to Jesus, but was not yet a
Christian. What was he missing?
3. Who did God use to bring Apollos to a deeper knowledge of

himself? How did their instruction have an impact on the global
church? What does this say about how everyday believers ought
to view their part in God’s plan?
4. Just as Apollos was leaving Ephesus, Paul arrived. What did he

find? How were these twelve men similar to Apollos? Review the
details of John’s ministry (Luke 1:5-25, 57-66; 3:1-22). How might
it have been possible for these people to know of Jesus but not his
full saving work through the cross and resurrection?
5. How long did Paul stay in Ephesus? Where did the believers meet
while he was there? Think through the implications of cost in
order for them to meet this way. What can you learn about the
importance of making disciples, not just converts?
Turning Idolaters (19:11-41)
6. What happened to those who tried to imitate the miracles God

performed through Paul? How does a passage like this help us
better understand demonic spirits?
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7. How did those who previously practiced magic respond to the
gospel? What difference would it have made if Paul had told them
to do this rather than them doing it on their own?
8. Why were the idol craftsmen upset with the preaching of Christ
and those who believed (i.e. “the Way”)? What does this say about
the people who began following Christ in Ephesus? Why should
this be indicative of every believer?
Training Leaders (20:1-38)
9. Notice the diverse group that is travelling with Paul and Luke.
How do these men assist Paul?
10. Who does Paul put forward as an example for the Ephesian elders
to follow?
11. Read Paul’s description of what elder ministry should look like.
What priorities do you see? What was expected in this passages?
What surprised you?
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12. Take some time to scan through Paul’s words about pastoral
ministry in 2 Timothy. How does that letter compare to what you
see here?
13. As a member of a local church, what should you expect from your
elders? How could you use this section as a prayer list for the
elders at your church?
Rejoicing in God
Repentance of sin
Requests for change
or encouragement?
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Study 15
We Died Before We Came

James Calvert was a pioneer missionary to the Fiji islands. On his way
there for the first time, the captain tried to understand this young
man. He asked him about why he was going to Fiji and what he would
do when he got there. Then he tried to persuade Calvert not to go. He
told him of the danger of the native peoples and in desperation said,
“You will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go among
those savages!”
History says that Calvert calmly replied, “We died before we
came.”23
Jesus said, “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but
whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it” (Mark
8:35). That kind of thinking seems to have found its way into Calvert’s
heart. Centuries before, it had found its way into Paul’s heart.
Though he is told that going to Jerusalem will result in suffering,
Paul is undeterred. He has a great passion to support the Church there
by delivering the collection he had taken up from various churches on
his missionary journey. He believed that this would help “maintain the
unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” among the Church’s Jewish
and Gentile believers (Eph 4:3). Paul’s love for the Christ’s people was
stronger than his fear of physical danger. Can we say the same?
Acts 21:1-26
And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight
course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 And
having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.
3
When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to
Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 And
having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And
through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When
our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and
they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside
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the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed 6 and said farewell
to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.
7
When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais,
and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. 8 On the
next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house
of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
9
He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. 10 While we were
staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
11
And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands
and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will
bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the
Gentiles.’ ” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not
to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing,
weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned
but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since
he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord
be done.”
15
After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 And some
of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of
Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.
17
When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.
18
On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders
were present. 19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that
God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they
heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how
many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed.
They are all zealous for the law, 21 and they have been told about you that
you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses,
telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our
customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have
come. 23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under
a vow; 24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their
expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there
is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself
also live in observance of the law. 25 But as for the Gentiles who have
believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain
from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has
been strangled, and from sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul took the men,
and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the
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temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and
the offering presented for each one of them.
Love Despite Suffering (21:1-14)
1. How do the believers send off Paul? What does this say about the
depth of fellowship and love shared between them?
2. Some were telling Paul “through the Spirit” not to go to Jerusalem.

Likewise, Agabus prophesied about Paul’s fate, leading others to
press him not to go. Yet, Paul previously said that he was
“constrained by the Spirit” to go to Jerusalem (20:22). Unless God
is contradicting himself, something doesn’t seem to add up right.
The most likely scenario is that those telling Paul not to go were
simply responding to the vision they were given of Paul’s
suffering. The Spirit did want Paul to go, but the disciples didn’t
want him to suffer. How can this help us understand how suffering
can fit into God’s plan for his people?
3. Consider Paul’s words in verse 13. How do we see both Paul’s love
for God and his people?
4. Paul embodies what David Platt has called giving God a “blank
check” with your life: committing to pray however, give whatever,
and go whenever and wherever God wants, no matter the cost,
believing He is your reward.24 What makes it hard for Christians
to do this? What is keeping you from imitating Paul and giving God
a blank check?
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Love Despite Sin (21:17-26)
5. This section in chapter 21 opens well. Paul arrives in Jerusalem to

share about all that God had done. How do the leaders respond to
this testimony?
6. Review the texts below in light of Paul’s travels in Acts. Consider

why Paul wanted to go to Jerusalem.
Romans 15:26
1 Corinthians 16:1-4
2 Corinthians 8-9
7. Surely, the collection for the Jerusalem Church was part of his
praise report. Yet, no mention of this appears in the passage.
Instead, what problem does James bring before Paul?
8. From what we know of Paul, are these rumors true? James tells
Paul to take care of this problem. How might James himself have
taken care of this problem?
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9. Consider the underlying issues that gave rise to the conflict
between Paul and some of the Jewish believers in Jerusalem. What
were Christ’s instructions in chapter 1? Who from Jerusalem has
been a part of fulfilling this mission? The reality is, the gospel has
been stuck in the Jerusalem Church. It’s actually been the Church
in Antioch (Gentile believers) at the forefront of gospel advance.
Consider what we’ve seen so far in Acts, especially in chapters 10,
11, and 15. Why do you think things are held up in Jerusalem? How
did this fuel the rumors about Paul?
10. At first glance, Paul’s response may seem to contradict his beliefs
about Christians and the Law of Moses. But consider how Paul
explains his ministry in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. How did love
motivate Paul to help these men fulfill their vow despite being
betrayed by the leaders of the Jerusalem Church?
11. How can love lead someone to sacrifice reputation, feelings, and
money for the sake of God’s people? Do you love the church this
much?
12. What can lead people to undermine the progress of the gospel?
How can you guard your mind and heart to prevent hindering
God’s work?
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Rejoicing in God
Repentance of sin
Requests for change
or encouragement?
119
Study 16
How Could I Blaspheme Him Now?

Nineteen hundred years ago, Polycarp the Bishop of Smyrna was
eighty-six years old and the Romans tried to get him to deny the Lord
Jesus. He refused, and before he was sent to the flames, he said, “I have
served the Savior for eighty-six years and he has never let me
down. How could I blaspheme him now?” Four hundred and fifty years
ago, young pastors who graduated from the academy in Geneva,
returned home to France where they pastored illegal, underground
Protestant churches. Some were caught and imprisoned, others faced
were killed. All the while, John Calvin—the pastor who had trained
them in Geneva—wrote letters to them, helping them to be ready to
face God with dignity and assurance for the sake of the Gospel.
Less than a decade ago, in Odessa, India, ten thousand Christians
fled from what they thought was certain death to government shelters
and forests in order to hide from attacks. The same year, a young
Somalian man named Mahmud Muhammad, who had converted from
Islam to Christianity, saw some Islamic fundamentalists come into the
village where he worked. They told the villagers there would be a
celebration that afternoon, and when the time came, Mahmud was
brought out with a sword, and his head was severed from his body.
Even today, these are the kinds of things that face God’s people;
the kind of things we can only imagine. Others of us face difficulties of
other kinds that are painful in emotional ways. Still yet, some of us
face very little that would threaten to undo us. In all of this, we need
to understand that the gospel doesn’t promise an easy life. It doesn’t
promise a pain-free life. It doesn’t promise a poverty-free life. The
gospel says because of Christ, you are right with God. And because you
are right with God, the rest of those things don’t matter nearly as much
as they used to.
More than that, Jesus said that when he left his disciples, he
didn’t leave them as orphans. He sent the Spirit to dwell in our lives
and here Paul shares his own testimony, describing the work of the
Spirit as he dwells with us. He is creating holiness, assuring us of God’s
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love, helping us in prayer, and reminding us of our future as we
struggle in a sin-stained world. In all of this, he is preparing us to cope
with all the difficulties and suffering that we will face in this world.
Christ is King over every difficulty. He will not only ensure that the
gospel will go to all nations but will also support and defend his people
until the task is complete.
Acts (21:27-23:22)
When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing
him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,
28
crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone
everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he
even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” 29 For
they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and
they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30 Then all the
city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and
dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. 31 And as
they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that
all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 He at once took soldiers and centurions
and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers,
they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him
and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was
and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing,
some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar,
he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35 And when he came to
the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence
of the crowd, 36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with
him!”
37
As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the
tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek?
38
Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led
the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” 39 Paul
replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I
beg you, permit me to speak to the people.” 40 And when he had given him
permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the
people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the
Hebrew language, saying:
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22 “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before
you.”
2
And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew
language, they became even more quiet. And he said:
3
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city,
educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law
of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4 I
persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both
men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can
bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I
journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring
them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.
6
“As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great
light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground
and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
8
And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of
Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me saw
the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to
me. 10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise,
and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for
you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that
light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into
Damascus.
12
“And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of
by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to
me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my
sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you
to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his
mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have
seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and
wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
17
“When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I
fell into a trance 18 and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of
Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’
19
And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after
another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And when the
blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by
and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’
21
And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”
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22
Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices
and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be
allowed to live.” 23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks
and flinging dust into the air, 24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into
the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out
why they were shouting against him like this. 25 But when they had
stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was
standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and
uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune
and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman
citizen.” 27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman
citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The tribune answered, “I bought this
citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” 29 So
those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately,
and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman
citizen and that he had bound him.
30
But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was
being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief
priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him
before them.
23 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived
my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high
priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the
mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you
whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and
yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by
said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know,
brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak
evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”
6
Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other
Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of
Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead
that I am on trial.” 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between
the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the
Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the
Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of
the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We
find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?”
10
And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul
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would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and
take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.
11
The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage,
for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must
testify also in Rome.”
12
When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an
oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 There were more
than forty who made this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and
elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no
food till we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore you, along with the council,
give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were
going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him
before he comes near.”
16
Now the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, so he went and
entered the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and
said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell
him.” 18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul the
prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has
something to say to you.” 19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going
aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20 And he
said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council
tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely
about him. 21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of
their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an
oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are
ready, waiting for your consent.” 22 So the tribune dismissed the young
man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these
things.”
Gracious Salvation (Acts 21:27-22:21)
1. Paul is spotted by enemies from Ephesus. What charge do they

bring against him? Is this a true or false charge?
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2. Who rescued Paul from being killed by a mob? Why was he bound
in chains?
3. What did Paul request of the tribune? Given what you know of
Paul, why do you think he wanted to speak to the people?
4. Paul says he wants to make a defense. But what he is doing? How

does he defend himself?
5. Compare Paul’s autobiographical account to Luke’s description in

chapter 9. Does Paul emphasize anything different? If so, why?
Wise Strategy (Acts 22:22-23:11)
6. To what part of Paul’s defense did the Jews object? What is their
response to what he says?
7. Roman flogging was a brutal punishment. It didn’t compare to

anything Paul has experienced up to this point. Flogging was
carried out with a leather strap into which little bits of bone and
lead would be tied. Coming down across a person’s back, it would
lacerate and even strip the flesh. Sometimes it could expose inner
organs. Not surprisingly, some died from flogging. But it was
illegal to flog a Roman citizen who had not yet been convicted of a
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crime. How does Paul use this law to his advantage? How does he
turn it into an opportunity for the gospel?
8. How does Paul show humility when he addresses the Sanhedrin?

Why was it probably difficult for him to show that kind of
humility?
9. Luke reminds us of some of the differing beliefs between the two

prominent groups that made up the Sanhedrin. How does Paul use
the group’s theological disagreement to his advantage? Why was
Paul being truthful when he said this was about the resurrection?
What encouragement does God give that Paul’s strategy will pay
off in the end?
Merciful Sovereignty (Acts 23:12-22)
10. Some of the Jews have a plot to kill Paul. What foils the plan?
11. In light of 23:11, how can we see God’s providence at work in this?
12. In what ways does a passage like this show the outworking of
others passages like Psalm 2? How can Scripture texts like this
encourage you, especially when you’re seeking to be part of God’s
plan to spread the gospel?
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Rejoicing in God
Repentance of sin
Requests for change
or encouragement?
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Study 17
Defending Christianity
Given the chance, how would you defend Christianity? How would you
give an account for the Christian church and its mission in the modern
world? How would you defend the practice of evangelism in an age
swallowed up in political correctness and pluralistic worldviews gone
mad? Some don’t even bother to try.
Back in 1982 Robert Schuller published a ministry manifesto
called Self-Esteem: The New Reformation. In that book, he argued that
the evangelical church had lost sight of the true message of the
Gospel—a message of self-esteem. Any message of sin or repentance
was to be replaced by a call for therapy and a message of self-esteem.
The old gospel wasn’t going to cut it anymore.
Was Schuller right? I think it’s telling that in 2010, the ministry
built on positive thinking had so crumbled the ministry he started
filed for bankruptcy. Two years later, the well-known symbol of that
ministry, the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, was sold
to the Catholic Church. Schuller’s gospel was not the biblical gospel.
In the passage we will look at in this study, Paul takes a very
different approach in defending Christianity. The apostle says that the
Christian message is in line with the message spoken before by the
Hebrew prophets. It’s an old message, not a new one. It’s a message,
not from men, but from God. That message is about Christ who was
crucified for the sins of his people and was raised back to life as Lord
of all things.
Nothing has changed in the last two thousand years. We read
from the same Scriptures and worship the same God. Therefore, our
message should be the same as well: salvation is in Christ alone. It’s
not in ourselves, or our self-esteem. It’s not in other religions, or social
justice. That’s why we must believe in Christ ourselves, and that’s why
we must proclaim Christ to others. In a day where the world doesn’t
tolerate such an exclusive message, what should we do? Some want to
abandon it in favor of something more palatable. But if we follow
Paul’s example, we will glory in the ancient message of Christ, which
still changes lives today.
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Acts 23:23-26:32
Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred
soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far
as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. 24 Also provide mounts for Paul
to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” 25 And he wrote a letter
to this effect:
26
“Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. 27 This
man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I
came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that
he was a Roman citizen. 28 And desiring to know the charge for which they
were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he
was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing
deserving death or imprisonment. 30 And when it was disclosed to me that
there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering
his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”
31
So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought
him by night to Antipatris. 32 And on the next day they returned to the
barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him. 33 When they had come to
Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul
also before him. 34 On reading the letter, he asked what province he was
from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give
you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be
guarded in Herod’s praetorium.
24 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some
elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their
case against Paul. 2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to
accuse him, saying:
“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight,
most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, 3 in every way
and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. 4 But, to detain you no
further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 5 For we have found
this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout
the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried
to profane the temple, but we seized him. 8 By examining him yourself you
will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse
him.”
9
The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were
so.
10
And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:
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“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I
cheerfully make my defense. 11 You can verify that it is not more than
twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 12 and they did not
find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple
or in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Neither can they prove to you what
they now bring up against me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according
to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers,
believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,
15
having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there
will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. 16 So I always take
pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. 17 Now after
several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.
18
While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without
any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— 19 they ought to be here
before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against
me. 20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found
when I stood before the council, 21 other than this one thing that I cried
out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of
the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’ ”
22
But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them
off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.”
23
Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody
but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented
from attending to his needs.
24
After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish,
and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And
as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming
judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I
get an opportunity I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he hoped that
money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and
conversed with him. 27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded
by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in
prison.
25 Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up
to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 And the chief priests and the principal men
of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, 3 asking as
a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they
were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. 4 Festus replied that Paul
was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there
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shortly. 5 “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with
me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges
against him.”
6
After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went
down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and
ordered Paul to be brought. 7 When he had arrived, the Jews who had
come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious
charges against him that they could not prove. 8 Paul argued in his defense,
“Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against
Caesar have I committed any offense.” 9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews
a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried
on these charges before me?” 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before
Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no
wrong, as you yourself know very well. 11 If then I am a wrongdoer and
have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to
escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one
can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then Festus, when he had
conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to
Caesar you shall go.”
13
Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice
arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. 14 And as they stayed there many
days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left
prisoner by Felix, 15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the
elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of
condemnation against him. 16 I answered them that it was not the custom
of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers
face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the
charge laid against him. 17 So when they came together here, I made no
delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the
man to be brought. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge
in his case of such evils as I supposed. 19 Rather they had certain points of
dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who
was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20 Being at a loss how to
investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem
and be tried there regarding them. 21 But when Paul had appealed to be
kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held
until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would
like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”
23
So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and
they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the
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prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was
brought in. 24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with
us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me,
both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.
25
But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself
appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. 26 But I have
nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought
him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after
we have examined him, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to
me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges
against him.”
26 So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”
Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:
2
“I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am
going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews,
3
especially because you are familiar with all the customs and
controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4
“My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among
my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 5 They have
known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the
strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand
here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our
fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly
worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!
8
Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?
9
“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the
name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked
up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief
priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them.
11
And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them
blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to
foreign cities.
12
“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and
commission of the chief priests. 13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a
light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those
who journeyed with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I
heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are
you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I
said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are
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persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to
you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things
in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,
17
delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am
sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to
light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive
forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in
me.’
19
“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly
vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and
throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they
should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their
repentance. 21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried
to kill me. 22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I
stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the
prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer
and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light
both to our people and to the Gentiles.”
24
And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a
loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving
you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most
excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26 For the king
knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded
that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been
done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that
you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you
persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long,
I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might
become such as I am—except for these chains.”
30
Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were
sitting with them. 31 And when they had withdrawn, they said to one
another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.”
32
And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had
not appealed to Caesar.”
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Faithful Witness (23:23-24:27)
1. How does Claudius prepare for the plan of some Jews to attack
Paul? Why is Rome’s protection of Paul as an apostle of Christ
significant?
2. Think back to the promise Christ gave Paul in 23:11. How would
that have produced confidence in him? Consider passages that
Paul goes on to write to the church like Eph 1:11 and Rom 8:28-
29. How should these verses serve to give believers confidence
and boldness in God?
3. Paul arrives safely before Felix. What case does Tertullus present
against Paul on behalf of the Jewish leadership? How does he
appeal to Felix’s vanity in the process?
4. Paul is presented as a political and religious enemy, stirring up

possible insurrections against Rome, troubling the Jews in
Jerusalem. What is his common sense defense against these
charges?
5. Luke says that Felix sent the Jews away because he had an
accurate knowledge of the Way (i.e. Christianity). What does this
say about the claims made against Paul? How did Paul use his time
with Felix for the gospel? How long did he do this? What can we
learn from his example?
134
Faithful Citizen (25:1-12)
6. Now, Luke says there was a change of leadership. History shows

that Felix had done such a terrible job, not just with Paul, but with
the administration of affairs in Judea and Palestine generally, he
has been recalled to Rome. Governor Porcius Festus is now sent
as the governor of the province. He arrives in Caesarea and is
immediately confronted with this issue regarding Paul. Why do
the religious leaders want Paul given over to their custody in
Jerusalem? What is Festus’ response?
7. What is Paul’s attitude toward Festus? Does he live up to his own

words in Romans 13:1-7?
8. How does Paul leverage the Roman legal system for the cause of
Christ? What are some ways you might be able to follow his
example today?
Faithful Defense (25:13-26:32)
9. King Agrippa II is the great-grandson of Herod the Great, the

Roman King of this region who was in power when Jesus was
born. He is making a visit to Caesarea and Festus seeks his advice
about Paul. He’s about to send Paul to Rome and there’s no case
against him! In his mind, this is just a religious disagreement. But
Festus is afraid of offending the Jews, so he doesn’t just want to
release him. What is Agrippa’s response to the situation?
135
10. In this section, Paul gives one of his longest defenses of the
Christian faith. From his statement, what is Christianity’s origins?
How does this help legitimize it in the eyes of Rome?
11. Paul makes the origins of Christianity personal by including his

conversion experience in his statement before Agrippa. What
elements can you see in his testimony that should be part of every
believer’s testimony?
12. What is Festus’ response to Paul’s defense? How does Paul

respond? Why was this a “bold” way to speak? How does Agrippa
dodge Paul’s appeal?
13. What can we learn from Agrippa’s final words to Festus? What
does this say about Paul and his desire to spread the good news of
Christ?
14. Paul’s boldness in proclaiming the gospel comes from his

confidence in God. He believes that God is sovereign, the message
is true, and that when Christ is proclaimed people will be saved.
Do you have the same kind of confidences? Do you believe the
gospel is an outdated message or the power of God for salvation?
136
Rejoicing in God
Repentance of sin
Requests for change
or encouragement?
137
Study 18
The End Is Not the End

In this final study we come to the last two chapters of Acts. It may
surprise you to see that Luke brings this book to an end in a very
undramatic way. We don’t get to see Paul before the court of Caesar.
There is no rousing closing statement or climatic event. Instead, the
last account Luke gives us looks very similar to what we have seen
throughout the entire book. And that’s the point.
Luke is giving us an account of the early Christians and the
expanding kingdom of God that is purposely left open-ended because
he doesn’t want us to think that everything stopped in the first
century. The apostles didn’t complete the great commission to the
take the gospel to all peoples and make disciples of Christ. The task is
on-going. Still today, in the 21st century, we are called to be part of
this story. Where Acts leaves off, history picks up, and even to this day,
we stand as the unwritten, ongoing 29th chapter of Acts.
In this last study, Luke gives us again a picture of God that should
engender our trust and an example of faithful Christian living that we
should imitate. He shows us the basics of what it means to live as God’s
people, under the lordship of Christ, spreading the gospel through the
power of God’s Spirit. In other words, Luke shows us the Christian life
lived as God would have us live it today.
Acts 27:1-28:31
And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul
and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named
Julius. 2 And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail
to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by
Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at
Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends
and be cared for. 4 And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the
lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. 5 And when we had
138
sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we
came to Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria
sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7 We sailed slowly for a number of
days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow
us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. 8 Coasting
along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which
was the city of Lasea.
9
Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous
because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Sirs,
I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of
the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion paid
more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul
said. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in,
the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that
somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both
southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.
13
Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had
obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close
to the shore. 14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster,
struck down from the land. 15 And when the ship was caught and could not
face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 Running under
the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure
the ship’s boat. 17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the
ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they
lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along. 18 Since we were
violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo.
19
And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their
own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no
small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.
21
Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up
among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have
set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you
to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the
ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to
whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul;
you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those
who sail with you.’ 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will
be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.”
27
When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across
the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were
139
nearing land. 28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little
farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms. 29 And
fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from
the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking
to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea
under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the
centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot
be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and
let it go.
33
As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food,
saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense
and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take
some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the
head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread,
and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to
eat. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves.
37
(We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) 38 And when they had eaten
enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.
39
Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they
noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the
ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the
same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the
foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef, they
ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the
stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the
prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion,
wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered
those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land,
44
and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all
were brought safely to land.
28 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the
island was called Malta. 2 The native people showed us unusual kindness,
for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain
and was cold. 3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them
on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
4
When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they
said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has
escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however,
shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were
140
waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had
waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed
their minds and said that he was a god.
7
Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the
chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained
us hospitably for three days. 8 It happened that the father of Publius lay
sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and
putting his hands on him healed him. 9 And when this had taken place, the
rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were
cured. 10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail,
they put on board whatever we needed.
11
After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the
island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead. 12 Putting
in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made
a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang
up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found brothers
and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to
Rome. 15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far
as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them,
Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, Paul
was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.
17
After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and
when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done
nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was
delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
18
When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because
there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the
Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no
charge to bring against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have
asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of
Israel that I am wearing this chain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have
received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers
coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire
to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know
that everywhere it is spoken against.”
23
When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his
lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to
them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about
Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And some
were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing
141
among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement:
“The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the
prophet:
26
“ ‘Go to this people, and say,
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27
For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28
Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent
to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
30
He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all
who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about
the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
Sovereign Protection (27:1–44)
1. Consider the way that Luke recounts the events of this sea voyage.
Does his writing seem to come from first-hand experience or from
an interview with someone else? How does this add to the
authenticity of the book and your confidence in it as you read?
2. Several commentators point out the experience Paul would have

gained from his many hours at sea. Together, they make the case
that Paul could have been the most experienced sea-farer on the
ship, having logged at least 3500 miles at sea.25 That being said,
the centurion ignores Paul’s initial advice; he is, after all, just a
prisoner. But when the ship encounters the storm, how do Paul’s
natural skills as a leader emerge?
142
3. What assurance does Paul give the men on the ship? How is he
able to give that guarantee to them?
4. How was Paul’s advice and assistance to those on the ship used by
God to bring about their survival?
Serving Others (28:1–10)
5. What did Paul do as soon as he came ashore? Is this what you

would expect after his experience at sea? How did Paul continue
to serve others on the island?
6. Think back to how Paul ministered to the physical needs of the

ship’s crew as well as its prisoners. Considering this and his
actions on Malta, how did his behavior bear out his words from
Philippians 2:3-8?
7. Commenting on these things, John Stott says,

“Here then are the aspects of Paul’s character which endear him
to us as an integrated Christian, who combined spirituality with
sanity, and faith with works. He believed God would keep his
promises and had the courage to say grace in the presence of
hard-bitten pagans. But his trust and godliness did not stop him
143
seeing either that the ship should not take risks with the onset of
winter, or that the sailors should not be allowed to escape, or that
the hungry crew and passengers had to eat to survive. What a
man! He was a man of God and of action, a man of the Spirit and
of common sense.”26
What kind of lessons can you learn from Paul? Where do you need
God to help you most if you are going to follow his example?
Sacrificial Community (28:11–16)
8. How did the other believers treat Paul and Luke? What would it
have cost them to do this?
9. What did God do in Paul’s life through the fellowship he had with
these other Christians?
10. Given what you’ve seen in the earlier chapters of Acts, why is the
fellowship of these Christians with Paul not surprising? Does your
church community have this same desire to serve and encourage
one another? What can you do to stir up more of the same?
Saving Grace (28:17–31)
11. What does Paul do when he arrives at Rome? Why did he do this?
How did the Jews respond to him?
144
12. On the appointed day, Paul laid out the message of the gospel from
the Old Testament Scriptures. What response does he get? How
does he interpret this response theologically? How does this help
him plan his future ministry strategies?
13. How would you summarize what you’ve seen in the book of Acts?
14. From what you’ve seen in Acts, how can you pray with:
Rejoicing in God
Repentance of sin
Requests for change
or encouragement?
145
146
Notes
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Notes
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Notes
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References
1
The Muratorian Canon.
2
D. A. Carson and Douglas J. Moo, An Introduction to the New Testament
(Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009), Kindle Location 4938.
3
Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, trans. C. F. Cruse (Grand Rapids:
Hendrickson, 1998), 3.4.7.
4
John Piper, “The Aim of Dr. Luke,” (sermon delivered on Nov 10, 1980),
accessed online at http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/ sermons/the-
aim-of-dr-luke.
5
I heard Lloyd-Jones’ biographer and one-time assistant, Iain Murray,
recount this story at a conference for pastors.
6
John Calvin, Calvin's Commentaries, Vol. 36: Acts, Part I, tr. by John King,
accessed online at http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/calvin/cc36/ cc36010.htm.
7
Francis Chan, Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy
Spirit (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2009), 16.
8
Among many other passages, see Rom 1:4; Heb 9:14; 1 Cor 2:10-11; Luke
1:35-37; Ps 139:7–10; John 12:26; 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7; and Eph 4:30.
9
David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
2009), 131.
10
Carl Lawrence, The Church in China (Bloomington: Bethany House,
1985), cited by Steven J. Cole, “How to Response to Persecution” (sermon
delivered on Dec 17, 2000), accessed online at http://www.fcfonline.org/
content/1/sermons/121700m.pdf
11
Derek Thomas, “Jumping for Joy” (sermon delivered on Jun 18, 2006),
accessed online at http://www.fpcjackson.org/resource-library/sermons/to-
the-end-of-the-earth-6-jumping-for-joy.
12
John Piper, “Be like Barnabas, Not Like Ananias” (sermon delivered on
Feb 10, 1991), accessed online at http://www.desiringgod.org/sermons/be-like-
barnabas-not-like-ananias.
13
Paul Hattaway and Brother Yun, The Heavenly Man (Oxford: Monarch
Books, 2011), 290.
14
This summary of Newton’s life complied from Al Rogers, “Amazing
Grace: The Story of John Newton” Away in Texas (July-August 1996), and “John
Newton: Reformed Slave Trader,” Christian History Magazine, accessed online at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/131christians/pastorsandpreachers/
newton.html.
15
Information on the Samaritans taken from “Notes on John 4:4,” ESV
Study Bible, online edition.
16
John Stott, The Message of Acts (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1990),
213.
151
17
John Piper, “Prayer, Fasting, and the Course of History” (sermon
delivered on Jan 1, 1995), accessed online at http://www.desiringgod.org/
sermons/prayer-fasting-and-the-course-of-history.
18
C. H. Spurgeon, “Lydia, the First European Convent” (sermon delivered
on Sept 20, 1891), accessed online at http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/
2222.htm.
19
Ibid.
20
Richard Wurmbrand, In God’s Underground (Bartlesville: Living Sacrifice
Book Company, 2004), Kindle location 726.
21
Account recorded in Constance E. Padwick, Henry Martyn: Confessor of
The Faith (London: Student Christian Movement, 1922), 265
22
Vaughan Roberts, “Athens” (sermon delivered on June 5, 2005),
accessed online at http://www.stebbes.org.uk/sites/default/files/podcasts/
050605_Vaughan_Roberts_Ever_Increasing_Circles-Acts_17-16-
34_Athens_0.mp3
23
Dennis Corle, “James Calvert: The Printer-Missionary to Fiji” (Pacific
Baptist Website) accessed online at http://www.pacificbaptist.com/
missions/james_calvert_bio.pdf.
24
David Platt, “Our Obligation to the Unreached, Part 2” (sermon delivered
on Aug 24, 2014), accessed online at http://www.radical.net/media/
series/view/2442/our-obligation-to-the-unreached-part-2.
25
Stott, Acts, 390.
26
Stott, Acts, 392.
152

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ACTS

The Bible for Life Study Guides 5

Avoiding a Cheap Imitation

The Authority of the Risen Christ

2. If God has given us Acts to serve as an example as much as history,

The Fulfillment of the Great Commission

The Centrality of the Local Church

9. Observe some of the concerns seen in the prayers of the early

Pray, Live, and Share

Requests for change

We Had Better Wait

“ ‘May his camp become desolate,

“ ‘Let another take his office.’

Power for Christ’s Mission (1:1-11)

4. When John Calvin comments on verse 6, he famously says that

Prayer for Christ’s Mission (1:12-14)

6. Glance down at verse 15 and notice how many disciples there

Provision for Christ’s Mission (1:15-26)

9. Some look at vv. 15-19 as an example of the Bible contradicting

Requests for change

The Spirit of God Remembered

“ ‘I saw the Lord always before me,

“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord,

The Glory of God’s Presence (2:1-13)

The Fulfillment of God’s Promises (2:14-36)

4. Though supernaturally speaking in foreign languages by the

7. Summarize the four-point gospel message preached by Peter.

The Grace of God’s Pardon (2:37-41)

8. What is the people’s response to Peter’s preaching? What does he

9. What assurances does Peter give them? What exhortations do the

14. Because this passage describes a Spirit-filled church, it is

Pray, Live, and Share

Requests for change

This Is To Be Your Ministry

“ ‘Why did the Gentiles rage,

Confidence in Preaching (3:1-26)

1. Chapter 3 opens with a powerful miracle of healing. According to

3. What common elements can be found in Peter’s sermon here and

Confidence in Persecution (4:1-22)

4. What effect did the apostle’s preaching have on the Jewish

5. When called to give an account of their ministry, what did Peter

6. Who prompted Peter to speak and say what he said? What

Confidence in Prayer (4:23-31)

9. In light of what happened, these Christians begin to pray together.

Which of God’s attributes drives their prayer?

What effect does this have on them and their prayer?

What serves as the basis for their prayer?

What do these believers ask for in their prayer?

What is their response to God’s answer?

Pray, Live, and Share

Requests for change

The Freedom of Authenticity

Spiritual Generosity (4:32-37)

1. Verse 32 opens with a very strong statement about the unity of

3. What specific acts of generosity by Christians enable the support

4. These verses provide a sharp contrast to what comes before.

5. Why do you think God brought such immediate and public

Spiritual Authority (5:12-21a)

6. Through the empowering of God’s Spirit, what was taking place

Pray, Live, and Share

Requests for change

Faithful Christianity Is Persecuted Christianity

Church-Serving Wisdom (6:1-7)