2016-3rd Qt. The Study of The Acts of the Apostles -ipad

Paul Sails for Rome 27 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 sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found ha 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 Fast1 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. The Storm at Sea 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 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 can

• LESSON 11 (December 18 ) • Acts 24:1 - 26:32 • Paul Makes His Defense 1. Take a moment to reflect on Paul’s description of himself and his faith in Acts 24:14 - 16. What is he communicating? 2. Luke informs us that Feli x had “a rather accurate knowledge of the Way” (24:22). What does this mean? 3. Of all the things that Paul could focus on in his opportunity before Felix, why highlight “righteousness and self - control and the coming judgment” (24:25)? 4. Is there anything we can learn from what Luke documents in Acts 24:25 - 27? 5. What can we learn about Paul from his self - description in Acts 26:4 - 5 and 26:9 - 23? Is there anything he references that you didn’t previously know? 6. “And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day ” (26:6 - 7). What does Paul mean by this reference? 7. “Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?” (26:8). Why was this a powerful question? 8. In what way had “the prophets and Moses” been pointing to the Christ all along (26:22 - 2 3)? 9. What do you make of Paul’s assertion in Acts 26:25 - 27? 10. Why do you think Luke is taking so much time and space to record these appearances of Paul before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa?

"• LESSON 22 (10) (December 11) •" "Acts 21:15-23:35 • “So You Must Testify Also in Rome”" "1. In your own words, explain the concern that James and “all the elders” in Jerusalem expressed to Paul in Acts 21:17-22." "2. Why would they propose the solution that they did in Acts 21:23-26?" "3. What led to the uproar in Jerusalem (21:27-36)?" 4 "What can we learn about Paul from his message in Acts 22:3-21? Is there anything he reveals in" "this address that you didn’t previously know?" 5 "“Up to this word they listened to him” (22:22). Why, suddenly, is the Hebrew audience unwilling" "to listen any further?" 6 "“Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” (22:25). Why was" "this a powerful question that changed the immediate course of events?" 7 "“Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day” (23:1). What does" "that statement mean, and what does it tell us about the heart of Paul?" "8. What is Paul doing in Acts 23:6?" "9. What should we make of what Luke records for us in Acts 23:11?" 10 "In what way is what we read in Acts 23:12-35 a fulfillment of the Lord’s promise in Acts 23:11? Is" "there anything we can learn about the Lord by looking at this recorded account through the lens of Acts 23:11?"

Acts 20:1–21:14 Paul in Macedonia and Greece 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 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 xTroas, 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.Eutychus Raised from the Dead7 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, hon the day of Pentecost.Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders17 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; 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,4 which he obtained with his own blood.5 29 l

ACTS LESSON 20 (8) (November 27) •Acts 18:23-19:41 • Reasoning and Persuading About the Kingdom of God 1.Using Acts 18:24-25, how would you describe Apollos in your own words? 2.“He spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John” (18:25). What does Luke want us to understand about Apollos’ grasp of the gospel? 3.If Apollos was fervent in spirit, eloquent in speech, and sincere in what he was teaching, why not just leave him alone and allow him to continue doing what he was doing uninterrupted? 4.Is there anything we can learn from Aquila and Priscilla in Acts 18:26? How can our own efforts to guide, correct, and refine the understanding of others be shaped by their approach? 5.Having carefully read Acts 19:1-7, what does Luke want us to understand about the twelve disciples Paul found in Ephesus? 6.Once again, what do we learn about the Holy Spirit, miraculous gifts, and how they were imparted in Acts 19:6? 7.What should readers ancient and modern take away from Luke’s account of the itinerant Jew is hexorcists in Acts 19:11-17? 8.Why would the new believers described in Acts 19:18-19 do what they did? 9.Why was Demetrius so concerned about Paul and his persuasive message (19:23-27)? 10.What does this riot that erupted in Ephesus teach us about the nature of the gospel?

• LESSON 7 (November 20) • Acts 17:1-18:22 • "Men Who Have Turned the World Upside Down" 1. Why would Paul contend that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead" (17:3) to Jews in Thessalonica?" 2. Paul and his companions are accused before the city authorities in Thessalonica of turning "the world upside down"" (17:6). In what ways was this an accurate description of Paul and his message? 3. The Jews in Berea are described by Luke as being "more noble than those in Thessalonica" (17:11). Why? What does "noble" mean? 4. As Paul waits in Athens, "his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols" (17:16). Why would this observation have provoked Paul? 5. Take your time with Paul's address to the Athenians in Acts 17:22-31. What can we learn from his approach? 6. What do we learn about God in Paul's address to the Athenians? 7. In Acts 18:1-4 we are introduced to Aquila and Priscilla. Where else do we hear about this husband and wife? 8. "Your blood be on your own heads!" Paul's words to the Jews in Acts 18:6 are strong. Why would he say such a thing? 9. What would the Lord's words in Acts 18:9-11 have meant to Paul? 10. As Luke's documentation of Paul's second missionary journey comes to a close, reflect on just how far Paul and his companions have traveled. What churches with which we are familiar from the rest of the New Testament have had their beginning due to the direct influence of Paul on this second missionary journey?

cts 15:36–16:40 Paul and Barnabas Separate 36 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 ta 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.Timothy Joins Paul and Silas 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 circumcised 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.The Macedonian Call 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. The Conversion of Lydia 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 4 district of Macedonia and pa 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 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. Paul and Silas in Prison 16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had ya 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 hit 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 continue

• LESSON 17 -5- (October 30) • Acts 15:1-35 After There Had Been Much Debate I. Summarize in your own words what Luke is describing in Acts 15:1-2. What's going on? What's the problem? 2. Why would Paul and Barnabas and some of the others be appointed to go up to Jerusalem (15:2)? 3. Who are these people being described in Acts 15:5? How had they come to believe what they believed, and why would Paul and Barnabas have no small dissension and debate with those who believed and taught what was being taught in Jerusalem? 4. Why was it very appropriate that Peter stand up and address the gathering (15:7)? 5. When Peter asserts that God made no distinction between us and them (15:9), what does he mean? 6. These Gentiles, according to Peter, had their hearts cleansed by faith (15:9). What is this cleansing? What role had God played? What did faith have to do with it? 7. How would you rephrase what Peter is saying in Acts 15:10 in your own words? 8. In what way was the testimony of Barnabas and Paul, as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles (15:12), a powerful witness to the truth of what Peter had just proclaimed? 9. What does James add to the discussion (15:13-21), and why is his reasoning important? 10. What do you make of the letter sent from the saints in Jerusalem to Antioch (15:22-29)?

• Lesson 16 (4) (Acts 14) • Speaking Boldly For the Lord We pick back up in this lesson with Paul and Barnabas in the midst of their first "missionary journey." We last left them in the city of Antioch in the region of Pisidia of Asia Minor. Paul and Barnabas had boldly rebuked some Jews who were intent on contradicting the message of the gospel and reviling them in the process: "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" (Acts 13:46). Luke documents the spread of the word of the Lord throughout the whole region (13:49). Having been driven out of the district of Pisidia (13:50), Paul and Barnabas now travel 90 miles southeast to Iconium. Much more than simply documenting meaningless history, Luke is recording for us the beginning of the churches of Galatia to which Paul will later write his famous letter (Gal 1:1-2). Potential and Poison in Iconium 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. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. (Acts 14:1-2)=> Luke uses strong language in Acts 14:2. How might these unbelieving Jews have stirred up and "poisoned" the minds of the Gentiles in Iconium against Paul and his companions?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. (Acts 14:3)=> Read Luke's phrasing carefully. Who does he want us to recognize as the main character of this narrative? And how is this main character "bearing witness" and "granting"? To what is Luke drawing our attention? What does he want us to understand? But the people of the city were divided; some sided with theJews and some with the apostles. When an attempt was madeby both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat the mand to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, andthere they continued to preach the gospel. (Acts 14:4-7)=> Luke describes Paul and Barnabas as "apostles" in Acts 14:4 and14:14. The designation has been used to describe someone whohad traveled with Jesus during his earthly ministry and seen him risen from the dead-specifically, one of"the Twelve" (Acts 1:21-26). If the word (apostolosc) carries the general meaning of "one who is sent," in what way were Paul and Barnabas "apostles"?

"• Lesson 15 (3) (Acts 13) • Set Apart For Me Barnabas and Saul Acts 13 represents a major turning-point in Luke's record of The was also called Paul"" (Acts""13:9), will become the central figure throughout the rest of the book. The Lord had described Saul as ""a chosen instrument of mine to""carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of""Israel"" (Acts 9:15). The time has come for Saul to be sent to the""Gentiles as an ambassador of that name. At the conclusion of Acts 12,""Barnabas and Saul had returned from Jerusalem to Antioch,""""bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark"" (1""2:25).""Antioch will be the .starting point of three great ""missionary"" journeys as Paul carries the gospel into the world of the Gentiles. Acts 13 documents the launching of that first missionary journey." "The Church at Antioch"""In a variety of ways the church at Antioch is a model worthy of study and imitation, even today.""• We noted the relief sent by disciples in Antioch to the brothers and sisters living in Judea because of a famine in Acts 11:27-30.""• Acts 13:1 tells us there were prophets and teachers in Antioch of diverse ethnicities and from various locations-Judea, northern""Africa, Cyprus, and Cilicia."* Twice in Acts 13:2-3 Luke informs us that they were fasting,"demonstrating the serious of their devotion to the worship ofthe Lord and prayer." "* While Barnabas and Saul were undoubtedly valuable assets to the church at Antioch, there was a willingness to "send them off" for the sake of spreading the gospel to others. continue see pdf attached to lesson15 (3)

• Lesson 14 (2) (Acts 11:19-12:25) •"The Hand of the Lord Was With Them" ---"Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life" (Acts 11:18) . This was the inescapable conclusion following the dramatic events in Caesarea documented in Acts 10. The Holy Spirit had fallen on Cornelius, his relatives, and close friends. Peter had commanded Gentiles to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and then given a full explanation to those who were skeptical in Jerusalem. "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?" (Acts 11:17). With the scope of God's willingness to save both Jew and Gentile now fully in view, Luke begins to highlight the church in Antioch - people who will launch the gospel deeper and deeper into the Gentile world. "The Grace of God on Display in Antioch""Remember what Luke told us at the beginning of Acts 8. Immediately following the violent stoning of Stephen:""There arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered through out the regions of Judea and Samaria... Now those who were""scattered went about preaching the word. (8:1, 4)""Now, in Acts 11:19-20, we learn just how far some have been scattered""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. 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.""=> What is Luke drawing our attention to by specifically mention in that some were ""speaking the word to no one except Jews""?""=> In your own words, what does it mean to preach ""the Lord Jesus""?" continue on pdf lesson 14 print out

"Acts 10:1–11:18""Peter and Cornelius""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 yAbout the ninth hour of the day1 he saw clearly in a vision aan 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 bhave ascended cas a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter.""6 He is lodging dwith 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.""Peter’s Vision""9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, ePeter went up fon the""housetop about gthe sixth hour2 to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into ha trance 11 and saw ithe 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; jfor I have never eaten anything that is kcommon or lunclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, m“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 nthe vision that he had seen might mean,""behold, othe 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 nthe vision, pthe Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and qaccompany them without hesitation,3 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 rGod-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by sa holy angel to send for you to come to his house and tto 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 usome of vthe 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 wfell down at his feet and xworshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, y“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 zto associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but aGod 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.”"

• LESSON 12 (September 25) • Acts 9:23-43 • Preaching Boldly in the Name of Jesus 1. ""When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill [Saul] (9:23). Why would these Jews go to such extreme lengths in their opposition against Saul? 2. Why would Saul have found it beneficial to join the disciples in Jerusalem (9:26)? 3. We find Barnabas mentioned by Luke again in Acts 9:27. Think back. Where did we last hear of Barnabas? What do we learn about Barnabas from this second account of his actions? 4. What does it mean to preach boldly in the name of the Lord (9:28)? 5. Think about Luke's summary statement in Acts 9:31-32. , In what way was the church being built up? In what way was the church walking in the fear of the Lord? In what way was the church walking in the comfort of the Holy Spirit? How do these elements contribute to the multiplication of the church? 6. What do we learn from the brief account of Aeneas' healing in Acts 9:32-35? 7. In what way could Peter say, Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you (9:34)? 8. And what about the account of Tabitha's healing in Acts 9:36-43? What do we learn? 9. Of all the healings Luke could document, what is the point of including the healing of Aeneas and Tabitha?"

"ACTS Lesson 11 Acts 9-­‐1-­‐22 ""Saul Why Are You Persecuting Me ""But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 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. (Acts 9:1-­‐2) ""1. Note Luke's description of Christianity in Acts 9:2 as ""the Way."" We will continue to run across this phrase throughout Acts (19:9,23; 24:14, 22). What does Luke intend by its use? ""2. What are the implications of the phrase, especially considering the context? "" ""Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, ""Saul, Saul, whyare you persecuting me?"" And he said, ""Who are you, Lord?"" And 'he said, ""I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting."" ,(Acts 9:3-­‐5) ""3. Place yourself in Saul's ""sandals"" at this moment. He must have immediately had some shattering realizations. What might some of them have been? "" ""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."" 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, 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."" (Acts 9:10-­‐12) ""4. Place yourself in Ananias' ""sandals"" at this moment. What might you have been thinking? "" ""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. For J will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."" (Acts 9:15-­‐16) "" 5. What does the Lord mean by referring to Saul as ""a chosen instrument""? "" 6. In what way could Saul be an especially effective ""instrument"" in, carrying the name of Jesus to others? "" 7. Why would suffering be a reality from the very beginning of Saul's conversion? "" ""Even though Saul was physically blind for three days, there were certain things he came to ""see"" very ""clearly. In your own words, how did Saul grow to realize: "" 8. Simply being a ""religious"" person was not enough? {Gal 1:13-­‐14) "" 9. Being sincere doesn't necessarily make one right? {Acts 26:9-­‐11) "" 10. Conscience doesn't always lead in the right direction? (Acts 23:1; 24:16) "" 11. He had been ignorant of God's will? (1 Tim 1:12-­‐14) "" 12. The ""chief of sinners"" could be saved? (1 Tim 1:15) "" 13. He had to change the way he was serving God? (Phil 3:2-­‐11) "" 14. The Lord could use him in powerful ways? (Act 26:15-­‐18) "" 15. What sinners must do in order to be saved? (Acts 22:14-­‐16) """"He is the Son of God."" 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?"" But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. (Acts 9:19-­‐22) "" 16. What does it say that Saul ""immediately"" proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ""He is the Son of God""? "" 17. THOUGHT QUESTION: How would Saul have gone about ""proving"" that ""Jesus was the Christ"" to the Jews ""who lived in Damascus? "

"Lesson 10 (Acts 8)""Those Who Were Scattered""Acts 5:11). The Greek equivalent is ekklesia, a compound of ek,""""out of' and kaleo, ""call."" Ekklesia is frequently used in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) to describe ""the assembly"" or ""congregation"" of Israel (Deut 18:16; 23:1-8; Psa 26:12, etc). There is no inherent religious meaning in ekklesia. In fact, Luke will use it in this same book to describe a riotous mob in Acts 19:32 and 19:41.""1. What then does Luke mean by ""the church in Jerusalem""""(Acts 8:1)? In your own words, what is the ""church"" of Christ?""2. The Greek term used by Luke that we have translated as ""preaching"" is most accurately rendered evangelizing. It literally means ""to proclaim or announce good news."" What does it mean to ""proclaim the good news of the word"" to someone?""3. Luke also describes Philip as ""proclaiming to them the Christ."" In your own words, what was Philip doing?""4. Finally, what does it say about ""those who were scattered"" by the"" great persecution against the church in Jerusalem"" that they ""went about preaching""?""5. Remember Jesus' commission in Acts 1:8-""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."" In what way are the events documented in Acts 8:4-25 revolutionary? And what must we as believers in the 21st century recognize and apply from this account?""6. Is there anything we can glean from this account as to who should be baptized?""7. Who was empowered by God to impart miraculous gifts to others and how did they do it?""8. Do we have any evidence that those who had been empowered by the apostles (Stephen or Philip, as examples) had the ability to impart miraculous gifts to others?""9. If not (and this is important), what would this naturally and logically mean once the apostles had passed away? I'm a Christian and I've sinned. What now? How do we know Simon was once in a saved condition?""10. What does Simon's example (Acts 8:9-24) teach us about Christians and sin? Is it possible for a Christian to sin and, as a result, to be in grave spiritual danger?""11. What should the erring disciple of Christ do in order to reestablish a pure heart before God?""12. How would you summarize this powerful account of salvation in your own words?""13. THOUGHT QUESTION: One of the obvious topics throughout""Acts is the response of men and women to the gospel of Jesus Christ. What have we learned from Acts 8 about how"

Lesson 9 (Acts 6:8-7:60) Stephen, Full of Grace and Power Luke has already described Stephen as "a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5). Now, in Acts 6:8, he is described as "full of grace and power." 1. What do you make of these descriptions? What does Luke want us to understand about Stephen? 2. “But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking" (Acts 6:10). The question is why? 3. What were the charges brought by these men against Stephen (Acts 6:11-14)? What did they hope to gain with these charges? And do the charges sound familiar? Who else had been falsely charged in much the same way? 4. First of all, chart below the basic flow and progression of Stephen's response. What major story lines from the Old Testament does he bring to the forefront of his audience's minds? 5. In your own words, what is Stephen's point? What connections is he seeking to make between the past and the present? 7. What does Stephen want his audience to grasp concerning the latest and most profound manifestation of the "glory" of God? Perhaps John 1:14-18 would be helpful. 8. In Acts 7:51-53, Stephen concludes his address with a number of scathing rebukes. In fact, they are rebukes with roots in the Old Testament. Take the time to go back and read these Old Testament passages. What is Stephen saying about the men on the receiving end of these rebukes? 9. What about the description of Jesus as "the Righteous One" (Isa 53:11)? What is Stephen communicating? "You always resist the Holy Spirit" (Acts 7:51). Is it possible for us to do the very same thing today? If so, in what way? How can l beguilty of this serious offense? 10. What is unusual is that Jesus is described in Acts 7: 55 as standing, not sitting. A variety of explanations have been suggested: 11. THOUGHT QUESTION What difference could remembering that wonderful truth make in your life this week

"Lesson 8 (Acts 6:1-­‐7) "" Pick Out From Among You Seven Men"" ""1. The ""disciples"" were continuing to increase in number, according to Acts 6:1. This is Luke's first use of that word iri Acts. What is a disciple and what are we implying as we describe ourselves as ""disciples of Christ""? "" ""2. Even though sinners are added as sons and daughters to the one family of God upon obedience to the gospel (Rom 6:1-­‐4; 8:11-­‐17; 2 Cor 6:14-­‐18; Gal 3:23-­‐29), physical differences, diverse cultural backgrounds, varying preferences and opinions rerp.ain as a fact of everyday Hf e. How do these things sometimes lead to tension, disagreements, oversights, and the showing of partiality among brethren, even in the twenty-­‐first century? ""3. Considering typical human nature, what might you have been tempted to do if you were one of the ""Hellenists whose widows were being neglected? ""4. And what if you were one of the Hebrews? With so many to care for, it would have been very easy to ""unintentionally overlook someone, especially if they were different from you. What if you were working as hard and sincerely as you could, yet still there were those who were complaining? What might you have been tempted to do? ""5. Interestingly, the apostles did not undertake a blame-­‐finding investigation, nor did they propose that ""Hellenist believers and Hebrew believers go their separate ways. Instead, they ""summoned the full number of the disciples"" (6:2) and immediately sought a solution to the problem. Is there anything we can learn from that? ""6. Why does it seem so very easy to allow our devotion to prayer and the word of God to slip in times of ""great busyness? ""7. Why were the apostles determined to avoid that pitfall? ""8. With busy schedules and wide-­‐ranging responsibilities of our own, what do we need to learn from the ""apostles? ""9. The apostles instructed the disciples to pick out from among themselves seven men with specific ""qualities. What do these qualities mean and why do they matter? ""A. + Men of good repute -­‐ ""B. + Full of the Spirit -­‐ ""C. + Full of wisdom – "" 10. THOUGHT QUESTION: ""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"" (Acts "" 6:7). What is the significance of that last phrase? "

"• LESSON 7 •""Acts 5:12-42 • ""We Must Obey God Rather Than Men""""1. ""None of the rest dared join them..."" (Acts 5:13a). Why might this have been? And do people still""have this reaction today?""2. Acts 5:17 tells us that ""the high priest"" and ""all who were with him (that is, the party of the""Sadducees)"" were ""filled with jealousy."" Jealousy over what?""3. What lessons can we learn from Acts 5:19-21?""4. What were the men of the Jewish council saying in Acts 5:28, in your own words?""5. The response of Peter and the rest of the apostles is very straightforward: ""We must obey God""rather than men"" (Acts 5:29). What does this mean, practically speaking? In what way must we also have the same determination?""6. In what way was Jesus ""exalted"" by God ""as Leader and Savior"" (5:31)?""7. What is the ultimate aim of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and exaltation according to Acts 5:31?""8. What does Peter want the members of this council to understand in Acts 5:32?""9. What do we learn from Gamaliel's message to the council in Acts 5:33-39?""10. ""Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer""dishonor for the name"" (Acts 5:41). What does this mean?"

"• Lesson 6 (Acts 4:32-5:11) •""Of One Heart and Soul""In Acts 4:32-5:11 our attention is briefly turned from the courageous""work of the apostles to the fruit of their labor inJerusalem that is evident in the sincere devotion of a multitude of new believers. God was powerfully at work in transforming thousands of individual lives into an extraordinary fello;wship. These new Christ-followers were united, compassionate, unselfish, and generous. They were a living testimony to the truth of Jesus' promise: ""By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one""another"" (John 13:35). Sadly, however, not all acted out of sincerity and the time quickly came for sin to be forcefully nipped in the bud. A deadly combination of greed and craving for the praise of men gave birth to sin, the swift consequences of which struck fear into the hearts of all who heard of it."". Faith Demonstrated by Works""Luke begins this section of his orderly account with a beautiful description of a�thentic unity.""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. (Acts 4:32)"". ::::> Practically speaking, what does it mean to be ""of one heart and soul""?""::::> How had this ""full number of those who believed"" been""transformed to the point of being ""one heart and soul""?""::::> Were these people a living fulfillment of Jesus' prayer in John""17:20-21? If so, in what way, and how were their lives a powerful witness to the fact that Jesus had in fact been sent by the Father?"

Acts 4:1-31 (ESV) 1 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 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.