BIBLE STUDY: An Introduction to The Acts of the Apostles (Lesson 10 – Dec 17, 2024) Chs.: 26-28

 

An Introduction to The Acts of the Apostles

(Lesson 10 – Dec 17, 2024) Chs.: 26-28

 

CHAPTER 26

Vv. 2-23: The story of his conversion is recounted three times (9:15; 22:14-15; 26:12-   18). Instead of mentioning his blindness in 9:8-9 and 22:11, the speech describes his mission as opening eyes and bringing others from darkness to light

Vv. 2-3 Paul’s final defense speech to King Agrippa.

V. 5:  lived his life as a Pharisee

Vv. 7-8: No reason to be accused by Jews – hope in the resurrection of the dead.

V.v 9-11: strict follower of Jewish law, persecutor of Christians.

Vv.12-18: An elaborative explanation of his dialogue with God.

Vv.19-22: Calling attention of King Agrippa for his defense in trial.

Vv. 22-23: His joy in bringing good news to the Gentiles and witness to the Messiah.

V. 24: Reaction of Faustus – “You are mad”

Vv 25-26, 29: Reply of Paul – boldness – persuading them to become Christians

V 32: “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar” – no legal action was found.

 

CHAPTER 27

Vv. 1-2: Paul was handed over to Julius of the Cohort Augusta as a prisoner to Rome

Vv. 1-28: Luke shows how Paul was accommodative with others on the sail. His prophetic influence saved the lives of all on board.

V. 21: He encouraged them in the time of the shipwreck and sure of reaching Caesar.

V. 34: he urged them to eat and be healthy.

V. “Not a hair of the head of any of you will be lost” (= Lk 12:7; 21:18)

V.35: “he took bread …..the words recall the traditional language of the celebration of the Eucharist (see Lk 22:19)

V. 42: The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners, but Centurion wanted to save Paul.

Until the plan of God is fulfilled in you, nothing will harm you

 

CHAPTER 28

V. 4: Justice: in Greek mythology, the pursuing goddess of vengeance and justice – thought he was a prisoner.

Vv 8-9: Paul heals the father of Publius – the same method used in the missions

V. 16: Paul’s arrival in Rome. The programmatic spread of the word of the Lord to “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8) is accomplished.

    - He was under house arrest but allowed to proclaim the word in the city.

Vv. 20: “The hope of Israel” (Acts 23:6) – Luke identifies this hope as hope in the resurrection of the dead.

Vv 25-28: Paul’s final words reflect a major concern of Luke’s writings: how the salvation promised in the OT, accomplished by Jesus, offered first to Israel (Acts 13:26), has been offered to Gentiles because of their rejection.

Vv.30-31: Although the ending of Acts may seem to be abrupt, Luke has now completed his story with the establishment of Paul and the proclamation of Christianity in Rome (Acts 1:8)

 

(A) The Three Missionary Journeys of Paul

o   First missionary journey: Acts 13–14 Paul traveled through Cyprus, Asia Minor, and Iconium.

o   Second missionary journey: Acts 15:36–18:22 Paul traveled through Phrygia, Galatia, Macedonia, and more. He ministered in Athens, Philippi, Thessalonica, and Corinth. Paul and Silas traveled by land, while Barnabas and John Mark sailed to Cyprus.

o   Third missionary journey: Acts 18:23–21:14 Paul traveled through Ephesus, Macedonia, Greece, and Troas. This journey was similar to his second but in reverse order. Paul revisited the churches he and Barnabas had planted during his first journey.

o   The purpose of Paul's journeys was to establish churches and encourage Jesus' followers.

 

(B) Four Significant Apologetics in The Book of Acts: Paul delivers several apologetic speeches.

o   Acts 17: On the Areopagus in Athens

o   Acts 22: His testimony on the steps of the Antonia Fortress

o   Acts 24: Defense before Felix

o   Acts 26: Defense before King Agrippa II

 

o   Key Points about Paul's Apologetics in Acts:

o   Diverse audiences: Paul defends his faith to Jews, Gentiles, and even Roman authorities, adapting his arguments to each group.

o   Focus on Jesus' resurrection:

o   A central theme in Paul's apologetics is the resurrection of Jesus as proof of his divinity.

o   Reasoning and logic: appeals to scripture to support his claims

 

A BRIEF REVIEW

1.     Was Luke present when Paul traveled to Rome? (27: 1, 37; 28:2; 28:7; 28:10; 18:14 but ends with the third person singular “He” in reported speech -vv. 30,31)

2.     How many were saved on the ship by Paul’s encouragement? (27:37)

3.     How does the eating of bread symbolize that it gives strength? Eucharist.

4.     Was the Church in Rome founded by Paul? (Acts 28:14-16). Then who founded a community in Rome?

5.     Were the churches predominantly Jewish or Gentiles in the time of Luke?