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?

 

 

BIBLE STUDY: An Introduction to The Acts of the Apostles (Lesson 9 – Dec 3, 2024) Chs.: 23-25

 

An Introduction to The Acts of the Apostles

(Lesson 9 – Dec 3, 2024) Chs.: 23-25

 

 

CHAPTER  23

 

Vv. 1-11 Paul’s defense before the Sanhedrin.

o   The incident where Ananias the high priest has Paul struck during his trial is similar to the blow to Jesus before Annas (Jn 18:10-24)

V. 1 “I have conducted myself with a clear conscience before God to this day”

V. 3 The high priest Ananias, son of Nedebaeus (47-59 A.D).

Josephus reports that he was later assassinated in 66 A.D. at the beginning of the first revolt.

V. 5 Paul, because of his reverence for the law (Ex 22:27), withdraws his accusation of hypocrisy,  “whitewashed wall” (Mt 23:27)

V. 6 “I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees...for his belief in the resurrection of the dead, angels and spirits.

Vv. 12-35 Plot against Paul and his transfer to Caesarea but it was the Roman who protected him.

V. 13 (40 men took an oath not to eat and drink until they killed

Vv. 26-30 The letter emphasizes the fact that Paul is a Roman citizen and asserts the lack of evidence that he is guilty of a crime against the empire. The tone of the letter implies that the commander became initially involved in Paul’s case because of his Roman citizenship, but this is not an exact description of what really happened (see Acts 21:31-33; 22:25-29)

 

CHAPTER 24

 

Vv. 1-21 Paul’s trial before Felix

V. 6 “..he creates dissension among Jews all over the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the sect of the Nazoreans. He even tried to desecrate our temple...”.

        -  An early Jewish name for Christians was “Nazoreans”

- It is a parallel false charge against Jesus to Pilate: that he incites revolt,    opposes tribute to Ceasar, and claims to be king (Lk 23;2)

Vv. 10-21 Ananias employs an advocate Tertullus (v. 24:1). It is self-defense of Paul.

- He stresses the continuity between Christianity and Judaism.

- Christianity is seen as a form of Jewish worship and expectation of resurrection.

- Jewish presentation to Gentiles usually stressed judgment after death based on how one lived. Paul’s witness to Jesus’ resurrection comes under the general theme of the resurrection of the dead.

V. 17  Why he enter the Temple??? He ends the speech by saying, “After many years, I came to bring alms for my nation and offerings”. It was for the Church of Jerusalem.

Vv. 22-27  Captivity in Caesarea

Vv. 24-25 The historian Josephus says that Felix had stolen his wife Drusilla from her first husband.

- Felix, entered into an adulterous marriage with Drusilla, daughter of Herod Agrippa I. This marriage provides the background for the topics Paul speaks about and about which Felix does not want to hear because of his sexual morality.

-      It reminds us of John the Baptist’s rebuke of Herod for his adulterous marriage – Philip, Herodias, Salome’

- The first and second centuries often focused on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment (Act 24:25).

Felix knew Paul was innocent. But why did he not free Paul? Luke notes that Felix was (1) expecting a bribe; (2) he wanted to please Jews.

Paul is an example for Christians of suffering for refusing to perform an unjust practice.

 

CHAPTER 25

 

25: 1-12 Trial before Festus and appeal to the Emperor

            - Luke frequently parallels Paul’s trial with Jesus’ trial.

- Only his Gospel mentions all the following: Jesus before the crowd that captured him, the Sanhedrin, the Roman governor (Pilate) twice, and the Jewish king Herod (Lk22-23). Likewise, Paul addresses the mob that seized him, the Sanhedrin, two Roman governors (Felix and Festus), and the Jewish Herodian king Agrippa (Acts 21-16)

Vv. 9-12 Paul refuses to acknowledge that the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem has any jurisdiction over him now (v. 11). Paul uses his right as a Roman citizen to appeal his case to the jurisdiction of the Emperor {(Nero A.D. 60; (vv. 12)}. This move broke the deadlock between Roman protection custody of Paul and the plan of his enemies to kill him (v.3).

Vv. 13-27 Festus invites Agrippa to hear Paul

- King Agrippa and Bernice – brother and sister, children of Herod Agrippa I whose activities against the Jerusalem community are mentioned in Acts 12: 1-19.

- Agrippa II was a petty ruler over small areas in northern Palestine and some villages in Perea. His influence on the Jewish population of Palestine was insignificant.

- Only Luke 23:6-12 mentions Pilate inviting Herod Antipas to try Jesus.

- Members of the Herod dynasty: Agrippa II to try Paul.

         Herod the Great (Mt 2; Lk 1:5)

 

Herod the Tetrarch (=Herod Antipas) who killed John the Baptist and appeared in Jesus’ passion in Lk 23,

         Herod in Acts 12 (= Herod Agrippa I) who killed James.

        Agrippa (= Agrippa II) son of Herod from Acts 12 and judge at Paul’s hearing in Caesarea in Acts 25-26

V. 19 Pilate in Luke 23:15, 22 declared the innocence of Jesus. So also Festus and many others asserted Paul’s innocence. Festus considered charges against him were mere intra-Jewish squabbles, “about a certain Jesus who had died but whom Paul claimed was alive”. 

 

 

 

A BRIEF REVIEW (Acts.  Chs. 23 – 25)

 

1.  What did the Sadducees believe that the Pharisees did not? Acts 23:7-8

      Pharisees: Resurrection. Angels, Spirits. Sadducees….

2.  How many Jews took the vow against Paul? Acts 23:12

3.  What was the plot? Acts 23:15

4.  Who helped Paul and what did the commander tell him? Acts 23:15; 23:22

5.  What were the charges brought to Felix?  Acts 24:5

6.  What did Paul preach to Felix? Acts 24:25

7.  Why would Felix send for Paul again? Acts 24:26

8.  What did Festus decide about Paul? Acts 25:7

9.  What is said in Acts 25:9-12

10. An early Jewish name for Christians was ……

11.  Why was Paul in Jerusalem Temple? Acts 24:17   

12. How does Luke compare Felix and Herod   Acts 24:24-25

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

BIBLE STUDY: An Introduction to The Acts of the Apostles (Lesson 8 – November 19, 2024) Chs.: 20 - 22

 

An Introduction to The Acts of the Apostles

(Lesson 8 – November 19, 2024) Chs.: 20 - 22

 

CHAPTER 20

 

V. 2: He provided many words of encouragement.

 

V. 10:  As Jesus so - the action of Paul in throwing himself upon the dead boy recalls that of Elijah in 1 kgs 17:21 where the son of the widow of Zarephath is revived and that of Elisha in 2 Kgs 4:34 where the Shunamite woman’s son is restored to life.

 

Vv. 17-38: Farewell address to the Ephesian elders. Luke gives us two farewell speeches – Jesus’ at the     Last Supper in Luke 22:15-38 “Do it in remembrance of me - Paul’s in Acts 20:17-38 how a Bishop or presbyter should be. This might be his time of gathering information.

Elements in Paul’s farewell speech in Acts 20:

1.     He summons the elders.

2.     Points to his mission and example.

3.      Testifies he did not fail in his duty.

4.     4. It alludes to his imminent death.

5.     Exhorts them regarding future problems.

6.      6 prophesy and false teachers after his death.

7.     Bless his followers.

8.     8. Prays with them, and

9.      9. Exchanges farewell gestures.

 

Vv. 25-34: The predictions of Paul: you “will never see my face again…keep watch over yourself and the whole flock…. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you…..from your group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them. So be vigilant……

 

V. 35: Keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”.

V.  36: He knelt and prayed.

 

Vv.  4-5: Further voyages to Caesarea in Palestine. The Christians in Tyre gave him prophetic warnings against going to Jerusalem.

 

 

 

CHAPTER  21

 

Vv. 8-10: Philip was one of the Seven scattered by Paul and other persecutors when Stephen died. Acts 21 calls him “the evangelist.” Philip had four virgin daughters who were prophets. Luke probably mentions them to illustrate the fulfillment of the Joel 3 prophecy quoted in Acts 2, that “your sons and daughters” shall prophesy.

 

Vv. 10ff: Agabus, the Jewish Christian Prophet from Judea (Acts 11:28 predicted famine in the time of Claudius was emperor), performed a prophetic sign of binding Paul’s feet and hands, as Jeremiah had worn a wooden yoke to illustrate the slavery he was prophesying (Jer 27:1-15; Is 20:2; Ez 4:1; Jer 13:1). Agabus’ binding of Paul illustrates his prophecy of Paul’s arrest.

 

Vv.  17-26: The leaders of the Jewish Christians of Jerusalem inform Paul that the Jews there believe he has encouraged the Jews of the diaspora to abandon the Mosaic Law. According to Acts, Paul had no objection to the retention of the law by the Jewish Christians of Jerusalem and left the Jews of the diaspora who accepted Christianity frees to follow the same practice.

 

Vv.  23-26: The community suggested to Paul that on behalf of four members of the Jerusalem community, make the customary payment for the sacrifices offered at the termination of the Nazirite vow (Num 6:1-24) to impress favorably the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem with his high regard for the Mosaic law. Since Paul himself had once made this vow (Acts 18:18) his respect for the law would be on public record. The fulfillment of Nazirite vow – Num 6: 14-15.

 

V. 25: Paul is informed about the apostolic decree, seemingly for the first time (15:13-35) – Decree was suggested by James. According to this decree, nothing is imposed upon Gentile Christians in respect to Mosaic law. Whereas the decree instructs Gentile Christians of mixed communities to abstain from meats sacrificed to idols and from blood-meats and to avoid marriage within forbidden degrees of consanguinity and affinity (Lev 18) all of which practices were especially abhorrent to Jews. Luke seems to have telescoped. Luke shows that Paul did not turn Christian Jews away from what they had taken on as Jews.

 

Did Paul tell non-Jews that they did not have to follow Jewish laws???

 

James distinguished between the obligations of Jewish and non-Jewish Christians, the four stipulations from Acts 15:20 and 15:29 recall the obligations of Gentile Christians who share community and meals with Jewish Christians.  For the ritual itself, compare 18:18 and the remarks there – At Cwncheae he had a haircut.

 

V. 33:  The cohort commander = literally, “the leader of a thousand in a cohort – usually led six hundred soldiers but the number varies.

 

Vv.  27:40: Jewish rioting against Paul in the Temple – Paul’s arrest.

Jews and Christians had surprising mobility in the first century. Roman peace (Law and order) made that possible. The charge of profaning the temple stirred up a riot among the Jerusalem Jews. Luke shows that the Jewish mob would have killed Paul if the Roman army had not intervened.

 

The mob’s cry, “away with him” (or kill him), is the same as the cry against Jesus when Pilate held him (Lk 23:18).

 

CHAPTER 21

 

             Acts 21:37 and 21:40-22:2: show that Paul was fluent both in Greek, the international language, and in Hebrew, the related Aramaic then spoken in Palestine. Luke may be combining several uprisings in this account, but his main is clear: Roman officials recognized that Paul and the Christians did not rebel against Rome.

 

 

 

A BRIEF REVIEW (Chs. 20 – 22)

1.     What is the difference between the terms “breaking of Bread” in 20:7 and 20:11(see Acts 2:42-46)

 One is the Lord’s Supper in worship (20:7; 2:42) second is a common meal (20:11; 2:46)

2.     What is the name of the young man that Paul raised him from death? (20:9)

3.     How did the Holy Spirit tell Paul he would be bound at Jerusalem (21:10-11)

4.     What was the problem that James was concerned about Paul? (21:20-25)

5.     Thousands of Jews believed that he taught anti-Moses, not to be circumcised, nor to keep customs??

6.     What did Paul do to convince Jews? (21:26)

7.     Who rescued Paul from being beaten? (21:3      1-40)

8.     How did Paul use his Roman Citizenship? (22:25-29)

9.     Who was the teacher of Paul? (22:3)

10.  Where Paul's nephew, his sister's son, is mentioned in Acts? (23:16)

11.  Did Paul preach anti-Mosaic Law, and why did he do it? (21:17-26)

12.  What do we learn from 23:21B???