Bible Reading Notes: Acts 23-24 Bible Reading Notes: Acts 23-24

Bible Reading Notes: Acts 23-24 Bible Reading Notes: Acts 23-24 The following night the LORD stood near Paul and said, The following night the LORD stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (Acts 23:11) (Acts 23:11) As you read these chapters, look for parallels between As you read these chapters, look for parallels between the end of Paul's life and the final days of Jesus before His the end of Paul's life and the final days of Jesus before His crucifixion. What is God's final purpose for Paul's life? crucifixion. What is God's final purpose for Paul's life? How does God accomplish his purposes in Paul? How does God accomplish his purposes in Paul? Acts 23:1-10 Paul before the Sanhedrin. Acts 23:1-10 Paul before the Sanhedrin. How does Paul effectively divide and confuse the How does Paul effectively divide and confuse the Sanhedrin? What does Paul say is the reason that he is Sanhedrin? What does Paul say is the reason that he is on trial? on trial? Acts 23:11 – 34 The Plot to Kill Paul Acts 23:11 – 34 The Plot to Kill Paul How does God prevent Paul's assassination? What is How does God prevent Paul's assassination? What is God's purpose for Paul? (Notice also how Paul's story is God's purpose for Paul? (Notice also how Paul's story is linked to the story line of the book of Acts. Reread Acts linked to the story line of the book of Acts. Reread Acts 1:8.) Take a close look at Claudius Lysias' letter to Felix. 1:8.) Take a close look at Claudius Lysias' letter to Felix. Was he entirely truthful? Compare his version of events Was he entirely truthful? Compare his version of events to Luke's in Acts 22:22-29. to Luke's in Acts 22:22-29. Acts 24 Paul in Caesarea Acts 24 Paul in Caesarea What charges does the High Priest bring against Paul? What charges does the High Priest bring against Paul? How does Paul defend himself? What beliefs does Paul How does Paul defend himself? What beliefs does Paul have in common with the Pharisees? What is one major have in common with the Pharisees? What is one major difference between Paul and the Pharisees? What difference between Paul and the Pharisees? What preaching opportunities does God provide for Paul? preaching opportunities does God provide for Paul? What themes does Paul preach on? Does the themes What themes does Paul preach on? Does the themes surprise you? Why do you think Paul picked those surprise you? Why do you think Paul picked those themes? themes?.

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The Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study - Acts 23
The Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study - Acts 23 Acts 21-28 encompass several years, covering a long period of time in which Paul is always in captivity. Chapters 21-23 tell the first episode in this period, where Paul’s life is threatened three times. Paul has returned to Jerusalem, where so long ago (back in ch 8) he launched his persecution again Christians. Paul’s presence in the temple causes an angry mob to seize him, bringing Roman soldiers to keep the peace, and thus saving him. When the soldiers learn that Paul is a Roman citizen, this allows him a favored status. Allowed to speak to the Jews, in ch 22 Paul offers his defense. After his speech, the Roman tribune in charge wants to understand more about these charges leveled against Paul by the Jews. He orders Paul to speak before Jerusalem’s high-ranking Jewish leaders (sometimes referred to by the Greek word for council, Sanhedrin.) Ch 23 tells of this next encounter. (Hint: it won’t end well.) Let’s read ch 23 in three sections, answering questions after reading each section. Acts 23: 1-11 Read all of Paul’s speech before this gathered body of Jewish leaders. 1. Speaking truth to power is dangerous and can result in injury. Paul starts with a statement about his long-standing faithfulness to the God of Israel. This results in an order by the high priest, Ananias, for Paul to be struck on the mouth. This is the third person named Ananias we encounter in Acts - all 3 are different persons, and the first time we encounter this one.
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The Church in Rome in the First Century
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CHAPTER 2 the CHURCH in the FIRST CENTURY Political
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