Understanding the Book of Acts
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Acts Chapter 25
Acts Chapter 25 Verses 25:1-12: Paul’s fourth of 6 defenses (22:1-21: 22:30-23:10; 24:10-21; 26:1-29; 28:17-29). Acts 25:1 "Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem." “After three days … from Caesarea to Jerusalem”: To acquaint himself with the situation in his new province. We saw in the last lesson that Paul had been imprisoned two years in Caesarea by Felix. Now Festus has come to power. (In verse 1 above), we see Festus going up to Jerusalem. Festus had something to prove, being newly in office. Acts 25:2 "Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him," We see that the Jew's hatred for Paul had not diminished at all these two years. The Jews (God's chosen people) who actually had been given the law and knowledge of God seemed to know less about the Lord than the unlearned. They lost no time in going to Festus and asking for Paul. Acts 25:3 "And desired favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him." “Laying wait”: A second ambush plot. This time however, the members of the Sanhedrin were not accomplices (23:14-15), but the plotters. These Jews were trying to trick Festus into sending for Paul. They would lay wait for him and murder him. Acts 25:4 "But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly [thither]." “Festus” (see note on 24:27). -
Michigan Bible School “The
MICHIGAN BIBLE SCHOOL August – December 2005 Revised November 2008 “THE BOOK OF ACTS” Instructor: Charles Coats 4514 Grand River East Webberville, MI 48892 E-Mail: [email protected] 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview ……………………………………………………………............. 3 Acts 1 & 2 ……………………………………………………………………. 6 Acts 3-5 ……………………………………………………………………. 10 Acts 6,7 ……………………………………………………………………. 14 Acts 8,9 ……………………………………………………………………. 18 Acts 10-12 ……………………………………………………………………. 24 Acts 13:1 – 15:35 ……………………………………………………………. 28 Acts 15:36 – 18:22 ……………………………………………………………. 32 Acts 18:23 – 21:30 ……………………………………………………………. 36 Acts 21:31 – 26:32 …………………………………………………………….. 40 Acts 27:1 – 28:31 …………………………………………………………….. 43 Book of Acts Chapter by Chapter ……………………………………………. 45 Growth of the church …………………………………………………….. 46 Salvation ……………………………………………………………………... 49 They turned the world upside down ………………………………………………55 The “problem” of handmaids and concubines ………………………………58 2 I. AN OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK OF ACTS a. This book begins with the ascension of Jesus and his instructions for the apostles to go into Jerusalem and to wait from the power on high (Acts 1:4,5). b. It continues by showing us the establishment of the church and the subsequent spread of the church (From Acts 2 on). c. The book gives us the early persecution against the church and depicts for us the boldness of the early church (cf. Acts 4:29). d. We find in this book the first Gentile to be converted and the taking of the gospel into Asia Minor and Europe, as well as some of the islands of the Mediterranean. e. Acts 2 is sometimes referred to as the “hub of the Bible”. Everything prior to Acts 2 points to the coming establishment of the church. Everything after Acts 2 points back to the establishment of the church. -
Just a Small Boy? Acts 23:11-13 Acts 23:16-24
lesser-known but significant servants 19 Acts 23:11-13 Acts 23:16-24 23:11 And the night following the Lord 23:16 And when Paul’s sister’s son stood by him, and said, Be of good heard of their lying in wait [to kill Paul], cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of he went and entered into the castle, and me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear wit- told Paul. 23:17 Then Paul called one of ness also at Rome. the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: 23:12 And when it was day, certain of for he hath a certain thing to tell him. the Jews banded together, and bound 23:18 So he took him, and brought him themselves under a curse, saying that to the chief captain, and said, Paul the they would neither eat nor drink till they prisoner called me unto him, and prayed had killed Paul. 23:13 And they were me to bring this young man unto thee, more than forty which had made this who hath something to say unto thee. conspiracy. 23:19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside pri- vately, and asked him, What is that thou just a small boy? hast to tell me? 23:20 And he said, The Paul’s unnamed nephew helped save Jews have agreed to desire thee that the apostle’s life, but why did Luke re- thou wouldest bring down Paul to mor- port the incident in such great detail? It row into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more could have been a lot shorter, reading perfectly. -
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. -
Paul's Trial Before Felix
PAUL’S TRIAL BEFORE FELIX Acts 24:1-27 STRUCTURE Key-persons: Paul, Governor Felix, and Jewish leaders from Jerusalem Key-location: Caesarea Key-repetitions: • Accusations against Paul: was a troublemaker (Ac 24:5); stirred up riots among the Jews everywhere (Ac 24:5); was a ringleader of the Nazarene sect (Ac 24:5); tried to desecrate the temple (Ac 24:6). • Paul confessed: went to Jerusalem to worship (Ac 24:11); worshiped God as a follower of the Way (Ac 24:14); believed the Mosaic Law and the prophets (Ac 24:14); believed there would be a resurrection (Ac 24:15); strived to do right (Ac 24:16). • Paul denied: arguing at the temple Ac 24:12); stirring up conflict in the synagogues or the city Ac 24:12); being involved in any disturbance (Ac 24:18). • Injustice against Paul: falsely accused by the Jewish leaders (Ac 24:4-9); Governor Felix left Paul in prison to please the Jews (Ac 24:27). Key-attitudes: • Jewish leaders’ hatred for Paul. • Paul’s confidence in God. • Governor Felix’s inconsistency. Initial-situation: Paul finished his third missionary journey by traveling to Jerusalem. Jews from Asia falsely accused Paul of bringing non-Jews into the temple courtyard. A mob seized Paul and beat him. The Roman commander arrested Paul while the crowd kept shouting, “Kill him!” The day after Paul was arrested, the Roman commander ordered the Sanhedrin Jewish Council to assemble and explain why Paul was being accused. The Sanhedrin Council meeting became violent. The commander ordered his soldiers to take Paul away by force and bring him into the barracks. -
Paul & Philippians Intermediate Kids Camp Workbook 2016
The Journeys of Paul and his letter to the Philippians “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” Christadelphian Kids Camp, California 2016 Intermediate Workbook name______________________ parent signature______________________ This section reserved for your counselors who will be reviewing and marking your work. Overall Comments: ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ☐Bible Marking Completed ☐Project Completed The following questions were not completed or need more work. Please finish them, and return to your counselor. " Let your teacher or counselor know if you need help. Question # Comments Done !a Before You Begin… Plan: Use this chart to set your goals and track your progress. You should be able to complete the workbook with • time to spare by working on it just a bit each day. Dates Goal Actual Don’t wait till the last minute to start. You may not get it done in time, and you definitely won’t get as much out -
1 Acts 24:1-27, No. 49
1 Acts 24:1-27, No. 49 “Making the Case” October 16, 2019 The Rev. Dr. Robert S. Rayburn Paul has been taken from Jerusalem to Caesarea for his own safety and for the adjudication of charges made against him by the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem. Text Comment v.2 Isn’t it amazing how similar that world was to ours today? The Jews came to present their charges, but they needed a lawyer to conduct their case. It was the lawyer who did the talking. In the terms we would use today, Tertullus opened for the prosecution. v.3 Lawyers weren’t then, as they are aren’t now, above telling an outright lie in court if it would help their case. The fact was that Jewish/Roman relations had deteriorated during Felix’ governorship, few Jews would have said that he had been a reformer of any kind, and whatever was in the Jewish mind toward Felix it wasn’t gratitude. They despised the man. But in Roman court procedure this opening was commonplace, so commonplace, it had a name, the captatio benevolentiae, an endeavor to secure the judge’s good will. [Peterson, 631n] v.5 “Nazarene” was a term invented by the enemies of the Christian faith to describe the Christians. That Jesus had hailed from Nazareth was common knowledge and the insignificance of the town is what they wished to attach to the reputation of both Jesus and his followers. In other words, “Nazarene” was a slur. What is interesting in Tertullus’ opening gambit is the confirmation it provides for the fact that the Jews in Jerusalem were well aware of how influential Paul had been throughout the diaspora. -
FROM PENTECOST to PRISON Or the Acts of the Apostles
FROM PENTECOST TO PRISON or The Acts of the Apostles Charles H. Welch 2 FROM PENTECOST TO PRISON or The Acts of the Apostles by Charles H. Welch Author of Dispensational Truth The Apostle of the Reconciliation The Testimony of the Lord's Prisoner Parable, Miracle, and Sign The Form of Sound Words Just and the Justifier In Heavenly Places etc. THE BEREAN PUBLISHING TRUST 52A WILSON STREET LONDON EC2A 2ER First published as a series of 59 articles in The Berean Expositor Vols. 24 to 33 (1934 to 1945) Published as a book 1956 Reset and reprinted 1996 ISBN 0 85156 173 X Ó THE BEREAN PUBLISHING TRUST 3 Received Text (Textus Receptus) This is the Greek New Testament from which the Authorized Version of the Bible was prepared. Comments in this work on The Acts of the Apostles are made with this version in mind. CONTENTS Chapter Page 1 THE BOOK AS A WHOLE............................................................... 6 2 THE FORMER TREATISE The Gentile in the Gospel of Luke ........................................ 8 3 LUKE 24 AND ACTS 1:1-14........................................................ 12 4 RESTORATION The Lord’s own teaching concerning the restoration of the kingdom to Israel .......................................................... 16 The question of Acts 1:6. Was it right?............................... 19 The O.T. teaching concerning the restoration of the kingdom to Israel .......................................................... 19 5 THE HOPE OF THE ACTS AND EPISTLES OF THE PERIOD................ 20 Further teaching concerning the hope of Israel in Acts 1:6-14............................................................... 22 6 THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE ACTS AND ITS WITNESS Jerusalem - Antioch - Rome................................................ 26 7 RESTORATION, RECONCILIATION, REJECTION The three R’s..................................................................... -
Chronology of the Life of St. Paul 1
Chronology of the Life of St. Paul 1. PAUL’S EARLY LIFE - 36-45 A.D. A. EARLY TRAINING 1. Ancestry and youth - Phil 3:4-6 2. Education - Acts 22:3 B. SAUL THE PERSECUTOR 1. Stephen]s death - Acts 7:57,58 2. General persecutions - Acts 8:3 C. PAUL’S CONVERSION, 36 A.D. 1. On the road to Damascus - Acts 9:1-9 2. Paul and Anasias - Acts 9:10-16 D. DAMASCUS AND ARABIA 37-39 A.D. 1. Paul preaches in the synagogues of Damascus. - Acts 9:17-22 2. Paul in Arabis. His return to Damascus and flight to Jerusalem - Gal. 1:15- 18 E. JERUSALEM 1. Paul]s first visit to Jerusalem to see Peter. He is warned in a vision to depart - Gal. 1:17-20 F. CAESAREA, TARSUS, SYRIA AND CILICIA 1. Paul leaves Jerusalem for Caesarea and Tarsus. He preaches in the regions of Syria and Cilicia, 39-43 A.D. , 4 or 5 years - Gal. 1:21-24 G. TARSUS AND ANTIOCH 1. Paul’s visions - 2 Cor. 12:1-4 2. A year in Antioch with Barbanas, 46A.D - Acts 11:19-26 H. JERUSALEM AND ANTIOCH 1. Paul’s second visit to Jerusalem, with alms - Acts 11:27-30 2. Paul and Barbanas return to Antioch, 47-48 A.D - Acts 12:25 2. PAUL’S FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY AND FURLOUGH-48 49 A.D. A. ANTIOCH IN SYRIA 1. Paul and Barbanas preach in the synagogue Acts 19:1-3 B. SELEUCIA AND CYPRESS 1. -
A:Cts of the Apostles (Revised Version)
THE SCHOOL AND COLLEGE EDITION. A:CTS OF THE APOSTLES (REVISED VERSION) (CHAPTERS I.-XVI.) WITH BY THK REV. F. MARSHALL, M.A., (Lau Ezhibition,r of St, John's College, Camb,idge)• Recto, of Mileham, formerly Principal of the Training College, Ca11narthffl. and la1ely Head- Master of Almondbury Grammar School, First Edition 1920. Ten Impressions to 1932. Jonb.on: GEORGE GILL & SONS, Ln., MINERVA HOUSE, PATERNOSTER SQUARE, E.C.4. MAP TO ILLUSTRATE THE ACTS OPTBE APOSTLES . <t. ~ -li .i- C-4 l y .A. lO 15 20 PREFACE. 'i ms ~amon of the first Sixteen Chapters of the Acts of the Apostles is intended for the use of Students preparing for the Local Examina tions of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge and similar examinations. The Syndicates of the Oxford and Cambridge Universities often select these chapters as the subject for examination in a particular year. The Editor has accordingly drawn up the present Edition for the use of Candidates preparing for such Examinations. The Edition is an abridgement of the Editor's Acts of /ht Apostles, published by Messrs. Gill and Sons. The Introduction treats fully of the several subjects with which the Student should be acquainted. These are set forth in the Table of Contents. The Biographical and Geographical Notes, with the complete series of Maps, will be found to give the Student all necessary information, thns dispensing with the need for Atlas, Biblical Lictionary, and other aids. The text used in this volume is that of the Revised Version and is printed by permission of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, but all editorial responsibility rests with the editor of the present volume. -
Sunday 1St November 2020 – Acts 23
Sunday 1st November 2020 – Acts 23 Welcome back everyone. We are going to continue with Paul’s journeys through the book of Acts and this week we are looking at Chapter 23. You may remember that Paul is in Jerusalem and last week we heard how he spoke to the people about who he was and how he used to be Saul, had seen a bright light on the road to Damascus, heard the voice of Jesus and became blind. Ananias, with Gods power helped him see again. After his miraculous conversion he was now known as Paul. He had been taken by the soldiers to the commander, where he had to admit he was a Roman Citizen, so that they wouldn’t beat him. The commander took Paul’s chains off and asked the Jewish leaders why they were accusing him. We then pick up the story in Chapter 23. Paul declared to the leaders that he had lived a good life before God, up to this point. Ananias, the great High Priest, (which is not the same Ananias as before when Paul was healed of blindness) told the men standing beside him to hit him on the mouth. Paul said to the High Priest, “God will hit you too! You are like a dirty wall that has been painted white. You use the Law of Moses to judge me, but you are telling them to hit me, which is against the law!” The men beside Paul said, “You can’t say that to God’s High Priest! You are insulting him!” Paul said that he didn’t realise he was the High Priest and it says in scripture that you must not curse a leader of your people. -
Acts: Lesson 17
ACTS: LESSON 17 XVII.PAUL'S THIRD PREACHING TOUR - PART 2 (MACEDONIA - JERUSALEM) (20:1-21:16). A. Paul travels through MACEDONIA into GREECE giving much exhortation (20:1-2a). B. Paul changes plan of departing straight for Syria after learning of Jewish plot - returns through MACEDONIA (20:2b-5). 1. Seven traveling companions journey on to wait for Paul in Troas. C. Paul, Luke and company sail from PHILIPPI to TROAS (20:6-12). 1. Paul joins disciples on first day of the week to break bread. 2. Paul brings Eutychus back to life after the young man fell out of third story window during Paul's preaching. D. Paul travels by land and meets his traveling companions in ASSOS (20:13-14a). E. Paul and companions sail to MITYLENE, CHIOS, SAMOS and MILETUS on successive days (20:14b-38). 1. Paul in desiring to be in Jerusalem by Pentecost passed by Ephesus (14b-16). 2. Paul exhorts Ephesian elders in Miletus (17-38). F. Paul and company sail straight unto COS, RHODES unto PATARA (21:1-2). 1. In Patara Paul finds ship sailing for Phoenicia. G. Paul and company pass by the left of CYPRUS unto TYRE (21:3-6). 1. Disciples warn Paul not to go to Jerusalem. H. Paul and company sail to PTOLEMAIS and salute the brethren in one day's stay (21:7). I. Paul and company meet the evangelist Philip in CAESAREA (21:8-14). 1. Agabus prophecies that Paul will be bound in Jerusalem. 2. Paul determined to go to Jerusalem and even die for the name.