Studies in Acts–Lesson 11

 

Read Acts 18 and 19.

1. Why did Paul live with Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth?
   Answer: They were all tentmakers. (18:3).
2. Identify:
   a. Titus Justus – A worshiper of God, who lived next door to the synagogue in Corinth (v. 7)
   b. Crispus – A synagogue official who became a believer, with all his household (v. 8)
   c. Gallio – Proconsul of Achaia (v. 12)
   d. Sosthenes – An official of the synagogue (v. 17)
3. Where did Paul cut his hair? Why?
   Answer: At Cenchrea, for he was under a vow (v. 18). No one knows for sure exactly what the nature of the vow was, but apparently he had made a vow not to cut his hair. Once he was in Cenchrea, the vow was fulfilled.

True or False

1. Paul visited numerous churches in Galatia on his third journey. True (v. 23) Note: Paul’s second missionary journey ends in 18:22, when he returned to Antioch via Caesarea and Jerusalem.
2. Berea and Thessalonica were among those visited. False. Berea and Thessalonica were in Macedonia.
3. Apollos was a native of Athens. False. He was from Alexandria, Egypt. (v. 24)
4. Apollos was "mighty in the scriptures." True (v. 24)
5. A woman helped teach Apollos the truth. True (v. 26) Note: Verse 25 states that Apollos had been instructed in the “Way of the Lord,” the exact phrase used for the preaching of John the Baptist in Matthew 3:3.
6. Apollos became a famous preacher at Corinth. True (v. 28, 19:1). Note: Apollos became one of the leaders over whom the Corinthians divided (1 Corinthians 1:12)
7. Paul asked twelve men in Ephesus if they had received the Holy Spirit after they had believed. False (v. 2). He asked if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed.
8. Acts states that the twelve men were baptized into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. False (v. 5). It states they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
9. The spiritual gifts given were "tongues of knowledge.” False (v. 6). After Paul laid his hands on them, they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
10. Paul preached for six months in the synagogues of Ephesus. False (v. 8). It was three months.
11. He worked for three years in the schoolroom of Tyrannus. False (v. 10). It was two years. Note: According to Acts Made Actual, Ephesus had a population of about 600,000 at this time.
12. Diseases and those possessed of demons were healed by handkerchiefs that were carried away from Paul. True (v. 11)
13. Seven sons of Sceva really took a beating from a man possessed by a demon. True (vv. 13-16). Note: The American Standard Version translates verse 16 as “The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and mastered both of them.” So someone using that text would answer False.
14. The whole town of Ephesus heard about this, and it caused the church to have a bad reputation. False (v. 17). On the contrary, it left them “awestruck” (NRSV), “and the name of the Lord Jesus was praised.”
15. A thousand or more dollars went up in smoke in the city of Ephesus. False. (v. 19). It was much more than just a thousand or more; it came to 50,000 silver coins, worth, according to Acts Made Actual, was probably worth about $75,000 in 1958 currency – even more today.
16. Paul's plan was to go immediately from Ephesus to Jerusalem. False (v. 21). He was planning to go to Jerusalem, but not before visited Macedonia (Philippi) and Achaia (Corinth).

Multiple Choice

1. Who did Paul send from Ephesus to Macedonia?
   a. Titus and Timothy
   b. Timothy and Erastus (v. 22)
   c. Aristarchus and Secundus
2. The work of Christ was called:
   a. The church of Christ
   b. The gospel of Christ
   c. In the town of Ephesus, the Way (v. 23)
3. Demetrius was a:
   a. Goldsmith
   b. Worker of brass
   c. Silversmith (v. 24)
4. Demetrius was angry because:
   a. Diana was losing devotees
   b. He was losing money (v. 25-27) – though he did try to “spin” it in verse 27, saying that the “great goddess Artemis [Diana] will be scorned.”
   c. The Jews were losing followers
5. Who was carried into the mob in the Ephesian theater?
   a. Timothy and Erastus
   b. Gaius and Titus
   c. Aristarchus and Gaius (v. 29)
6. Paul was kept from going into the theater because:
   a. He knew it was against the law
   b. Friends warned him not to (v. 30)
   c. God warned him not to
7. Alexander was:
   1. A Jewish orator (v. 33,34)
   2. A friend of Paul
   3. One of the Asiarchs
8. Who quieted the mob?
   a. City police
   b. City councilmen
   c. The town clerk (v. 35ff)
9. The assembly that was called out by Demetrius could be referred to as a:
   a. Town meeting
   b. Church (In verses 32 and 41. The Greek word here is ἐκκλησία, or ekklesia, from which the word church is derived. It literally means “those called out”.)
   c. Camp meeting
10. The town clerk gained his point by telling the crowd that:
    a. They would only be furthering the cause of Christ
    b. They would be called into account for their actions (v. 40)
    c. They were dishonoring their reputations

Studies in Acts–Lesson 10

Read Acts 16 and 17.

1. Why was Timothy circumcised?
   Answer: Because of the Jews – who knew his father was a Gentile (16:3), and therefore, that he had probably not been circumcised. This action on Paul’s part seems to agree with his declaration in 1 Corinthians 9:20,21, that “to Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews….”  As one commentator, quoted by Lenski, states, “Timothy was circumcised because of Jewish unbelievers, not because of Jewish believers.” Titus, who was a Gentile, refused to be circumcised, even though Judaizing teachers apparently tried to persuade him. [See Galatians 2:1-10.]
2. What were the “decrees” that were delivered to the churches?
   Answer: The letter from the Jerusalem council (Acts 15) regarding the eating of meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what has been strangled, and from fornication.”
3. What did Paul do in Phrygia and Galatia?
   Answer: Nothing. He passed through, forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach in Asia. (16:6)
4. Why would a man from Macedonia be any different than any other man?
   Answer: Macedonia was in Europe (16:9-10). Also note that, starting in verse 10, the voice changes to “we,” indicating that Luke joined them in Troas. See Acts – Geography, Map 6.
5. What was a Roman “colony”?
   Answer: An area outside Italy that enjoyed the same status as colonies in Italy. From Lenski’s Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles, page 652:
   ”In 42 B. C. the battle of Philippi was fought between the Second Triumvirate (Octavius, Antonius, Lepidus) and the republicans of Rome under Brutus and Cassius, which resulted in a defeat for the latter, both of whom were killed. In commemoration of the victory Octavius made Philippi a colony. After the battle of Actium in 31 B. C. Augustus sent more Roman veterans to the colony and raised the standing of Philippi to the highest point by granting it the so-called jus Italicum, i.e. putting it on a par with the Roman colonies in Italy.”
6. What was the occupation and home town of Lydia?
   Answer: She was a dealer in purple cloth from Thyatira [one of the seven churches to which Revelation was written]. See Acts – Geography, Map 6.
7. How did the Lord open the heart of Lydia?
   Answer: Through the preaching of the word (16:14). From Lenski, pg. 658:
   ”The Lord opens the heart, but the hand with which he lifts the latch and draws the door is the Word which he makes us hear, and the door opens as we heed…keep holding our mind to what we hear. No man can open the door of his heart himself, nor can he help the Lord to open it by himself lifting the latch and moving the door. The one thing he can do is to bolt the door, i. e., refuse to hear and to heed; and thus he can keep the door closed and bar it even more effectually than it was at first. This prevents conversion.”
8. Why did Paul rebuke the spirit in the maid at Philippi?
   Answer: Because the spirit was from the wrong source (16:18). Also, she was being used by greedy men.
9. What was an accusation to the slave masters before the magistrates in Philippi?
   Answer: They were advocating unlawful customs, which amounted to treason (16:21).
10. Was the jailor listening to the singing and praying of Paul and Silas?
    Answer: No. He was asleep (16:25,27). Note verse 33: “He washed their stripes.” They had been in total darkness in this inner cell, having been whipped (verse 23 – “severe flogging”) without any attention paid to their wounds. The jailer took it on himself to attend to their wounds.
11. Why ask the magistrates to deliver them personally?
    Answer: The condemnation and imprisonment were public; Paul wanted a public acknowledgement and apology.
12. Why did the magistrates “fear” Paul and Silas?
    Answer: They feared these Roman citizens would make trouble for them with their superiors. They had jailed Roman citizens without a trial (verse 37 – “They have beaten us in public, uncondemned….”). Note verse 40: They went to Lydia’s house to encourage disciples there.
13. For how many Sabbaths did Paul reason from the scriptures in the synagogue at Thessalonica? What was his message?
    Answer: He stayed three Sabbaths. His message was that Jesus, who had suffered and risen from the dead, was the Messiah. (17:3)
14. Who did Paul stay with in Thessalonica? How did this man get into trouble?
    Answer: He apparently stayed with Jason (17:5-7), which caused trouble for Jason. A mob of Jews dragged Jason out of his house and brought him and other disciples before the authorities, shouting that Jason had entertained the men who “have been turning the world upside down.” Comment: An accusation we certainly don’t hear today about Christians today.
15. Where was Luke left to work? Timothy? Silas and Timothy?
    Answer: Luke was left in Philippi (16:16,40). Timothy was left in Thessalonica (17:10). Silas and Timothy were left in Berea (17:14).
16. Why did Paul leave Berea?
    Answer: The Jews from Thessalonica came to Berea to stir up trouble.
17. What provoked Paul’s spirit in Athens?
    Answer: All the idols he saw there (17:17). Note: Whereas we might be intimidated by the size of the city and the idolatry problem, Paul sought out an opportunity and place where he could address the problem.
18. What is an Epicurean? Answer: The philosophy that “the highest good from life can be secured only in pleasure.” They were “atheistic evolutionists.”
    What is a Stoic? Answer: A philosophy that “the highest good comes from self discipline, denying natural and necessary desires.” They were “pantheon evolutionists.” Per Dewitt, in Acts Made Actual, one produced degenerates, the other suicides.
19. What was the “Areopagus”?
    Answer: Also known as Mars Hill, it’s a bare marble hill next to the Acropolis in Athens. Before the 5th century BC, it was the council of elders of the city, like the Roman Senate.
20. List the major points in Paul’s sermon.
    Answer:
    1. You are extremely religious
    2. You have an altar to “the unknown god.”
    3. I proclaim that your “unknown god” is the Creator of all.
    4. This God commands all people to repent.
    5. The world will be judged by a man whom God appointed and raised from the dead.
    From Dewitt’s Acts Made Actual:
    1. Creator of all (24-26)
    2. Within reach of all (27-29)
    3. Gives salvation to all (30-31)
21. At what point in Paul’s sermon did some begin to mock? What were the results of Paul’s sermon?
    Answer: When they heard of the resurrection. Some mocked, some put it off until later, some believed. Dewitt: the church in Athens was one of the strongest congregations of the empire in the 2nd and 3rd centuries.

Studies in Acts–Lesson 9

Read Acts 14:21 – 15:41

1. In Derbe Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel and converted many. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. (14:21)
2. Upon the return visit to the churches, Paul and Barnabas:
   a. Preached and gave the Lord's Supper
   b. Preached and appointed elders (14:22-23) Note: Although it doesn’t specifically say they preached, general consensus was that it was probably involved in the encouragement.
   c. Encouraged the brethren (14:22)
3. Pisidia and Pamphylia were
   a. Cities
   b. Villages
   c. Provinces (14:24)
4. Upon the second visit to Perga, they
   a. Passed through
   b. Preached and appointed elders
   c. Just preached (14:25) Note: There’s no record that they preached there earlier (Acts 13:13-14).
5. Attalia was
   a. A seaport (14:25,26)
   b. A town in the journey where they preached
   c. A province
6. Back at Antioch, Paul and Barnabas spoke about the Gentiles, saying:
   a. God gave them a great opportunity
   b. God had baptized them in the Holy Spirit also
   c. God had opened a door of faith unto them (14:27)
7. What was taught by certain men from Judea that caused such a stir?
   Answer: They taught that Gentile Christians should be circumcised. (15:1)
8. Why go to the apostles and elders about the trouble?
   Answer: 1) The apostles had authority (Matthew 28:18-20); 2) The troublemakers had come from Jerusalem, so they were going to the source. 3) They couldn’t come to an agreement among themselves. (15:2)
9. What encouragement did Paul and Barnabas have on their way to Jerusalem?
   Answer: When they reported the conversion of the Gentiles, the believers in Phoenicia and Samaria rejoiced. (15:3)
10. Who especially objected to uncircumcised Christians? What sect?
    Answer: Believers from the sect of the Pharisees (14:5). They not only wanted to bind circumcision, but the whole law of Moses. Note: Verse 4 tells us that the whole church was present when Paul and Barnabas gave their report. Verse 6 says that only the apostles and elders met to “consider the matter.”
11. Who said that God had chosen him that by his mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe?
    Answer: Peter (15:8). Note: In Acts 10:34-35, Peter states that he realizes that God is not partial to one group of people over another.
12. What was the “yoke” which neither the fathers nor the Jews of Peter’s day could bear?
    Answer: The law of Moses (15:10). They were “putting God to the test” – disclaiming that God had opened the gospel to the Gentiles. V. 11 – “On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."
13. What was the point of argument in the speeches of Paul and Barnabas?
    Answer: God had performed signs and wonders among the Gentiles, indicating His approval. (15:12)
14. What did James add that had not been said before?
    Answers: 1) 15:15 - This was a fulfillment of prophecy (Amos 9:11,12); 2) That they write the Gentiles not to be troubled by the Judaizing teachers. (15:19)
15. Why ask the Gentiles to abstain from “what is strangled, and from blood”?
    Answer: So the Gentiles and Jews could eat together in clear conscience. Not eating of these meats was part of the Jewish culture (Leviticus 17:10-14), a thing Jews couldn’t do in good conscience – so it was a matter of respect for their Jewish brethren. See 1 Corinthians 8 for Paul’s in-depth discussion of this principle.
    Here’s what Lenski (Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles) writes about this attitude (pg. 616)
    [Paul’s] prime consideration was love….Many who today deem themselves strong are impotent in this application of love. They scorn the idea that they should consider their brethren, they hurt and stagger the weak without a qualm, and they offend where they are themselves often wrong in fact and where the offense is gratuitous and wholly uncalled for. Go to school to James and take a full course with Paul. One thing that made them so great was this considerate love for the brethren.
16. What purpose did Paul have in making a second journey?
    Answer: To see how the believers were doing. (15:36)
17. What was the disagreement over John Mark?
    Answer: He had deserted them in Perga, Pamphylia (15:38). Note: Barnabas and John Mark were cousins (Colossians 4:10). Also, Barnabas was a “native of Cyprus” (Acts 4:36), so it appears that Barnabas and Mark were going home. Later, Paul and John Mark became reconciled, because in Colossians 4:10 and Philemon 1:24, Mark was with him, and he asked for Mark at the end of his life (2 Timothy 4:11).

Studies in Acts–Lesson 8

Read Acts 12:25 – 14:20

1. Who returned from Jerusalem to Antioch?
   Answer: Barnabas, Saul, and John Mark. Note: Barnabas is mentioned before Saul.

2. For what were Barnabas and Saul separated?
   Answer: For the work to which the Holy Spirit had called them. (13:2)

3. They were sent on their way by the Holy Spirit. They went to Seleucia ,and sailed from there to Cyprus. They visited the city of Salamis, then traveled through the whole island to Paphos. (13:4-6)

4. Elymas was struck blind for a while and led by the hand. (13:6-11) Note: Elymas was also known as Bar-Jesus, which means “son of Jesus” or “son of salvation.” In v. 10, Paul calls him a “son of the devil.” He was a Jewish false prophet (v. 6). Also note: From verse 9, Saul is referred to as Paul – possibly a transition from his Hebrew name to one that is Greek.

5. Sergius Paulus  [the pro-consul, or governor of the region] believed and was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. (13:12) Note: He was astonished at the teaching, not the miracle.

6. Sailing from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphilia, where John Mark returned to Jerusalem. But Paul and Barnabas continued until they came to Antioch of Pisidia, where on the sabbath day they entered the synagogue and sat down. (13:13,14) Note: Now it’s “Paul and his companions.” Paul has taken (and Barnabas has given up) the leadership role.

True or False

1. Paul's sermon here is similar to Peter's on Pentecost. True – although it was more like Stephen’s in Acts 8. He does speak of David, death, and resurrection.

2. Many Jews and a few proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas. False – Apparently many proselytes also followed them. v. 43

3. The following Sunday almost the whole city came to hear Paul preach. False – It was the following Sabbath, which was a Saturday. v. 44

4. When the multitude saw the Jews, they were filled with jealousy. False – When the Jews saw the multitude…. v. 45

5. God judged the Jews unworthy of eternal life, so Paul turned to the Gentiles. False – The Jews judged themselves unworthy. v. 46

6. Some of the Gentiles were ordained to eternal life. True. It doesn’t say God pre-ordained them, leaving them with no free will. The word here, according to Lenski, conveys the concept of being pre-disposed to hear.

   “Here we have a contrast: the Jews thrust away the Word; these Gentiles glorify the Word…the Jews regard themselves unworthy of eternal life; these Gentiles are in line for eternal life. Who put them in line? God did so by sending Paul and Barnabas and his Word and his grace and by making both come in contact with their hearts. (Lenski, pg. 552)

7. Devout women of honorable estate helped Paul and Barnabas. False. The Jews incited them against Paul and Barnabas.

8. Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet; the disciples were happy. True. (13:51,52) Note: This “shaking the dust” was commanded by Jesus in Matthew 10:14. Verse 52 is reminiscent of Acts 5:41, when the apostles “rejoiced that they were worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.”

Fill in the Blank

1. In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas entered the synagogue of the Jews, and spoke so effectively that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. (14:1)

2. Although the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, Paul and Barnabas stayed a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed their words with signs and wonders. (14:2-3)

3. The city was divided, part holding with the Jews and part with the apostles. 14:4)

4. At Lystra, after healing the man with crippled feet, the multitude, in the language of the Lyconians, exclaimed that the gods were come down in the form of humans, calling Barnabas Zeus (or Jupiter) and Paul Hermes (or Mercury). (14:8-12) Note: Zeus and Hermes were the Greek names for the King of the Gods and the Speaker, or Messenger of the gods; Jupiter and Mercury were the Roman names.

5. When Paul and Barnabas understood, they tore their clothes, and rushed into the crowd, asked why the people did this, because Paul and Barnabas were only mortals. (14:14,15)

6. Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and persuaded the crowds, and they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. (14:19)

7. As the disciples gathered around Paul, he got up and went back to the city (Lystra). Then he and Barnabas left for Derbe. (14:20)