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.