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)