Search The Scriptures — Study 42 — Acts 21:17-36

Study 42 From The Book of Acts Is: Acts 21:17-36

1. Verses 17-26. Paul’s arrival at Jerusalem.  He relates to the leaders of the church at Jerusalem all that God has done among the Gentiles.  (a) What problem did James consider would thus arise (verses 20-22)? (b) What practical action is recommended to Paul (verses 23-26)? (c) What principles determined Paul’s action? Cf. 20:24; 1 Cor. 9:20-23; 10:32, 33. How might these principles affect your own attitudes to others?
2. Verses 27-36. Paul’s arrest at Jerusalem.  Try to picture the vivid scenes.  Why did it happen? Trace the parallels—at least five---between the treatment given to Paul and to Christ.  Do you expect men to treat you better than they did Christ?

Note. Verse 23. ‘We have four men’: these men were Jewish Christians who were about to complete a Nazirite vow by offering the prescribed sacrifices (see Nu. 6:13-21). It was considered a meritorious act to defray the expenses of poor Nazirites.

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Search The Scriptures — Study 41 — Acts 21: 1-16

Study 41 From The Book of Acts Is: Acts 21:1-16

1. Paul continues his journey to Jerusalem.  Follow the route of the voyage on a map.  Note, especially, the moving scene in verse 5, and the part that hospitality played (verses 4, 7, 8, 16).  What insights does this give us about the influence of a Christian home on visitors and children?
2. How are we to understand these warnings of the Spirit? To Paul’s friends they seemed to say ‘Do not go to Jerusalem’. But, Paul himself did not so interpret them. Is the explanation that the Spirit gave clear warning of peril and suffering, and Paul’s friends in their human affection interpreted this in one way, while Paul regarded it in another and deeper way? Cf. 20:23, 24; Mt. 16:21-23.  What would your reaction have been in the same situation?

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Search The Scriptures — Study 40 — Acts 20: 17-38

Study 40 From The Book of Acts Is: Acts 20:17-38

Paul’s farewell address to the leaders of the Church at Ephesus (verses 17-35) and his departure for Jerusalem (verses 36-38).

1. Verses 17-27. Paul reviews his ministry at Ephesus.  Notice, especially, what he says about his behaviour, service, faithful preaching of Christ and the overriding ambition of his life. As you measure your outward service and inward spirit against Paul’s in what respects do you feel you come short?
2. Verses 28-35.  What counsel does Paul give those to whom God has given positions of leadership? How can they guard the flock against the dangers that threaten? Have you begun to experience the truth of Christ’s words quoted in verse 35?

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Search The Scriptures — Study 39 — Acts 20:1-16

Study 39 From The Book of Acts Is: Acts 20:1-16

Paul revisits the churches in the province of Macedonia to encourage them

1. With 19:21 compare 20:1-6 and 13-16.  How was Paul’s original plan modified and why?  Follow Paul’s route on a map and discover what advantage this opposition was to Paul.  Cf. Gn. 50:20.
2. Paul is seeking to encourage and strengthen the young churches.  What part do personal example (verse 4), fellowship (verse 7), and instruction (verse 11) have in this?  With verses 7-12, cf. 2:42.  Are the spirit and the marks of these Jewish and Gentile churches found in you and your church today?

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Search The Scriptures — Study 38 — Acts 19:21-41

Study 38 From The Book of Acts Is: Acts 19:21-41

Luke’s vivid description of the riot at Ephesus is a close study in crowd psychology as well as a faithful account of the persecution which Paul and his companion faced.

1. Verses 21, 22.  What were Paul’s plans for the future? To where was his eye turned? But what two things must first be done? Cf. Rom. 15:19, 23, 24.  Is your Christian work planned or haphazard?
2.  What was the cause of the riot and persecution? How did it spread and how was it quieted? Note especially (a) the challenge of the Christian faith to a man’s business and wealth (verses 25, 27); (b) the blindness of religious people (cf. verses 26, 27, 35, 36); (c) the cost, fellowship and protection Paul found in missionary service (verses 28-31, 37-41).  To which of these truths do I personally most need to pay attention?

  

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Search The Scriptures — Study 37 — Acts 19: 1-20

Study 37 From The Book of Acts Is: Acts 19: 1-20

Ephesus was the metropolis of the large and wealthy Province of Asia, a centre of commerce and religion, famous for its image and its temple dedicated to the goddess Diana.

1. Apollos had taught only the baptism of John (18:24, 25) at Ephesus. When Paul arrived, what did he find these disciples lacked in knowledge and assured experience? Is this experience yours? Have you realized how essential it is for you to understand fully in order to teach others accurately?
2. Verse 20 summarizes both Paul’s ministry at Ephesus and Luke’s whole section from 16:6 to 19:20, which covers the evangelization of Macedonia, Achia and Asia. What methods and special incident led to such a result in Ephesus (verses 8-19) and by what power were great results achieved in the three provinces? Cf. 16:14; 18:9 and 19:11.  Does this review highlight any weaknesses in your Christian life?

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Search The Scriptures — Study 36 — Acts 18: 18-28

Study 36 From The Book of Acts Is: Acts 18:18-28

1. Paul ends his second missionary journey (verses 18-23) with travels of more than a thousand miles. Luke reviews many months very briefly. Note, with the help of a map, the places Paul visited and the purposes he hoped to achieve.
2. We have a thumb – nail sketch of Apollos in verses 24-28. What is said about (a) his knowledge of the Scriptures, (b) his enthusiasm, (c) the help Aquila and Priscilla gave, (d) his preaching, and (e) the value of his ministry (cf. 1 Cor. 3:6)?  Take each of these five points and ask yourself what you can learn from the life of Apollos.

Notes:

1. Verse 18 ‘He had a vow’: it is not known why Paul made a vow. The practice was, however, common among the Jews.
2. Verse 22. ‘He went up’: ie, to Jerusalem.

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Search The Scriptures — Study 35 — Acts 18:1-17

Study 35 From The Book of Acts Is: Acts 18:1-17

The city of Corinth was the capital of the Province of Achia, and one of the greatest cities in the Empire.  It was famous for commerce and learning but infamous for its wickedness.

1. Consider the enormous task Paul faced in an evil and pagan city as he sought to found a church there.  Note (a) the value of Christian fellowship (verses 2, 3; 5; 7, 8) (b) the command and promises of God’s word to Paul (verses 9-11).  Cf. 1 Cor. 2:3. Is this God’s answer to a depressed Christian worker?  Do these things encourage you in difficult situations?
2. Compare the three distinct stages in Paul’s ministry mentioned in verses 4, 7 and 12. What hindrances did Paul face and what encouragement came to him?  Notice that with the hindrances came new opportunities and new encouragements.  Let’s pray for grace to be equally faithful.

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Search The Scriptures — Study 34 — Acts 17:16-34

Study 34 From The book of Acts Is: Acts 17:16-34

Paul at Athens faces philosophers, who are eager to hear another man’s views in order that they may add these to their rag-bag of ideas, and who also have no background understanding of the Old Testament.

See, if possible Acts (TNTC), pp. 136-146 for a most helpful explanation of Paul’s visit.

1. Verses 16, 21.  From what motives, and by what methods, did Paul proclaim the gospel? Do you know anything of a divine jealousy provoked by the fact that people do not give Christ the allegiance which is His right?
2. Verses 22-34.  Study Paul’s sermon and note (a) how he gained the interest of his hearers (verses 22-23), (b) what he taught about God in relation to the universe, mankind, idols and images (verses 24-29), and (c) the response he argued which men needed to make to God (verses 30-34).  Paul sought to make the Christian message relevant to the thought and background of his hearers. He had no slick phraseology.  What do you learn from this about preaching today?

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Search The Scriptures — Study 33 — Acts 17:1-15

Study 33 From The Book of Acts Is: Acts 17:1-15

Thessalonica was the metropolis and most populous city of Macedonia, a centre for both inland and maritime trade.  Berea was a smaller town some sixty mile to the south-west.

1. What do we learn from Paul’s visits and preaching at Thessalonica and Berea about (a) the places where he preached, (b) the features of his preaching, (c) his chief message, (d) those who believed, and (e) the persecution that arose? The same events are written about by Paul in 1Thes. 1:1-2:16.   Do you realize that opportunities for strategic Christian witness may last only a short time? What ought you to do?
2. Verses 11, 12.  How are those who attended the Jewish synagogue in Berea described, and why are they commended? Are these features found in your life and Bible study?

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