T.O.D. Johnston's Commentary on The Acts of the Apostles Legal Information Copyright Information: Johnston, T.O.D.

A Layman's Commentary on The Acts of the Apostles/ eligio!s "on# fiction $st %&ition Copyright 2'$$ Contact the a!thor: T.O.D. Johnston Johnston (t!&io $$) (a!ls (t., La*e City, (C 2+,-' Contact the p!.lisher: O/en Johnston %#0ail # ne*oashi&o1gmail.com 2oogle # https://pl!s.google.com/$'3)4$-$)-),-42)+$32$

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3 T.O.D. Johnston's Commentary on Acts Ta.le of Contents 8reface Lesson I # Intro&!ction? $:$#) Lesson II # $:+#2Lesson III # 2:$#2$ Lesson I= # 2:22#3:$' Lesson = # 3:$$#4:4 Lesson =I # 4:,#3$ Lesson =II # 4:32#,:$Lesson =III # ,:$@#-:Lesson IA # -:@#@:3Lesson A # @:3@#):$a Lesson AI # ):$.#4' Lesson AII # +:$#3$ Lesson AIII # +:32#$':33 Lesson AI= # $':34#$$:$) Lesson A= # $$:$+#$2:$2 Lesson A=I # $2:$+#$3:$2 Lesson A=II # $3:$3#,2 Lesson A=III # $4:$#2) Lesson AIA # $,:$#2+ Lesson AA # $,:3'#$-:$, Lesson AAI # $-:$-#4' Lesson AAII # $@:$#2$ Lesson AAIII # $@:22#$):$#4 Lesson AAI= # $):$)#2$ Lesson AA= # $):22#$+:2' Lesson AA=I # $+:2$#4$ Lesson AA=II # 2':$#2$ Lesson AA=III # 2':22#2$:+ Lesson AAIA # 2$:$'#34 Lesson AAA # 2$:3,#22:2, Lesson AAAI # 22:2-#23:3' Lesson AAAII # 23:3$#24:2@ Lesson AAAIII # 2,:$#22 Lesson AAAI= # 2,:23#2-:23 Lesson AAA= # 2-:24#2@:$$ Lesson AAA=I # 2@:$2#44 Lesson AAA=II # 2):$#22 Lesson AAA=III # 2):23#3$ %pilog!e from the %pistles 7i.liography # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # , $$ $22 2) 32 33+ 44 ,' ,, -$ -@2 @@ )2 )@ +3 +) $'3 $') $$3 $$) $22 $2$3$ $3, $4' $4, $,' $,, $-$ $-@ $@2 $@) $)3 $)+ $+4 $+@ $+)

A Layman's Commentary On The Acts of the Apostles: Compose& In 3) Lessons $st %&ition # 2'$$ Britten .y T.O.D. Johnston 8!.lishe& .y O/en Johnston http://.i.lest!&ylessonsp&f.com http://///.paran.aptistch!rch.com Dedicated for knowledge, understanding, and inspiration as we seek to follow Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Also available on A a!on.co as a beautiful, professionall" bound & printed trade paperback book, and a #$.%% &indle e'book. (isit the official A a!on store) http)**astore.a a!on.co *biblestud"lessons'$+

T.O.D. Johnston's Commentary on Acts 8reface

After rea&ing many scholarly commentaries on &ifferent .oo*s of (cript!re, it .ecame my mental ha.it to sift thro!gh the min!te &isc!ssions of in&i5i&!al /or&s an&/or phrases, an& the 6!oting of 5ario!s scholars of the past of many &iffering opinions, an& center on the most logical an& inspirational tr!ths that remaine&. Th!s I relie& on the st!&ie& scholarship of those /ho ha& learne& the original lang!ages an& ha& rea& all the pre5io!s scholars that ha& /ritten to get the .est possi.le !n&erstan&ing of (cript!re that I, as a non#scholar, co!l&. It seeme& that most ch!rch mem.ers /o!l& not attempt to rea& scholarly /or*s # .!t /o!l& .enefit from their *no/le&ge if presente& in a plain an& straightfor/ar& manner, the tr!ths they ha& percei5e&. The follo/ing commentary is my attempt to &o this. 0ay 2o& .less my efforts to the eCtent that they increase the !n&erstan&ing an& faith of the rea&er. T.O.D. Johnston 2'',

Lesson I

Intro&!ction The title of The Acts of the Apostles /as gi5en to this treatise .y the Christian Ch!rch from the first cent!ry on/ar&. It recor&s /hat the Apostles D&i&D in esta.lishing Christ's Ch!rch. It centers aro!n& the acts of 8eter an& 8a!l. 8eter /as to proclaim the 2ospel to Je/s an& 2entiles. 8a!l /as to carry the 2ospel to the pagan /orl& of the oman %mpire. (ome mention of some of the other Apostles /as also incl!&e&. Only the &eath of James, of the original $$, is recor&e&. The .oo* of Acts is the companion recor& to the 2ospel of L!*e. Acts has .een accepte& from the .eginning as ha5ing .een penne& .y the same a!thor. This treatise claims so, an& is a&&resse& to the same in&i5i&!al as the former one Esee L!*e $:3F. It ta*es !p the narrati5e at the same place left off in the former recor& EActs $:$,2F. The time /ritten &esignates the time as aro!n& -2 A.D., an& no later -3 A.D. This is .ase& on internal e5i&ence of e5ents mentione&, specifically the secon& year of 8a!l's resi&ing in ome. It has .een ass!me& that L!*e /rote the .oo* of Acts in ome. This is .ase& on the mention of L!*e's arri5al /ith 8a!l in ome EActs 2):$-F, an& no mention of his lea5ing that city. The a!thenticity of the .oo* of Acts has ne5er .een 6!estione&. It is selecti5e an& limite& in its incl!sions. Certain things of importance are highlighte&: $. The historical recor& of the 8romise an& coming an& /or*ing of the Goly (pirit. This /as the promise of po/er from on high to empo/er the Apostles that they /ere to tarry in Jer!salem for EL!*e 24:4+F. The greatest tri!mphs of Gis finishe& /or* /o!l& ta*e place after Gis ascension. Th!s this recor& !ni6!ely sho/s the roles of the 9ather, (on, an& Goly (pirit in the 2reat Bor* of e&emption. This .oo* /as the !ni6!e recor& of the Goly (pirit's /or*. It contin!es from the 2ospel acco!nts of Christ's /or* for man's sal5ation. The Ol& Testament sho/s the 9ather's preparation. 2. It is the first inspire& acco!nt of the great /or*ing of the Goly (pirit in the min&s an& hearts of a m!ltit!&e of people. Also, it sho/s the po/er, gi5en to the spea*ers of the gospels. It also sho/s the proper response to the 2ospel. It is a meas!re an& g!i&e to all s!.se6!ent Dre5i5alsD an& mo5ements: /hat is proper an& gen!ine. 3. This recor& s!ggests that the po/er an& operations of the Goly (pirit sho!l& al/ays .e eCpecte& to occ!r /ithin the Christian Ch!rch. It sho!l& also .e eCpecte& in the sprea& of the 2ospel thro!gho!t the /orl&, !ntil Christ comes for Gis Ch!rch. 4. The Ch!rch /as fo!n&e& .y the .ol& proclamation of the tr!th of the sacrificial &eath an& res!rrection of Jes!s Christ. This .oo* contains se5eral of the .est eCamples of this preaching. It also contains the recor& of the organi<ation of the .eginning ch!rch. It /as the /or*ing o!t of the effect of the 2ospel on the min& an& heart of each .elie5er in&i5i&!ally, an& then collecti5ely. Its p!rpose /as to /orship 2o& in spirit an& tr!th, an& lo5e one another, sharing

Lesson I Contin!e&

together an& enco!raging one another in the faith. There /ere no o!t/ar& trappings, no magnificent e&ifices, no &a<<ling sho/s, rites an& ceremonies, or fancy clothes, no popes an& priests, no sho/ of /ealth, no hierarchy of persons, no .oo*s of &ogma or lists of r!les. There /as only the Bor& of 2o& an& the Lo5e of Christ. ,. Be also o.ser5e the nat!re of the carrying o!t of the 2reat Commission. 8eople p!t this mission first, gi5ing !p /hate5er stoo& in the /ay, /hether /ealth, position, 5ocation, home, family, e5en to gi5ing !p their li5es. (tephen an& 8a!l come to min& imme&iately. This is the tr!e spirit of the 2ospel of Christ. -. This .oo* also incl!&es many inci&ental references to persons, places, an& e5ents that are recor&e& in other places in the "e/ Testament H especially the %pistles. %ach pro5es ho/ gen!ine the a!thors an& their recor&s /ere. @. This .oo* is irref!ta.le proof of the reality of the tr!th of Christianity. Bithin 3' years of Christ's &eath an& res!rrection, Gis 2ospel ha& .een sprea& to all parts of the oman %mpire, an& /ell .eyon&. Its progress /as p!.lic, profo!n&, an& lasting. It penetrate& e5ery class, religion, 5ocation, race, gen&er, an& age. 0aIor cities ha& ch!rches esta.lishe&, incl!&ing Jer!salem, Antioch, Corinth, %phes!s, 8hilippi, an& ome. This /as all in spite of great an& &ea&ly opposition .y Je/s an& pagans ali*e. This faith /as to !nseat the esta.lishe& pagan religions, temples, an& .loo&y rites. Christianity /as not sprea& .y force, infl!ence, po/er, or coercion. There /as no /ealth, army, hierarchy, in&octrinators, or enforcers. They ha& eCperience /ith Jes!s, the po/er of the Goly (pirit, the tr!th of the 2ospel message of lo5e, forgi5eness, an& sal5ation H all .y the grace an& mercy of the only tr!e 2o&. Bhoe5er &oes not ac*no/le&ge this m!st eCplain ho/ this change too* place, an& then ho/ it contin!e& to this &ay. If 2o& &i& not .ring this to pass, co!l& men ha5e &one it .y their o/n po/er, .y magic, .y charisma, or any other means. The preaching of the 2ospel still .rings people to faith in Christ, that changes them from selfish, self see*ing, sinf!l /ays of life to a path of forgi5eness, lo5e, faith, an& helping an& sharing /ith others. Jes!s Christ is an& /ill al/ays .e the po/er of 2o& !nto sal5ation. This remains tr!e in spite of all the things people ha5e a&&e& to it: all the pomp an& circ!mstance, r!les an& reg!lations, po/er an& /ealth, fancy ro.es an& e&ifices that sho/ man's o/n 5anity. Intro finisJ

Lesson I Contin!e& The Acts of the Apostles $:$#).

$ The former treatise ha5e I ma&e, O The#oph'il!s, of all that Jes!s .egan .oth to &o an& teach, 2 !ntil the &ay in /hich he /as ta*en !p, after that he thro!gh the Goly 2host ha& gi5en comman&ments !nto the apostles /hom he ha& chosen: 3 to /hom also he sho/e& himself ali5e after his passion .y many infalli.le proofs, .eing seen of them forty &ays, an& spea*ing of the things pertaining to the *ing&om of 2o&: 4 an&, .eing assem.le& together /ith them, comman&e& them that they sho!l& not &epart from Jer!salem, .!t /ait for the promise of the 9ather, /hich, saith he, ye ha5e hear& of me. , 9or John tr!ly .apti<e& /ith /ater? .!t ye shall .e .apti<e& /ith the Goly 2host not many &ays hence. - K Bhen they therefore /ere come together, they as*e& of him, saying, Lor&, /ilt tho! at this time restore again the *ing&om to IsraelL @ An& he sai& !nto them, It is not for yo! to *no/ the times or the seasons, /hich the 9ather hath p!t in his o/n po/er. ) 7!t ye shall recei5e po/er, after that the Goly 2host is come !pon yo!: an& ye shall .e /itnesses !nto me .oth in Jer!salem, an& in all J!&ea, an& in (amaria, an& !nto the !ttermost part of the earth. $:$. The former treatise: this in&icates /hat /e *no/ as the 2ospel of L!*e H treatise meaning narrati5e. This .oo* is /ritten to the same DTheophil!sD as the pre5io!s one, for the same p!rpose: to recor& the gen!ine an& tr!e historical acco!nt of the ascension of Christ, the &escent, of the Goly (pirit, an& the organi<ation of the ch!rch. It /o!l& also incl!&e& eCamples of preaching the tr!e 2ospel of Christ. L!*e accompanie& 8a!l on many of his tra5els an& therefore /as eye/itness to most of the acti5ities here recor&e&. DOf allD means the most important parts of the acti5ities of Christ, .oth /hat Ge &i& an& sai&. D7egan to &oJD is a Ge.re/ eCpression that means the same as the simple statement of /hat Ge &i&. =erses 2#,. L!*e contin!es to s!mmari<e the en&ing of his 2ospel acco!nt that incl!&e& the forty &ays after Gis res!rrection !ntil the &ay Ge /as ta*en !p into hea5en. These incl!&e& the comman&ments to stay in Jer!salem for the promise of the 9ather, /hich Jes!s ha& promise&. %5en tho!gh John .apti<e& /ith /ater, they /o!l& .e .apti<e& /ith the Goly (pirit. Ge ha& sho/n Gimself to .e ali5e after Gis passion D.y many infalli.le proofsD. Ge /as seen of Gis &isciples an& Ge spo*e to them a.o!t the *ing&om of 2o& for 4' &ays. All these appearances, Gis eating /ith them, an& Gis meeting an& spea*ing /ith them on 5ario!s occasions /ere in&isp!ta.le proof of Gis res!rrection. There /as a.sol!tely no chance that they co!l& ha5e .een foole& for s!ch a long perio& of time, an& that so many co!l& .e incl!&e& in s!ch a r!se. There are $3 recor&e& appearances of Christ to Gis &isciples after

Lesson I Contin!e& Gis res!rrection. That also sho/s that it /as p!rposes, an& foc!sing an& e&ification of Gis Ge contin!e& the teaching as Ge ha& .efore the same 8erson /ho a&&resse& them: the same on the f!t!re a.o!t the sprea&, organi<ation, ch!rch.

=erse 4. Ga5ing assem.le& them together, Jes!s gi5es them &irect instr!ction as to /hat they m!st &o after Ge &eparts from them. Ge ha& pre5io!sly tol& them a.o!t the promise of the Goly (pirit Eanother comforterF. EJohn $4:-,2-? $,:2-? $-:@#$3.F =erse ,. 9rom 0atthe/ 3:$$, an& John $:33, John /as characteri<e& .y .apti<ing /ith /ater, .!t the 0essiah /as to .apti<e /ith the Goly (pirit an& /ith fire. This /as to ta*e place Dnot many &ays henceD, on the &ay of 8entecost. =erse -. At the 0o!nt of Oli5es, the &isciples again 6!estione& Jes!s a.o!t the common !n&erstan&ing of the Je/s concerning the 0essiah as con6!eror o5er the foreign oppressor. Gis &eath ha&, at least temporarily, &estroye& those hopes. Gis res!rrection ha& .ro!ght these hopes .ac*. This /as in spite of Jes!s contin!ally teaching the tr!e nat!re of Gis mission as the (!ffering (er5ant. "o/, Ge ha& sho/n po/er e5en o5er &eath, as /ell as all a&5ersaries. Bo!l& Ge no/ restore the *ing&omL They too* it for grante& that Ge co!l&, an& that this /as part of 7i.lical prophecy. Jes!s ans/ers their specific 6!estion # D/ilt tho! at this time...LD They ha& in min& a restoration to the former glory, as in the reign of Da5i& an& (olomon, /ith the 0essiah r!ling o5er all nations. =erse @. Jes!s &oes not &isco!nt their 6!estion a.o!t /hat Ge /o!l& &o # only an& &irectly a.o!t the time. The r!le /as that it is not gi5en for man to *no/ the time of the maIor e5ents in 2o&'s plans. In 0atthe/ 24:3, Jes!s says that they /ere not to *no/ the &ay or ho!r, the times or seasons. They /ere hel& .y the po/er an& a!thority from the 9ather only. Ge /ill .ring them to pass at the time Ge *eeps in Gis o/n *no/le&ge. "ot e5en the (on *no/s the &ay or the ho!r. As s!ch, no one can spec!late or set &ates as to their f!lfillment. This &oes not, !nfort!nately, stop people from &oing so, from the $st cent!ry to the 2$st. They are to come as a thief in the night, !neCpecte&ly. This pre5ents man from foc!sing on some f!t!re e5ent, rather than the necessities of the present. This remains as tr!e as the *no/le&ge of the time of o!r o/n &eath. The possi.ility of its imminence ma*es e5ery &ay of the greatest importance to .e a.o!t the Lor&'s /or*.

Lesson I Contin!e&

$'

=erse ). This /as /hat the &isciples /o!l& .e .lesse& /ith: DMe shall recei5e the po/er of the Goly (pirit coming !pon yo!.D This /as the promise of the 2!i&e an& Comfortor. The po/er /as that of the in&/elling (pirit to spea* thro!gh them /ith great effect, an& to en&!re great trials an& tri.!lations. They /ere to .e foc!se& on their role, not on temporal things Es!ch as the *ing&om of IsraelF. Their roles /ere to .e /itnesses !nto Christ, .oth in Jer!salem, all J!&ea, in (amaria, to the !ttermost part of the earth. They ha& .een /ith Jes!s o5er three years. They ha& seen Gis /ay of li5ing, healing, gi5ing, teaching, reaching o!t to so many others. They ha& hear& the message of the *ing&om of 2o&. They ha& seen Gim after the res!rrection, an& /ere no/ a.o!t the see Gim ascen& to hea5en. They /ere /ell#6!alifie& as /itnesses. They *ne/ an& eCperience& the tr!th of Christ, an& so consistently sprea& their impartial an& gen!ine eCperience H /itho!t &o!.t or misgi5ings. "o one co!l& con5ince them they ha& .een &ecei5e& or foole&. They ha& no other moti5e than sharing the tr!th they *ne/. The .eginning /as in Jer!salem, at 8entecost, /hen the Goly (pirit came /ith po/er. 0ost of the &isciples staye& in Jer!salem !ntil the persec!tion that .egan /ith the &eath of (tephen EActs ):$,4F. The apostles staye& !ntil James /as p!t to &eath .y Gero&. This /as in a.o!t ) years. D!ring this time, 8a!l ha& .een calle& as apostle to the 2entiles. 8eter ha& share& the 2ospel /ith Corneli!s. 8hilip ha& preache& to the %thiopian %!n!ch. J!&ea /as the so!thern part of the Goly Lan& an& /as reache& from the capital at Jer!salem. The mi&&le part of Israel /as (amaria. This /as only the .eginning. As pre5io!sly &irecte&, they /ere to go to all nations /ith the 2ospel. This &irecti5e contin!es to this &ay an& remains part of the responsi.ility of the ch!rch.

Lesson II The Acts of the Apostles $:+#2-.

$$

+ An& /hen he ha& spo*en these things, /hile they .ehel&, he /as ta*en !p? an& a clo!& recei5e& him o!t of their sight. $' An& /hile they loo*e& stea&fastly to/ar& hea5en as he /ent !p, .ehol&, t/o men stoo& .y them in /hite apparel? $$ /hich also sai&, Me men of 2alilee, /hy stan& ye ga<ing !p into hea5enL this same Jes!s, /hich is ta*en !p from yo! into hea5en, shall so come in li*e manner as ye ha5e seen him go into hea5en. $2 K Then ret!rne& they !nto Jer!salem from the mo!nt calle& Ol'i5et, /hich is from Jer!salem a sa..ath &ay's Io!rney. $3 An& /hen they /ere come in, they /ent !p into an !pper room, /here a.o&e .oth 8eter, an& James, an& John, an& An&re/, 8hilip, an& Thomas, 7artholome/, an& 0atthe/, James the son of Al'phe!s, an& (imon Nelo'tes, an& J!&as the .rother of James. $4 These all contin!e& /ith one accor& in prayer an& s!pplication, /ith the /omen, an& 0ary the mother of Jes!s, an& /ith his .rethren. $, K An& in those &ays 8eter stoo& !p in the mi&st of the &isciples, an& sai&, Ethe n!m.er of names together /ere a.o!t a h!n&re& an& t/enty,F $- 0en an& .rethren, this (cript!re m!st nee&s ha5e .een f!lfille&, /hich the Goly 2host .y the mo!th of Da5i& spa*e .efore concerning J!&as, /hich /as g!i&e to them that too* Jes!s. $@ 9or he /as n!m.ere& /ith !s, an& ha& o.taine& part of this ministry. $) "o/ this man p!rchase& a fiel& /ith the re/ar& of ini6!ity? an& falling hea&long, he .!rst as!n&er in the mi&st, an& all his .o/els g!she& o!t. $+ An& it /as *no/n !nto all the &/ellers at Jer!salem? insom!ch as that fiel& is calle&, in their proper tong!e, Acel'&ama, that is to say, The fiel& of .loo&. 2' 9or it is /ritten in the .oo* of 8salms, Let his ha.itation .e &esolate, an& let no man &/ell therein: an&, Gis .ishopric let another ta*e. 2$ Bherefore of these men /hich ha5e companie& /ith !s all the time that the Lor& Jes!s /ent in an& o!t among !s, 22 .eginning from the .aptism of John, !nto that same &ay that he /as ta*en !p from !s, m!st one .e or&aine& to .e a /itness /ith !s of his res!rrection. 23 An& they appointe& t/o, Joseph calle& 7arsa.as, /ho /as s!rname& J!st!s, an& 0atthi'as. 24 An& they praye&, an& sai&, Tho!, Lor&, /hich *no/est the hearts of all men, sho/ /hether of these t/o tho! hast chosen, 2, that he may ta*e part of this ministry an& apostleship, from /hich J!&as .y transgression fell, that he might go to his o/n place. 2- An& they ga5e forth their lots? an& the lot fell !pon 0atthi'as? an& he /as n!m.ere& /ith the ele5en apostles. =erse +. Tho!gh they &i& not see Christ rise from the &ea&, it is affirme& here that they /ere loo*ing at the risen Christ. Also here they /ere /atching Gim at this time /hen, in normal &ay, they /ere tal*ing to Gim, an& Ge /as ta*en !p o!t of their sight. This /as

Lesson II Contin!e&

$2

!nmista*a.ly a /or* of 2o&. This /as affirmation of the tr!th of Christ's finishe& /or*. It also affirme& /here Jes!s /as going. This re&irecte& their tho!ghts from earthly things to the tr!th of 2o&'s plan for Jes!s an& for them. This ma&e certain that the nat!re of the *ing&om Jes!s came to ina!g!rate. It /as not an earthly *ing&om. Therefore, Jes!s finishe& the /or* the 9ather ha& gi5en Gim to &o on earth, an& no/ Ge /as recei5e& .ac* to the glory Ge ha& /ith the 9ather .efore the /orl& /as. It /as also proper an& necessary for the ne/ ministry of the Goly (pirit. Jes!s, as a man, co!l& only .e in one place at one time. The Goly (pirit co!l& /or* in all places to/ar& all men. Jes!s' ne/ /or* /as intercession for the saints an& their ministries. This /as the /or* of an a&5ocate. This follo/e& the /or* of atonement of the Gigh 8riest /ho presente& the .loo& of sacrifice of the mercy#seat, as priest representing the people. This Christ &i& in the Gea5enly Temple as o!r Gigh#8riest once an& for all, offering Gis .loo& as the perfect an& final Atonement for o!r sal5ation. Christ contin!es in 2o&'s presence interce&ing for !s, contin!ing to sec!re the mercy of 2o& to/ar&s !s, for o!r .est /elfare. Ge appears in the presence of 2o& for !s EGe.re/s +:24F, presenting the 5al!e of Gis spilt .loo&. All /orl&s /ere ma&e s!.Iect to Gim for the sprea& an& /elfare of Gis ch!rch. =erse $'. Bhile they loo*e& stea&fastly to/ar& hea5en, a clo!& recei5e& Gim. Therefrom Ge /as hi&&en from their 5ie/. It is sai& that Ge /o!l& in li*e manner ret!rn Din the clo!&sD. They ha& I!st as*e& if Ge /o!l& restore the *ing&om at that time. "o/ /ith &isappointment an& ama<ement an& c!riosity they ga<e !pon the ascension. At the same time, t/o men appeare&. 9rom /hat they /ore, an& the nat!re of their message, they m!st ha5e .een angels. They /ere sent to gi5e comfort. They too* on h!man form, as &i& the t/o /ho /ere present at the tom., after the es!rrection. Clothe& in /hite sym.oli<e& p!rity an& /as the commonly mentione& apparel of angelic .eings. E e5elation 3:4.F =erse $$. Their message: they greete& the &isciples in general as DMe men of 2alileeD, the place of most of their origin. They 6!estion /hy they are still loo*ing !p into hea5en. Ge /as not going to restore the *ing&om. Ge /as not going to ret!rn in a fe/ moments. Ge ha& foretol& this ret!rn to hea5en, to the 9ather. They ha& a mission an& a message to carry o!t. DThis same Jes!sD /o!l& ret!rn from hea5en Ethe imme&iate presence of 2o&F, from the right han& of 2o&, in po/er, honor, an& righteo!sness. This /o!l& .e at the time of I!&gment EJohn $4:3F. Ge /ill ret!rn in clo!&s Din li*e mannerD as the left. Gis role as 0e&iator /ill ha5e .een complete&. The Ch!rch /ill ha5e .een sa5e&. It /ill .e accor&ing to 2o&'s plan that Ge tri!mph o5er the /ic*e&.

Lesson II Contin!e&

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=erse $2. The partic!lar part of the mo!ntain /here they /ere /as the eastern si&e, near the small 5illage of 7ethany. The &istance /as /ithin the 2,''' paces or c!.its H not 6!ite one mile. This ha& .een set .y the Je/ish lea&ers, not the la/ of 0oses. This ha& come from the camp of the Israelites. "o part /as more than 2,''' paces from the ta.ernacle. =erse $3. They arri5e& in Jer!salem, an& /ent into an !pper room. This ha& apparently .een set asi&e for their assem.ly H the first chosen apostles name& here: 8eter, James, an& John, An&re/, 8hilip, an& Thomas, an& 7artholome/, an& 0atthe/, James, son of Alphe!s, (imon Nelotes, the other J!&as, .rother of James. =erse $4. They perse5ere& /ith their constant attention, praying for each other an& the ministry of the /or&. This /as &one /ith Done accor&D, one min&. Their foc!s /as the same, their &esire to approach the throne of grace, see*ing 2o&'s g!i&ance an& .lessing for themsel5es an& each other. Also mentione& are the /omen. These incl!&e& those recor&e& .y L!*e ):2,3? 23:4+,,,? 24:$'? 0atthe/ 2@:,, H 0ary 0ag&alene, 0ary the mother of James an& Jes!s, the /ife of Ne.e&ee, Joanna, Ch!<as' /ife, an& (!sanna. Others /ere not mentione& .y name? sons of the relati5es of apostles or of Jes!s. At least one /as /ith him in Gis tra5els EI Corinthians 4:,F. Jes!s' mother is partic!larly mentione&. (he has .een entr!ste& into John's care EJohn $+:2,2@F. This /as her last mention in (cript!re. Also Christ's half#.rothers ha& .ecome .elie5ers at some point? James mentione& first .elie5ing after the res!rrection. =erse $,. On one of the &ays .et/een the Ascension an& the &ay of 8entecost 8eter stoo& !p in the mi&st of the &isciples Ea.o!t $2F an& .ro!ght !p a necessary .!siness of the ch!rch. This matter /as so important as to .e .ro!ght .efore the entire congregation of the assem.le& .elie5ers, the first s!ch call to ma*e a &ecision. =erse $-. D0en an& .rethrenD /as a c!stomary form of a&&ress, especially to/ar&s those one respects an& has affection for. 8eter then refers to 8salms 4$:+ as applie& to J!&as .y Jes!s in John $3:$), then to 8salms -+ Ereferre& to in 5erse 2' H m!st nee&s .e f!lfille&F. It is stresse& that the Goly (pirit inspire& Da5i& a.o!t J!&as /ho g!i&e& the sol&iers an& Je/ish lea&ers to Jes!s. =erse $@. This same J!&as, n!m.ere& as one of the $2, chosen as an apostle .y Jes!s EL!*e -:$3#$-F. Gis character /as *no/n to Jes!s /hen Ge chose him. Ge /as ma&e treas!rer, party to the most intimate contact /ith Jes!s. J!&as &i& not ha5e any acc!sation against Jes!s H neither /ith Gis moral character, nor Jes!s' lac* of political

Lesson II Contin!e&

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aspiration against ome. It /as, then, his &esire to han&le the money as treas!rer that ma&e J!&as a traitor. This force& him to eCperience remorse to the point of s!ici&e. Ge reali<e& that Jes!s /as completely innocent of all of the charges .ro!ght against Gim. =erse $). The 3' pieces of sil5er J!&as ha& .een gi5en to .etray Jes!s, he ret!rne& to the Temple an& thre/ the money &o/n, reIecting the .loo& money. The chief priest !se& the ret!rne& .ri.e money to .!y a potter's fiel& E!se& to get clayF for .!rial for the poor. It is calle& Dthe re/ar& of ini6!ity.D The pict!re &escri.es J!&as as hanging himself, the rope .rea*ing, then falling Dhea&longD, or hea& first, as if he thre/ himself from a roc*. The res!lt /as that he .!rst as!n&er H his .o/els g!shing o!t. =erse $+. The action of the priests in the p!rchasing the fiel& from the ret!rne& .loo& money .ecame *no/n. The fiel& /as rename& the fiel& of .loo& as a remin&er of J!&as' act of .etrayal. The (yro#Chal&aic /orl& DAlcel&amaD meant literally Dthe fiel& of .loo&D. =erse 2'. 8eter then 6!otes 8salm -+: tho!gh general an& pl!ral in the original, referring to Israel's enemies, he interprets it as referring to J!&as. Gis &eath left his home &esolate, /ith no one to e5er inha.it it. This is the I!&gment against Jes!s' .etrayer. The neCt part comes from 8salms $'+:) # DLet his &ays .e fe/, an& let another ta*e his office.D J!&as /as !n/orthy of his office, an& .y his &eath, left his place empty. The /or& translate& D.ishopricD &oes not affirm any partic!lar office in the Dch!rchD that J!&as hel&. =erses 2$,22. To ta*e J!&as' place, one m!st .e a /itness to the life an& /or*s of Jes!s, .eginning /ith the .aptism of John. This /as the foremost 6!alification. Ge m!st .e from the @' &isciples. DBent in an& o!tD &escri.es constant companionship. This /as from Jes!s' .aptism .y John !ntil the time Ge /as ta*en !p into hea5en. This person m!st .e or&aine& as e6!ally 6!alifie& as J!&as ha& .een. Or&aine& means to .e set apart to the sacre& position, tra&itionally .y the laying on of han&s. The main point here is that he .e a /itness of Christ's ministry an& res!rrection. =erse 23. T/o men /ere set apart as can&i&ates H most li*ely the ol&est an& most righteo!s in character. These t/o /ere a.o!t e6!al in these 6!alifications. One /as DJoseph calle& 7arsa.asD, son of (a.as, /hose

Lesson II Contin!e& s!rname /as J!st!s, so#calle& as in&icati5e of his integrity. The other /as 0atthias. "othing a&&itional is recor&e& a.o!t this man.

$,

=erse 24. There /as not general agreement, so they follo/e& the 2o&ly metho&, see*ing an ans/er .y prayer. They ac*no/le&ge& 2o& as the only One Bho *no/s the hearts of all men, also Jes!s EJohn 2:2,? -:-4? $-:$+F. The reg!lar !se of the term DLor&D /as !se& .y the &isciples in calling !pon the risen (a5ior EL!*e 24:,2F. They as* Gim to sho/ /hich of these t/o Ge has chosen as the .est. =erse 2,. Ge /ill .e ta*ing the part, ministry, an& apostleship from /hich J!&as, .y transgression, fell. Ge /as to go to his o/n place. This m!st refer to the res!lt of this act of .etrayal an& s!ici&e: lan&ing him in Ga&es, to a/ait final I!&gment !nto con&emnation. =erse 2-. The casting of lots to &eci&e a matter of great importance /as tra&itional among the Je/s. EI Chronicles 24:,? "!m.ers 2-:,,? Josh!a $,,$-,$@.F 8ro5er.s $-:33 # DThe lot is cast into the lap, .!t the /hole &isposing thereof is of the Lor&.D The res!lt of the lot sho/e& that 0atthias /as rec*one& as the $2th apostle. This is the last mention of him in the "e/ Testament. There /as no s!ccession from the apostles, the office ceasing /hen they &ie&. Only 8a!l /as &esignate& Apostle to the 2entiles, as the others /ere to the Je/s. All /ere /itnesses to the risen Christ. The common /ay /as to place the names on pieces of stone or /oo&, an& p!t them into an !rn. Also, other pieces naming the office /ere incl!&e&, then others that /ere .lan*. The names /ere &ra/n at ran&om to &etermine the o!tcome. The ass!mption /as that 2o& /o!l& &irect the o!tcome accor&ing to Gis /ill. Th!s the lot fell !pon 0atthias an& his name replace& that of J!&as Iscariot /ith the other $$ apostles. This /as the en& an& the only time that one /as appointe& to the apostolic office. Their role /as !ni6!e an& not to .e repeate& or carrie& on in the ch!rch. The only eCception /as the apostle 8a!l, .y special commission as apostle to the 2entiles. The others /ere apostles to the Je/s, as /itnesses to Gis res!rrection. All that came after /ere ministers of the /or&s of the apostles. They /ere to esta.lish, organi<e, teach, an& go5ern the ch!rches !ntil Jes!s ret!rns to gather Gis ch!rch at the apt!re. %n& of Chapter I. "eCt is 8entecost an& 8eter's (ermon.

Lesson III The Acts of the Apostles 2:$#2$.

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$ An& /hen the &ay of 8entecost /as f!lly come, they /ere all /ith one accor& in one place. 2 An& s!&&enly there came a so!n& from hea5en as of a r!shing mighty /in&, an& it fille& all the ho!se /here they /ere sitting. 3 An& there appeare& !nto them clo5en tong!es li*e as of fire, an& it sat !pon each of them. 4 An& they /ere all fille& /ith the Goly 2host, an& .egan to spea* /ith other tong!es, as the (pirit ga5e them !tterance. , K An& there /ere &/elling at Jer!salem Je/s, &e5o!t men, o!t of e5ery nation !n&er hea5en. - "o/ /hen this /as noise& a.roa&, the m!ltit!&e came together, an& /ere confo!n&e&, .eca!se that e5ery man hear& them spea* in his o/n lang!age. @ An& they /ere all ama<e& an& mar5ele&, saying one to another, 7ehol&, are not all these /hich spea* 2alileansL ) An& ho/ hear /e e5ery man in o!r o/n tong!e, /herein /e /ere .ornL + 8ar'thi#ans, an& 0e&es, an& %'lamites, an& the &/ellers in 0esopota'mi#a, an& in J!&ea, an& Cappa&o'cia, in 8ont!s, an& Asia, $' 8hryg'i#a, an& 8amphyl'i#a, in %gypt, an& in the parts of Li.ya a.o!t Cyre'ne, an& strangers of ome, Je/s an& proselytes, $$ Cretes an& Ara.ians, /e &o hear them spea* in o!r tong!es the /on&erf!l /or*s of 2o&. $2 An& they /ere all ama<e&, an& /ere in &o!.t, saying one to another, Bhat meaneth thisL $3 Others moc*ing sai&, These men are f!ll of ne/ /ine. $4 K 7!t 8eter, stan&ing !p /ith the ele5en, lifte& !p his 5oice, an& sai& !nto them, Me men of J!&ea, an& all ye that &/ell at Jer!salem, .e this *no/n !nto yo!, an& hear*en to my /or&s: $, for these are not &r!n*en, as ye s!ppose, seeing it is .!t the thir& ho!r of the &ay. $- 7!t this is that /hich /as spo*en .y the prophet Joel? $@ An& it shall come to pass in the last &ays, saith 2o&, I /ill po!r o!t of my (pirit !pon all flesh: an& yo!r sons an& yo!r &a!ghters shall prophesy, an& yo!r yo!ng men shall see 5isions, an& yo!r ol& men shall &ream &reams: $) an& on my ser5ants an& on my han&mai&ens I /ill po!r o!t in those &ays of my (pirit? an& they shall prophesy: $+ an& I /ill sho/ /on&ers in hea5en a.o5e, an& signs in the earth .eneath? .loo&, an& fire, an& 5apor of smo*e: 2' the s!n shall .e t!rne& into &ar*ness, an& the moon into .loo&, .efore that great an& nota.le &ay of the Lor& come: 2$ an& it shall come to pass, that /hosoe5er shall call on the name of the Lor& shall .e sa5e&. =erse $. This refers to the ,'th &ay after the 8asso5er, also calle& the feast of /ee*s E%Co&!s 34:22? "!m.ers 2):2-? De!teronomy $-:$'F. It /as also a har5est festi5al. T/o loa5es of ne/ meal /ere offere& as first#fr!its ELe5itic!s 23:$@,2'? "!m.ers 2):2@#3$F. The &ay arri5e&. This eCplains the presence of the amo!nt of strangers an& foreigners in Jer!salem. Also, this /o!l& .e the perfect time for the

Lesson III Contin!e&

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Goly (pirit to empo/er the preaching of the 2ospel to this assem.le& m!ltit!&e in the 5ery city of the cr!cifiCion an& res!rrection. Those that respon& in faith /ill carry the 2ospel message to their home regions. It is ass!me& that the n!m.er incl!&e& the $2' mentione& in Acts $:$,. They /ere in one accor& in the same location. There is no &etail as to the eCact place or e5en &ay of the /ee* this too* place, nor is it necessary. =erse 2. Bhat then happene& /as s!&&en an& &ramatic in its coming. This /as a stri*ing an& memora.le eCperience. A so!n& seeme& to r!sh &o/n from hea5en. The s!&&enness an& &irection an& intensity fille& the ho!se completely /here they all /ere. The s!&&en so!n& /as li*e that of a 5iolent storm, in5isi.le .!t /ith great force, representing the /or*ing of the Goly (pirit. The so!n& an& the effects /o!l& accomplish 2o&'s mighty /or* among them. The so!n& fille& the ho!se. It m!st .e note& that the so!n& /as 'li*e' a r!shing mighty /in&, /itho!t the presence of the /in& itself. This /as no nat!ral storm. It has .een s!ggeste& that the n!m.er in5ol5e& in&icates that it m!st ha5e happene& in the larger co!rtyar& of a pri5ate ho!se, rather than in a room, tho!gh it may ha5e .eg!n there. Then they sa/ /hat appeare& as flames of fire, resem.ling tong!es, on top of their hea&s. This &esignates anything narro/ing to a point. Gere &escri.ing the appearance of the flame, first irreg!larly, then each part, sat !pon each one of them. This /as a &irect an& 5isi.le em.lem of the promise& &escent of the Goly (pirit. This ma&e it !ni6!e an& !n6!estiona.ly a special /or* of 2o&, especially that of fire that &i& not cons!me. This /as the .aptism .y fire pre&icte& .y The 7aptist. It /as also em.lematic of the &i5ersity of lang!ages that /ere to .e spo*en an& !n&erstoo&. =erse 4. They /ere all fille& /ith the (pirit, !n&er Gis sacre& infl!ence an& s!pernat!ral po/er. They .egan to spea* /ith other tong!es Elang!agesF. This /as gi5en .y the po/er of the (pirit, not lang!ages these 2alileans /o!l& .e familiar /ith or e5en recogni<e. This /as pre&icte& in Isaiah 2):$$ an& applie& in Corinthians $4:2$. Jes!s pre&icte& in 0ar* $-:$@ D...they shall spea* /ith ne/ tong!es.D This eCiste& for some time in the early ch!rch: I Corinthians $2:$',$$ # D&i5ers tong!es an& interpretation of tong!es.D This /as apparently to others .esi&es the apostles. This /as the empo/ering to reach all nations. This /as necessary in the .eginning. In mo&ern times there are still lang!ages that the 2ospel has not .een translate& into, an& missionaries ha5e spent eCtensi5e perio&s of time learning ne/ lang!ages. 0iracles /ere !se& early on to .e a po/erf!l means of sprea&ing the 2ospel. Go/e5er, this /as a miracle to the heathen, that /as a great contrast /ith the other/ise necessary time to learn a foreign tong!e. The 2ospel /as preache& in Ara.ia, 2reece, (yria, Asia, 8ersia, Africa, ome, each ha5ing their o/n !ni6!e lang!ages. It has .een s!ggeste& that many /ealthy Je/s from foreign lan&s ha& resi&ences in Jer!salem, to .e a.le to often o.ser5e

Lesson III Contin!e&

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ceremonies at the Temple. They are &escri.e& as '&e5o!t'. They /ere caref!l to o.ser5e 2o&'s comman&ments in religio!s o.ser5ations, especially in prayer. Also, they /ere sincere an& solemn. There /ere Je/s at that time /ho /ere scattere& into almost all nations. Those financially a.le /o!l& choose to .e present /hene5er possi.le, to participate in the great festi5als in Jer!salem, tho!gh there /ere synagog!es in most co!ntries. Accor&ing to contemporary recor&s, there /ere a.o!t 3 million people in Jer!salem /hen Tit!s .esiege& the city, near the time of 8asso5er. Those that ha& come together /ere confo!n&e& or conf!se&. They co!l& not !n&erstan& or eCplain this occ!rrence. That 2alileans spo*e in lang!ages they ha& not learne& in 5ario!s foreign lan&s /as a complete s!rprise. This /as noise& a.roa& as a remar*a.le /or*: ho/ /as this possi.leL 0ost of those in the a!&ience accepte& this as a mighty &isplay of the po/er of 2o&. That they /ere 2alileans /as o.ser5e& as remar*a.le .eca!se those from this region /ere consi&ere& 'co!ntry': !nschoole&, /itho!t proper c!stoms an& manners. Their &ialect /as consi&ere& simple an& corr!pt. 9or them to spea* correctly in lang!ages of other nations /as a great s!rprise. This pointe& to it in s!ch a stri*ing manner that this m!st .e a /or* of 2o&. This is often 2o&'s manner of /or*ing to !se those /itho!t e&!cation, talent, position, po/er, or pri&e. =erse ). They hear their nati5e lang!age Efrom /here they /ere .ornF. =erse +. The &ifferent nations Ean& therefore lang!agesF are recor&e&. The list .egins on the east an& contin!es to the /est. 8arthia /as a part of 8ersia, to the northeast of 0e&ia, separate& from the oman %mpire .y the %!phrates as its /estern .o!n&ary. Their lang!age /as 8ersian. The 0e&es li5e& /est an& so!th of the Caspian (ea. 8ersia /as to the so!th, Armenia to the /est, a.o!t the si<e of (pain. They /ere often connecte& /ith the 8ersians. %lamites &escen&e& from %lam, the son of (hem. Che&orlaomar /as the chief *ing E2enesis $4:4F. (h!shan /as the most *no/n city. 8ersia /as east? 0e&ia /as north an& the 8ersian 2!lf /as so!th. They /ere *no/n as /ar#li*e an& eCcelle& /ith the .o/. It /as .et/een the Tigris an& %!phrates i5ers, in Ge.re/ Aram, no/ (yria. This /as also Or of the Chal&ees, .irthplace of A.raham E2enesis $$:2@,2)F. The neCt, 0esopotamia, .et/een the t/o ri5ers, /ith 7a.ylon to the so!th. Armenia on the north, (yria on the /est, 8ersia on the east. (yrian /o!l& ha5e .een the lang!age. In J!&ea, simply part of the en!merating of the eCtent of the lang!ages. Cappa&ocia, a region in Asia 0inor H /est of the %!phrates an& Armenia, an& to the north, 8ont!s. To the /est /as 8hrygia an& 2alatia. (o!th /as 0o!nt Ta!r!s, then Celicia an& (yria. The partic!lar lang!age of this region is not *no/n. 8ro.a.ly a miCe& &ialect, 2ree* an& (yriac. It /as *no/n as an eminently /ic*e& place. 8ont!s, another pro5ince of Asia 0inor, north of Cappa&ocia. 8eter a&&resse& his letter to this place. This /as the .irthplace of A6!ila, companion of 8a!l EActs $):2F.

Lesson III Contin!e&

$+

Asia refers to areas /est of the a.o5e, not in&i5i&!ally name&: 0ysia: Aeolis, Ionia, Caria, an& Ly&ia. %phes!s /as the capital of this region, fre6!ently calle& DIoniaD. 8hrygia an& 8amphylia, also in Asia 0inor. 8amphylia on the 0e&iterranean? 8hrygia .or&ere& on 2alatia, Cappa&ocia, an& 8isi&ia. Their lang!age /o!l& ha5e .een p!re 2ree*, as colonies of the 2ree*s. In %gypt, the lang!age there /as Coptic. A 5ast n!m.er of Je/s li5e& there, so a goo& n!m.er /o!l& .e present in Jer!salem at the great feasts. The (ept!agint, the first translation of the Ge.re/ Ol& Testament into 2ree* /as &one there. Li.ya /as the general name for the rest of Africa. It here refers to the region nearest %gypt. Cyrene, a.o!t ,'' miles /est of AleCan&ria, %gypt. It is no/ *no/n as Tripoli. It /as (imon from this region /ho /as compelle& to .ear Jes!s' cross to Cal5ary E0atthe/ 2@:32F. "o lang!age name is *no/n. Go/ many omans /ere &/elling in Jer!salem, /hether permanently or temporarily is not *no/n. Latin /as their lang!age. A great many Je/s then li5e& in ome. Joseph!s /rites that there /ere ) synagog!es there. There /ere also Je/s, nati5e .orn, an& proselytes, or those con5erte& to the Je/ish religion from the 2entiles. This /as a !ni6!e characteristic of the 8harisees mentione& .y Jes!s E0atthe/ 23:$,F. Crete, islan& in the 0e&iterranean, 2'' miles long, ,' /i&e, a.o!t ,'' miles so!th of Constantinople Eno/ Istan.!lF, /est of (yria Ea.o!t ,' milesF. 2ree* /as most li*ely spo*en here. Ara.ians in the penins!la .et/een the e& (ea on the /est an& the In&ian Ocean on the so!th of the 8ersian 2!lf an& %!phrates on the east. The lang!age spo*en there /as Ara.ic. =erse $$. These 5ario!s peoples ac*no/le&ge& that they hear& an& !n&erstoo& the apostles spea*ing in at least @ or ) &ifferent lang!ages or &ialects of those lang!ages EJe/ish &ialectsF. That they !n&erstoo& /hat they hear& ma*es this a /or* .eyon& h!man a.ilities. They spo*e only of the /or*s of 2o&. Those con5erte& at this time /o!l& carry the /on&erf!l message to their home co!ntries, /hich also prepare& for the s!.se6!ent missionary efforts of the apostles /ho tra5ele& to those lan&s. Ch!rches .egan in most of those places an& m!ltit!&es con5erte& to the Christian faith. The great /or*s of 2o& preache& here incl!&e& the gift of 2o&'s (on, Jes!s, Gis sacrificial &eath for others, the res!rrection, the ascension, Gis teachings. =erse $2. 7eing in &o!.t means that this e5ent /as so !ni6!e that it /as &iffic!lt to !n&erstan& or eCplain. All /ere astonishe&.

Lesson III Contin!e& =erse $3. (ome of the o.ser5ers, moc*ing the i&ea that this /as 2o&'s /or*, s!ggeste& that they /ere !n&er the infl!ence of ne/ /ine, or &r!n*. They &eri&e& the apostles as not intelligi.ly spea*ing recogni<a.le lang!ages, .!t the sl!rre& speech of intoCicate& men.

2'

=erse $4. The .ol& an& impet!o!s 8eter, stan&ing !p /ith the $$, lifte& !p his 5oice, a&&ressing the assem.le& m!ltit!&e. Ge stoo& to &efen& the apostles of Jes!s Christ the (a5ior an& Jes!s Gimself. C!riosity ha& .ro!ght the cro/& together, the perfect opport!nity to proclaim the 2ospel /ith the energi<ing po/er an& gifts of the Goly (pirit. It is not recor&e& if all $2 spo*e at the same time in &ifferent lang!ages, or if they spo*e in 6!ic* s!ccession. 8eter a&&resse& his /or& to Je/s .y .irth Emen of J!&eaF an& all others, /hether proselytes or strangers at that time in Jer!salem. This /as a respectf!l intro&!ction to /hat he /as a.o!t to say to them. Ge procee&e& to calmly eCplain their mis!n&erstan&ing. They m!st listen caref!lly to his /or&s to *no/ the tr!th. =erse $,. That it /as a.o!t + o'cloc* in the morning /o!l& ma*e it appear !nli*ely that these men /o!l& .e &r!n*. It /as the time for morning prayers. Also, &rin*ing /as tra&itionally &one at night. =erse $-. This /as in fact a f!lfillment of a prophecy of Joel. EJoel 2:2)#32.F The follo/ing is a s!mmary. =erse $@. It shall come to pass in the last &ays or f!t!re times. These /ere the times of the 0essiah /hich /o!l& ha5e no en&. These /ere the times of the sprea& of the 2ospel, not the en& of the /orl&. The &escription of po!ring means comm!nicating largely an& freely as /ater comes from a fo!ntain. The Goly (pirit /ill she& !pon them a.!n&antly, to infl!ence, rene/, an& p!rify their hearts an& so!ls. D0y (piritD names the thir& person of the Trinity, as promise& .y Jes!s, to complete the teaching an& empo/ering to sprea& the 2ospel to all men. The Goly (pirit as the so!rce an& comm!nicator of all .lessings of Christian eCperiences. Ge rene/s the strength of the heart EJohn 3:,F. The so!rce of the fr!it of the the (pirit E2alatians ,:22#2,? Tit!s 3:,#@F. Also gifts EI Corinthians $2:4#$'F. This /as !ni6!ely seen on the &ay of 8entecost in the spea*ing of foreign lang!ages an& the con5ersion of 3,'''. Opon all flesh in&icates all classes of ran* an& parts of society: ol&, yo!ng? rich, poor? ser5ants, *ings? men, /omen? etc.

Lesson III Contin!e&

2$

Acts 2$ mentions 8hilip's fo!r &a!ghters that prophesie&. The o!tpo!ring of the (pirit .egins the sprea& of the 2ospel. The last &ays .egan /ith Christ's first coming an& /ill en& /ith Gis (econ& Coming. The nat!ral phenomena of 5erses $+,2' ha& ta*en place on the &ay of the Lor&'s cr!cifiCion. E(ee Joel 2:32 an& also omans $':$3.F "eCt, the contin!ation of 8eter's message. I&entifying Jes!s of "a<areth as the promise& 0essiah.

Lesson I= The Acts of the Apostles 2:22#3-.

22

22 K Me men of Israel, hear these /or&s? Jes!s of "a<areth, a man appro5e& of 2o& among yo! .y miracles an& /on&ers an& signs, /hich 2o& &i& .y him in the mi&st of yo!, as ye yo!rsel5es also *no/: 23 him, .eing &eli5ere& .y the &eterminate co!nsel an& fore*no/le&ge of 2o&, ye ha5e ta*en, an& .y /ic*e& han&s ha5e cr!cifie& an& slain: 24 /hom 2o& hath raise& !p, ha5ing loose& the pains of &eath: .eca!se it /as not possi.le that he sho!l& .e hol&en of it. 2, 9or Da5i& spea*eth concerning him, I foresa/ the Lor& al/ays .efore my face? for he is on my right han&, that I sho!l& not .e mo5e&: 2- therefore &i& my heart reIoice, an& my tong!e /as gla&? moreo5er also my flesh shall rest in hope: 2@ .eca!se tho! /ilt not lea5e my so!l in hell, neither /ilt tho! s!ffer thine Goly One to see corr!ption. 2) Tho! hast ma&e *no/n to me the /ays of life? tho! shalt ma*e me f!ll of Ioy /ith thy co!ntenance. 2+ K 0en an& .rethren, let me freely spea* !nto yo! of the patriarch Da5i&, that he is .oth &ea& an& .!rie&, an& his sep!lchre is /ith !s !nto this &ay. 3' Therefore .eing a prophet, an& *no/ing that 2o& ha& s/orn /ith an oath to him, that of the fr!it of his loins, accor&ing to the flesh, he /o!l& raise !p Christ to sit on his throne? 3$ he, seeing this .efore, spa*e of the res!rrection of Christ, that his so!l /as not left in hell, neither his flesh &i& see corr!ption. 32 This Jes!s hath 2o& raise& !p, /hereof /e all are /itnesses. 33 Therefore .eing .y the right han& of 2o& eCalte&, an& ha5ing recei5e& of the 9ather the promise of the Goly 2host, he hath she& forth this, /hich ye no/ see an& hear. 34 9or Da5i& is not ascen&e& into the hea5ens: .!t he saith himself, The LO D sai& !nto my Lor&, (it tho! on my right han&, 3, !ntil I ma*e thy foes thy footstool. 3- Therefore let all the ho!se of Israel *no/ ass!re&ly, that 2o& hath ma&e that same Jes!s, /hom ye ha5e cr!cifie&, .oth Lor& an& Christ. =erses 22#24. The apostolic 2ospel 0essage typically ha& fo!r parts: $. The anno!ncement that the time of prophetic f!lfillment ha& come. 2. The &escription of the ministry, &eath, an& tri!mph of Jes!s. 3. P!oting Ol& Testament (cript!res that Jes!s f!lfille& as the 0essiah. 4. The call to repentance an& faith. At this point 8eter has alrea&y 6!ote& prophetic (cript!re. "o/ he &escri.es ho/ Jes!s f!lfille& them: Dmighty /or*s an& /on&ers an& signsD only possi.le .y the a!thority an& po/er of 2o& among the Dmen of Israel.D They sho!l& ha5e still .een in the min&s of the listeners, the general pop!lace. They /ere Dmighty /or*s,D signs of the age to come. Met Jes!s ha& .een con&emne& to &eath .y the Je/s. They /ere infl!ence& .y their lea&ers to &eman& Gis cr!cifiCion. This /as in fact part of 2o&'s plan. This &oes emphasi<e their g!ilt .!t lea5es a /ay to forgi5eness an& reconciliation.

Lesson I= Contin!e&

23

The &eath sentence eCec!te& ha& .een re5erse& .y a higher a!thority. 2o& raise& Jes!s !p an& loose& the .on&s of &eath. Ge /as res!rrecte& !nto glory. =erses 2,#2). 8eter 6!otes 8salms $-:)#$$ # D.eca!se tho! /ilt not lea5e my so!l in hell, neither /ilt tho! s!ffer thine Goly One to see corr!ption.D These /or&s m!st refer to 0essiah Bho is Jes!s an& no one else. Only Ge /as &eli5ere& from the corr!ption of the gra5e an& raise& from the &ea&. 8eter testifies that he an& the other &isciples /ere act!al /itnesses to these e5ents. =erses 33#3,. "o/ that all this has ta*en place, Jes!s is at 2o&'s right han&. Ge has po!re& o!t the Goly (pirit into Gis follo/ers on earth. Those no/ present ha& /itnesse& the first o!t/ar& manifestation. This /as the thir& proof of 2o&'s plan for man's sal5ation thro!gh Jes!s the Christ. 8salms $$':$ recor&s 2o&'s /or&s to 0essiah: D(it tho! on my right han&D Esee 0ar* $2:3,F. Jes!s foretol& this in L!*e 22:-+: D9rom henceforth shall the (on of 0an .e seate& at the right han& of the po/er of 2o&.D =erse 3-. Ge is no/ proclaime& as 0essiah an& Lor&. Gis "ame is a.o5e e5ery name E8hilemon 2:+F. This also ma*es Gim e6!al /ith 2o& EJoel 2:32F. =erses 3@#42. Call to epentance.

3@ K "o/ /hen they hear& this, they /ere pric*e& in their heart, an& sai& !nto 8eter an& to the rest of the apostles, 0en an& .rethren, /hat shall /e &oL 3) Then 8eter sai& !nto them, epent, an& .e .apti<e& e5ery one of yo! in the name of Jes!s Christ for the remission of sins, an& ye shall recei5e the gift of the Goly 2host. 3+ 9or the promise is !nto yo!, an& to yo!r chil&ren, an& to all that are afar off, e5en as many as the Lor& o!r 2o& shall call. 4' An& /ith many other /or&s &i& he testify an& eChort, saying, (a5e yo!rsel5es from this !nto/ar& generation. 4$ Then they that gla&ly recei5e& his /or& /ere .apti<e&: an& the same &ay there /ere a&&e& !nto them a.o!t three tho!san& so!ls. 42 An& they contin!e& stea&fastly in the apostles' &octrine an& fello/ship, an& in .rea*ing of .rea&, an& in prayers.

Lesson I= Contin!e&

24

=erses 3@,3). 8eter's message ha& .een effecti5e. As a res!lt of 8eter's preaching, many in the a!&ience /ere con5ince& of their sin. If they ha5e th!s cr!elly treate& Jes!s, Bho ha& come to .ring them sal5ation, then /hat hope co!l& they no/ ha5eL This /as eCpresse& .y their response H as*ing 8eter /hat they can &o no/. 8eter gi5es them great reass!rance. There /as still hope. They m!st repent of their sin an& t!rn to 2o&. They m!st then .e .apti<e& in the "ame of Jes!s, no/ accepte& as their 0essiah. "ot only /o!l& their sins .e forgi5en, an& in a&&ition, they also /o!l& recei5e the gift of the Goly (pirit, /hich the apostles ha& only recently recei5e& themsel5es. 8eter also re6!ires their soon follo/ing .aptism. The o!t/ar&, p!.lic sign of the inner change. T/o ne/ feat!res are a&&e&. 9irst, Din the "ame of Jes!s,D an& recei5ing the gift of the Goly (pirit. (ince 8entecost the Goly (pirit /as gi5en to all .elie5ers. It can also .e &escri.e& as the sign of the final re&emption at the Lor&'s ret!rn. =erse 3+. The promise of the 2ospel /as eCten&e& not only to the present generation .!t to the follo/ing generations. Also to the people of Jer!salem, an& those in &istant lan&s, .oth Je/s an& 2entiles. T/o Ol& Testament prophecies are mentione&. Isaiah ,@:$', D...8eace, peace to him that is far off, an& to him that is near, saith the LO D?...D an& Joel 2:32, D...for in mo!nt Nion an& in Jer!salem shall .e &eli5erance, as the LO D hath sai&, an& in the remnant /hom the LO D shall call.D =erse 4'. This generation ha& .een calle&, Da faithless an& per5erse generation,D .y Jes!s E+:4$F. This /as .eca!se they reIecte& Gim. Those that no/ respon&e& to the 2ospel message /ere the faithf!l remnant, the center of the ne/ Israel, an& also the Christian Ch!rch. =erses 4$,42. Those /ho .elie5e&, follo/e& 8eter's &irection an& /ere .apti<e&, ha5ing also recei5e& the Goly (pirit. Jes!s ha& tol& them EJohn $4:$2F that, as a res!lt of Gis ret!rning to Gis 9ather, they /o!l& perform greater /or*s than they ha& e5er seen Gim &o. The 3,''' con5erts .ecame the ne/ Christian comm!nity .ase& on the apostolic teaching. Bhen finally /ritten &o/n, their recor& .ecame /hat /e *no/ as the "e/ Testament. Bhat has tra&itionally .een calle& the apostolic s!ccession is most easily o.ser5e& in the Christian ch!rches that contin!e to .ase their .eliefs an& practices on the preaching an& teaching of the apostles, as recor&e& in the "e/ Testament. T/o acti5ities of the .eginning Christian comm!nity /ere name&: D...in .rea*ing of .rea&, an& in prayers.D E=erse 42.F Apparently, the .rea*ing of .rea& specifically signifies that there /as the o.ser5ance of the Lor&'s (!pper EDThis is 0y .o&y /hich is .ro*en for yo!DF? the element that ma&e an or&inary meal also a cele.ration an& remem.rance of Christ's sacrifice an& promise.

Lesson I= Contin!e& DIn prayersD certainly refers to appointe& times of comm!nal prayer. There /as also contin!e& /orship an& prayer to 2o& at the Temple E5erse 4-F. =erses 43#4@.

2,

43 K An& fear came !pon e5ery so!l: an& many /on&ers an& signs /ere &one .y the apostles. 44 An& all that .elie5e& /ere together, an& ha& all things common? 4, an& sol& their possessions an& goo&s, an& parte& them to all men, as e5ery man ha& nee&. 4- An& they, contin!ing &aily /ith one accor& in the temple, an& .rea*ing .rea& from ho!se to ho!se, &i& eat their meat /ith gla&ness an& singleness of heart, 4@ praising 2o&, an& ha5ing fa5or /ith all the people. An& the Lor& a&&e& to the ch!rch &aily s!ch as sho!l& .e sa5e&. These &escri.e the reg!lar acti5ities of the 7eginning Christian Ch!rch. =erse 43. The opening /or&s &escri.e the profo!n& a/e EfearF the .elie5ers /ere eCperiencing as a res!lt of the life changing e5ents, the preaching of 8eter, their o/n repentance, an& con5ersion to a faith in Christ's sal5ation. 0any e5ents /ere clearly s!pernat!ral signs an& /on&ers &one thro!gh the apostles. 8eter's preaching incl!&e& the prophecy of Joel that heral&e& the Dgreat an& nota.le &ayD /o!l& .e heral&e& .y /on&ers in the hea5ens an& signs on the earth .eneath. Among the signs on the earth m!st .e the mighty /or*s an& /on&ers an& signs /hich 2o& performe& thro!gh the life, the &eath, an& the res!rrection of Jes!s Christ. "o/ the c!lmination of the /or*s an& miracles of Jes!s' ministry /ere .eing carrie& on .y the apostles. =erse 44. The &eep sense of their !nity in their 0essiah le& them to .e together, to hol& things in common. They &esire& to Ioin together their assets, foo&, an& property, to .e share& an& !se& for all H the nee&s of each /ere to .e met. Onity in the 0essiah .ro!ght on the pooling of the property an& assets to .e share& .y the comm!nity accor&ing to nee&. =erses 4-,4@. DAn& they, contin!ing &aily...D In the /ee*s follo/ing the 8entecost, the .elie5ers met reg!larly in the Temple for p!.lic /orship. They ate fello/ship meals in each other's homes, D.rea*ing .rea&D in accor&ance /ith Christ's re6!est. The place /here they gathere& at the Temple /as (olomon's colonna&e, /hich /ent along the east si&e of the o!ter co!rt. The comm!nal meals /ere to .e eaten .y ho!sehol&ers. 9rom ho!se to ho!se, there /as a spirit of generosity an& reIoicing. The Lor& &aily a&&e& to them those that /ere sa5e&. They /ere Ioyf!lly /elcome& into the comm!nity, to Ioin the ran*s of those Christ has

Lesson I= Contin!e& accepte&. All glory /as gi5en to 2o&. Acts 3:$#$'. A 0iracle of Gealing an& its Conse6!ences.

2-

$ "o/ 8eter an& John /ent !p together into the temple at the ho!r of prayer, .eing the ninth ho!r. 2 An& a certain man lame from his mother's /om. /as carrie&, /hom they lai& &aily at the gate of the temple /hich is calle& 7ea!tif!l, to as* alms of them that entere& into the temple? 3 /ho, seeing 8eter an& John a.o!t to go into the temple, as*e& an alms. 4 An& 8eter, fastening his eyes !pon him /ith John, sai&, Loo* on !s. , An& he ga5e hee& !nto them, eCpecting to recei5e something of them. - Then 8eter sai&, (il5er an& gol& ha5e I none? .!t s!ch as I ha5e gi5e I thee: In the name of Jes!s Christ of "a<areth rise !p an& /al*. @ An& he too* him .y the right han&, an& lifte& him !p: an& imme&iately his feet an& an*le .ones recei5e& strength. ) An& he leaping !p stoo&, an& /al*e&, an& entere& /ith them into the temple, /al*ing, an& leaping, an& praising 2o&. + An& all the people sa/ him /al*ing an& praising 2o&: $' an& they *ne/ that it /as he /hich sat for alms at the 7ea!tif!l gate of the temple: an& they /ere fille& /ith /on&er an& ama<ement at that /hich ha& happene& !nto him. =erses $#3. 8eter an& John /ere on their tra&itional /ay of going to the Temple, for the appointe& time of the e5ening o.lation EofferingF an& prayer Ea.o!t 3 p.m.F. They /ere stoppe& .y the sight of a lame .eggar /ho ha& .een place& at the foot of the steps that le& !p to the gate of the Temple Co!rt. It /as calle& D7ea!tif!lD # i&entifie& .y the Je/ish historian Joseph!s as Corinthian .ron<e of eC6!isite /or*manship. As they /ere approaching, the man as*e& for a &onation. =erses 4#-. 8eter an& then John fiCe& their eyes !pon the man. 8eter &irecte& the man to loo* at them. Apparently, this sho/s that the lame man ha& not loo*e& !p as !s!al. This le& the man to s!rmise that these t/o m!st ha5e something to gi5e him H a fe/ coins. Bhat they offer /as far more 5al!a.le, not sil5er or gol&, .!t healing in the po/er of the "ame of Jes!s Christ of "a<areth. 8eter tells the man to /al*J =erses @,). 8eter p!t action to his /or&s, .y ta*ing the lame man's right han& an& p!lling him to his feet. That also .ecame the moment /hen the healing /as ta*ing place. The man /as imme&iately a/are of

Lesson I= Contin!e&

2@

strength in his legs an& feet. Ge stoo& !p for the first time in his life. Ge .ecame so eCcite& that he trie& /al*ing, an& s!ccee&e&. Ge then trie& I!mping. (o happy /as he that he /al*e& an& leapt, an& Ioine& the t/o &isciples as they /ent into the Temple, an& he /as praising 2o&. =erses +,$'. 8eople nat!rally notice& this !n!s!ally lo!& an& I!mping man. They recogni<e& the man as the lame .eggar that ha& .een seen reg!larly at the 7ea!tif!l 2ate. They also *ne/ that he /as lame from .irth. They /ere fille& /ith /on&er an& ama<ement. This /as a sign that the apostles of Christ ha& .een gi5en the same healing po/er an& the message of forgi5eness of sins. EAs Jes!s ha& &one /ith the paralytic man in 0ar* 2:$'.F Also, the reali<ation of the prophecy in Isaiah 3,:- # DThen shall the lame man leap as a hart.D "eCt, 8eter eCplains to the cro/& that /itnesse& this e5ent, gi5ing all cre&it to Jes!s.

Lesson = The Acts of the Apostles 3:$$#2-.

2)

$$ K An& as the lame man /hich /as heale& hel& 8eter an& John, all the people ran together !nto them in the porch that is calle& (olomon's, greatly /on&ering. $2 An& /hen 8eter sa/ it, he ans/ere& !nto the people, Me men of Israel, /hy mar5el ye at thisL or /hy loo* ye so earnestly on !s, as tho!gh .y o!r o/n po/er or holiness /e ha& ma&e this man to /al*L $3 The 2o& of A.raham, an& of Isaac, an& of Jaco., the 2o& of o!r fathers, hath glorifie& his (on Jes!s? /hom ye &eli5ere& !p, an& &enie& him in the presence of 8ilate, /hen he /as &etermine& to let him go. $4 7!t ye &enie& the Goly One an& the J!st, an& &esire& a m!r&erer to .e grante& !nto yo!? $, an& *ille& the 8rince of life, /hom 2o& hath raise& from the &ea&? /hereof /e are /itnesses. $- An& his name, thro!gh faith in his name, hath ma&e this man strong, /hom ye see an& *no/: yea, the faith /hich is .y him hath gi5en him this perfect so!n&ness in the presence of yo! all. $@ K An& no/, .rethren, I /ot that thro!gh ignorance ye &i& it, as &i& also yo!r r!lers. $) 7!t those things, /hich 2o& .efore ha& sho/e& .y the mo!th of all his prophets, that Christ sho!l& s!ffer, he hath so f!lfille&. $+ epent ye therefore, an& .e con5erte&, that yo!r sins may .e .lotte& o!t, /hen the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lor&? 2' an& he shall sen& Jes!s Christ, /hich .efore /as preache& !nto yo!: 2$ /hom the hea5en m!st recei5e !ntil the times of restit!tion of all things, /hich 2o& hath spo*en .y the mo!th of all his holy prophets since the /orl& .egan. 22 9or 0oses tr!ly sai& !nto the fathers, A 8rophet shall the Lor& yo!r 2o& raise !p !nto yo! of yo!r .rethren, li*e !nto me? him shall ye hear in all things /hatsoe5er he shall say !nto yo!. 23 An& it shall come to pass, that e5ery so!l, /hich /ill not hear that 8rophet, shall .e &estroye& from among the people. 24 Mea, an& all the prophets from (am!el an& those that follo/ after, as many as ha5e spo*en, ha5e li*e/ise foretol& of these &ays. 2, Me are the chil&ren of the prophets, an& of the co5enant /hich 2o& ma&e /ith o!r fathers, saying !nto A.raham, An& in thy see& shall all the *in&re&s of the earth .e .lesse&. 2en. 22.$) 2- Onto yo! first 2o&, ha5ing raise& !p his (on Jes!s, sent him to .less yo!, in t!rning a/ay e5ery one of yo! from his ini6!ities. 8eter's a&&ress to the people gathere& aro!n& the heale& man in the Temple. =erse $$. Apparently this too* place on the three men's /ay o!t of the Temple on the eastern si&e H in the colonna&e name& (olomon's. At this point a large cro/& ha& gathere& aro!n& them. The former lame man /as hol&ing on to his .enefactors. The cro/& greatly mar5ele& an& m!st ha5e seeme& 5ery anCio!s to fin& o!t /hat, an& ho/, an& /hen

Lesson = Contin!e&

2+

this o.5io!s miracle ha& ta*en place. The physical part /as o.5io!s H the man stoo&. 8eter /o!l& no/ eCplain the spirit!al an& eternal significance of the miracle. =erse $2. Ge .egins .y ass!ring the cro/& that /hat they are so s!rprise& a.o!t sho!l& ha5e .een recogni<e& as /hat co!l& only .e a /or* of 2o&. Only Ge co!l& .ring a.o!t the healing of a lame man. 8eter an& John certainly ha& no s!ch righteo!sness or po/er to .ring a.o!t so great a miracle, so the cro/& sho!l& not .e staring at them. =erses $3#$-. 8eter gi5es a short remin&er of Je/ish history H the same 2o& of A.raham, Isaac, Jaco., an& their o/n fathers, is the so!rce. Ge then a&&s that 2o& has glorifie& Gis (on Jes!s. Ge remin&s them of /hat 2o& &i& thro!gh the (acrifice of Gis (on, no/ glorifie&. Ge incl!&es their g!ilt in the con&emnation an& cr!cifiCion. 2o& tri!mphs .y raising Gim from the &ea& H he an& John .eing /itnesses. They ha& acte& in the "ame of Jes!s, /hich the lame man ha& accepte& in faith, /herein he /as heale&. 8eter remin&s the cro/& that they ha& as*e& 8ilate to release a m!r&erer to them /hen 8ilate /as prepare& to release Jes!s. 8eter calls Jes!s 2o&'s (er5ant, Bhose s!ffering an& eCaltation /as prophesie& in Isaiah ,2:$3 H ,3:$2. Then he calls Jes!s the Goly an& ighteo!s One, the 8rince of Life. 8eter th!s &ramatically emphasi<es the contrast .et/een ho/ men ha& treate& Jes!s an& ho/ 2o& ha&. 8eter eCplains that this is no magic tric*. The e5i&ence is the man stan&ing .efore them. 8eter ha& not sai& magic /or&s in telling the man to /al*. It /o!l& not ha5e ha& any effect. The cripple ha& respon&e& in faith to 8eter's /or&s Din the "ame of Jes!s.D Bith his faith came the po/er of the risen Christ to fill him /ith healing an& strength. =erses $@#$). 8eter gi5es the cro/& the !n&erstan&ing that their actions against Jes!s /ere thro!gh ignorance H they ha& not recogni<e& their 0essiah Enot eCpecting the (!ffering (er5ant .!t the con6!ering national heroF. "either ha& their r!lers. 8eter is proclaiming &i5ine generosity to all those /ho playe& some part in ha5ing Jes!s con&emne& to &eath an& cr!cifie&. Christ's &eath also pai& for their sins if they only confess those sins, repent, an& t!rn to 2o& an& Gis Christ. These e5ents happene& to Jes!s in f!lfillment of the prophecies that foretol& the (!ffering (er5ant, the 0essiah Bho /o!l& &ie for the sins of others. All of this Jes!s ha& foretol& an& ta!ght Gis &isciples. 8eter emphasi<es that they Ethe cro/&F, he, an& John /ere all /itnesses to this great /or* of sal5ation of 2o&. =erses $+#2$. To ta*e a&5antage of this sal5ation, they m!st change their attit!&e to/ar& Jes!s in line /ith /hat 2o& has pro5i&e& in raising Gim from the &ea&. They m!st accept 2o&'s 5er&ict in raising Jes!s from the &ea&. Let them repent of any part they playe& in the m!r&er

Lesson = Contin!e&

3'

of their tr!e 0essiah. In their hearts they m!st t!rn .ac* to 2o& an& see* the sal5ation proc!re& .y their 0essiah's &eath. %5en the sin they ha& !n/ittingly carrie& o!t H those that clamore& for the &eath of the A!thor of Life co!l& .e fo!n& not g!ilty. Jes!s their 0essiah /as in5este& /ith this holy office .y 2o& Gimself. Ge ha& .een recei5e& !p into the &i5ine presence, an& /o!l& remain their !ntil the cons!mmation of all that the prophets from earliest times ha& foretol&. 2ospel .lessings that /ere to flo/ from Gis &eath an& res!rrection H that m!st sprea& a.roa& thro!gho!t the /orl&. Then Ge /o!l& ret!rn from the right han& of po/er. Israel as a /hole &ecline& the rene/e& offer of grace, .y ref!sing to recogni<e Jes!s as 0essiah. One of the prominent themes of L!*e thro!gho!t Acts /as the progressi5e acceptance of Jes!s .y the 2entiles, &!ring the same time as the ref!sal of Jes!s .y the Je/s. The promises from the Ol& Testament prophets incl!&e& Dtimes of refreshmentD E/hich means a respite from the I!&gment prono!ncement .y Jes!sF. The repentance of the "ine5ites follo/ing the preaching of Jonah &eferre& their &estr!ction. The &estr!ction of Jer!salem /as not. The 2ospel .lessings flo/ from the &eath an& res!rrection of Jes!s. These .lessings /ill sprea& thro!gho!t the /orl&. Only then /o!l& Ge ret!rn to earth from the right han& of po/er in hea5en. As on the &ay of 8entecost, this /as another p!.lic call to repentance of the general pop!lation H another chance to accept Jes!s as (a5ior an& 0essiah. Gistory recor&s that they &i& not so respon&, an& so the rapt!re of Jes!s an& the Dgran& cons!mmation of all things are still f!t!re:D Ge.re/s 2:): D/e see not yet all things s!.Iecte& to Gim.D %5i&ence is fo!n& in the prophets of the Ol& Testament. =erses 22,23. The first an& greatest prophet, 0oses, spo*e of the &ay of Christ EDe!teronomy $):$,F. 2o& D/ill raise !p for yo! a prophet li*e me from among yo!, from yo!r .rethren H him yo! shall hee&...D The tra&ition .y this time that this prophet co!l& only .e the 0essiah, an& only Jes!s f!lfille& them. This .ecame a part of the apostolic preaching. Those that &on't listen to or accept Gim Dshall .e !tterly &estroye& from among the people.D =erse 24. The neCt prophet E(am!elF an& all that follo/e& ha& their highest 5al!e of prophecy in those that Jes!s f!lfille& an& those that Jes!s /as yet to f!lfill. =erses 2,,2-. Those /ho /ere listening to 8eter /ere not physically Dsons of the prophetsD. Go/e5er, they as Je/s /ere heirs of the promises 2o& ha& spo*en thro!gh the 8rophets. Also, they /ere Dsons of the co5enantD 2o& ma&e /ith A.raham. They /ere /itnesses of the prophecies that ha& .een f!lfille& in Christ. The promise ma&e to A.raham that DIn thy see& shall all the families of the earth .e .lesse&,D E2enesis $3:3F. Jes!s /as a &escen&ant of A.raham Eaccor&ing to the fleshF then for all the families of the earth.

Lesson = Contin!e& %5en as 2o& ha& raise& !p 0oses to t!rn the people from their sins, so Ge ha& raise& !p Jes!s. They ha& not hee&e& Gim. They m!st no/ hee& the 2ospel message of 2o&'s par&oning grace thro!gh the (acrifice of Christ. They m!st not neglect this great offer. Acts 4:$#4. Arrest of 8eter an& John.

3$

$ An& as they spa*e !nto the people, the priests, an& the captain of the temple, an& the (a&&!cees, came !pon them, 2 .eing grie5e& that they ta!ght the people, an& preache& thro!gh Jes!s the res!rrection from the &ea&. 3 An& they lai& han&s on them, an& p!t them in hol& !nto the neCt &ay: for it /as no/ e5enti&e. 4 Go/.eit many of them /hich hear& the /or& .elie5e&? an& the n!m.er of the men /as a.o!t fi5e tho!san&. =erses $,2. The si<e of the cro/& aro!n& the t/o apostles .y this time &ra/s the attention of the Temple a!thorities. The captain of the Temple police /as in charge of *eeping or&er. There /as the possi.le &anger of a riot. Other Temple a!thorities ha& strong o.Iections to the message of the apostles H centere& on Jes!s. These o.Iections especially concerne& the assertion of his res!rrection from the &ea&. The (a&&!cees Ethe chief priests' families .elonge& to this gro!pF &i& not accept the res!rrection of the &ea& as 7i.lical tr!th. They m!st stop these t/o as 6!ic*ly as possi.le from any f!rther tal*. =erses 3,4. Time ha& passe& so that no/ it /as near e5ening Enear s!n&o/nF. They co!l& not legally hol& an in6!iry after &ar*. Therefore, the t/o /ere loc*e& !p for the night. They co!l& not, ho/e5er, !n&o the effect that the Bor& of Life ha& on many in the cro/& /ho ha& accepte& that Bor&. ApproCimately ,,''' men /ere a&&e& to the Ch!rch. "eCt, 8eter an& John .efore the (anhe&rin.

Lesson =I The Acts of the Apostles 4:,#$2.

32

, K An& it came to pass on the morro/, that their r!lers, an& el&ers, an& scri.es, - an& Annas the high priest, an& Cai'aphas, an& John, an& AleCan&er, an& as many as /ere of the *in&re& of the high priest, /ere gathere& together at Jer!salem. @ An& /hen they ha& set them in the mi&st, they as*e&, 7y /hat po/er, or .y /hat name, ha5e ye &one thisL ) Then 8eter, fille& /ith the Goly 2host, sai& !nto them, Me r!lers of the people, an& el&ers of Israel, + if /e this &ay .e eCamine& of the goo& &ee& &one to the impotent man, .y /hat means he is ma&e /hole? $' .e it *no/n !nto yo! all, an& to all the people of Israel, that .y the name of Jes!s Christ of "a<areth, /hom ye cr!cifie&, /hom 2o& raise& from the &ea&, e5en .y him &oth this man stan& here .efore yo! /hole. $$ This is the stone /hich /as set at no!ght of yo! .!il&ers, /hich is .ecome the hea& of the corner. $2 "either is there sal5ation in any other: for there is none other name !n&er hea5en gi5en among men, /here.y /e m!st .e sa5e&. =erses ,,-. The neCt morning, the (anhe&rin met. The (a&&!cees /ere /ell represente&: Annas the former high priest, an& his son#in#la/ Caiaphas, the present high priest H /ho /as also presi&ent of the (anhe&rin. It also /ell incl!&e& a John Ealso *no/n as JonathanF an& AleCan&er, an& others *in to the high priest. The Jonathan reference may .e another son of Annas /ho s!ccee&e& Caiaphas as high priest in 3- A.D. Only a fe/ /ee*s ha& passe& since these same officials tho!ght they ha& gotten ri& of Jes!s an& all Ge stoo& for. =erses @#$'. Once assem.le&, they calle& for 8eter an& John to .e .ro!ght .efore them. Be can ass!me that it /as Caiaphas presi&ing H therefore as*ing the 6!estion. Ge /ante& to *no/ /here Dpeople li*e yo!D got a!thority to pres!me to act this /ay. This /as &erogatory. They /ere not e&!cate& or /ealthy or important. Bhat right ha& they to act in this /ayL Christ ha& pre5io!sly tol& the apostles Ecf. L!*e 2$:$4F they nee& not plan ahea& or try to fig!re o!t /hat they /o!l& say /hen .ro!ght .efore a&5ersaries to ans/er. Ge ha& promise& /is&om from the Goly (pirit. 8eter's reply sho/s this tr!th. Ge a&&resses the gro!p as r!lers an& el&ers Ge cre&its the /holeness of the *no/n cripple to the "ame of Jes!s of "a<areth, the 0essiah. The heale& man /as o.5io!sly no/ present .efore all. 8eter remin&s these men that tho!gh they ha& cr!cifie& Christ, 2o& ha& raise& Gim from the &ea&. Ge &eser5e& all the cre&it for the heale& man stan&ing no/ .efore them. =erse $$. 8eter goes on to preach the 2ospel to this gro!p .y citing a /ell#*no/n Ol& Testament prophecy: DThe stone /hich the .!il&ers

Lesson =I Contin!e&

33

reIecte& is .ecome the hea& of the corner.D E8salms $$):22.F This spea*s of 0essiah. Jes!s !se& it at the concl!sion of the para.le of the 5ineyar& E0ar* $2:$'F. The Je/ish lea&ers ref!se& to accept the (tone as their 0essiah. 2o& ha& gi5en this stone the place of honor as the hea&stone of the corner H Jes!s no/ sat enthrone& at 2o&'s right han&. The po/er that ha& ena.le& this lame man to /al*, co!l& also .ring him faith in Christ's sal5ation. Tr!e sal5ation incl!&e& the physical healing, pl!s healing the spirit!al &isease of sin, an& &eli5erance from coming I!&gment as /ell. John spelle& it o!t: There is no other name !n&er hea5en that is gi5en among men /herein /e m!st .e sa5e&. Israel ha& an opport!nity to again accept the 2ospel. Bere the r!lers going to persist in their rep!&iation of Jes!sL Israel's sal5ation /as &epen&ent on their choices: If they ref!se& the sal5ation in the "ame of Jes!s, an& persiste& in ref!sal an& &enial, they /o!l& call their nation an& themsel5es !nto &estr!ction. =erses $3#22. $3 K "o/ /hen they sa/ the .ol&ness of 8eter an& John, an& percei5e& that they /ere !nlearne& an& ignorant men, they mar5ele&? an& they too* *no/le&ge of them, that they ha& .een /ith Jes!s. $4 An& .ehol&ing the man /hich /as heale& stan&ing /ith them, they co!l& say nothing against it. $, 7!t /hen they ha& comman&e& them to go asi&e o!t of the co!ncil, they conferre& among themsel5es, $- saying, Bhat shall /e &o to these menL for that in&ee& a nota.le miracle hath .een &one .y them is manifest to all them that &/ell in Jer!salem? an& /e cannot &eny it. $@ 7!t that it sprea& no f!rther among the people, let !s straitly threaten them, that they spea* henceforth to no man in this name. $) An& they calle& them, an& comman&e& them not to spea* at all nor teach in the name of Jes!s. $+ 7!t 8eter an& John ans/ere& an& sai& !nto them, Bhether it .e right in the sight of 2o& to hear*en !nto yo! more than !nto 2o&, I!&ge ye. 2' 9or /e cannot .!t spea* the things /hich /e ha5e seen an& hear&. 2$ (o /hen they ha& f!rther threatene& them, they let them go, fin&ing nothing ho/ they might p!nish them, .eca!se of the people: for all men glorifie& 2o& for that /hich /as &one. 22 9or the man /as a.o5e forty years ol&, on /hom this miracle of healing /as sho/e&. =erse $3. The gro!p /atche& the .ol&ness of 8eter an& John H /ho /ere consi&ere& !nlearne& an& ignorant. The people /ere shoc*e&. They also too* note of 8eter an& John, an& recogni<e& they ha& .een /ith Jes!s. As Jes!s ha&, so they also acc!rately 6!ote& Ol& Testament (cript!re. =erse $4. The heale& man stoo& /ith them. Bhat co!l& they say against that factL (o also as Jes!s ha& sho/n Gis &i5ine a!thority .y mighty

Lesson =I Contin!e& /or*s, 8eter an& John claim the same a!thority H in the "ame of Jes!s. =erses $,#$@. 8eter an& John /ere sent o!tsi&e so that the co!ncil co!l& &isc!ss /hat action they co!l& ta*e. They ha& .ro*en no la/. Bhat they &i& ha& ma&e them pop!lar /ith the general p!.lic. The co!ncil /o!l& .e !n/ise to act!ally p!nish them. Bhat they co!l& also not allo/ /as for these t/o men to contin!e teaching an& healing in the "ame of Jes!s. They tho!ght they ha& sol5e& s!ch threats of their a!thority an& po/er .y getting Jes!s cr!cifie&. They certainly &i& not /ant to ma*e more in&i5i&!als Es!ch as the other &isciples of ChristF also .ecome p!.licly acti5e. They &eci&e& to threaten 8eter an& John /ith serio!s conse6!ences if they &i& not stop spea*ing to anyone Din this name.D The co!ncil co!l& not ref!te the central &octrine of 8eter H Christ's res!rrection. O.5io!sly, if they ha& any contrary e5i&ence Es!ch as Christ's .o&yF, they /o!l& ha5e .ro!ght it !p H .!t they co!l&n't. Therefore, they co!l& not ref!te either claim. 8eter ha& spo*en so .ol&ly to the cro/& an& no/ .efore this co!ncil. =erses $)#2'. Their only action /as to tell the t/o apostles not to &o it again: neither teach nor spea* the "ame of Jes!s. They consi&ere& this a ne/ la/ H a complete .an of any p!.lic mention of the name.

34

=erses $+,2'. 8eter an& John's response: this /as &eman&ing their gi5ing !p their personal commitments to 2o& as eye/itnesses of Christ an& Gis 2ospel. They 6!estion these lea&ers' a!thority H /as it greater than 2o&'sL They /o!l& ha5e to I!&ge accor&ing to their o/n consciences. As far as 8eter an& John /ere concerne&, they can only spea* of /hat they ha5e seen an& hear&. =erses 2$,22. The co!ncil &are& no more than repeat their threats. They remaine& a/are of the heale& man an& the gathere& pop!lace /ho praise& 2o& for this o.5io!s miracle. L!*e mentions specifically that the man /as o5er 4' years ol&. "o c!re of his con&ition /as e5er seen at that age. The effect of their .eing arreste& .ro!ght a&&e& attention to the t/o apostles, an& the miracle, an& then the fact that they /ere set free /itho!t conse6!ence. These /ere .oth positi5e e5ents in the sprea&ing of the 2ospel. =erses 23#3$. 8eter an& John reIoin their frien&s. 23 K An& .eing let go, they /ent to their o/n company, an& reporte& all that the chief priests an& el&ers ha& sai& !nto them. 24 An& /hen they hear& that, they lifte& !p their 5oice to 2o& /ith one accor&, an& sai&, Lor&, tho! art 2o&, /hich hast ma&e hea5en, an& earth, an& the sea, an& all that in them is? 2, /ho .y the mo!th of thy ser5ant Da5i& hast sai&, Bhy &i& the heathen rage, an& the people imagine 5ain thingsL

Lesson =I Contin!e&

3,

2- The *ings of the earth stoo& !p, an& the r!lers /ere gathere& together against the Lor&, an& against his Christ. 2@ 9or of a tr!th against thy holy chil& Jes!s, /hom tho! hast anointe&, .oth Gero&, an& 8onti!s 8ilate, /ith the 2entiles, an& the people of Israel, /ere gathere& together, 2) for to &o /hatsoe5er thy han& an& thy co!nsel &etermine& .efore to .e &one. 2+ An& no/, Lor&, .ehol& their threatenings: an& grant !nto thy ser5ants, that /ith all .ol&ness they may spea* thy /or&, 3' .y stretching forth thine han& to heal? an& that signs an& /on&ers may .e &one .y the name of thy holy chil& Jes!s. 3$ An& /hen they ha& praye&, the place /as sha*en /here they /ere assem.le& together? an& they /ere all fille& /ith the Goly 2host, an& they spa*e the /or& of 2o& /ith .ol&ness. =erses 23#2). They reporte& their recent eCperiences .efore the (anhe&rin. The gathere& .elie5ers .egan to pray to 2o&, creator of the !ni5erse, in Ol& Testament lang!age. Then the .eginning 5erses of the 2n& 8salm are 6!ote& as eCplicit references to the promise& Anointe& E0essiahF of Jeho5ah. The raging of the 2entiles against Jes!s fo!n& its f!lfillment in the role of the omans /ho con&emne& an& cr!cifie& Gim. The DpeoplesD /ho imagine& 5ain things /ere the 5ario!s Je/ish gro!ps that acte& against Jes!s. The *ing /as Gero& Antipas, the r!ler represente& .y 8onti!s 8ilate. All these acte& against 2o&'s Christ, .!t all /as promise& an& foreor&aine& .y the co!nsel of 2o&. (pecifically, the role of the (!ffering (er5ant, 2o&'s holy (er5ant Jes!s, the royal (on of 2o& a&&resse& in 8salms 2:@. Jes!s /as anointe& as 0essiah at Gis .aptism, the o.e&ient (er5ant thro!gho!t Gis ministry, an& finally at Gis &eath. =erses 2+,3'. Their reaction to the high co!ncil's threatenings: e5en greater .ol&ness of speech an& as*ing 2o& to grant healings an& any other signs or /on&ers as they co!rageo!sly spo*e in the "ame of Jes!s. These /o!l& .e e5i&ence of 2o&'s complete appro5al an& .lessing, as the healing of the lame man ha& &one. =erse 3$. As another mighty sign, e5en as at 8entecost, the place shoo* li*e in an earth6!a*e. The Goly (pirit fille& them all. (!ch an o!tpo!ring ca!se& them all to go forth to proclaim the 2ospel to /hoe5er /o!l& listen. 8rayer, /aiting !pon 2o&, a fresh filling Enot .aptismJF of the (pirit, an& going o!t to sprea& the 2oo& "e/s of (al5ation in Jes!s' "ame Enot spea*ing in tong!esF. The ministry of the Goly (pirit is al/ays positi5e an& al/ays centere& in the lo5e of the 9ather an& the sacrifice an& interce&ing present ministry of Jes!s for each .elie5er. "eCt H All Things in Common? One 0an's 2enerosity.

Lesson =II The Acts of the Apostles 4:32#3@. All Things in Common, an& 7arna.as' 2enerosity.

3-

32 K An& the m!ltit!&e of them that .elie5e& /ere of one heart an& of one so!l: neither sai& any of them that a!ght of the things /hich he possesse& /as his o/n? .!t they ha& all things common. 33 An& /ith great po/er ga5e the apostles /itness of the res!rrection of the Lor& Jes!s: an& great grace /as !pon them all. 34 "either /as there any among them that lac*e&: for as many as /ere possessors of lan&s or ho!ses sol& them, an& .ro!ght the prices of the things that /ere sol&, 3, an& lai& them &o/n at the apostles' feet: an& &istri.!tion /as ma&e !nto e5ery man accor&ing as he ha& nee&. 3- An& Joses, /ho .y the apostles /as s!rname& 7arna.as, E/hich is, .eing interprete&, The son of consolation,F a Le5ite, an& of the co!ntry of Cypr!s, 3@ ha5ing lan&, sol& it, an& .ro!ght the money, an& lai& it at the apostles' feet. =erse 32. This s!mmary is similar to Chapter 2:43#4@ H /hich &escri.es the closing of the &ay of 8entecost. These /or&s emphasi<e the comm!nal, (pirit#fille& attit!&es of these .elie5ers. They consi&ere& their goo&s an& property an& other possessions as things to share /ith less /ell#off .rothers an& sisters. Those /ith property sol& it an& share& the procee&s. 0any that ha& lan&s or ho!ses sol& them an& .ro!ght /hat they ha& .een pai&. Bhate5er /as sol& H all /as .ro!ght to the apostles. Distri.!tion /as !nto each one /ho ha& a nee&. The apostles, .eing the lea&ers, accepte& the free#/ill offerings, .!t m!st ha5e &elegate& the act!al &istri.!tion to others. They /ere &irectly more in5ol5e& in p!.lic preaching an& teaching the 2ospel of the risen Christ. At this point the appro5al of 2o& /as sho/n in mighty /or*s, for /hich they ha& praye&, an& the Jer!salem pop!lation loo*e& on them fa5ora.ly. =erses 3-,3@. 7arna.as' 2enerosity. 7arna.as /as another Joseph, /ho the apostles ha& nic*name& 7arna.as, /hich means Da tr!e son of eChortation or enco!ragement.D Ge /as a Je/ .orn from Cypr!s, /ith relati5es an& e5en a piece of property here in Jer!salem. Ge /as also a Le5ite. The only &etail a.o!t his fiel& is that he sol& it an& .ro!ght the money to the apostles, for sharing /ith the Christian comm!nity. Acts ,:$#$$. Ananias an& (aphira. $ 7!t a certain man name& Anani'as, /ith (apphi'ra his /ife, sol& a possession, 2 an& *ept .ac* part of the price, his /ife also .eing pri5y to it, an& .ro!ght a certain part, an& lai& it at the apostles' feet. 3 7!t 8eter sai&, Anani'as, /hy hath (atan fille& thine heart to lie to the Goly 2host, an& to *eep .ac* part of the price of the lan&L 4 Bhile it remaine&, /as it not thine o/nL an& after it /as sol&, /as

Lesson =II Contin!e&

3@

it not in thine o/n po/erL /hy hast tho! concei5e& this thing in thine heartL tho! hast not lie& !nto men, .!t !nto 2o&. , An& Anani'as hearing these /or&s fell &o/n, an& ga5e !p the ghost: an& great fear came on all them that hear& these things. - An& the yo!ng men arose, /o!n& him !p, an& carrie& him o!t, an& .!rie& him. @ K An& it /as a.o!t the space of three ho!rs after, /hen his /ife, not *no/ing /hat /as &one, came in. ) An& 8eter ans/ere& !nto her, Tell me /hether ye sol& the lan& for so m!chL An& she sai&, Mea, for so m!ch. + Then 8eter sai& !nto her, Go/ is it that ye ha5e agree& together to tempt the (pirit of the Lor&L .ehol&, the feet of them /hich ha5e .!rie& thy h!s.an& are at the &oor, an& shall carry thee o!t. $' Then fell she &o/n straight/ay at his feet, an& yiel&e& !p the ghost: an& the yo!ng men came in, an& fo!n& her &ea&, an&, carrying her forth, .!rie& her .y her h!s.an&. $$ An& great fear came !pon all the ch!rch, an& !pon as many as hear& these things. Total contrast to the pre5io!s 5erses, .!t recor&e& as part of the serio!sness of a Christian's conscience, an& the imperfections of these early .elie5ers. Also the emphasis is on the lying to 8eter an& also to the Goly (pirit. They acte& as many others ha&. =erses $,2. They ha& sol& a piece of property. They &eci&e& to *eep a part .ac* for themsel5es Eas they rightly co!l&F. 7!t they p!t for/ar& to the apostles that /hat they /ere gi5ing to the comm!nity /as the total p!rchase price that they ha& recei5e&. Ananias appears /itho!t his /ife. =erses 3,4. 8eter percei5e& Ethro!gh the Goly (pirit is implie&F the lie. Ge &irectly acc!ses Ananias of &eceit, a tho!ght#thro!gh, planne& sin. Ge an& his /ife ha& plotte& to portray their gift as e5erything they ha& gi5en !p. 8eter eCplains to him that this is a grie5o!s sin against the Christian comm!nity .!t also against the Goly (pirit, therefore against 2o& Gimself. 8eter cre&its satan as the father of lies against 2o&. (ome commentators p!t .lame on 8eter for .eing harsh. The temptation to /ant a greater rep!tation, fame, or pop!larity is a common fa!lt. The fate of this man /as an eCample an& /arning to all since. Bhen the /ife arri5es, 8eter procee&s to tell her that her h!s.an& is &ea& an& .!rie&, an& since she agree& to his sin, she /o!l& share his fate. Those that .!rie& her h!s.an& /o!l& also carry her o!t an& .!ry her. (he imme&iately fell at 8eter's feet an& &ie&. The same yo!ng men came in, too* her o!t an& .!rie& her .y her h!s.an&. 9!rther fear sprea& among the /hole ch!rch. In I Corinthians $$:3- 8a!l spea*s of the res!lts of contin!al or !nconfesse& sin .y a Christian, especially concerning the Lor&'s s!pper. This is ris*ing serio!s I!&gment of the Lor& H sleep H a e!phemism for Christian &eath only. (al5ation is not lost.

Lesson =II Contin!e& Christ's &eath pai& for .elie5ers' sins.

3)

=erses ,,-. 8eter's /or&s /ere a complete shoc* to Ananias H spirit!ally, mentally, emotionally, then physically. Ge fell &o/n an& &ie& Eheart attac*F. The nat!ral response to all that /ere tol& H fear. The Dyo!ng menD carrie& o!t the necessary /rapping of the .o&y an& .!rie& it. In that time an& place, .!rial /as necessary to .e &one 6!ic*ly. Apparently the /ife /as not informe&. =erses @#$$. 7y the time the /ife came, a.o!t 3 ho!rs ha5e passe&. Certainly 8eter ha& time to reflect on the I!&gment on a man /ho trie& to &ecei5e the ch!rch, an& the Goly (pirit. Ge no/ nee&e& to fin& o!t if the /ife /as in on &eceit or /o!l& tell the tr!th. (o .efore he informe& her of her h!s.an&'s &eath, he as*e& her if she agree& /ith him. (he &i&. 8eter &escri.es their action as Dto try the (pirit of the Lor&.D =erses $2#$-. $2 K An& .y the han&s of the apostles /ere many signs an& /on&ers /ro!ght among the people? Ean& they /ere all /ith one accor& in (olomon's porch. $3 An& of the rest &!rst no man Ioin himself to them: .!t the people magnifie& them. $4 An& .elie5ers /ere the more a&&e& to the Lor&, m!ltit!&es .oth of men an& /omen?F $, insom!ch that they .ro!ght forth the sic* into the streets, an& lai& them on .e&s an& co!ches, that at the least the sha&o/ of 8eter passing .y might o5ersha&o/ some of them. $- There came also a m!ltit!&e o!t of the cities ro!n& a.o!t !nto Jer!salem, .ringing sic* fol*s, an& them /hich /ere 5eCe& /ith !nclean spirits: an& they /ere heale& e5ery one. These 5erses &escri.e the acti5ities of the apostles H contin!ing to atten& Temple /orship. (igns an& /on&ers /ere also &one among the cro/&s that gathere& aro!n& them in the general p!.lic area *no/n as (olomon's porch. 7oth men an& /omen .elie5e& their message of sal5ation Em!ltit!&esF. The ne/s of healing ca!se& great eCcitement an& people .ro!ght their sic* an& possesse& from all aro!n& Jer!salem. All /ere helpe&. 9aith e5en consi&ere& 8eter's sha&o/ gi5ing of healing po/er. On.elie5ers # Dthe restD of 5erse $3 # /ere afrai& to get too close. =erse $- closes /ith Dthey /ere heale& e5ery one.D

Lesson =III The Acts of the Apostles ,:$@#2@. The Apostles Imprisone& an& %Camine&.

3+

$@ K Then the high priest rose !p, an& all they that /ere /ith him, E/hich is the sect of the (a&&!cees,F an& /ere fille& /ith in&ignation, $) an& lai& their han&s on the apostles, an& p!t them in the common prison. $+ 7!t the angel of the Lor& .y night opene& the prison &oors, an& .ro!ght them forth, an& sai&, 2' 2o, stan& an& spea* in the temple to the people all the /or&s of this life. 2$ An& /hen they hear& that, they entere& into the temple early in the morning, an& ta!ght. K 7!t the high priest came, an& they that /ere /ith him, an& calle& the co!ncil together, an& all the senate of the chil&ren of Israel, an& sent to the prison to ha5e them .ro!ght. 22 7!t /hen the officers came, an& fo!n& them not in the prison, they ret!rne&, an& tol&, 23 saying, The prison tr!ly fo!n& /e sh!t /ith all safety, an& the *eepers stan&ing /itho!t .efore the &oors: .!t /hen /e ha& opene&, /e fo!n& no man /ithin. 24 "o/ /hen the high priest an& the captain of the temple an& the chief priests hear& these things, they &o!.te& of them /here!nto this /o!l& gro/. 2, Then came one an& tol& them, saying, 7ehol&, the men /hom ye p!t in prison are stan&ing in the temple, an& teaching the people. 2- Then /ent the captain /ith the officers, an& .ro!ght them /itho!t 5iolence: for they feare& the people, lest they sho!l& ha5e .een stone&. 2@ K An& /hen they ha& .ro!ght them, they set them .efore the co!ncil: an& the high priest as*e& them, 2) saying, Di& not /e straitly comman& yo! that ye sho!l& not teach in this nameL an&, .ehol&, ye ha5e fille& Jer!salem /ith yo!r &octrine, an& inten& to .ring this man's .loo& !pon !s. 2+ Then 8eter an& the other apostles ans/ere& an& sai&, Be o!ght to o.ey 2o& rather than men. 3' The 2o& of o!r fathers raise& !p Jes!s, /hom ye sle/ an& hange& on a tree. 3$ Gim hath 2o& eCalte& /ith his right han& to .e a 8rince an& a (a5io!r, for to gi5e repentance to Israel, an& forgi5eness of sins. 32 An& /e are his /itnesses of these things? an& so is also the Goly 2host, /hom 2o& hath gi5en to them that o.ey him. =erses $@,$). The high priest along /ith the rest of the (a&&!cees /ere so !pset that they Drose !pD an& ha& the apostles arreste& Eagain in the e5ening, planning to ha5e their hearing the follo/ing morningF. =erses $+,2'. 2o& ha& other plans. An angel of the lor& /as sent to open the prison &oors, an& tol& them to procee& /ith their ministry in the Temple H to spea* the /or&s of Dthis LifeD # the 2ospel of Jes!s.

Lesson =III Contin!e&

4'

=erse 2$. They /ent into the Temple in the morning E&ay .rea*F an& .egan teaching. Also early in the morning, the high priest an& his party calle& the Dsenate of the people of IsraelD, the (anhe&rin, to meet. They sent to the prison to ha5e the apostles .ro!ght to them. =erses 22, 23. The officers no/ fin& that they are no longer in the cells. Met, the cells /ere close&, an& the *eepers EDg!ar&sDF still at the &oors. =erse 24. They /ere perpleCe& H ho/ co!l& this o.5io!s mystery happenL It co!l& ca!se an !proar if 5oice& a.o!t H another s!pernat!ral e5entJ They &i& not /ant this. Bhat co!l& they &o no/L =erse 2,. (omeone came to report that the men that ha& .een in prison co!l& .e fo!n& in the Temple, stan&ing an& teaching the people. =erse 2-. The captain of the temple police H /ith his senior officers EDlie!tenantsDF # /ent to .ring the apostles to the co!ncil. They /ere caref!l not to act forcef!lly .eca!se of the fear of the reaction of the cro/&s. The apostles peacef!lly agree&, /itho!t resistance, to go /ith the officers. =erse 2@. They /ere .ro!ght an& set .efore the co!ncil. =erse 2). The high priest remin&s the apostles of the pre5io!s /arnings they ha& .een gi5en. Ge then &escri.es ho/ they ha5e &one the opposite. They ha& sprea& this man's teaching thro!gho!t the city. The apostles /ere also laying the responsi.ility of Dthis man'sD &eath at the Je/ish lea&ers' feet. The !se of the term Dthis manD sho/s the rel!ctance of the Je/ish lea&ers to say the name DJes!sD. There is still this rel!ctance among ortho&oC Je/s to this &ay. (ome ch!rch gro!ps ha5e !se& the i&ea of Je/s as DChrist#*illersD as an eCc!se for anti# (emitic attit!&es an& actions thro!gho!t Ch!rch history, e5en !p to this &ay. =erses 2+#3+. 8eter spea*s as representati5e of the apostles. Gis pre5io!s /itness is repeate&: contrasting /hat the Je/ish lea&ers ha& &one to Jes!s, an& /hat 2o& ha& &one. They ha& .ro!ght se5erest &isgrace on Jes!s .y hanging Gim on a tree H a &eath the Ol& Testament la/ prono!nce& as a c!rse EDe!teronomy 2$:23F. 2o& ha& eCalte& Christ as 8rince an& (a5ior /ith a!thority to .less Gis people /ith forgi5eness, .y grace. As .efore, the apostles m!st o.ey 2o&, Bhose a!thority is a.o5e that of e5en the (anhe&rin of Israel. They also cite the po/er 4$

Lesson =III Contin!e& an& a!thority of the Goly (pirit, also a /itness of these things, an& Bho has .een gi5en to them that o.ey Gim. All these e5ents /ere promise& to the apostles .y Christ as recor&e& in John $,:2-,2@ # 2- 7!t /hen the Comforter is come, /hom I /ill sen& !nto yo! from the 9ather, e5en the (pirit of tr!th, /hich procee&eth from the 9ather, he shall testify of me: 2@ an& ye also shall .ear /itness, .eca!se ye ha5e .een /ith me from the .eginning. There /ere no challenges or ref!tations concerning the facts of the case. =erses 33#42. A 8harisee's A&5ice. The Apostles elease&.

33 K Bhen they hear& that, they /ere c!t to the heart, an& too* co!nsel to slay them. 34 Then stoo& there !p one in the co!ncil, a 8harisee, name& 2ama'li# el, a &octor of the la/, ha& in rep!tation among all the people, an& comman&e& to p!t the apostles forth a little space? 3, an& sai& !nto them, Me men of Israel, ta*e hee& to yo!rsel5es /hat ye inten& to &o as to!ching these men. 3- 9or .efore these &ays rose !p The!'&as, .oasting himself to .e some.o&y? to /hom a n!m.er of men, a.o!t fo!r h!n&re&, Ioine& themsel5es: /ho /as slain? an& all, as many as o.eye& him, /ere scattere&, an& .ro!ght to no!ght. 3@ After this man rose !p J!&as of 2alilee in the &ays of the taCing, an& &re/ a/ay m!ch people after him: he also perishe&? an& all, e5en as many as o.eye& him, /ere &isperse&. 3) An& no/ I say !nto yo!, efrain from these men, an& let them alone: for if this co!nsel or this /or* .e of men, it /ill come to no!ght: 3+ .!t if it .e of 2o&, ye cannot o5erthro/ it? lest haply ye .e fo!n& e5en to fight against 2o&. 4' K An& to him they agree&: an& /hen they ha& calle& the apostles, an& .eaten them, they comman&e& that they sho!l& not spea* in the name of Jes!s, an& let them go. 4$ An& they &eparte& from the presence of the co!ncil, reIoicing that they /ere co!nte& /orthy to s!ffer shame for his name. 42 An& &aily in the temple, an& in e5ery ho!se, they cease& not to teach an& preach Jes!s Christ. =erses 33#3-. The high priestly party co!l& only see one sol!tion to their anger an& fr!stration. They /ante& to p!t the apostles to &eath Emost li*ely .y stoningF. They /ere the maIority party of the (anhe&rin. 7!t, they /ere not as pop!lar or respecte& .y the general pop!lation, compare& to the 8harisees H the minority party. These men /ere re5ere& as Ol& Testament scholars, e&!cate& an& religio!s, teachers of the 0osaic La/. The 8harisee a..i 2amaliel the %l&er /as eCceptionally /ell respecte& at that time. Ge /as accepte& as the greatest teacher of the &ay. Ge /as also a &isciple of the pre5io!s greatest teacher,

Lesson =III Contin!e&

42

Gillel. (a!l of Tars!s /as a &isciple of 2amaliel. At this time, 2amaliel rose to spea*. Ge &irecte& that the apostles .e ta*en o!t for a fe/ moments, so that he co!l& spea* partic!larly a.o!t /hat to &o /ith them. 2amaliel's arg!ment /as that /hat 2o& /as &irecting /o!l& s!ccee& H in spite of /hat they &i&. If 2o& /as not &irecting it, the mo5ement /o!l& fail. 2amaliel remin&s them of the most recent: The!&as /ho ma&e great claims for himself, an& gaine& a.o!t 4'' follo/ers. Ge /as *ille&, an& his follo/ers /ere &isperse&. =erses 3@#3+. J!&as of 2alilee re5olte& in - A.D., especially against the omans, /hen tri.!te /as &eman&e& .y Caesar. The omans cr!she& the re5olt, an& the lea&er /as *ille&. If this ne/ mo5ement is only of men, it /ill .e o5erthro/n. If it is of 2o&, then this co!ncil, no matter /hat they &o, /ill not .e a.le to stop it. They m!st &eci&e to not fight against 2o&. =erses 4'#42. 9ort!nately, 2amaliel's reasona.le response /as hee&e&. The minor p!nishment of flogging /as mete& o!t to the apostles, for going against the co!ncil's pre5io!s or&er. The co!ncil again comman&e& the apostles to not spea* in the name of Jes!s, then let them go. As far as o.eying the co!ncil's /arning H the apostles procee&e& as they ha& .efore. They contin!e& to proclaim Jes!s as the 0essiah, in the Temple an& in homes. "eCt, a &i5ision of la.or .ecomes necessary. Acts -:$#-. $ An& in those &ays, /hen the n!m.er of the &isciples /as m!ltiplie&, there arose a m!rm!ring of the 2re'cians against the Ge.re/s, .eca!se their /i&o/s /ere neglecte& in the &aily ministration. 2 Then the t/el5e calle& the m!ltit!&e of the &isciples !nto them, an& sai&, It is not reason that /e sho!l& lea5e the /or& of 2o&, an& ser5e ta.les. 3 Bherefore, .rethren, loo* ye o!t among yo! se5en men of honest report, f!ll of the Goly 2host an& /is&om, /hom /e may appoint o5er this .!siness. 4 7!t /e /ill gi5e o!rsel5es contin!ally to prayer, an& to the ministry of the /or&. , An& the saying please& the /hole m!ltit!&e: an& they chose (tephen, a man f!ll of faith an& of the Goly 2host, an& 8hilip, an& 8roch'or!s, an& "ica'nor, an& Timon, an& 8ar'menas, an& "icolas a proselyte of An'ti#och? - /hom they set .efore the apostles: an& /hen they ha& praye&, they lai& their han&s on them. =erse $. The ch!rch's fast early gro/th .ro!ght a ne/ pro.lem. T/o some/hat &istinct gro!ps /ere among the ne/ m!ltit!&e of con5erts. One /as the DGe.re/sD, those nati5es of Israel, /ho spo*e Aramaic.

Lesson =III Contin!e& The other, D2ree* Je/sD, /ho spo*e 2ree* H an& /ere most li*ely nati5es of the &ispersion of Je/s among the co!ntries of the oman %mpire. There /as tra&itional tension among the t/o gro!ps, an& it sho/e& itself here. In this case, the 2ree* Je/s' /i&o/s /ere recei5ing less than the DGe.re/D /i&o/s. Bi&o/s /ere commonly among the poorest mem.ers of the early ch!rch. It may ha5e .een that DGe.re/sD /ere in charge of the &istri.!tion.

43

=erses 2#4. The apostles Ethe t/el5eF acte& at once. They emphasi<e& that their primary &!ty /as to preach an& teach the Bor& of 2o& H not Dser5ing ta.lesD. Their plan incl!&e& the selection of men /ith certain 6!alities? among the .rethren /ith goo& rep!tations, /ith /is&om, an& fille& /ith the Goly (pirit. The i&eal /as complete e6!ality in &istri.!tion .y the most tr!st/orthy men of faith. Bith this pro5ision, the apostles co!l& confi&ently contin!e in prayer an& sprea&ing the 2ospel. =erse ,. The proposal is accepte&. (e5en men /ere chosen. They all ha5e 2ree* names E&i& they all .elong to the 2ree* gro!pLF. (tephen is the first H &escri.e& as D a man f!ll of faith an& of the Goly 2hostD. A significant &escription, consi&ering the e5ents that follo/. 8hilip also has an important role later. Of the remaining ,, 5ery little is *no/n. Tra&ition mentions 8rochor!s as secretary of John the %5angelist, as .ishop of "icome&ia, an& as martyre& at Antioch. The last one mentione& is i&entifie& as a proselyte Eone not Je/ish .y .irthF from Antioch Ein (yriaF. 7y tra&ition, L!*e himself /as a nati5e of that city. =erse -. These @ /ere presente& to the apostles for their appro5al. This /as &one p!.licly .y the laying on of han&s, after the apostles ha& praye&. This /as recogni<e& as the official appointment of these @ for a specific p!rpose. The tra&itional name in the ch!rch for those responsi.le for material affairs Emostly financialF /as D&eaconD. This &enotes Dto ser5eD, or minister. This /as &istinct from D.ishopD or Del&erD. "eCt, (tephen's 0inistry Dra/s Attention.

Lesson IA The Acts of the Apostles -:@#$,. Opposition to (tephen.

44

@ K An& the /or& of 2o& increase&? an& the n!m.er of the &isciples m!ltiplie& in Jer!salem greatly? an& a great company of the priests /ere o.e&ient to the faith. ) K An& (tephen, f!ll of faith an& po/er, &i& great /on&ers an& miracles among the people. + Then there arose certain of the synagog!e, /hich is calle& the synagog!e of the Li.ertines, an& Cyre'nians, an& AleCan&rians, an& of them of Cili'cia an& of Asia, &isp!ting /ith (tephen. $' An& they /ere not a.le to resist the /is&om an& the spirit .y /hich he spa*e. $$ Then they s!.orne& men, /hich sai&, Be ha5e hear& him spea* .lasphemo!s /or&s against 0oses, an& against 2o&. $2 An& they stirre& !p the people, an& the el&ers, an& the scri.es, an& came !pon him, an& ca!ght him, an& .ro!ght him to the co!ncil, $3 an& set !p false /itnesses, /hich sai&, This man ceaseth not to spea* .lasphemo!s /or&s against this holy place, an& the la/: $4 for /e ha5e hear& him say, that this Jes!s of "a<areth shall &estroy this place, an& shall change the c!stoms /hich 0oses &eli5ere& !s. $, An& all that sat in the co!ncil, loo*ing stea&fastly on him, sa/ his face as it ha& .een the face of an angel. =erse @. L!*e here ma*es a general &escription of the sprea& of the faith in Jer!salem. A consi&era.le n!m.er of the priests ha& Ioine& the .elie5ers. These /ere of the Le5itical or&er that ser5e& in the temple. They /ere socially an& financially far .elo/ the /ealthy chief#priestly families. It /as the /ealthy gro!p that oppose& the gospel contin!ally an& intensely H they ha& the most to lose: po/er, position, /ealth. =erse ). (tephen /as pre5io!sly &escri.e& Eat the appointment of the @ &eaconsF f!ll of grace an& po/er. (o, here no/ are a&&e& the effects of his ministry. Ge /ro!ght great signs an& /on&ers. =erse +. (pecific gro!ps .ecame fiercely hostile to him an& his teaching. It is apparent that (tephen ha& carrie& his message to se5eral of the synagog!es in Jer!salem, that /ere mostly !se& .y Je/s from other co!ntries: those from Cyrene, AleCan&ria, Cilicia, an& Asia. (ome of the men of those synagog!es arose in opposition to (tephen an& arg!e& /ith him. =erses $',$$. They co!l& not e6!al his /is&om or spirit. They co!l& not D/ithstan&D. 9rom /hat is mentione& later E5erse $4F it appears that (tephen .ase& his teaching on the Ol& Testament, .!t the concl!sions concerning Jes!s as 0essiah /as /hat the greatest &isp!te centere& aro!n&. They co!l& not ref!te his reasoning, an& thereafter simply fo!n& men /ho they tal*e& into sprea&ing o!tright lies a.o!t /hat

Lesson IA Contin!e&

4,

(tephen ha& sai&. The acc!sation of .laspheming H against 0oses, 2o&, an& the Temple. These threatene& the /hole sta.ility of the religio!s center of acti5ity Ethe TempleF. It also threatene& the .asis of the entire religio!s life of the nation, the La/ of 0oses, an& 2o& Gimself. This /as all centere& in Jer!salem. They felt that their national religion /as serio!sly threatene&. =erse $2. In a res!rgence of religio!s fer5or, the people /ere stirre& !p. %5en the el&ers an& the scri.es /ere stirre& !p certainly /ith the s!pport of the high#priestly party. (tephen /as arreste& an& .ro!ght .efore the co!ncil. =erse $3. They ha& prepare& false /itnesses /ith highly charge& acc!sations relating to the Temple an& the La/. =erse $4. They then 6!ote& him as saying that Dthat this Jes!s of "a<areth shall &estroy this place, an& shall change the c!stoms /hich 0oses &eli5ere& !s.D These are 5ery similar to the charges against Jes!s E0atthe/ 2-:,+#-$? 0ar* $4:,,#,+F. Bhat Jes!s act!ally sai& is recor&e& in John 2:$+#2$ H the temple Ge spo*e of /as Gis .o&y, /hich Ge /o!l& raise !p on the thir& &ay. Jes!s also sai& that Done greater than the Temple is hereD E0atthe/ $2:-F. This meant the en& of the nee& for the /hole sacrificial system, /hich too* place in the Temple, incl!&ing the ceremonial la/s. All those /ere to point to Christ. Onfort!nately, this /as not recogni<e&. =erse $,. Bhile his acc!sers spo*e against him, (tephen stoo& /ith his face aglo/, at peace an& in the presence of 2o&. This is &escri.e& as a face li*e an angel. Acts @:$#3-. (tephen's Defense. $ Then sai& the high priest, Are these things soL 2 An& he sai&, K 0en, .rethren, an& fathers, hear*en? The 2o& of glory appeare& !nto o!r father A.raham, /hen he /as in 0esopota'mi#a, .efore he &/elt in Garan, 3 an& sai& !nto him, 2et thee o!t of thy co!ntry, an& from thy *in&re&, an& come into the lan& /hich I shall sho/ thee. 4 Then came he o!t of the lan& of the Chal&e'ans, an& &/elt in Garan: an& from thence, /hen his father /as &ea&, he remo5e& him into this lan&, /herein ye no/ &/ell. , An& he ga5e him none inheritance in it, no, not so m!ch as to set his foot on: yet he promise& that he /o!l& gi5e it to him for a possession, an& to his see& after him, /hen as yet he ha& no chil&. - An& 2o& spa*e on this /ise, That his see& sho!l& soIo!rn in a strange lan&? an& that they sho!l& .ring them into .on&age, an& entreat them e5il fo!r h!n&re& years. @ An& the nation to /hom they shall .e in .on&age /ill I I!&ge, sai&

Lesson IA Contin!e&

4-

2o&: an& after that shall they come forth, an& ser5e me in this place. ) An& he ga5e him the co5enant of circ!mcision: an& so A.raham .egat Isaac, an& circ!mcise& him the eighth &ay? an& Isaac .egat Jaco.? an& Jaco. .egat the t/el5e patriarchs. + K An& the patriarchs, mo5e& /ith en5y, sol& Joseph into %gypt: .!t 2o& /as /ith him, $' an& &eli5ere& him o!t of all his afflictions, an& ga5e him fa5or an& /is&om in the sight of 8haraoh *ing of %gypt? an& he ma&e him go5ernor o5er %gypt an& all his ho!se. $$ "o/ there came a &earth o5er all the lan& of %gypt an& Canaan, an& great affliction: an& o!r fathers fo!n& no s!stenance. $2 7!t /hen Jaco. hear& that there /as corn in %gypt, he sent o!t o!r fathers first. $3 An& at the secon& time Joseph /as ma&e *no/n to his .rethren? an& Joseph's *in&re& /as ma&e *no/n !nto 8haraoh. $4 Then sent Joseph, an& calle& his father Jaco. to him, an& all his *in&re&, threescore an& fifteen so!ls. $, (o Jaco. /ent &o/n into %gypt, an& &ie&, he, an& o!r fathers, $- an& /ere carrie& o5er into (hechem, an& lai& in the sep!lchre that A.raham .o!ght for a s!m of money of the sons of Gamor, the father of (hechem. $@ K 7!t /hen the time of the promise &re/ nigh, /hich 2o& ha& s/orn to A.raham, the people gre/ an& m!ltiplie& in %gypt, $) till another *ing arose, /hich *ne/ not Joseph. $+ The same &ealt s!.tilely /ith o!r *in&re&, an& e5il entreate& o!r fathers, so that they cast o!t their yo!ng chil&ren, to the en& they might not li5e. 2' In /hich time 0oses /as .orn, an& /as eCcee&ing fair, an& no!rishe& !p in his father's ho!se three months: 2$ an& /hen he /as cast o!t, 8haraoh's &a!ghter too* him !p, an& no!rishe& him for her o/n son. 22 An& 0oses /as learne& in all the /is&om of the %gyptians, an& /as mighty in /or&s an& in &ee&s. 23 K An& /hen he /as f!ll forty years ol&, it came into his heart to 5isit his .rethren the chil&ren of Israel. 24 An& seeing one of them s!ffer /rong, he &efen&e& him, an& a5enge& him that /as oppresse&, an& smote the %gyptian: 2, for he s!ppose& his .rethren /o!l& ha5e !n&erstoo& ho/ that 2o& .y his han& /o!l& &eli5er them? .!t they !n&erstoo& not. 2- An& the neCt &ay he sho/e& himself !nto them as they stro5e, an& /o!l& ha5e set them at one again, saying, (irs, ye are .rethren? /hy &o ye /rong one to anotherL 2@ 7!t he that &i& his neigh.or /rong thr!st him a/ay, saying, Bho ma&e thee a r!ler an& a I!&ge o5er !sL 2) Bilt tho! *ill me, as tho! &i&st the %gyptian yester&ayL 2+ Then fle& 0oses at this saying, an& /as a stranger in the lan& of 0i&'i#an, /here he .egat t/o sons. 3' K An& /hen forty years /ere eCpire&, there appeare& to him in the /il&erness of mo!nt (i'nai an angel of the Lor& in a flame of fire in a .!sh. 3$ Bhen 0oses sa/ it, he /on&ere& at the sight: an& as he &re/ near to .ehol& it, the 5oice of the Lor& came !nto him,

Lesson IA Contin!e&

4@

32 saying, I am the 2o& of thy fathers, the 2o& of A.raham an& the 2o& of Isaac, an& the 2o& of Jaco.. Then 0oses trem.le&, an& &!rst not .ehol&. 33 Then sai& the Lor& to him, 8!t off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place /here tho! stan&est is holy gro!n&. 34 I ha5e seen, I ha5e seen the affliction of my people /hich is in %gypt, an& I ha5e hear& their groaning, an& am come &o/n to &eli5er them. An& no/ come, I /ill sen& thee into %gypt. 3, K This 0oses /hom they ref!se&, saying, Bho ma&e thee a r!ler an& a I!&geL the same &i& 2o& sen& to .e a r!ler an& a &eli5erer .y the han& of the angel /hich appeare& to him in the .!sh. 3- Ge .ro!ght them o!t, after that he ha& sho/e& /on&ers an& signs in the lan& of %gypt, an& in the e& sea, an& in the /il&erness forty years. (tephen presents a &efense of Christianity as 2o&'s appointe& /ay of /orship. The charges against him /ere conf!se& an& gar.le&, .!t his eCplanation sets forth 2o&'s tr!th, an& the ne/ /ay of /orship. One point /as concerning 2o&. Ge is not limite& to one place or metho& of comm!nication. (o also 2o&'s people /ere not limite& either .y any partic!lar place or time. Another element /as the emphasis on the reIection of Jes!s as 0essiah, as /ell as Israel historically reIecting an& / or *illing the Ol& Testament prophets. Ge also emphasi<es the !ni5ersal nat!re an& f!t!re of the 2ospel. =erse $. Caiaphas /as high priest !ntil 3- A.D. # therefore he presi&e& o5er the (anhe&rin. (o also he presi&e& on the pre5io!s occasion /hen similar charges /ere .ro!ght against Jes!s. Ge as*s (tephen if these things are so. Certainly he hopes (tephen says something incriminating. =erses 2,3. (tephen has a reply rea&y. It forms a historical recapit!lation of ho/ 2o& inter5ene& thro!gho!t Israel's history. This form /as /ell#esta.lishe& in Je/ish tra&ition as a protestation of faith. This form also incl!&es the repeate& reIection of 2o&, Gis /ays, Gis prophets, .y the maIority of the people of Israel. This .egins /ith the call of A.raham to the .!il&ing of (olomon's temple. Three main topics: $F the patriarchal perio&? 2F 0oses an& the La/? 3F the ta.ernacle, then Temple. Ge .egins .y intro&!cing the themes, then mo5es on to the charge of .lasphemy against 2o&. 9irst /as the perio& of the 8atriarchs. 2o& s!mmone& A.raham from his home in 0esopotamia to a place !n*no/n to him. Ge tr!ste& in 2o& an& remaine& a pilgrim !pon the earth E2enesis $2:$F, first from Or then from Garan /hen his father &ie& E2enesis $,:@F. =erses 4,,. A.raham Io!rneye& on to Canaan, /here he ha& no permanent ha.itation. It /as the promise& lan&, .!t to his posterity e5en .efore he ha& any chil&ren.

Lesson IA Contin!e&

4)

=erses -,@. Also, his &escen&ants /o!l& lea5e that lan& to li5e in a foreign place /here they /o!l& en& !p oppresse& an& in ser5ice to others for generations. At the en& of the appointe& time, 2o& /o!l& .ring them o!t /ith a strong han& to .ring them .ac* to Gim an& the promise& lan& of Canaan. =erse ). The sign of circ!mcision /as gi5en to A.raham as the o!t/ar& to*en of 2o&'s co5enant /ith him. That A.raham accepte& this for himself an& his &escen&ants /as an act of faith. This /as passe& &o/n from generation to generation, from Isaac, to Jaco., to his t/el5e sons, an& on/ar& among the t/el5e tri.es of Israel. =erses +,$'. %5en in those earliest of times, there /as t!rmoil. The $' el&er .rothers sol& Joseph into sla5ery in %gypt. 2o& g!i&e& Joseph's fort!ne in %gypt into his .ecoming the Q2 man. =erses $$#$-. 2o& /or*e& this o!t for the .rothers /hen the great famine force& them to go to %gypt to .!y grain. Joseph ha& foreseen Ethro!gh correctly interpreting 8haraoh's &reamF, an& ma&e pro5ision for, s!rpl!s grain for the lean years. The secon& time, he ma&e himself *no/n to them. They ha& not recogni<e& him the first time. Then the /hole family, @, people, came an& settle&. After Jaco., an& then the .rothers &ie&, they /ere .!rie& in Canaan H the lan& promise& to their chil&ren as their inheritance. Their sep!lchre /as a to*en of their faith # the one .o!ght .y A.raham in (chechem. =erses $$#$-. The people staye& in %gypt an& greatly m!ltiplie&. This contin!e& !ntil the time neare& for 2o& to .ring them o!t to possess the lan& of Canaan. Apparently they /ere /ell treate& !ntil a pharaoh came into po/er long after the time of Joseph. Ge &isli*e& their increasing pop!lation, so p!t them !n&er se5ere la.or, an& finally comp!lsory *illing of .a.ies. =erse 2'#22. %5ery male chil& Israelite /as to .e p!t o!t to &ie. 0oses' parents *ept him hi&&en for 3 months, then p!t him in a .as*et, &isco5ere& .y 8haraohRs &a!ghter, /ho a&opte& him. Ge /as raise& as her son, as a royal prince. Ge /as e&!cate& an& &escri.e& as DmightyD. =erses 23#2). 0oses, at 4', chose to help his fello/ Israelites. Ge /as calle& .y 2o& for that p!rpose, .!t they &i& not /ant or accept him, or his help in lea5ing %gypt. (tephen mentions these as prec!rsors to the Israelites reIecting their greatest promise& &eli5erer, Jes!s Gimself.

Lesson IA Contin!e&

4+

=erses 2+#34. 0oses' rash action in *illing an %gyptian .!lly .ecame 6!ic*ly 5oice& a.o!t, forcing him to lea5e %gypt an& fin& ref!ge in north/est Ara.ia. Ge .ecame a soIo!rner in a foreign lan& E%Co&!s 2:22F. O!t in the 0t. (inai /il&erness, 2o& appeare& to 0oses in the .!rning .!sh an& spo*e. This 2entile territory .ecame holy gro!n& only .eca!se 2o& chose to re5eal Gimself to 0oses there. This /as for the promise& p!rpose of sen&ing 0oses to .ring Gis people o!t of %gypt. =erses 3,,3-. 2o& chose the man reIecte& .y the people the first time. Bhen he came to them again, they ha& no other choice. Ge ha& proof of his a!thority from 2o&, the /on&ers an& signs in %gypt, at the e& (ea an& in the /il&erness for 4' years. "eCt, (tephen 6!otes De!teronomy $):$,, /here 0oses promises a prophet li*e !nto him Eas 8eter ha& pre5io!sly &oneF.

Lesson A The Acts of the Apostles @:3@#,3. (tephen's (peech.

,'

3@ This is that 0oses, /hich sai& !nto the chil&ren of Israel, A 8rophet shall the Lor& yo!r 2o& raise !p !nto yo! of yo!r .rethren, li*e !nto me? him shall ye hear. 3) This is he, that /as in the ch!rch in the /il&erness /ith the angel /hich spa*e to him in the mo!nt (i'nai, an& /ith o!r fathers: /ho recei5e& the li5ely oracles to gi5e !nto !s: 3+ to /hom o!r fathers /o!l& not o.ey, .!t thr!st him from them, an& in their hearts t!rne& .ac* again into %gypt, 4' saying !nto Aaron, 0a*e !s go&s to go .efore !s: for as for this 0oses, /hich .ro!ght !s o!t of the lan& of %gypt, /e /ot not /hat is .ecome of him. 4$ An& they ma&e a calf in those &ays, an& offere& sacrifice !nto the i&ol, an& reIoice& in the /or*s of their o/n han&s. 42 Then 2o& t!rne&, an& ga5e them !p to /orship the host of hea5en? as it is /ritten in the .oo* of the prophets, O ye ho!se of Israel, ha5e ye offere& to me slain .easts an& sacrifices .y the space of forty years in the /il&ernessL 43 Mea, ye too* !p the ta.ernacle of 0oloch, an& the star of yo!r go& emphan, fig!res /hich ye ma&e to /orship them: an& I /ill carry yo! a/ay .eyon& 7a.ylon. 44 K O!r fathers ha& the ta.ernacle of /itness in the /il&erness, as he ha& appointe&, spea*ing !nto 0oses, that he sho!l& ma*e it accor&ing to the fashion that he ha& seen. 4, Bhich also o!r fathers that came after .ro!ght in /ith Josh!a into the possession of the 2entiles, /hom 2o& &ra5e o!t .efore the face of o!r fathers, !nto the &ays of Da5i&? 4- /ho fo!n& fa5or .efore 2o&, an& &esire& to fin& a ta.ernacle for the 2o& of Jaco.. 4@ 7!t (olomon .!ilt him a ho!se. 4) Go/.eit the 0ost Gigh &/elleth not in temples ma&e /ith han&s? as saith the prophet, 4+ Gea5en is my throne, an& earth is my footstool: /hat ho!se /ill ye .!il& meL saith the Lor&: or /hat is the place of my restL ,' Gath not my han& ma&e all these thingsL ,$ K Me stiffnec*e& an& !ncirc!mcise& in heart an& ears, ye &o al/ays resist the Goly 2host: as yo!r fathers &i&, so &o ye. ,2 Bhich of the prophets ha5e not yo!r fathers persec!te&L an& they ha5e slain them /hich sho/e& .efore of the coming of the J!st One? of /hom ye ha5e .een no/ the .etrayers an& m!r&erers: ,3 /ho ha5e recei5e& the la/ .y the &isposition of angels, an& ha5e not *ept it. =erses 3@#4$. (tephen 6!otes the (cript!re a.o!t the prophet li*e !nto 0oses EDe!teronomy $):$,F. 8eter also 6!ote& this (cript!re pre5io!sly, .efore this gro!p EActs 3:22F. In the /il&erness, 0oses le& the people of 2o& Ethe Ol& Testament ch!rchF. They recei5e& the La/ of 2o&, an& ha& the DAngel of the 8resenceD /ith them. They /ere far a/ay from the promise& lan& an& the holy city. They /ere ne5er content. They rep!&iate& 0oses' lea&ership. They &iso.eye& him an& 2o&.

Lesson A Contin!e&

,$

"o/, (tephen /as acc!se& of .lasphemy against 0oses an& the La/. These &escen&ants of those that re.elle& against 0oses, ha5e no/ reIecte& the prophet greater than 0oses. The Israelites in the /il&erness ha& &esires to go .ac* to %gypt. They /ante& material .lessings an& comfort. Bhile 0oses /as in the 0o!nt, they force& Aaron to ma*e the i&ols of gol&. They /ere not content /ith the in5isi.le presence of 2o&. They rather DreIoice& in the /or*s of their han&s.D E8salms $$,:4? $3,:$,.F Israel's history of i&olatry .ro!ght prophet after prophet preaching to the people of repentance. The people's st!..ornness .ro!ght them to &estr!ction an& &eportation Ethe eCile to 7a.ylonF. To (tephen, all these actions no/ reache& their pea* in the rep!&iation of 2o&'s (on. =erses 42,43. A s!mmary from Amos ,:2,#2@ is no/ .ro!ght forth H the /orship of the host of hea5en, the planetary po/ers represente& .y the go&s an& go&&esses of that mythology. It is i&entifie& also as a res!lt of 2o&'s I!&gment: D2o& t!rne& an& ga5e them !p to ser5e the host of hea5en.D Bhat men contin!ally choose, 2o& .in&s to them /ith the associate& conse6!ences. The i&ols they chose co!l& not help the people of Israel /hen the Assyrians o5erran the northern *ing&om an& .ro!ght them into eCile. "or co!l& they help the so!thern *ing&om from the 7a.ylonian eCile more than a cent!ry later. =erses 44,4,. (tephen no/ co!nters the acc!sation of .lasphemy against 2o& Eagainst the TempleF. The Temple /as the &/elling#place of 2o& among the people in the /il&erness. They &isregar&e& the &i5ine /itness an& importance of this shrine. It /as constr!cte& in e5ery &etail accor&ing to the pattern that 0oses ha& .een gi5en on the mo!ntain. Bhen the people finally /ent into the promise& lan& !n&er Josh!a, they .ro!ght the ta.ernacle, the ar* of the co5enant /hich containe& the ta.les of the La/. This remaine& !ntil the final con6!ering of all Canaanites .y Da5i&. It remaine& as the /itness an& sym.ol of 2o&'s presence an& pro5ision for his people's sal5ation. =erses 4-,4@. Da5i& longe& to .!il& a permanent Temple. (tephen spea*s /or&s fleshe& o!t in 8salms $32:2#,: 2 ho/ he s/are !nto the LO D, an& 5o/e& !nto the mighty 2o& of Jaco.? 3 (!rely I /ill not come into the ta.ernacle of my ho!se, nor go !p into my .e&? 4 I /ill not gi5e sleep to mine eyes, or sl!m.er to mine eyeli&s, , !ntil I fin& o!t a place for the LO D, a ha.itation for the mighty 2o& of Jaco.. Da5i& /as tol& Ethro!gh "athanF that a son of Da5i& /o!l& arise, an& .!il& a ho!se for 2o& E2 (am!el @F. The early Christians interprete& the parallel promise to this son of Da5i& EJes!sF H Ge /o!l& ha5e Gis throne esta.lishe& fore5er.

Lesson A Contin!e& L!*e $:32,33.

,2

32 Ge shall .e great, an& shall .e calle& the (on of the Gighest? an& the Lor& 2o& shall gi5e !nto him the throne of his father Da5i&: 33 an& he shall reign o5er the ho!se of Jaco. for e5er? an& of his *ing&om there shall .e no en&. The ne/ Temple is Christ Gimself, along /ith Gis elect H .oth Je/s an& 2entiles. It .egan /ith Gis res!rrection H the temple of Gis .o&y, raise& !p on the thir& &ay. 8a!l /rote in %phesians 2:$+,2' # $+ "o/ therefore ye are no more strangers an& foreigners, .!t fello/ citi<ens /ith the saints, an& of the ho!sehol& of 2o&? 2' an& are .!ilt !pon the fo!n&ation of the apostles an& prophets, Jes!s Christ himself .eing the chief corner stone? (olomon's Temple is 6!ic*ly intro&!ce& an& &ismisse& H as not achie5ing the &esire of Da5i&. (olomon /as /itness to the fact. I :ings ):2@. 2@ K 7!t /ill 2o& in&ee& &/ell on the earthL .ehol&, the hea5en an& hea5en of hea5ens cannot contain thee? ho/ m!ch less this ho!se that I ha5e .!il&e&L =erses 4)#,'. (tephen is arg!ing the concept that the Temple co!l&n't ca!se 2o& to stay p!t, to .ecome limite& .y a time an& place. 2o&'s plan for man's sal5ation co!l& not .e limite&. (tephen has .ro!ght this o!t concerning the patriarchs an& prophets of the Ol& Testament. This logically lea&s to the &escription of Christ's follo/ers as the Ch!rch In5isi.le /here e5er they are H a ch!rch ma&e /itho!t han&s. =erse ,$. (tephen no/ attac*s the Co!ncil. Ge has cite& eCamples thro!gho!t Israel's history, of the people's reIection of 2o&, Gis La/, an& Gis 8rophets. The present generation &i&, an& contin!e& to reIect 2o&'s messengers H specifically Jes!s, Bho they .etraye& an& m!r&ere&. 8erhaps this /o!l& shoc* the consciences of some that hear& him, an& lea& to repentance. The /or& Dstiffnec*e&D ha& .een !se& .y 2o& .efore in the Ol& Testament to &escri.e the people of Israel E%Co&!s 33:,F. DOncirc!mcise& in heart an& earsD spea*s to their !n/illingness to hee& 2o&'s re5elation an& ta*e it to heart. Tho!gh they /ere circ!mcise& as Je/s that /as merely physical. =erse ,2. Tho!gh the people of Jes!s' &ay .!ilt mon!ments to the prophets an& claim they /o!l& not ha5e treate& 2o&'s prophets as their ancestors ha&, (tephen rightly points o!t that they are presently sho/ing complete hostility to 2o&'s prophets. The prophets

Lesson A Contin!e&

,3

*ille& .efore /ere the ones /ho foretol& the coming of the ighteo!s One. "o/, this generation ha& ca!se& the cr!el &eath of the promise& ighteo!s One. =erse ,3. The p!rpose of the nation of Israel /as to prepare the /ay for the One Bho /as to sa5e them from their sins. The nation ha& resiste& an& reIecte& that One thro!gh Bhom the &i5ine plan /as to .e .ro!ght to fr!ition. "o/ that 2o& ha& spo*en to the nation .y the 8romise& 0essiah, it ha& &ecisi5ely reIecte& Gim. Acts @:,4#):$. (tephen Is 8!t to Death. ,4 K Bhen they hear& these things, they /ere c!t to the heart, an& they gnashe& on him /ith their teeth. ,, 7!t he, .eing f!ll of the Goly 2host, loo*e& !p stea&fastly into hea5en, an& sa/ the glory of 2o&, an& Jes!s stan&ing on the right han& of 2o&, ,- an& sai&, 7ehol&, I see the hea5ens opene&, an& the (on of man stan&ing on the right han& of 2o&. ,@ Then they crie& o!t /ith a lo!& 5oice, an& stoppe& their ears, an& ran !pon him /ith one accor&, ,) an& cast him o!t of the city, an& stone& him: an& the /itnesses lai& &o/n their clothes at a yo!ng man's feet, /hose name /as (a!l. ,+ An& they stone& (tephen, calling !pon 2o&, an& saying, Lor& Jes!s, recei5e my spirit. -' An& he *neele& &o/n, an& crie& /ith a lo!& 5oice, Lor&, lay not this sin to their charge. An& /hen he ha& sai& this, he fell asleep. $ K An& at that time there /as a great persec!tion against the ch!rch /hich /as at Jer!salem? an& they /ere all scattere& a.roa& thro!gho!t the regions of J!&ea an& (amaria, eCcept the apostles. =erse ,4. (tephen's speech reache& its <enith .y foc!sing on the present gro!p's reIection of 2o&'s greatest prophet, their g!ilt an& persistent opposition to 2o&'s /ays. Be see their increasing anger, 5eCation, an& rage reach the .oiling point. Be can try to imagine their eCpressions H here &escri.e& as gnashing their teeth at him. This /o!l& ha5e incl!&e& angry /or&s an& eCpressions. =erses ,,#,-. The &escription of (tephen is in complete contrast. Ge remains calm, as g!i&e& .y the Goly (pirit. As his ga<e contin!e& hea5en/ar&, he /as gi5en a 5ision of Jes!s, the (on of 0an, stan&ing at 2o&'s right han&. Ge relate& his 5ision to the cro/& acti5ely re5iling him. These /or&s /ere the same as those prophesie& .y Jes!s Gimself .efore some of the same men E0ar* $4:-2F. As Jes!s ha& .een fo!n& g!ilty of .lasphemy, they m!st no/ also I!&ge (tephen g!ilty. That Christ /as at 2o&'s right han& meant that the Temple, an& all its importance an& tra&itions, /ere no/ s!pplante& .y a more &irect an& !ni5ersal metho& of access. Temple rit!al /as no/ o.solete. Access to 2o& /as no longer limite& to Je/s .!t open to all.

Lesson A Contin!e&

,4

That Jes!s is here &escri.e& as Dstan&ingD s!ggests that Jes!s Dseate&D at 2o&'s right han& &oes not limit Gim to remain seate& at e5ery moment. Ge co!l& stan& /hene5er Ge so &esire&: s!ch as at this moment (tephen's /itness of his hea5enly 5ision an& imminent martyr&om. =erses ,@,,). That (tephen i&entifies Jes!s as the (on of 0an at 2o&'s right han& /as the final height of .lasphemy to those gathere& against him. Be can imagine their crying o!t lo!&ly to protest /hat he /as saying, an& to &ro/n o!t anything else he might try to say. They also Dstoppe& their earsD. Their rage *ne/ only one /ay to en& this H the mo. gra..e& him an& too* him o!tsi&e of the city. They procee&e& to stone him to &eath. The /itnesses /ere the central actors in this action. They place& their o!ter garments near (a!l Eyo!ng manF to .e loo*e& after /hile they eCerte& themsel5es in thro/ing stones to eCec!te (tephen. =erses ,+,-'. As he /as .eing stone&, he committe& his spirit to his Lor&, Jes!s. Ge also echoes /hat Jes!s !ttere& from the cross H mercy !pon those that /ere *illing him. These /ere (tephen's last /or&s. L!*e !ses gentle /or&s to &escri.e this o!t/ar&ly .r!tal eCperience # Dhe fell asleep.D This &escri.es the peacef!l spirit of (tephen. Acts ):$. The pre5io!sly mentione& (a!l is again i&entifie& as a consenting /itness. Go/e5er, it seems li*ely that at some point 8a!l spo*e to L!*e concerning his o.ser5ations of (tephen's co!ntenance an& final /or&s. This he openly relate&, e5en tho!gh it /as .efore his con5ersion, /hen he /as acti5ely trying to preser5e the ol& /ays an& stamp o!t this !pstart faith. "eCt, 8ersec!tion an& Dispersion.

Lesson AI The Acts of the Apostles ):$#). 8ersec!tion an& Dispersion.

,,

$ K An& at that time there /as a great persec!tion against the ch!rch /hich /as at Jer!salem? an& they /ere all scattere& a.roa& thro!gho!t the regions of J!&ea an& (amaria, eCcept the apostles. 2 An& &e5o!t men carrie& (tephen to his .!rial, an& ma&e great lamentation o5er him. 3 As for (a!l, he ma&e ha5oc of the ch!rch, entering into e5ery ho!se, an& haling men an& /omen committe& them to prison. 4 K Therefore they that /ere scattere& a.roa& /ent e5ery /here preaching the /or&. , Then 8hilip /ent &o/n to the city of (amaria, an& preache& Christ !nto them. - An& the people /ith one accor& ga5e hee& !nto those things /hich 8hilip spa*e, hearing an& seeing the miracles /hich he &i&. @ 9or !nclean spirits, crying /ith lo!& 5oice, came o!t of many that /ere possesse& /ith them: an& many ta*en /ith palsies, an& that /ere lame, /ere heale&. ) An& there /as great Ioy in that city. =erse $. (tephen's &eath signale& the .eginning of a general of .elie5ers in Jer!salem. The main target seems to ha5e that /ere not resi&ents of Jer!salem. (tephen ha& .een a this gro!p. They scattere& thro!gho!t the near.y regions (amaria. The apostles remaine& in the city. persec!tion .ee those lea&er of of J!&ea an&

=erse 2. 9ello/ .elie5ers .!rie& (tephen, an& eCpresse& great lamentation. In Acts $:), Jes!s pre&icte& D... an& ye shall .e /itnesses !nto me .oth in Jer!salem, an& in all J!&ea, an& in (amaria...D This .egan as a persec!tion#ca!se& &ispersion. =erse 3. (a!l of Tars!s no/ .ecame the acti5e lea&er of this ne/ mo5e against .elie5ers. Ge o.5io!sly ha& a!thority from the lea&ers of the (anhe&rin. Ge /as serio!sly concerne& these .elie5ers in the ne/ faith threatene& /hat he .elie5e& an& practice& as the tr!e faith. Ge .elie5e& Jes!s ha& .een an imposter, a false 0essiah. Ge /ent into acc!se& people's homes an& ha& men an& /omen forcef!lly &ragge& o!t an& p!t into prison. =erse 4. Those that /ere scattere& among the 2entiles contin!e& the sprea&ing of the 2oo& "e/s of (al5ation in Christ. This /as the .eginning. 7elie5ers carrie& the message f!rther an& f!rther as time passe&. =erse ,. Also one of the Gellenist lea&ers, 8hilip /ent from Jer!salem, north into (amaria, sprea&ing the 2ospel. Tra&itionally, the (amaritans /ere loo*e& &o/n !pon .y the Je/s. This /as the res!lt of the foreign settlers place& there .y the Assyrians. The !pper

Lesson AI contin!e&

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class /as &eporte& /hen the northern *ing&om of Israel /as &efeate&. The res!lting miC of peoples /ere consi&ere& racial an& religio!s half .ree&s. They also .!ilt a ri5al temple on 0t. 2eri<im. It ha& .een &estroye& o5er $'' years .efore Christ's time. The animosity remaine&. It /as a co!rageo!s act for 8hilip to go to proclaim the 2ospel to these o!tcasts. They &i&, ho/e5er, .elie5e in the promise& 0essiah H as li*e !nto 0oses the prophet EDe!teronomy $):$,F, /ho /o!l& restore the tr!e /orship of 2o&. =erses -#). Bhate5er city it signs. These incl!&e& These /ere consi&ere& of sal5ation. Joy /as /as, 8hilip's preaching /as follo/e& .y great healings, restoration, casting o!t &emons. confirmation of 2o&'s .lessing on Gis message a nat!ral res!lt of .oth eCperiences.

=erses +#$3. (imon the (orcerer. + K 7!t there /as a certain man, calle& (imon, /hich .eforetime in the same city !se& sorcery, an& .e/itche& the people of (amaria, gi5ing o!t that himself /as some great one: $' to /hom they all ga5e hee&, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great po/er of 2o&. $$ An& to him they ha& regar&, .eca!se that of long time he ha& .e/itche& them /ith sorceries. $2 7!t /hen they .elie5e& 8hilip preaching the things concerning the *ing&om of 2o&, an& the name of Jes!s Christ, they /ere .apti<e&, .oth men an& /omen. $3 Then (imon himself .elie5e& also: an& /hen he /as .apti<e&, he contin!e& /ith 8hilip, an& /on&ere&, .ehol&ing the miracles an& signs /hich /ere &one. =erses +#$$. (imon 0ag!s H a (amaritan /ho ha& ama<e& the general pop!lation of (amaria /ith his sorcery. They accepte& him as ha5ing the po/er from 2o& H as he professe& himself to .e. =erse $2. The preaching of 8hilip .ro!ght a great many to faith in Christ. 7oth men an& /omen /ere .apti<e&. (imon also .elie5e& an& /as .apti<e&. Ge staye& /ith 8hilip an& /as ama<e& .y the signs an& miracles that follo/e&. (imon's moti5es, s!.se6!ent e5ents sho/, /ere partly selfish. =erses $4#24. 8eter an& John (ent to (amaria. $4 K "o/ /hen the apostles /hich /ere at Jer!salem hear& that (amaria ha& recei5e& the /or& of 2o&, they sent !nto them 8eter an& John: $, /ho, /hen they /ere come &o/n, praye& for them, that they might recei5e the Goly 2host: $- Efor as yet he /as fallen !pon none of them: only they /ere .apti<e& in the name of the Lor& Jes!s.F

Lesson AI contin!e&

,@

$@ Then lai& they their han&s on them, an& they recei5e& the Goly 2host. $) An& /hen (imon sa/ that thro!gh laying on of the apostles' han&s the Goly 2host /as gi5en, he offere& them money, $+ saying, 2i5e me also this po/er, that on /homsoe5er I lay han&s, he may recei5e the Goly 2host. 2' 7!t 8eter sai& !nto him, Thy money perish /ith thee, .eca!se tho! hast tho!ght that the gift of 2o& may .e p!rchase& /ith money. 2$ Tho! hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of 2o&. 22 epent therefore of this thy /ic*e&ness, an& pray 2o&, if perhaps the tho!ght of thine heart may .e forgi5en thee. 23 9or I percei5e that tho! art in the gall of .itterness, an& in the .on& of ini6!ity. 24 Then ans/ere& (imon, an& sai&, 8ray ye to the Lor& for me, that none of these things /hich ye ha5e spo*en come !pon me. =erse $4. 8hilip's s!ccess in sprea&ing the 2ospel in (amaria is reporte& to the apostles in Jer!salem. These t/o lea&ers are sent to assess this ministry. =erses $,#$@. Opon inspection they fin& that these .elie5ers /ere .apti<e& into the "ame of the Lor& Jes!s an& ha& not recei5e& the Goly (pirit. 8eter an& John praye& for them to recei5e the Goly (pirit, an& /ith the laying on of han&s, the Goly (pirit came !pon them. The res!lt /as similar to the &isciples at 8entecost. It is generally accepte& thro!gho!t the "e/ Testament that the Goly (pirit .egins in&/elling each Christian /hen they first .elie5e. It appears that an o!t/ar& sign /as nee&e& in this instance to legitimi<e this .eginning (amaritan Ch!rch. This is .eca!se of the tra&itional attit!&e against (amaritans .y the people of Jer!salem. Th!s this e5ent, the presence of 8eter an& John, confirme& the f!ll an& e6!al stat!s of all .elie5ers in Christ. =erses ),+. The signs accompanying the (pirit's coming /ere impressi5e eno!gh to ma*e (imon 0ag!s &esire the same po/er. (ince it appeare& to .e connecte& to the laying on of han&s, he eCpresse& his /ish .y offering to .!y 8eter an& John's secret. The term DsimonyD comes from this person's e5il &esire. =erses 2'#23. The reaction to his re6!est sho/s ho/ /rong his !n&erstan&ing of the .lessing, the free gift of 2o&, /as. Ge tho!ght it /as a Dtric*D li*e /hat he ha& formerly practice&. Ge is se5erely re.!*e&.

Lesson AI contin!e& Ge /as thin*ing selfishly H th!s /ic*e&ly. This sho/e& a complete mis!n&erstan&ing of the Goly (pirit an& its p!rpose.

,)

=erse 24. Gis heart /as not right /ith 2o&, .!t in the han& of ini6!ity. This re.!*e .y 8eter act!ally scare& (imon. Ge as*e& 8eter to pray for him that he may escape the I!&gment that his /ic*e&ness &eser5e&. Be hear no more of this man. This /as recor&e& that a sinner still sins after accepting Christ. Be &o not .ecome perfect. Be contin!e to nee& forgi5eness. =erses 2,#4'. 8hilip an& the %thiopian. 2, K An& they, /hen they ha& testifie& an& preache& the /or& of the Lor&, ret!rne& to Jer!salem, an& preache& the gospel in many 5illages of the (amaritans. 2- K An& the angel of the Lor& spa*e !nto 8hilip, saying, Arise, an& go to/ar& the so!th, !nto the /ay that goeth &o/n from Jer!salem !nto 2a<a, /hich is &esert. 2@ An& he arose an& /ent: an&, .ehol&, a man of %thiopia, a e!n!ch of great a!thority !n&er Can&ace 6!een of the %thiopians, /ho ha& the charge of all her treas!re, an& ha& come to Jer!salem for to /orship, 2) /as ret!rning, an& sitting in his chariot rea& Isaiah the prophet. 2+ Then the (pirit sai& !nto 8hilip, 2o near, an& Ioin thyself to this chariot. 3' An& 8hilip ran thither to him, an& hear& him rea& the prophet Isaiah, an& sai&, On&erstan&est tho! /hat tho! rea&estL 3$ An& he sai&, Go/ can I, eCcept some man sho!l& g!i&e meL An& he &esire& 8hilip that he /o!l& come !p an& sit /ith him. 32 The place of the (cript!re /hich he rea& /as this, Ge /as le& as a sheep to the sla!ghter? an& li*e a lam. &!m. .efore his shearer, so opene& he not his mo!th: 33 in his h!miliation his I!&gment /as ta*en a/ay: an& /ho shall &eclare his generationL for his life is ta*en from the earth. 34 An& the e!n!ch ans/ere& 8hilip, an& sai&, I pray thee, of /hom spea*eth the prophet thisL of himself, or of some other manL 3, Then 8hilip opene& his mo!th, an& .egan at the same (cript!re, an& preache& !nto him Jes!s. 3- An& as they /ent on their /ay, they came !nto a certain /ater: an& the e!n!ch sai&, (ee, here is /ater? /hat &oth hin&er me to .e .apti<e&L 3@ An& 8hilip sai&, If tho! .elie5est /ith all thine heart, tho! mayest. An& he ans/ere& an& sai&, I .elie5e that Jes!s Christ is the (on of 2o&. 3) An& he comman&e& the chariot to stan& still: an& they /ent &o/n .oth into the /ater, .oth 8hilip an& the e!n!ch? an& he .apti<e& him. 3+ An& /hen they /ere come !p o!t of the /ater, the (pirit of the Lor& ca!ght a/ay 8hilip, that the e!n!ch sa/ him no more: an& he /ent on his /ay reIoicing. 4' 7!t 8hilip /as fo!n& at A<o't!s: an& passing thro!gh he preache& in all the cities, till he came to Caesare'a.

Lesson AI contin!e&

,+

=erse 2,. On their /ay .ac* to Jer!salem, the &elegation preache& the 2ospel to the many 5illages of (amaria they passe&. It is implie& .y the follo/ing e5ent that 8hilip ret!rne& /ith 8eter an& John. =erse 2-. 8hilip is &i5inely calle& .y an Dangel of the Lor&D to arise an& go to the roa& from Jer!salem to 2a<a H .oth a &o/n/ar& an& &esert area. =erses 2@,2). A co5ere& con5eyance /as tra5eling so!th/ar&. Bithin the treas!rer of the %thiopian co!rt /as seate&. This /as the ret!rn Io!rney from his pilgrimage to Jer!salem. This area is the same as the mo&ern "!.ia H from As/an so!th to :harto!m. On the /ay he so!ght to .enefit from the tra5eling time .y rea&ing (cript!re. In this case it /as Isaiah. =erses 2+#3$. 8hilip /as tol& .y the (pirit to go !p to the /agon. As he &i&, he hear& the %thiopian rea&ing alo!& from Isaiah, a prophecy. This /as an opport!nity to spea* H 8hilip as*s him if he !n&erstoo& /hat he /as rea&ing. The man a&mits that he &i&n't H he nee&e& a g!i&e. Ge in5ites 8hilip to come !p an& sit .esi&e him. =erses 32,33. The (cript!re .eing rea& /as Isaiah ,3 H the (!ffering (er5ant. Jes!s i&entifie& an& f!lfille& this prophecy Eas /ell as Isaiah $$ an& Daniel @:$3F .y Gis o/n life an& sacrifice to gi5e Gis life a ransom for many E0ar* $:$$F. L!*e 6!otes the 5erse .eing rea& EIsaiah ,3:@F. =erses 34,3,. The %thiopian's 6!estion H /as the prophet tal*ing a.o!t himself, or someone elseL 7eginning /ith this (cript!re, 8hilip eCplaine& ho/ Jes!s f!lfille& this prophecy an& ho/ Gis perfect life /as an offering for sin. Ge eCplaine& a.o!t Jes!s' &eath, an& ho/ Gis tri!mphal res!rrection .ro!ght forgi5eness, an& re&emption /ith 2o&. =erses 3-#3). 8hilip apparently ha& incl!&e& in his eCposition /hat the .elie5er's response to this 2oo& "e/s sho!l& .e. epentance an& .aptism an& the p!.lic profession of faith as entrance into the Ch!rch. At some f!rther point in their Io!rney to/ar& 2a<a, r!nning /ater /as o.ser5e&. The %thiopian sees this as the imme&iate opport!nity to complete his ne/ profession of faith. Ge as*s 8hilip if anything pre5ents his .eing .apti<e& right a/ay. The /agon is stoppe&. They .oth go &o/n into the /ater an& 8hilip .apti<es him.

Lesson AI contin!e&

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=erse 3+. The Ioy that accompanies the ne/ .irth /as eCpresse& .y the %thiopian an& he then contin!e& on his /ay to his home in %thiopia, carrying /ith him his ne/ faith. Accor&ing to tra&ition EIrenae!sF, he .ecame a missionary among his people. 8hilip, on the other han&, is &ra/n a/ay .y the (pirit again H this time at A<ot!s H an ol& 8hilistine city formerly calle& Ash&o&, a.o!t 2' miles north of 2a<a. Ge preaches the 2ospel in all the cities he passes thro!gh along the coastal roa& north !ntil he reache& Caesarea. Ge seems to ha5e settle& there. Ge is not mentione& again !ntil Chapter 2$:). 7y then he ha& fo!r &a!ghters ol& eno!gh to .e prophetesses of the ne/ faith.

Lesson AII The Acts of the Apostles +:$#3$. Con5ersion of (a!l of Tars!s

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$ An& (a!l, yet .reathing o!t threatenings an& sla!ghter against the &isciples of the Lor&, /ent !nto the high priest, 2 an& &esire& of him letters to Damasc!s to the synagog!es, that if he fo!n& any of this /ay, /hether they /ere men or /omen, he might .ring them .o!n& !nto Jer!salem. 3 An& as he Io!rneye&, he came near Damasc!s: an& s!&&enly there shine& ro!n& a.o!t him a light from hea5en: 4 an& he fell to the earth, an& hear& a 5oice saying !nto him, (a!l, (a!l, /hy persec!test tho! meL , An& he sai&, Bho art tho!, Lor&L An& the Lor& sai&, I am Jes!s /hom tho! persec!test: it is har& for thee to *ic* against the pric*s. - An& he trem.ling an& astonishe& sai&, Lor&, /hat /ilt tho! ha5e me to &oL An& the Lor& sai& !nto him, Arise, an& go into the city, an& it shall .e tol& thee /hat tho! m!st &o. @ An& the men /hich Io!rneye& /ith him stoo& speechless, hearing a 5oice, .!t seeing no man. ) An& (a!l arose from the earth? an& /hen his eyes /ere opene&, he sa/ no man: .!t they le& him .y the han&, an& .ro!ght him into Damasc!s. + An& he /as three &ays /itho!t sight, an& neither &i& eat nor &rin*. $' K An& there /as a certain &isciple at Damasc!s, name& Anani'as? an& to him sai& the Lor& in a 5ision, Anani'as. An& he sai&, 7ehol&, I am here, Lor&. $$ An& the Lor& sai& !nto him, Arise, an& go into the street /hich is calle& (traight, an& in6!ire in the ho!se of J!&as for one calle& (a!l, of Tars!s: for, .ehol&, he prayeth, $2 an& hath seen in a 5ision a man name& Anani'as coming in, an& p!tting his han& on him, that he might recei5e his sight. $3 Then Anani'as ans/ere&, Lor&, I ha5e hear& .y many of this man, ho/ m!ch e5il he hath &one to thy saints at Jer!salem: $4 an& here he hath a!thority from the chief priests to .in& all that call on thy name. $, 7!t the Lor& sai& !nto him, 2o thy /ay: for he is a chosen 5essel !nto me, to .ear my name .efore the 2entiles, an& *ings, an& the chil&ren of Israel: $- for I /ill sho/ him ho/ great things he m!st s!ffer for my name's sa*e. $@ An& Anani'as /ent his /ay, an& entere& into the ho!se? an& p!tting his han&s on him sai&, 7rother (a!l, the Lor&, e5en Jes!s, that appeare& !nto thee in the /ay as tho! camest, hath sent me, that tho! mightest recei5e thy sight, an& .e fille& /ith the Goly 2host. $) An& imme&iately there fell from his eyes as it ha& .een scales: an& he recei5e& sight forth/ith, an& arose, an& /as .apti<e&. $+ An& /hen he ha& recei5e& meat, he /as strengthene&. K Then /as (a!l certain &ays /ith the &isciples /hich /ere at Damasc!s. 2' An& straight/ay he preache& Christ in the synagog!es, that he is the (on of 2o&. 2$ 7!t all that hear& him /ere ama<e&, an& sai&? Is not this he that &estroye& them /hich calle& on this name in Jer!salem, an& came hither for that intent, that he might .ring them .o!n& !nto the chief

Lesson AII contin!e&

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priestsL 22 7!t (a!l increase& the more in strength, an& confo!n&e& the Je/s /hich &/elt at Damasc!s, pro5ing that this is 5ery Christ. 23 K An& after that many &ays /ere f!lfille&, the Je/s too* co!nsel to *ill him: 24 .!t their laying /ait /as *no/n of (a!l. An& they /atche& the gates &ay an& night to *ill him. 2, Then the &isciples too* him .y night, an& let him &o/n .y the /all in a .as*et. 2- K An& /hen (a!l /as come to Jer!salem, he assaye& to Ioin himself to the &isciples: .!t they /ere all afrai& of him, an& .elie5e& not that he /as a &isciple. 2@ 7!t 7arna.as too* him, an& .ro!ght him to the apostles, an& &eclare& !nto them ho/ he ha& seen the Lor& in the /ay, an& that he ha& spo*en to him, an& ho/ he ha& preache& .ol&ly at Damasc!s in the name of Jes!s. 2) An& he /as /ith them coming in an& going o!t at Jer!salem. 2+ An& he spa*e .ol&ly in the name of the Lor& Jes!s, an& &isp!te& against the 2re'cians: .!t they /ent a.o!t to slay him. 3' Bhich /hen the .rethren *ne/, they .ro!ght him &o/n to Caesare'a, an& sent him forth to Tars!s. 3$ K Then ha& the ch!rches rest thro!gho!t all J!&ea an& 2alilee an& (amaria, an& /ere e&ifie&? an& /al*ing in the fear of the Lor&, an& in the comfort of the Goly 2host, /ere m!ltiplie&. =erses $#2. (a!l's =ision on the oa& to Damasc!s. This contin!es the story of (a!l of Tars!s .riefly mentione& in ):3. Later, he himself &escri.es his actions at this time E2-:$$F: DIn raging f!ry against them, I persec!te& them e5en to foreign cities.D Gere he .ol&ly goes to the high priest for letters of commission to the synagog!es of Damasc!s that he /o!l& arrest any Christians that ha& fle& there from Jer!salem. Ge /o!l& then .ring them .o!n&, .ac* to Jer!salem. O.5io!sly the high priest ha& this a!thority, .eing the hea& of the Je/ish state H this !phel& .y the oman a!thority. The great eCc!se /as to maintain goo& p!.lic or&er. Christianity is here calle& Dthe BayD Ealso later in $+:+,23? 22:4? 24:$4,22F. Apparently it /as !se& .y early .elie5ers to &escri.e their ne/ D/ay of lifeD, an& / or D/ay of sal5ationD. Jes!s ha& sai&, DI am the Tr!th, the Bay, an& the Life.D =erses 3#-. Accompanie& .y an escort Etemple policeLF, (a!l ha& nearly reache& the city of Damasc!s /hen his life /as fore5er change&. It /as a.o!t noon E22:-F. (!&&enly a light .righter than the s!n shone on him. Ge fell on the gro!n&. A 5oice spo*e in Aramaic, D(a!l, (a!l, /hy persec!test tho! meLD EInI!ry to Gis follo/ers is consi&ere& as ha5ing .een &one to Gim.F 8a!l recogni<e& the origin of the 5oice as from a.o5e, therefore from a hea5enly presence H hence his 6!estion, DBho are yo!, Lor&LD The reply DI am Jes!s...D "eCt is a pro5er. # Dit is har& for thee to *ic* against the pric*s.D It refers to the pointe& goa& !se& to pro& an oC to mo5e

Lesson AII contin!e&

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for/ar&. To *ic* against the goa&ing /as pointless an& co!l& ca!se greater pain or inI!ry. It /as to signify the pointlessness of re.elling against la/f!l a!thority. Jes!s *ne/ it /as 2o&'s /ill that 8a!l /o!l& come to faith in Gim H .!t that he ha& st!..ornly acte& in the face of things that /ere pointing an& p!shing him to that faith Ei.e. the eCperience of (tephen's martyr&omF. =erse -. The response # DLor&, /hat /ilt tho! ha5e me to &oLD Ge is tol& to arise an& go on into the city, an& he /ill .e tol&. =erse @. Those tra5eling /ith 8a!l /ere also stoppe& an& st!nne& .y the .la<ing light. Bhat they hear& /as not clear to them H tho!gh they hear& 8a!l tal*ing, they co!l& see no one. They therefore, stoo& speechless. =erses ),+. Ga5ing .een .lin&e&, 8a!l /as le& .y han& into the city, /here arrangements ha& .een ma&e for his stay. Three &ays he staye&, !na.le to eat or &rin*. =erses $'#$2. (a!l /as gi5en a ne/ 5ision /here he sees a man name& Ananias come to him, lay his han&s on him, an& his sight is restore&. Ananias recei5e& a 5ision of the risen Christ, to &o the a.o5e name& &ee&. O.5io!sly the 2ospel ha& sprea& to this city, for he /as certainly a .elie5er. =erses $3,$4. O.5io!sly, also, ne/s of (a!l's acti5ities /ere *no/n in persec!tion of Christians in Jer!salem. In a&&ition, a.o!t his mission of arresting .elie5ers in Damasc!s H /ith the a!thority of the chief priests. Ananias calle& Jes!s DLor&D, an& i&entifie& those persec!te& as DThy (aintsD, an& Dall that call on thy name.D =erses $,,$-. Ananias' fear is o5er#r!le&. This man /as Christ's chosen 5essel. Ge /ill carry the 2ospel to the 2entiles specifically, as /ell as *ings, an& also Je/s. Ge /as no/ con5erte& an& /as &estine& to s!ffer for Jes!s m!ch more than he ha& inflicte& on others. =erse $@. Ananias &i& as he /as instr!cte&. Ge e5en a&&resses him as '.rother' (a!l. Ge mentions that he ha& .een tol& a.o!t the Lor&'s appearance to him on the roa&. Ge has come to restore (a!l's sight an& pray for the filling of the Goly (pirit. Bhat Ananias sai& confirme& the 5ision an& the commission .y Jes!s. This /as a &irect call !pon 8a!l as Apostle to the 2entiles. It /as not tie& to the apostles or any lea&er among the Christians at Jer!salem. Gis /or&s to (a!l only incl!&e& the &irect 6!oting of the /or&s he recei5e& from Christ. Ge /as the means, .y laying on of han&s, that the po/er of the risen (a5ior restore& 8a!l's sight an&

Lesson AII contin!e&

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fille& him /ith the Goly (pirit. 7oth necessary for the ser5ice 8a!l /as calle& !pon to perform. Ananias is not mentione& again. =erses $),$+. A fla*y s!.stance fell from 8a!l's eyes H his sight /as then restore&. Ge got !p an& /as .apti<e& Epres!ma.ly also .y AnaniasF. Also, for the first time in three &ays, 8a!l ate a meal, an& regaine& some strength physically. 8a!l remaine& in Damasc!s for many &ays in fello/ship of the local Christians. =erse 2'. Ge then .egan to proclaim Jes!s as the (on of 2o& in the synagog!es. =erse 2$. The first reaction /as shoc*. 7y this time he ha& .ecome *no/n as a persec!tor of those that .elie5e& in Christ in Jer!salem. They also *ne/ that his trip to their city /as /ith the a!thority of the chief priests to arrest an& .ring Christians .ac* to Jer!salem to .e trie& an& con5icte&. =erse 22. 8a!l no/ spo*e /ith the a!thority of Jes!s Gimself to proclaim Gis 2ospel. Ge /as no/ increase& in strength an& /as confo!n&ing the Je/s .y his arg!ment, eCplaining clearly that Jes!s f!lfille& the prophecies concerning the Christ H the (a5ior. =erses 23#2,. The angry Je/s e5ent!ally &eci&e& that 8a!l ha& to .e *ille&. 8a!l mentions his escape from this city in 2alatians $:$@. The Je/s p!t people at the city gates to catch him /hen he trie& to lea5e. Ge learne& of the plot. DThe &isciplesD pro5es that there /ere con5erts to Christianity !n&er his preaching. They too* him to a ho!se that ha& a /in&o/ in the city /all. Ge /as lo/ere& from that /in&o/ in a large .as*et .y night, an& escape&. In 2alatians $:$) it is mentione& that a.o!t three years after his con5ersion, he left Damasc!s an& /ent .ac* to Jer!salem. =erse 2-. T/o pro.lems face& 8a!l in Jer!salem. Gis former colleag!es ha& hear& of his &efection to the 'enemy camp'. The &isciples, on the other han&, /ere still s!spicio!s H still remem.ering his past <eal in persec!ting .elie5ers. Ge co!l& .e preten&ing to ha5e change& to gain their confi&ence, an& th!s fin& e5i&ence to more forcef!lly persec!te an& arrest the entire gro!p. =erse 2@. 7arna.as, /hose name means 'son of enco!ragement', too* !p his ca!se an& eCplaine& the e5ents of 8a!l's con5ersion H that the Lor& ha& appeare& to him an& 8a!l ha& spo*en to Gim. 9ollo/ing this e5ent he ha& .ol&ly preache& in the "ame of Jes!s. Apparently 7arna.as ha& some prior ac6!aintance /ith 8a!l an& the changes that ha& ta*en place in Damasc!s. 7arna.as /as o.5io!sly /ell respecte&,

Lesson AII contin!e&

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so his 5o!ching for 8a!l's con5ersion /as accepte&. Accor&ing to 8a!l's acco!nt in 2alatians $:$) he met only 8eter an& James E.rother of Jes!sF on this 5isit. Apparently 8a!l too* !p the reaching o!t to the Gellenists in Jer!salem, formerly &one .y (tephen. To these men, 8a!l /as a traitor H ha5ing agree& to (tephen's &eath, yet no/ ta*ing (tephen's place. Their reaction /as 6!ic*, an& incl!&e& 5iolence. They so!ght to *ill him also. =erse 3'. Gis ne/ly ac6!ainte& .rothers got him o!t of the city. They .ro!ght him to Caesarea on the 0e&iterranean. 9rom there he /as sent to his nati5e Tars!s, the greatest city of the oman pro5ince of Cilicia. Be &on't hear a.o!t 8a!l again !ntil Acts $$:2,. This /as some years later. =erse 3$. 8eace an& prosperity for the .eginning ch!rch. This /as .asically the Jer!salem .elie5ers after the &ispersion to the s!rro!n&ing areas of J!&ea, 2alilee, an& (amaria. This /as still a Je/ish pop!lation. The importance of (a!l's con5ersion /ill later .e &escri.e& as the main force of the sprea& of the .!rgeoning ch!rch among the 2entiles. Gis .irth, e&!cation, an& familiarity /ith 2ree* c!lt!re, as /ell as his oman citi<enship /o!l& .e instr!mental in reaching o!t to the 2entile /orl&. After 8a!l's con5ersion, there o.5io!sly /as no other Je/ish <ealot to ta*e !p the ca!se he no/ a.an&one&. This left the persec!tion /itho!t a lea&er an& allo/e& the ch!rch to contin!e the e&!cation an& mat!ring of the ch!rch. The Goly (pirit .ro!ght comfort, an& con5erts contin!e& to .e a&&e& to the ch!rch. "eCt, 8eter in Bestern Israel.

Lesson AIII The Acts of the Apostles +:32#43. 8eter in Bestern Israel.

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32 K An& it came to pass, as 8eter passe& thro!gho!t all 6!arters, he came &o/n also to the saints /hich &/elt at Ly&&a. 33 An& there he fo!n& a certain man name& Aene'as, /hich ha& *ept his .e& eight years, an& /as sic* of the palsy. 34 An& 8eter sai& !nto him, Aene'as, Jes!s Christ ma*eth thee /hole: arise, an& ma*e thy .e&. An& he arose imme&iately. 3, An& all that &/elt at Ly&&a an& (haron sa/ him, an& t!rne& to the Lor&. 3- K "o/ there /as at Joppa a certain &isciple name& Ta.'itha, /hich .y interpretation is calle& Dorcas: $ this /oman /as f!ll of goo& /or*s an& alms&ee&s /hich she &i&. 3@ An& it came to pass in those &ays, that she /as sic*, an& &ie&: /hom /hen they ha& /ashe&, they lai& her in an !pper cham.er. 3) An& forasm!ch as Ly&&a /as nigh to Joppa, an& the &isciples ha& hear& that 8eter /as there, they sent !nto him t/o men, &esiring him that he /o!l& not &elay to come to them. 3+ Then 8eter arose an& /ent /ith them. Bhen he /as come, they .ro!ght him into the !pper cham.er: an& all the /i&o/s stoo& .y him /eeping, an& sho/ing the coats an& garments /hich Dorcas ma&e, /hile she /as /ith them. 4' 7!t 8eter p!t them all forth, an& *neele& &o/n, an& praye&? an& t!rning him to the .o&y sai&, Ta.'itha, arise. An& she opene& her eyes: an& /hen she sa/ 8eter, she sat !p. 4$ An& he ga5e her his han&, an& lifte& her !p? an& /hen he ha& calle& the saints an& /i&o/s, he presente& her ali5e. 42 An& it /as *no/n thro!gho!t all Joppa? an& many .elie5e& in the Lor&. 43 An& it came to pass, that he tarrie& many &ays in Joppa /ith one (imon a tanner. =erse 32. 8eter tra5ele& to Christian gro!ps, scattere& into &ifferent comm!nities in J!&ea. Ly&&a /as one of these. =erses 33#3,. There, one .elie5er /as name& Aeneas /ho ha& .een paraly<e& for ) years. 8eter a&&resse& him .y name, saying: DAene'as, Jes!s Christ ma*eth thee /hole: arise, an& ma*e thy .e&.D Ge &i& so. The ne/s of this miracle 6!ic*ly sprea& thro!gho!t the neigh.oring area H the coastal plain of (haron. 0any came to see him an& t!rne& to the Lor&. 0any 2entiles also li5e& in these regions, an& /ere among the con5erte&. =erses 3-#3). Joppa Eto&ay JaffaF on the coast, a.o!t $' miles north/est of Ly&&a. Gere also /ere a gro!p of .elie5ers. One of their gro!p # a /oman name& Ta.itha Emeaning ga<elle, Dorcas in 2ree*F H &ie&. (he /as greatly lo5e& .eca!se of her co!ntless &ee&s of *in&ness. 0ost li*ely, some, ha5ing hear& of 8eter's /or* of healing in the near.y to/n, sent t/o men entreating him to come to their to/n /itho!t &elay. A &elegation thro!gho!t Acts !s!ally incl!&e& 2 men.

Lesson AIII contin!e&

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=erses 3+#43. 8eter /ent /ith them. Ge /as .ro!ght to the !pper room /here the .o&y /as. It ha& .een /ashe& accor&ing to Je/ish tra&ition. Aro!n& the .o&y /ere /i&o/s, sho/ing the garments Dorcas ha& ma&e for them. 8eter sent all of them, mo!rners incl!&e&, o!t of the room. This is /hat Jes!s &i& in the raising of the &a!ghter of Jair!s. 8eter's /or&s /ere also similar # DTa.itha, arise.D (he opene& her eyes an& sat !p. 8eter then raise& her !p, !pon her feet, an& then presente& her to her ama<e& frien&s. This mirac!lo!s e5ent con5ince& many others of the tr!th of the 2ospel of Jes!s Christ as preache& .y 8eter. Ge staye& there many &ays, a g!est in the ho!se of a tanner. Acts $':$#33. The (tory of Corneli!s. $ There /as a certain man in Caesare'a calle& Corneli!s, a cent!rion of the .an& calle& the Italian .an&, 2 a &e5o!t man, an& one that feare& 2o& /ith all his ho!se, /hich ga5e m!ch alms to the people, an& praye& to 2o& al/ays. 3 Ge sa/ in a 5ision e5i&ently, a.o!t the ninth ho!r of the &ay, an angel of 2o& coming in to him, an& saying !nto him, Corneli!s. 4 An& /hen he loo*e& on him, he /as afrai&, an& sai&, Bhat is it, Lor&L An& he sai& !nto him, Thy prayers an& thine alms are come !p for a memorial .efore 2o&. , An& no/ sen& men to Joppa, an& call for one (imon, /hose s!rname is 8eter: - he lo&geth /ith one (imon a tanner, /hose ho!se is .y the sea si&e: he shall tell thee /hat tho! o!ghtest to &o. @ An& /hen the angel /hich spa*e !nto Corneli!s /as &eparte&, he calle& t/o of his ho!sehol& ser5ants, an& a &e5o!t sol&ier of them that /aite& on him contin!ally? ) an& /hen he ha& &eclare& all these things !nto them, he sent them to Joppa. + K On the morro/, as they /ent on their Io!rney, an& &re/ nigh !nto the city, 8eter /ent !p !pon the ho!setop to pray a.o!t the siCth ho!r: $' an& he .ecame 5ery h!ngry, an& /o!l& ha5e eaten: .!t /hile they ma&e rea&y, he fell into a trance, $$ an& sa/ hea5en opene&, an& a certain 5essel &escen&ing !nto him, as it ha& .een a great sheet *nit at the fo!r corners, an& let &o/n to the earth: $2 /herein /ere all manner of fo!rfoote& .easts of the earth, an& /il& .easts, an& creeping things, an& fo/ls of the air. $3 An& there came a 5oice to him, ise, 8eter? *ill, an& eat. $4 7!t 8eter sai&, "ot so, Lor&? for I ha5e ne5er eaten any thing that is common or !nclean. $, An& the 5oice spa*e !nto him again the secon& time, Bhat 2o& hath cleanse&, that call not tho! common. $- This /as &one thrice: an& the 5essel /as recei5e& !p again into hea5en. $@ K "o/ /hile 8eter &o!.te& in himself /hat this 5ision /hich he ha& seen sho!l& mean, .ehol&, the men /hich /ere sent from Corneli!s ha& ma&e in6!iry for (imon's ho!se, an& stoo& .efore the gate, $) an& calle&, an& as*e& /hether (imon, /hich /as s!rname& 8eter,

Lesson AIII contin!e&

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/ere lo&ge& there. $+ Bhile 8eter tho!ght on the 5ision, the (pirit sai& !nto him, 7ehol&, three men see* thee. 2' Arise therefore, an& get thee &o/n, an& go /ith them, &o!.ting nothing: for I ha5e sent them. 2$ Then 8eter /ent &o/n to the men /hich /ere sent !nto him from Corneli!s? an& sai&, 7ehol&, I am he /hom ye see*: /hat is the ca!se /herefore ye are comeL 22 An& they sai&, Corneli!s the cent!rion, a I!st man, an& one that feareth 2o&, an& of goo& report among all the nation of the Je/s, /as /arne& from 2o& .y a holy angel to sen& for thee into his ho!se, an& to hear /or&s of thee. 23 Then calle& he them in, an& lo&ge& them. K An& on the morro/ 8eter /ent a/ay /ith them, an& certain .rethren from Joppa accompanie& him. 24 An& the morro/ after they entere& into Caesare'a. An& Corneli!s /aite& for them, an& ha& calle& together his *insmen an& near frien&s. 2, An& as 8eter /as coming in, Corneli!s met him, an& fell &o/n at his feet, an& /orshippe& him. 2- 7!t 8eter too* him !p, saying, (tan& !p? I myself also am a man. 2@ An& as he tal*e& /ith him, he /ent in, an& fo!n& many that /ere come together. 2) An& he sai& !nto them, Me *no/ ho/ that it is an !nla/f!l thing for a man that is a Je/ to *eep company, or come !nto one of another nation? .!t 2o& hath sho/e& me that I sho!l& not call any man common or !nclean. 2+ Therefore came I !nto yo! /itho!t gainsaying, as soon as I /as sent for: I as* therefore for /hat intent ye ha5e sent for meL 3' K An& Corneli!s sai&, 9o!r &ays ago I /as fasting !ntil this ho!r? an& at the ninth ho!r I praye& in my ho!se, an&, .ehol&, a man stoo& .efore me in .right clothing, 3$ an& sai&, Corneli!s, thy prayer is hear&, an& thine alms are ha& in remem.rance in the sight of 2o&. 32 (en& therefore to Joppa, an& call hither (imon, /hose s!rname is 8eter? he is lo&ge& in the ho!se of one (imon a tanner .y the sea si&e: /ho, /hen he cometh, shall spea* !nto thee. 33 Imme&iately therefore I sent to thee? an& tho! hast /ell &one that tho! art come. "o/ therefore are /e all here present .efore 2o&, to hear all things that are comman&e& thee of 2o&. A call here is &irecte& to a oman sol&ier, a $''> 2entile. This erases all &o!.t that the 2ospel is to .e offere& to all people. The city of Caesarea /as mainly a 2entile city. Corneli!s /as a cent!rion, compara.le to o!r Army Captain. They /ere 6!alifie& as goo& lea&ers, /ith a stea&y an& firm min&set. "o a&5ent!ro!s or hot# hea&e& ones sho!l& apply. The one to &eli5er the message to him /as to .e none other than 8eter himself. =ery special preparation /as necessary to .ring the t/o together, /ho /o!l& ne5er ha5e met other/ise. %ach /as gi5en a 5ision. The 6!estion of ho/ 2entiles /ere to .e treate& .y Je/ish Christians relate& to Je/ish la/ an& tra&itions. This ha& to .e settle&. %specially circ!mcise&. These /ere the center of the &e.ate

Lesson AIII contin!e& at the Co!ncil of Jer!salem EActs $,F.

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=erse 2. Corneli!s /as *no/n as a D2o&#fearerD an& &e5o!t 2entile. 0any 2entiles /ere attracte& .y the monotheism of the Je/ish synagog!e an& the high ethical stan&ar&s of Je/ish la/. On the other han&, they /ere not prepare& to .ecome f!ll proselytes Econ5ertsF. (ome atten&e& (ynagog!e, *ne/ prayers an& (cript!re Erea& in 2ree*F. Also o.ser5e& (a..ath practices an& a.staining from proscri.e& foo&. Corneli!s /as *no/n for his reg!lar prayer to the 2o& of Israel an& his many acts of charity to the less#fort!nate Je/s aro!n& him. Later /e /ill see many s!ch D2o&#fearersD that .ecome the n!cle!s of the Christian comm!nities in the cities that 8a!l 5isits on his missionary Io!rneys. =erses 3#-. One afternoon Corneli!s is gi5en a 5ision .y an angel of the Lor&. Ge /as 6!ic*ly ass!re& that he nee& ha5e no fear, for 2o& has accepte& his prayers an& his charity. 2o& no/ /ante& to .less him in a 5ery special /ay. This /as to come from a man name& (imon 8eter, /ho /as staying in Joppa /ith (imon a tanner, /hose ho!se /as .y the sea. =erses @,). Bitho!t &elay he follo/e& instr!ctions, sen&ing t/o ser5ants an& one of his sol&iers to Joppa /ith &irections to .ring .ac* this man, 8eter. =erses +,$'. 8eter m!st also .e prepare& for this !ncommon meeting. The long# stan&ing preI!&ices of Je/s incl!&e& not entering the D!ncleanD &/elling of a 2entile. The many or&inances concerning for.i&&en foo&s also /o!l& ma*e fello/ship a/*/ar& at .est. A special 5ision /as necessary to change 8eter's thin*ing. The &ay after Corneli!s' 5ision as his messengers /ere nearing Joppa. This /as the time. A.o!t noon, 8eter /ent to the flat roof of the tanner's ho!se for prayer. Bhile there, he felt h!ngry, most li*ely calling &o/n to those in the ho!se for some foo&. As he /aite&, the 5ision too* place. That it concerne& foo& certainly /o!l& stri*e a 5ery .asic cor& /ith him imme&iately. =erses $$#$3. As a sheet, .eing p!lle& at the fo!r corners, came &o/n as from hea5en. It containe& all manner of animals, clean an& !nclean mammals, reptiles, .ir&s. Then the 5oice, D ise, 8eter? *ill, an& eat.D =erses $4#$-. A lifetime of caref!l o.ser5ance of the La/ concerning proper Je/ish &iet /as .eing cancele& .efore his eyes. Ge co!l& no so 6!ic*ly change. %5en clean animals ha& to .e *ille& accor&ing to rit!al propriety. 8ossi.ly thin*ing this /as some *in& of testing, 8eter sai&, D"ot so, Lor&? for I ha5e ne5er eaten any thing that is

Lesson AIII contin!e&

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common or !nclean.D The reply, DBhat 2o& hath cleanse&, that call not tho! common.D The 5oice repeate& the message three times, then the 5essel /as ta*en !p o!t of sight. The lesson, tho!gh here specific to foo&, ha& a /i&er range of meaning that relate& to other Je/ish ceremonial tra&itions that /ere to ha5e no place in the Christian Ch!rch. 8erhaps he tho!ght of Jes!s' /or&s in 0ar* @:$4 /here Ge spo*e a.o!t /hat &efiles a man H not /hat goes into the stomach, .!t /hat comes o!t of his heart. 0ar* @:$+ # DThis he sai&, ma*ing all meats clean.D The 5ision no/ &ramatically confirme& Christ's statement. =erses $@#2'. 8eter /as still on the roof thin*ing a.o!t /hat ha& I!st occ!rre&, an& perpleCe&. The men from Corneli!s ha& arri5e&, ha5ing .een gi5en &irections to the tanner's ho!se. They stoo& .efore the gate. They calle& o!t, as*ing if 8eter /as lo&ging there. The Goly (pirit interr!pts 8eter's tho!ght an& tells him three men are loo*ing for him. Ge is to go &o/n, an& go /ith them, &o!.ting nothing .eca!se they ha5e .een sent .y the (pirit. =erses 2$#23a. 8eter /ent &o/n E.y the o!t&oor stair/ayF an& met the messengers as*ing for him. Ge i&entifies himself an& as*s /hy they ha5e come. They relate& the instr!ctions &i5inely gi5en to Corneli!s to in5ite him to his home. Ge /as to hear an important message from him. It .eing too late to .egin the Io!rney to Caesarea, 8eter in5ite& them to come in an& spen& the night there. =erses 23.,24. The &ay follo/ing they set o!t for Caesarea. 8eter /isely too* siC fello/ Christians /ith him EActs $$:$2F. 0ean/hile Corneli!s ha& calle& together frien&s an& family to .e present /hen 8eter got there. =erses 2,,2-. Bhen 8eter got there, Corneli!s came o!t to greet him /ith great respect. Ge prostrate& himself at 8eter's feet. This o.5io!sly em.arrasse& 8eter, /ho 6!ic*ly tol& him to get !p H for he /as only a reg!lar g!y li*e Corneli!s. =erses 2@#2+. As they /al*e& into the ho!se, 8eter /as tal*ing an& eCpresse& s!rprise /hen there /as a /hole gro!p of people /aiting for his arri5al. Ge procee&e& to eCplain that !n&er normal con&itions, he as a Je/ co!l& not miC /ith 2entiles in any social sit!ation, especially at a 2entile's home. 7!t 2o& has sho/e& Gim that from 2o&'s point of 5ie/ no one is to .e consi&ere& common or !nclean. O.5io!sly he /isely !n&erstoo& the lesson of the foo& la/s as also incl!&ing all other aspects of Je/ish &iscrimination. Ge ha& come /itho!t hesitation an& no/ he /ishe& to *no/ the specific reason he ha& .een .ro!ght here.

Lesson AIII contin!e&

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=erses 3'#33. Corneli!s procee&s to &escri.e the 5ision /hich he ha& seen three &ays ago, at this 5ery time. The hea5enly 5isitor in shining ro.es, spo*e enco!raging /or&s, then &irecte& him to sen& for 8eter. Corneli!s than*e& 8eter for so promptly coming. "o/, all those he has as*e& to .e there are eCpectantly rea&y to hear /hat the Lor& has prepare& 8eter to say to them. "eCt, 8eter's Deli5ery of the 2oo& "e/s. Acts $':34#43.

Lesson AI= The Acts of the Apostles $':34#43. 8eter Deli5ers the 2oo& "e/s.

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34 K Then 8eter opene& his mo!th, an& sai&, Of a tr!th I percei5e that 2o& is no respecter of persons: 3, .!t in e5ery nation he that feareth him, an& /or*eth righteo!sness, is accepte& /ith him. 3- The /or& /hich 2o& sent !nto the chil&ren of Israel, preaching peace .y Jes!s Christ: Ehe is Lor& of all:F 3@ that /or&, I say, ye *no/, /hich /as p!.lishe& thro!gho!t all J!&ea, an& .egan from 2alilee, after the .aptism /hich John preache&? 3) ho/ 2o& anointe& Jes!s of "a<areth /ith the Goly 2host an& /ith po/er: /ho /ent a.o!t &oing goo&, an& healing all that /ere oppresse& of the &e5il? for 2o& /as /ith him. 3+ An& /e are /itnesses of all things /hich he &i& .oth in the lan& of the Je/s, an& in Jer!salem? /hom they sle/ an& hange& on a tree: 4' him 2o& raise& !p the thir& &ay, an& sho/e& him openly? 4$ not to all the people, .!t !nto /itnesses chosen .efore of 2o&, e5en to !s, /ho &i& eat an& &rin* /ith him after he rose from the &ea&. 42 An& he comman&e& !s to preach !nto the people, an& to testify that it is he /hich /as or&aine& of 2o& to .e the J!&ge of 6!ic* an& &ea&. 43 To him gi5e all the prophets /itness, that thro!gh his name /hosoe5er .elie5eth in him shall recei5e remission of sins. =erses 34,3,. 8eter has a clear !n&erstan&ing of 2o&'s message to him, an& /hat 2o& .ro!ght him here to say to this gathering. It /as of the greatest importance. The /or&s D8eter opene& his mo!th, an& sai&D are to emphasi<e that the importance of his /or&s m!st .e caref!lly listene& to. Ge has learne& that 2o& is no respecter of persons. "or of nations. Ge accepts those that Dfear Gim.D This means firm .elief an& &eep respect or a/e. Also incl!&e& is the e5i&ence in a person's goo& /or*s, coming from /hat is in their heart H the goo& fr!it of righteo!sness. These things /o!l& ha5e .een of great importance to L!*e, /ho /as most li*ely of 2entile .irth. =erses 3-,3@. 8eter's message ass!mes that his hearers ha5e some familiarity /ith the .asic facts of the p!.lic ministry, &eath, an& res!rrection of Jes!s Christ. Ge s!mmari<es the narrati5e. Ge .egins .y &escri.ing 2o& sen&ing Jes!s Christ ELor& of allF to preach goo& ti&ings of peace !nto the chil&ren of Israel. This .egan in 2alilee, then thro!gho!t all J!&ea H after .aptism .y John. =erse 3). After that e5en, Jes!s /as Danointe& .y 2o& /ith the Goly (pirit an& /ith po/er.D E9!lfilling Isaiah -$:$, /hich Jes!s rea& in the synagog!e at "a<areth H L!*e 4:$).F Thereafter Ge f!lfille& Isaiah -$ H going a.o!t &oing goo& an& healing all that /ere oppresse& .y the &e5il, for 2o& /as /ith Gim.

Lesson AI= contin!e& =erse 3+. 8eter ma*es certain that his listeners *no/ that he an& the other apostles /ere eye/itnesses of those things concerning Jes!s that he spea*s of. Also emphasi<e& is the eCec!tion of Jes!s .y the c!rse& Dhanging on a tree.D

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=erses 4',4$. The contrast .et/een /hat men &i& to Jes!s an& /hat 2o& &i& for Gim is complete: The Goly One that men p!t to &eath, 2o& raise& to life eternal on the thir& &ay. Ge appeare& to many /itnesses, not the general !n.elie5ing pop!lation, .!t to those selecte& .y 2o&. They sa/ an& hear& Gim, .!t also ate an& &ran* /ith Gim. This /as to certify that Ge /as no phantom or ghost. =erse 42. The apostles /ere comman&e& .y Jes!s Christ to proclaim the 2ospel. An important an& final part /as that Ge /as appointe& .y 2o& to .e the J!&ge of the li5ing an& the &ea& Eas prophesie& in Daniel @:$3? John ,:2@F. =erse 43. The greatest message /as an& is forgi5eness of sin thro!gh faith in Jes!s EL!*e 24:4@, Isaiah ,3:$$F. This /as the great message of the prophets thro!gho!t history. =erses 44#4). 44 K Bhile 8eter yet spa*e these /or&s, the Goly 2host fell on all them /hich hear& the /or&. 4, An& they of the circ!mcision /hich .elie5e& /ere astonishe&, as many as came /ith 8eter, .eca!se that on the 2entiles also /as po!re& o!t the gift of the Goly 2host. 4- 9or they hear& them spea* /ith tong!es, an& magnify 2o&. Then ans/ere& 8eter, 4@ Can any man for.i& /ater, that these sho!l& not .e .apti<e&, /hich ha5e recei5e& the Goly 2host as /ell as /eL 4) An& he comman&e& them to .e .apti<e& in the name of the Lor&. Then praye& they him to tarry certain &ays. =erse 44. %5en /hile 8eter /as spea*ing, the Goly (pirit fell on all his a!&ience. Apparently, .elief in 8eter's 2ospel message ha& alrea&y ta*en place Eas is reasona.leF. =erses 4,,4-. The .elie5ers that ha& come /ith 8eter Eof the circ!mcision H there.y meaning Je/ish ChristiansF /ere ama<e&. The o!tpo!ring incl!&ing p!.lic signs as at 8entecost H spea*ing /ith tong!es Eother lang!agesF an& praising 2o&. This seems to ha5e .een necessary as a!&itory an& 5isi.le proof of the reality of the Goly (pirit e6!ally gi5en to 2entiles.

Lesson AI= contin!e&

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=erses 4@,4). The 2entiles here recei5e& the gift of the Goly (pirit /hen they .elie5e&. There /as only one thing left H to p!.licly complete their acceptance into the Ch!rch of Jes!s Christ, thro!gh .aptism. That 8eter states the proposition in s!ch a /ay that only a negati5e ans/er is eCpecte& or possi.le. Therefore, 8eter comman&e& them to .e .apti<e& in the "ame of Jes!s Christ. The ne/ly con5erte& as*e& him gracio!sly to stay /ith them for a fe/ &ays. They certainly nee&e& some instr!ction in the /ay of life of their ne/ faith. It m!st .e note& that there /as no mention of circ!mcision or other follo/ing of Je/ish la/s. This /o!l& .e raise& as a pro.lem later at the Jer!salem co!ncil Echapter $,F. Acts $$:$#$). 8eter %Cplains. $ An& the apostles an& .rethren that /ere in J!&ea hear& that the 2entiles ha& also recei5e& the /or& of 2o&. 2 An& /hen 8eter /as come !p to Jer!salem, they that /ere of the circ!mcision conten&e& /ith him, 3 saying, Tho! /entest in to men !ncirc!mcise&, an& &i&st eat /ith them. 4 7!t 8eter rehearse& the matter from the .eginning, an& eCpo!n&e& it .y or&er !nto them, saying, , I /as in the city of Joppa praying: an& in a trance I sa/ a 5ision, a certain 5essel &escen&, as it ha& .een a great sheet, let &o/n from hea5en .y fo!r corners? an& it came e5en to me: - !pon the /hich /hen I ha& fastene& mine eyes, I consi&ere&, an& sa/ fo!rfoote& .easts of the earth, an& /il& .easts, an& creeping things, an& fo/ls of the air. @ An& I hear& a 5oice saying !nto me, Arise, 8eter? slay an& eat. ) 7!t I sai&, "ot so, Lor&: for nothing common or !nclean hath at any time entere& into my mo!th. + 7!t the 5oice ans/ere& me again from hea5en, Bhat 2o& hath cleanse&, that call not tho! common. $' An& this /as &one three times: an& all /ere &ra/n !p again into hea5en. $$ An&, .ehol&, imme&iately there /ere three men alrea&y come !nto the ho!se /here I /as, sent from Caesare'a !nto me. $2 An& the (pirit .a&e me go /ith them, nothing &o!.ting. 0oreo5er these siC .rethren accompanie& me, an& /e entere& into the man's ho!se: $3 an& he sho/e& !s ho/ he ha& seen an angel in his ho!se, /hich stoo& an& sai& !nto him, (en& men to Joppa, an& call for (imon, /hose s!rname is 8eter? $4 /ho shall tell thee /or&s, /here.y tho! an& all thy ho!se shall .e sa5e&. $, An& as I .egan to spea*, the Goly 2host fell on them, as on !s at the .eginning. $- Then remem.ere& I the /or& of the Lor&, ho/ that he sai&, John in&ee& .apti<e& /ith /ater? .!t ye shall .e .apti<e& /ith the Goly 2host. $@ 9orasm!ch then as 2o& ga5e them the li*e gift as he &i& !nto !s,

Lesson AI= contin!e&

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/ho .elie5e& on the Lor& Jes!s Christ, /hat /as I, that I co!l& /ithstan& 2o&L $) Bhen they hear& these things, they hel& their peace, an& glorifie& 2o&, saying, Then hath 2o& also to the 2entiles grante& repentance !nto life. =erses $#3. O.5io!sly ne/s tra5ele& 6!ic*ly in those &ays. The shoc*ing .eha5ior of 8eter /as 5oice& a.o!t .efore he ret!rne& to Jer!salem. "o matter ho/ many &ays elapse& .efore his ret!rn, the in5ol5ement of 2entiles /as &estine& to ca!se serio!s contro5ersy. (ome/hat later, in A.D. 4$, Gero& Agrippa I /as appointe& *ing of J!&ea .y Cla!&i!s. Ge eCec!te& the apostle James an& /hen he sa/ that it please the Je/s, arreste& 8eter also. A.o!t the same time, James the .rother of Jes!s, comes to .e the accepte& lea&er of the ch!rch at Jer!salem instea& of one of the original apostles EActs $2:$@, $,:$3F. Bhen 8eter ret!rne& to Jer!salem, the Je/ish Christians especially concerne& a.o!t the La/ of 0oses too* 8eter to tas* for going against Je/ish tra&itions that concerne& social interaction /ith 2entiles. The 2entiles /ere !ncirc!mcise& an& consi&ere& !nclean. Bhat .!siness &i& 8eter ha5e /ith s!ch peopleL =erses 4#$4. The 5ery .est metho& for 8eter to eCplain his actions /as to tell them the &etails of the hea5enly 5ision an& /hat transpire& after/ar&. Ge &escri.es the 5ision on the roof of the tanner's ho!se in Joppa. This incl!&es the Dgreat sheetD an& he a&&s /il& .easts not mentione& pre5io!sly. Gis protest /as 5oice&, then the repetition of the hea5enly 5oice three times to rise an& eat. 7y the time the 5ision /as &ra/n !p into ha5en, three men /ere o!t front in6!iring for him, to ta*e him to Caesarea. The Goly (pirit &irecte& him to &o so # DAn& the (pirit .a&e me go /ith them, nothing &o!.ting.D The siC .elie5ers that ha& gone to Caesarea /ith 8eter /ere there an& co!l& 5erify /hat ha& ta*en place. Apparently the acco!nt of the angel's 5isit to Corneli!s /as alrea&y *no/n, here .riefly reco!nte& H the point /as that 8eter /as calle& to spea* the 2ospel message of sal5ation to him an& his ho!sehol&. Corneli!s /as *no/n as a 2o& fearer, an& for righteo!s /or*s. 7!t sal5ation /as only .y the 2ospel of Jes!s Christ. =erses $,#$@. The other important part 6!ic*ly follo/e& H that the Goly (pirit came !pon the ne/ 2entile .elie5ers as it ha& the &isciples at 8entecost. 8eter then recalls the /or&s of Jes!s after Gis res!rrection EActs $:,F # DJohn in&ee& .apti<e& /ith /ater? .!t ye shall .e .apti<e& in the Goly (pirit not many &ays hence.D That 2o& ma&e the 2entiles an& .elie5ing Je/s e6!al in sal5ation an& the gift of the in&/elling (pirit, so also m!st 8eter accept 2o&'s lea&ing an& instr!ction.

Lesson AI= contin!e&

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=erse $+. "o one co!l& co!nter this e5i&ence an& testimony. There /ere a&&itional /itnesses Ethose .elie5ers that ha& accompanie& 8eter to Corneli!s' ho!seF. Those present rightly respon&e& /ith praise to 2o& for the great an& /on&erf!l /or* Ge ha& &one. Be may ass!me that this gro!p of &isciples an& the apostles accepte& this occ!rrence more rea&ily than those that came to .e *no/n as J!&ai<ers /ho ha& serio!s reser5ations a.o!t 2entiles .eing accepte& into the ch!rch /itho!t con&itions Ecirc!mcision, o.eying the La/s, concerning foo& etc.F As mentione& .efore, this iss!e /o!l& not .e p!t to rest !ntil later at the great Jer!salem Co!ncil. "eCt, Antioch.

Lesson A= The Acts of the Apostles $$:$+#3'.

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$+ K "o/ they /hich /ere scattere& a.roa& !pon the persec!tion that arose a.o!t (tephen tra5ele& as far as 8hoeni'cia, an& Cypr!s, an& An'ti#och, preaching the /or& to none .!t !nto the Je/s only. 2' An& some of them /ere men of Cypr!s an& Cyre'ne, /hich, /hen they /ere come to An'ti#och, spa*e !nto the 2re'cians, preaching the Lor& Jes!s. 2$ An& the han& of the Lor& /as /ith them: an& a great n!m.er .elie5e&, an& t!rne& !nto the Lor&. 22 Then ti&ings of these things came !nto the ears of the ch!rch /hich /as in Jer!salem: an& they sent forth 7arna.as, that he sho!l& go as far as An'ti#och. 23 Bho, /hen he came, an& ha& seen the grace of 2o&, /as gla&, an& eChorte& them all, that /ith p!rpose of heart they /o!l& clea5e !nto the Lor&. 24 9or he /as a goo& man, an& f!ll of the Goly 2host an& of faith: an& m!ch people /as a&&e& !nto the Lor&. 2, Then &eparte& 7arna.as to Tars!s, for to see* (a!l: 2- an& /hen he ha& fo!n& him, he .ro!ght him !nto An'ti#och. An& it came to pass, that a /hole year they assem.le& themsel5es /ith the ch!rch, an& ta!ght m!ch people. An& the &isciples /ere calle& Christians first in An'ti#och. 2@ K An& in these &ays came prophets from Jer!salem !nto An'ti#och. 2) An& there stoo& !p one of them name& Ag'a.!s, an& signifie& .y the (pirit that there sho!l& .e great &earth thro!gho!t all the /orl&: /hich came to pass in the &ays of Cla!&i!s Caesar. 2+ Then the &isciples, e5ery man accor&ing to his a.ility, &etermine& to sen& relief !nto the .rethren /hich &/elt in J!&ea: 3' /hich also they &i&, an& sent it to the el&ers .y the han&s of 7arna.as an& (a!l. =erse $+. L!*e no/ goes .ac* to the same time perio& as in Acts ):4. The impet!s /as the persec!tion an& scatting a.roa& that res!lte& from the 5iolent &eath of (tephen. The most important acti5ity they &i& /as preaching the 2ospel. Gere he ta*es !p the story of their progress geographically an& the s!ccesses sprea&ing the 2ospel. Their tra5els contin!e& north/ar& along the coast, formerly 8hoenician, then to Cypr!s, an& f!rther to Antioch. This city /as *no/n as a DfreeD city, an& the seat of the m!nicipal go5ernment of (yria. It /as the 3r& largest city of the ci5ili<e& /orl&. ome /as first. AleCan&ria in %gypt /as secon&. It also ha& a large Je/ish pop!lation. It ha& a rep!tation for loose seC!al morals, mainly .eca!se of the c!lts of Artemis an& Apollo at Daphne, fi5e miles from the city. These in5ol5e& rit!al prostit!tion. =erse 2'. Op to this point, the .elie5ers that fle& Jer!salem, thro!gh Gellenists, limite& their sprea&ing of their faith to the Je/ish comm!nities in the places they /ent. "o/ in Antioch some .ra5e so!ls ma&e the &ecision to /i&en their hori<ons. (al5ation /as the greatest gift an& .lessing to Je/s. "o one ha& tol& them it /o!l& not .e the

Lesson A= contin!e&

@)

same to e5eryone H all people /ere in the .on&age to sin. They .egan to spea* to the 2ree* pop!lation of Antioch a.o!t Jes!s as Lor& an& (a5ior. They .ypasse& the 0essianic aspects of Gis mission .eca!se non#Je/s /o!l& ha5e no *no/le&ge of the references H /hich centere& aro!n& the nation of Israel. There /ere 5ario!s mystery c!lts that s!ggeste& secret /ays to happiness an& immortality. This /as promise& as /hat Jes!s co!l& &o for them. These men /ere from Cypr!s an& Cyrene. =erse 2$. A large n!m.er respon&e& positi5ely an& accepte& Jes!s as Lor&. It can .e ass!me& that a n!m.er of these con5erts ha& .een 2o&# fearers, /ho /ere some/hat familiar /ith Ol& Testament prophecies, thro!gh synagog!e atten&ance. The scale of this many con5erts among 2entiles /as entirely ne/. =erses 22#24. "ot s!rprisingly, the ne/s tra5ele& to Jer!salem. As .efore /ith 8hilip's mission in (amaria, no/ the Jer!salem lea&ers /ere to sen& a special &elegation to Antioch to chec* o!t the sit!ation. 7!t /ho co!l& they sen& that /o!l& .e open an& spirit!ally /ise as /ell as not a .iase& Je/ish Christian. The final choice /as 7arna.as, 'son of enco!ragement', .orn Je/ish, .!t also from Cypr!s. Once there, /hat he sa/ ma&e him reIoice .eca!se of 2o&'s grace, accepting .oth Je/ an& 2entile e6!ally. As part of his mission, 7arna.as /as tr!e to his name, gi5ing all the enco!ragement he co!l& to this .!rgeoning ch!rch. Ge eChorte& them to perse5ere an& remain faithf!l !nto the Lor&. Gis presence /as strong in faith an& f!ll of the Goly (pirit. Ge &i& greatly enco!rage these .elie5ers. D!ring the time he /as there, the 2ospel contin!e& to sprea& an& a&&e& a great n!m.er to their gro!p. =erses 2,,2-. Apparently the 5ery n!m.ers /ere greater than 7arna.as felt a.le to lea&, teach, an& organi<e alone. Bho /o!l& .e .est for this partic!lar sit!ationL It ha& .een se5eral years since (a!l of Tars!s ha& ret!rne& home, after his eCperience in Jer!salem. Ge /o!l& .e the o.5io!s choice. (o he /ent to Tars!s an& .egan loo*ing for (a!l. Apparently he ha& .een reIecte& .y his Je/ish family an& /as on his o/n, tho!gh nati5e to that city. 7arna.as *ept on !ntil he fo!n& him. They /ent .ac* to Antioch an& ministere& there for an entire year. As con5erts /ere a&&e&, they /ere systematically ta!ght the principles of Christian faith an& practice. "o maIor pro.lems &isr!pte& them. The ne/ /ay of life an& faith /as more rea&ily accepta.le e5en among the great 5ariety of .ac*gro!n&s of Je/s, 2ree*s, other 2entiles, races, an& religions. This contraste& /ith the sit!ation in Jer!salem. The 2ree* form of 0essiah is Christos. This name /as 5oice& a.o!t so m!ch in p!.lic in the city that the general p!.lic i&entifie& those /ho spo*e this name as Christians, for the first time any/here.

Lesson A= contin!e&

@+

=erses 2@,2). 8rophets /ent from Jer!salem to Antioch. They ha& a specific mission. 2o&, thro!gh the (pirit, ha& re5eale& a great famine /as coming. This message /as necessary so that pro5ision co!l& .e ma&e for those in greatest nee&. This too* place &!ring the reign of Cla!&i!s EA.D. 4$#,4F, /hen a s!ccession of .a& har5ests an& serio!s famines occ!rre& in se5eral parts of the oman %mpire. There is some e5i&ence that L!*e /as a nati5e of (yrian Antioch. Ge may ha5e .een among these early con5erts. =erses 2+,3'. These &isciples accepte& this prophecy as a.sol!te tr!th. They recogni<e& the nee& the mother ch!rch in Jer!salem /o!l& ha5e. %5ery man, accor&ing to their a.ility, set asi&e /hat they co!l& to sen& relief to their .rethren there. Bhen the amo!nt /as gathere&, they appointe& 7arna.as an& (a!l to ta*e it to Jer!salem for them. This apparently happene& aro!n& 4- A.D. A famine in J!&ea is recor&e& .y Joseph!s at that &ate. This is pro.a.ly the 5isit mentione& .y 8a!l in 2alatians 2:$. In 2alatians 2:2, 8a!l recor&s an inter5ie/ /ith the lea&ers of the Jer!salem ch!rch H 8eter, John, an& James E.rother of Jes!sF. They so!ght acceptance as apostles to the 2entiles. Acts $2:$#$2. Gero& Agrippa I an& the Ch!rch. 8eter in 8rison S Gis %scape. $ "o/ a.o!t that time Gero& the *ing stretche& forth his han&s to 5eC certain of the ch!rch. 2 An& he *ille& James the .rother of John /ith the s/or&. 3 An& .eca!se he sa/ it please& the Je/s, he procee&e& f!rther to ta*e 8eter also. EThen /ere the &ays of !nlea5ene& .rea&.F 4 An& /hen he ha& apprehen&e& him, he p!t him in prison, an& &eli5ere& him to fo!r 6!aternions of sol&iers to *eep him? inten&ing after %aster to .ring him forth to the people. , 8eter therefore /as *ept in prison: .!t prayer /as ma&e /itho!t ceasing of the ch!rch !nto 2o& for him. - K An& /hen Gero& /o!l& ha5e .ro!ght him forth, the same night 8eter /as sleeping .et/een t/o sol&iers, .o!n& /ith t/o chains: an& the *eepers .efore the &oor *ept the prison. @ An&, .ehol&, the angel of the Lor& came !pon him, an& a light shine& in the prison: an& he smote 8eter on the si&e, an& raise& him !p, saying, Arise !p 6!ic*ly. An& his chains fell off from his han&s. ) An& the angel sai& !nto him, 2ir& thyself, an& .in& on thy san&als. An& so he &i&. An& he saith !nto him, Cast thy garment a.o!t thee, an& follo/ me. + An& he /ent o!t, an& follo/e& him? an& /ist not that it /as tr!e /hich /as &one .y the angel? .!t tho!ght he sa/ a 5ision. $' Bhen they /ere past the first an& the secon& /ar&, they came !nto the iron gate that lea&eth !nto the city? /hich opene& to them of his o/n accor&: an& they /ent o!t, an& passe& on thro!gh one street? an& forth/ith the angel &eparte& from him. $$ An& /hen 8eter /as come to himself, he sai&, "o/ I *no/ of a s!rety, that the Lor& hath sent his angel, an& hath &eli5ere& me o!t

Lesson A= contin!e& of the han& of Gero&, an& from all the eCpectation of the people of the Je/s. $2 K An& /hen he ha& consi&ere& the thing, he came to the ho!se of 0ary the mother of John, /hose s!rname /as 0ar*? /here many /ere gathere& together praying.

)'

=erse $. This Gero& /as a gran&son of Gero& the 2reat. Ge /as .orn in $$ 7.C., .ro!ght !p in ome, on frien&ly terms /ith 2ai!s, gran&#nephe/ of %mperor Ti.eri!s. Ge s!ccee&e& Ti.eri!s in 3@ A.D. Ge ga5e Agrippa the tetrarchy of so!thern (yria, an& the title of *ing. T/o years later, 2alilee an& 8eraea /ere a&&e& to the *ing&om. Later still, in 4$ A.D., Cla!&i!s a&&e& J!&ea. Ge set o!t to /in an& retain the goo& /ill of the Je/s. The Gero& &ynasty ha& alienate& the general pop!lation for many years. Tho!gh the apostles ha& not .een targets of the original persec!tion follo/ing (tephen's &eath, apparently at this time, the attit!&e of the people of Jer!salem ha& change& to/ar& them. This appears to .e the reason that Agrippa chose to attac* this ne/ religio!s a.erration that !pset those in po/er among the Je/ish lea&ers. This incl!&e& the religio!s lea&ers E8harisees, (a&&!ceesF the ci5il lea&ers Eel&ers, (anhe&rinF. =erse 2. Gis first 5ictim /as James, .rother of John, .oth sons of Ne.e&ee, /ho /as eCec!te&. Ge /as the first apostle to .e martyre&. This f!lfille& /hat Jes!s ha& tol& them .oth in 0ar* $':3+ H that they /o!l& &rin* from Gis c!p an& .e .apti<e& /ith Gis .aptism. John, tho!gh s!ffering for the 2ospel, o!tli5e& all the other apostles E e5elation $:+F. =erse 3. That this please& the Je/s may &irectly relate to the sprea&ing ne/s a.o!t 8eter's highly !northo&oC 5isit an& preaching to 2entiles in the home of Corneli!s. %5en Je/ish Christians ha& &iffic!lty accepting this ne/ o!treach. Imagine ho/ m!ch more the Je/ish lea&ers /o!l& .e o!trage&. Je/ish Christians /ere generally tolerate& for a.o!t 2' more years. Bhen Agrippa o.ser5e& the pop!lar reaction to James' &eath /as that of appro5al, he sa/ the path to contin!e. Ge so!ght to increase the appro5al .y imprisoning the lea&er of the apostles, 8eter, /ho also ha& .een the one to in5ol5e 2entiles H the !nclean, heathens. =erse 4. 8eter /as arreste& as the &ays of !nlea5ene& .rea& /ere .eginning, .!t no trial or eCec!tion /as permitte& &!ring the festi5al perio&. Ge m!st .e imprisone& /ith many preca!tions !ntil then. Any attempt to free him m!st .e a&e6!ately pre5ente&. 9o!r sol&iers in fo!r shifts. One on either si&e of 8eter, an& t/o at the cell &oor. =erses ,#+. At the same time, contin!al prayers /ere .eing offere& for

Lesson A= contin!e&

)$

8eter, .y the Jer!salem .elie5ers. The night .efore the trial, 2o& chose to ans/er their prayer for his release. O.5io!sly, 8eter /as so!n&ly asleep .et/een the t/o g!ar&s, they asleep also. It too* a strong n!&ge Eor .lo/F on his si&e an& a 5oice that tol& him to get !p 6!ic*ly. The chains that hel& him to the sol&iers simply &roppe& from his han&s, as he got !p. The cell ha& eno!gh light no/ so that he co!l& gather !p his garments to tie on his san&als an& /rap his o!ter garment Ecloa*F aro!n& himself an& fello/ the angelic .eing. (o !n.elie5a.le /as this occ!rrence that he imagine& that he /as in fact &reaming the /hole thing an& that if he /o*e !p he /o!l& still .e in the &ar* cell chaine& to the t/o sol&iers. The '&ream' contin!e& thro!gh one gate, then another, .oth /ith g!ar&s. Then they reache& the o!ter gate, /hich a!tomatically opene& an& they /ere in the open street. 8eter reali<e& that he ha&n't a/a*ene& as he tho!ght he /o!l&. =erses $',$$. The angel left him, an& there he /as alone. As long as he /as follo/ing the angel he tho!ght he /as still in a &ream. Once alone, still, in the mi&&le of a street, he Dcame to himselfD. Ge reali<e& that only 2o& engineere& this mirac!lo!s, s!pernat!ral inter5ention to resc!e him from the fate Gero& ha& planne& for him. The Je/s /ere also loo*ing for/ar& to his trial an& eCec!tion. =erse $2. 8eter first /ante& the .elie5ers to *no/ that he ha& .een s!pernat!rally release&. After that he m!st fin& a m!ch safer place to hi&e o!t, for certainly Gero& /o!l& search for him. Apparently, one chief meeting place /as the home of 0ary, 0ar*'s mother. This is the first certain mention an& i&entification of 0ar* /ho /as to play an important role /ith 8eter for o5er 3' years. Accor&ing to ch!rch tra&ition, he /as 8eter's interpreter in ome, an& recor&e& 8eter's message in the 2ospel, .earing his name. Later he /ent to %gypt an& fo!n&e& the ch!rch in AleCan&ria. Ge also may ha5e .een L!*e's so!rce of this an& other e5ents in Acts. "eCt, 8eter at the Door.

Lesson A=I The Acts of the Apostles $2:$3#$+. 8eter at the Door.

)2

$3 An& as 8eter *noc*e& at the &oor of the gate, a &amsel came to hear*en, name& ho&a. $4 An& /hen she *ne/ 8eter's 5oice, she opene& not the gate for gla&ness, .!t ran in, an& tol& ho/ 8eter stoo& .efore the gate. $, An& they sai& !nto her, Tho! art ma&. 7!t she constantly affirme& that it /as e5en so. Then sai& they, It is his angel. $- 7!t 8eter contin!e& *noc*ing: an& /hen they ha& opene& the &oor, an& sa/ him, they /ere astonishe&. $@ 7!t he, .ec*oning !nto them /ith the han& to hol& their peace, &eclare& !nto them ho/ the Lor& ha& .ro!ght him o!t of the prison. An& he sai&, 2o sho/ these things !nto James, an& to the .rethren. An& he &eparte&, an& /ent into another place. $) K "o/ as soon as it /as &ay, there /as no small stir among the sol&iers, /hat /as .ecome of 8eter. $+ An& /hen Gero& ha& so!ght for him, an& fo!n& him not, he eCamine& the *eepers, an& comman&e& that they sho!l& .e p!t to &eath. An& he /ent &o/n from J!&ea to Caesare'a, an& there a.o&e. =erse $3. Bhen 8eter arri5e& at the ho!se of 0ary, mother of 0ar*, he *noc*e& at the &oor of the gate. A mai& name& ho&a came to ans/er. =erses $4,$,. (he *ne/ 8eter /ell eno!gh to recogni<e his 5oice thro!gh the &oor. (he /as o.5io!sly yo!ng an& highly eCcita.le. Opon recogni<ing his 5oice she .ecame so eCcite& that she ha& to r!n an& tell e5eryone the eCciting ne/s, th!s lea5ing 8eter still o!tsi&e the &oor of the gate. Ger report, the .est possi.le ne/, the 5ery ans/er to all of their prayers, seems too goo& to .e tr!e H th!s is not .elie5e&. %ither the mai& is I!st /rong, or possi.ly she has misrea& the 5oice, an& it is 8eter's g!ar&ian angel she hear&. This /as a s!perstition that a g!ar&ian angel co!l& appear li*e the h!man he protecte&. =erse $-. All this time, 8eter is still *noc*ing H not too lo!&ly, .!t insistently. =erse $@. Bhen they finally came an& let him in, he &escri.e& his mirac!lo!s release an& tol& them to sprea& the ne/s to James an& the other .elie5ers. Ge then ha& to go to an !n&isclose& location, *no/ing that he /o!l& .e loo*e& for in any o.5io!s place. "o one to this &ay *no/s or has fo!n& o!t /here he /ent. Apparently from the mi&&le 4''s A.D., 8eter an& the other apostles /ere more an& more a/ay from Jer!salem. James, the Lor&'s .rother, staye&. Ge /as the /ell#respecte& lea&er of the ch!rch there. %5en the general pop!lation of the city re5ere& him .eca!se of his caref!lly righteo!s life, /hich incl!&e& reg!lar temple atten&ance an& prayer ser5ices, interce&ing for the people. In -$ A.D., he /as eCec!te& .y the religio!s lea&ers, ta*ing a&5antage of there not .eing a oman a!thority in the city.

Lesson A=I contin!e&

)3

9est!s the proc!rator ha& &ie& an& his s!ccessor ha& not yet .een p!t in place. (ome later .elie5e& that James' &eath helpe& .ring on the city's &estr!ction not long after E@' A.D.F. =erses $),$+. In the morning, there /as m!ch &ist!r.ing eCcitement /hen 8eter /as so!ght an& not fo!n&, an& no one *ne/ /hat ha& happene& to him. The sol&iers on &!ty /ere 6!estione& an& no accepta.le ans/er /as fo!n&. They /ere hel& acco!nta.le, an& p!t to &eath .eca!se they faile& their commission to g!ar& him. "o &o!.t Agrippa tho!ght they /ere .ri.e&, a plot .ro!ght to pass. "o other actions /ere seen as possi.le, so the *ing left Jer!salem, /ith some &egree of &isappointment. "ee&ing &istraction, he /ent to the more pleasant an& less contro5ersial en5ironment of Caesarea. Acts $2:2'#23. Agrippa I Dies. 2' K An& Gero& /as highly &isplease& /ith them of Tyre an& (i&on: .!t they came /ith one accor& to him, an&, ha5ing ma&e 7last!s the *ing's cham.erlain their frien&, &esire& peace? .eca!se their co!ntry /as no!rishe& .y the *ing's co!ntry. 2$ An& !pon a set &ay Gero&, arraye& in royal apparel, sat !pon his throne, an& ma&e an oration !nto them. 22 An& the people ga5e a sho!t, saying, It is the 5oice of a go&, an& not of a man. 23 An& imme&iately the angel of the Lor& smote him, .eca!se he ga5e not 2o& the glory: an& he /as eaten of /orms, an& ga5e !p the ghost. =erse 2'. It /as not long after Agrippa arri5e& at Caesarea that he &ie&. The cities of Tyre an& (i&on got their foo& s!pplies from 2alilee, /hich Agrippa r!le&. 9or some !n&isclose& reason he /as &isplease& /ith the people of these t/o cities. They /ishe& to gain his fa5or, so they ma&e 7last!s their frien&. Ge /as Agrippa's cham.erlain. They ha& an opport!nity to ha5e an a!&ience /ith the *ing. Their plan /as to ma*e a p!.lic peace offering /ith him. =erses 2$#23. Joseph!s also recor&e& this e5ent: Agrippa has a spectacle pro&!ce& to honor Caesar, setting !p a festi5al for the emperor. All the near.y officials an& important people came. On s!nrise of the secon& &ay, Agrippa entere& the theater in a sil5er ro.e. The res!lting reflection /as ama<ing to the onloo*ers. They procee&e& to ma*e great flattery to him .y a&&ressing him as some &i5ine personage, an& as*ing for his &i5ine fa5or. They no/ recogni<e him as no longer a mere man, .!t a go&. Ge accepte& their a&!lation an& impio!s flattery. Ge /as sei<e& .y se5ere pain in his .elly an& /as carrie& a/ay. 9i5e &ays later he &ie&. Ge /as ,4 years ol&, an& in the @th year of his reign. L!*e stresse& that it /as his acceptance of the cro/&'s .lasphemo!s a&!lation .ro!ght on &i5ine I!&gment. Then Deaten of /ormsD .ro!ght a.o!t his &eath, most !npleasant. The go5ernment again re5erte& to proc!rators.

Lesson A=I contin!e& =erses 24,2,. %n& of the Chapter.

)4

24 K 7!t the /or& of 2o& gre/ an& m!ltiplie&. 2, K An& 7arna.as an& (a!l ret!rne& from Jer!salem, /hen they ha& f!lfille& their ministry, an& too* /ith them John, /hose s!rname /as 0ar*. =erse 24. The 2ospel contin!e& to prosper, in a&&ing .elie5ers to the ch!rch. This &ramatically contrasts /ith the en& of Agrippa's reign. =erse 2,. It is reasona.le that 7arna.as an& 8a!l &i&n't go to Jer!salem !ntil after Agrippa's &eath. L!*e follo/s the c!stom of ancient historians of narrating one so!rce's story to its s!ita.le en&ing .efore relating the narrati5e of other actors. It is therefore li*ely, since Agrippa &ie& in 44 A.D., that they /ent to Jer!salem /ith the famine relief &onation in 4- A.D. Bhen they complete& that tas*, they too* 0ar* /ith them. Ge /as 7arna.as' co!sin EColossians 4:$'F. It seems li*ely that they /ere g!ests of 0ar*'s mother /hile in Jer!salem. Acts $3:$#$2. $ "o/ there /ere in the ch!rch that /as at An'ti#och certain prophets an& teachers? as 7arna.as, an& (imeon that /as calle& "iger, an& L!ci!s of Cyre'ne, an& 0an'a#en, /hich ha& .een .ro!ght !p /ith Gero& the tetrarch, an& (a!l. 2 As they ministere& to the Lor&, an& faste&, the Goly 2host sai&, (eparate me 7arna.as an& (a!l for the /or* /here!nto I ha5e calle& them. 3 An& /hen they ha& faste& an& praye&, an& lai& their han&s on them, they sent them a/ay. 4 K (o they, .eing sent forth .y the Goly 2host, &eparte& !nto (ele!'cia? an& from thence they saile& to Cypr!s. , An& /hen they /ere at (al'amis, they preache& the /or& of 2o& in the synagog!es of the Je/s: an& they ha& also John to their minister. - An& /hen they ha& gone thro!gh the isle !nto 8aphos, they fo!n& a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Je/, /hose name /as 7ar#Ies!s: @ /hich /as /ith the &ep!ty of the co!ntry, (ergi!s 8a!l!s, a pr!&ent man? /ho calle& for 7arna.as an& (a!l, an& &esire& to hear the /or& of 2o&. ) 7!t %l'ymas the sorcerer Efor so is his name .y interpretationF /ithstoo& them, see*ing to t!rn a/ay the &ep!ty from the faith. + Then (a!l, E/ho also is calle& 8a!l,F fille& /ith the Goly 2host, set his eyes on him, $' an& sai&, O f!ll of all s!.tilty an& all mischief, tho! chil& of the &e5il, tho! enemy of all righteo!sness, /ilt tho! not cease to per5ert the right /ays of the Lor&L $$ An& no/, .ehol&, the han& of the Lor& is !pon thee, an& tho! shalt .e .lin&, not seeing the s!n for a season. An& imme&iately there fell on him a mist an& a &ar*ness? an& he /ent a.o!t see*ing some to lea& him .y the han&.

Lesson A=I contin!e& $2 Then the &ep!ty, /hen he sa/ /hat /as &one, .elie5e&, .eing astonishe& at the &octrine of the Lor&.

),

=erse $. In the Antioch Ch!rch there /ere 2o&#calle& prophets an& teachers. Three are name& here. (ymeon H calle& "iger. Be can only ass!me that he /as of &ar* compleCion. (ome ha5e propose& that he may ha5e .een the D(imon of Cyrene /ho carrie& Christ's crossD, an& the father of AleCan&er an& !f!s E0ar* $,:2$F. L!ci!s is the one here i&entifie& as from Cyrene. L!ci!s /as a 5ery common name at the time. "othing f!rther is *no/n. It can .e ass!me& that he /as among those also from Cypr!s /ho first preache& the 2ospel to 2entiles in Antioch. The thir&, 0anaen, is the 2ree* form of the Ge.re/ 0enahem Emeaning DcomforterDF. 9oster .rother /as the term !se& to i&entify .oys .ro!ght !p at co!rt, /ith royal princes. This Gero& /as Antipas, /ho r!le& 2alilee an& 8erea as tetrarch from 4 7.C. To 3+ A.D. =erse 2. As these prophets an& teachers /ere .!sy a.o!t their /or*ing among the .elie5ers, the Goly (pirit ma&e *no/n the mission to set these t/o apart. %Cactly /ho is not mentione& H the important thing /as its comm!nication. 7arna.as an& (a!l /ere to .e set apart for special /or*. There /as no 6!estion of their eminent 6!alifications for this mission. =erse 3. After more fasting an& prayer, the t/o /ere commissione& for this ne/ mission an& release& from their local responsi.ilities. The .rethren lai& han&s on them, praying for .lessing an& s!ccess in their ne/ /or*. This eCpresse& the closest fello/ship an& goo& /ill to these &elegates or DapostlesD /ith the entire ch!rch. =erse 4. They .egan .y tra5eling to (ele!cia H then saile& to Cypr!s. (ele!cia /as the nearest port of Antioch. Cypr!s /as an important islan&, anneCe& .y ome in ,@ 7.C.? it .ecame a separate pro5ince in 2@ 7.C. The chief a&ministrator /as a procons!l. =erses ,#). Once on the islan& they tra5ele& from the east to the /est, proclaiming the 2ospel. John 0ar* /as their atten&ant. The first place /as (alamis, a 2ree* city on the coast. It /as a .!sy commercial center. 0ore than one synagog!e. It /as here to the Je/s first,t hey tol& the 2ospel story. This /as their esta.lishe& proce&!re. Those /ho alrea&y /ere D2o&#fearersD /ere earnest hearers of 2o&'s goo& ne/s. They contin!e& /est !ntil they arri5e& at the seat of the pro5incial go5ernment, 8aphos. They /ere calle& to an a!&ience /ith the procons!l, (ergi!s 8a!l!s. Also present /as a *no/n sorcerer calle& 7ar#Jes!s. This man interfere& /ith 7arna.as an& 8a!l as they .egan spea*ing 2o&'s message. This sorcerer trie& his .est to &istract the procons!l from listening an& consi&ering the ne/ message from 2o&. It threatene& his role at co!rt H he /o!l& .e o.solete.

Lesson A=I contin!e&

)-

The 2ree* /or& for sorcerer is DmagosD. Originally name& the DmagiD in 0e&ia as a priestly caste, later the /or& /as !se& to co5er e5ery *in& of magician or false spirit!al acti5ity Epsychics, soothsayersF. This man claime& EfalselyF to spea* re5elation from 2o&. The name %lymas is most li*ely a (emitic /or& meaning sorcerer. =erses +#$$. Ge /as strongly re.!*e& .y (a!l Ehis Ge.re/ nameF. Gere for the first time in Acts he is calle& .y his Latin name: 8a!l. After this he is contin!ally calle& th!sly. Tho!gh the name D7ar#Jes!sD s!ggests Dson of Jes!sD it is a lie to hi&e his act!al affiliation /ith satan. J!&gment comes !pon him, pro5en .y his temporary .lin&ness. Ge imme&iately starte& f!m.ling aro!n&, as*ing for someone to help him, to g!i&e his steps. =erse $2. The procons!l /as impresse& .y this s!&&en change in the man's con&ition, an& D.elie5e&D. This /as confirmation of the 2ospel message he ha& I!st caref!lly listene& to. Ch!rch tra&ition s!ggests that in the neCt t/o generations, some mem.ers of his family /ere *no/n as Christians. "eCt, 8isi&ian Antioch.

Lesson A=II The Acts of the Apostles $3:$3#,2. 8isi&ian Antioch.

)@

$3 K "o/ /hen 8a!l an& his company loose& from 8aphos, they came to 8erga in 8amphyl'i#a: an& John &eparting from them ret!rne& to Jer!salem. $4 7!t /hen they &eparte& from 8erga, they came to An'ti#och in 8isi&'i#a, an& /ent into the synagog!e on the sa..ath &ay, an& sat &o/n. $, An& after the rea&ing of the la/ an& the prophets, the r!lers of the synagog!e sent !nto them, saying, Me men an& .rethren, if ye ha5e any /or& of eChortation for the people, say on. $- Then 8a!l stoo& !p, an& .ec*oning /ith his han& sai&, K 0en of Israel, an& ye that fear 2o&, gi5e a!&ience. $@ The 2o& of this people of Israel chose o!r fathers, an& eCalte& the people /hen they &/elt as strangers in the lan& of %gypt, an& /ith a high arm .ro!ght he them o!t of it. $) An& a.o!t the time of forty years s!ffere& he their manners in the /il&erness. $+ An& /hen he ha& &estroye& se5en nations in the lan& of Canaan, he &i5i&e& their lan& to them .y lot. 2' An& after that he ga5e !nto them I!&ges a.o!t the space of fo!r h!n&re& an& fifty years, !ntil (am!el the prophet. 2$ An& after/ar& they &esire& a *ing: an& 2o& ga5e !nto them (a!l the son of :ish, a man of the tri.e of 7enIamin, .y the space of forty years. 22 An& /hen he ha& remo5e& him, he raise& !p !nto them Da5i& to .e their *ing? to /hom also he ga5e testimony, an& sai&, I ha5e fo!n& Da5i& the son of Jesse, a man after mine o/n heart, /hich shall f!lfil all my /ill. 23 Of this man's see& hath 2o&, accor&ing to his promise, raise& !nto Israel a (a5io!r, Jes!s: 24 /hen John ha& first preache& .efore his coming the .aptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 2, An& as John f!lfille& his co!rse, he sai&, Bhom thin* ye that I amL I am not he. 7!t, .ehol&, there cometh one after me, /hose shoes of his feet I am not /orthy to loose. 2- K 0en an& .rethren, chil&ren of the stoc* of A.raham, an& /hosoe5er among yo! feareth 2o&, to yo! is the /or& of this sal5ation sent. 2@ 9or they that &/ell at Jer!salem, an& their r!lers, .eca!se they *ne/ him not, nor yet the 5oices of the prophets /hich are rea& e5ery sa..ath &ay, they ha5e f!lfille& them in con&emning him. 2) An& tho!gh they fo!n& no ca!se of &eath in him, yet &esire& they 8ilate that he sho!l& .e slain. 2+ An& /hen they ha& f!lfille& all that /as /ritten of him, they too* him &o/n from the tree, an& lai& him in a sep!lchre. 3' 7!t 2o& raise& him from the &ea&: 3$ an& he /as seen many &ays of them /hich came !p /ith him from 2alilee to Jer!salem, /ho are his /itnesses !nto the people. 32 An& /e &eclare !nto yo! gla& ti&ings, ho/ that the promise /hich /as ma&e !nto the fathers, 33 2o& hath f!lfille& the same !nto !s their chil&ren, in that he hath raise& !p Jes!s again? as it is also /ritten in the secon&

Lesson A=II contin!e&

))

psalm, Tho! art my (on, this &ay ha5e I .egotten thee. 34 An& as concerning that he raise& him !p from the &ea&, no/ no more to ret!rn to corr!ption, he sai& on this /ise, I /ill gi5e yo! the s!re mercies of Da5i&. 3, Bherefore he saith also in another psalm, Tho! shalt not s!ffer thine Goly One to see corr!ption. 3- 9or Da5i&, after he ha& ser5e& his o/n generation .y the /ill of 2o&, fell on sleep, an& /as lai& !nto his fathers, an& sa/ corr!ption: 3@ .!t he, /hom 2o& raise& again, sa/ no corr!ption. 3) 7e it *no/n !nto yo! therefore, men an& .rethren, that thro!gh this man is preache& !nto yo! the forgi5eness of sins: 3+ an& .y him all that .elie5e are I!stifie& from all things, from /hich ye co!l& not .e I!stifie& .y the la/ of 0oses. 4' 7e/are therefore, lest that come !pon yo!, /hich is spo*en of in the prophets? 4$ 7ehol&, ye &espisers, an& /on&er, an& perish: for I /or* a /or* in yo!r &ays, a /or* /hich ye shall in no /ise .elie5e, tho!gh a man &eclare it !nto yo!. 42 K An& /hen the Je/s /ere gone o!t of the synagog!e, the 2entiles .eso!ght that these /or&s might .e preache& to them the neCt sa..ath. 43 "o/ /hen the congregation /as .ro*en !p, many of the Je/s an& religio!s proselytes follo/e& 8a!l an& 7arna.as? /ho, spea*ing to them, pers!a&e& them to contin!e in the grace of 2o&. 44 K An& the neCt sa..ath &ay came almost the /hole city together to hear the /or& of 2o&. 4, 7!t /hen the Je/s sa/ the m!ltit!&es, they /ere fille& /ith en5y, an& spa*e against those things /hich /ere spo*en .y 8a!l, contra&icting an& .laspheming. 4- Then 8a!l an& 7arna.as /aCe& .ol&, an& sai&, It /as necessary that the /or& of 2o& sho!l& first ha5e .een spo*en to yo!: .!t seeing ye p!t it from yo!, an& I!&ge yo!rsel5es !n/orthy of e5erlasting life, lo, /e t!rn to the 2entiles. 4@ 9or so hath the Lor& comman&e& !s, saying, I ha5e set thee to .e a light of the 2entiles, that tho! sho!l&est .e for sal5ation !nto the en&s of the earth. 4) K An& /hen the 2entiles hear& this, they /ere gla&, an& glorifie& the /or& of the Lor&: an& as many as /ere or&aine& to eternal life .elie5e&. 4+ An& the /or& of the Lor& /as p!.lishe& thro!gho!t all the region. ,' 7!t the Je/s stirre& !p the &e5o!t an& honora.le /omen, an& the chief men of the city, an& raise& persec!tion against 8a!l an& 7arna.as, an& eCpelle& them o!t of their coasts. ,$ 7!t they shoo* off the &!st of their feet against them, an& came !nto Ico'ni#!m. ,2 An& the &isciples /ere fille& /ith Ioy, an& /ith the Goly 2host. =erse $3. "o/ ha5ing tra5erse& Cypr!s /ith the 2ospel 0essage, 8a!l an& 7arna.as an& others left from 8aphos an& saile& across to the so!thern coast of Asia 0inor. They lan&e& at Attalia, an& then most li*ely tra5ele& the $2 miles inlan& to 8erga, in the coastal &istrict of 8amphylia. On the north /as the Ta!r!s range of mo!ntains on the

Lesson A=II contin!e&

)+

/est Licia, on the east Cilicia, on the so!th, the 0e&iterranean. John 0ar* left them an& ret!rne& to Jer!salem. "o reason is mentione&. 8a!l later E$,:3)F calle& it &esertion. 8a!l also seems to ha5e ta*en o5er as lea&er. 7arna.as is not mentione& here. =erses $4,$,. The gro!p contin!e& north across the Ta!r!s range, entering the so!thern area of the oman pro5ince of 2alatia. Another city calle& Antioch /as there, near the .or&er of 8isi&ia, another region in that pro5ince. It /as 8isi&ian Antioch .y name as &istinct from the other Antioch. It /as a ci5il an& military center, an& 3-'' feet a.o5e sea le5el. A!g!st!s ma&e it a oman colony. They /ere strategic points along the maIor oman system of roa&s. There /as a Je/ish comm!nity an& synagog!e. On the first (a..ath they /ere there, the t/o missionaries /ent. After the tra&itional prayers an& rea&ing of (cript!re, the r!lers of the synagog!e as*e& if these t/o strangers ha& /or&s of enco!ragement for those gathere&. =erse $-. 8a!l respon&e& to the in5itation .y going to the p!lpit, t!rning to the congregation an& ma*ing a han& gest!re to get their attention. Ge then .egan his a&&ress. Ge a&&resses t/o gro!ps: 0en of Israel an& ye that fear 2o&. The latter .eing 2entiles, 2o&#fearers. The former: Je/s .y .irth or con5ersion. This is one of the t/o &escriptions of a synagog!e ser5ice in the "e/ Testament. The other is in L!*e 4:$/hen Jes!s preache& in "a<areth. As time pro5e&, the 2entiles present /here5er 8a!l preache& /ere more recepti5e to the 2oo& "e/s. =erses $@#22. Gis eChortation .egins .y the lesson of history of 2o&'s &ealing /ith the people of Israel. (tephen's preaching /as similar. 2o&'s call to the patriarchs, the eCo&!s from %gypt, the *ingship of Da5i&, then the promise& e&eemer, of Da5i&'s lineage. These /or&s narrate 2o&'s re&eeming actions for Israel H that all Je/s /o!l& *no/ .y heart. This pro5i&e& the Ol& Testament line of 2o&'s sal5ation /hich the "e/ Testament /o!l& complete. The Ol& Testament e5ents lea& nat!rally an& se6!entially to the o!t/or*ing of Christ's coming, ministry, an& sacrificial &eath, an& res!rrection. =erse 23. %<e*iel 2$:2@ promises the coming r!ler /o!l& .e a ne/ an& greater Da5i&, the 0essiah of the 2o& of Israel. 8a!l i&entifies the promise& One as Jes!s. =erses 24,2,. Ge .egins the 2ospel story /ith the ministry of John the 7aptist, calling the people to repentance an& .aptism. Ge pa5e& the /ay for Jes!s' appearance in p!.lic, an& ac*no/le&ge& Gim as the DLam. of 2o&D Bho ha& come to ta*e a/ay the sins of the people. John specifically tol& the p!.lic that he himself /as not the One they /aite& for. Ge &eclare& himself !n/orthy to e5en loose Gis san&als.

Lesson A=II contin!e&

+'

=erses 2-#2+. Calling them .rethren, he repeats the i&entification of the t/o gro!ps of his a!&ience: Je/s an& 2o&#fearers. The 2ospel of (al5ation is sent &irectly to them. Ge contin!es the narrati5e. The religio!s lea&ers are acco!nte& g!ilty of not *no/ing or !n&erstan&ing the prophetic (cript!res they foretol&. They passe& the &eath sentence !pon Gim at the same time, f!lfilling those prophecies that &escri.e& ho/ he m!st s!ffer an& &ie. They /ent to the proc!rator 8ilate, &eman&ing this innocent man's &eath. Ge carrie& it o!t .y cr!cifiCion H on a DtreeD Eas De!teronomy 2$:23F as acc!rse&. Once &ea&, Ge /as ta*en &o/n an& entom.e&. =erses 3',3$. 2o& raise& Gim !p the 3r& &ay. The Ioy of tri!mph m!st ha5e .een in 8a!l's 5oice as he recites this /ith the appearances to Gis &isciples. An& they /ere personally an& p!.licly /itnessing to Gis es!rrection. =erses 32,33. 8salms 2:@ is 6!ote& # DTho! art my (on, this &ay ha5e I .egotten thee.D The 5ery /or&s of the hea5enly 5oice at the .aptism of John as relate& in L!*e 3:22. =erses 34#3@. Also, the prophecy of Isaiah ,,:3 re6!ires the res!rrection as one of the promises of Da5i& concerning the 0essiah. Also incl!&e& 8salm $-:$' as 8eter ha& 6!ote& # DTho! /ilt not gi5e Thy Goly One to see corr!ption.D O.5io!sly not happening to Da5i& H he &ie& an& /as .!rie& an& Dsa/ corr!ption.D =erses 3),3+. All lea&s to the connection /ith a &irect application to the a!&ience. They are offere& the forgi5eness of sins an& reconciliation /ith 2o& thro!gh the sacrifice of Christ. They m!st &eci&e, repent, an& .elie5e. Trying to f!lfill the la/ of 0oses /as not h!manly possi.le an& le& to no one's sal5ation. =erses 4',4$. Ge closes his a&&ress /ith a serio!s /arning. Ge 6!otes the prophet Ga.a**!* from his /arning a.o!t the coming action of "e.!cha&ne<<ar to .ecome /orl& r!ler. The prophet &escri.es the reaction of the nations H astonishment, &is.elief. It echoes the /arning of Isaiah in the time of the Assyrian %mpire's rise EIsaiah 2):2$? 2+:$4F. 8a!l is stressing the greater peril of those /ho reIect the 2ospel of Christ. =erses 42,43. (o m!ch interest /as generate& .y 8a!l's eCposition that many in the a!&ience re6!este& they ret!rn an& eCpo!n& f!rther. %5en many Je/s an& those con5erting to J!&aism follo/e& 8a!l an& 7arna.as, as they /ere so attracte& .y their message. The t/o enco!rage& them to contin!e to contemplate the great mercy of 2o& in the 2ospel.

Lesson A=II contin!e&

+$

=erses 44,4,. The ne/s /as sprea& thro!gho!t the city the follo/ing /ee*. The neCt (a..ath, an eCceptionally large amo!nt of the general 2entile pop!lation sho/e& !p at the synagog!e. The reg!lar Je/ish congregation /as not happy to see so many o!tsi&ers E2entilesF in their reg!lar meeting place. (o also, they /ere not please& /ith the reason H they ha& come to hear this ne/ &octrine. "o &o!.t the lea&ers an& the ol& fashione& Je/s /ere not so accepting of this ne/ Dsal5ationD that so easily incl!&e& 2entiles. They then spo*e against the things sai& .y 8a!l H incl!&ing /or&s .laspheming the "ame of Jes!s as 0essiah. =erse 4-. The o.5io!s eCplanation centers aro!n& the p!rpose of the nation of Israel as the Goly "ation representing 2o& in the /orl&. Therefore, they /o!l& recei5e 2o&'s ne/ 2ospel first an& then again .e 2o&'s messengers of the ne/ 2ospel to the /orl&. They /o!l& not accept that role H they /o!l& .e .ypasse& an& the 2ospel /o!l& go &irectly to the 2entiles. Only a minority of Je/s in these local synagog!es .ecame .elie5ers. The 2o&#fearing 2entiles in these synagog!es accepte& the 2ospel in greater n!m.ers an& .ecame the n!cle!s of the ch!rches 8a!l fo!n&e&. Then the 2ospel /o!l& .e offere& &irectly to 2entiles in the general pop!lation. Onfort!nately, this also ca!se& great hostility against 8a!l. Ge encroache& !pon their territory, p!lle& a/ay their mem.ers. 8a!l sa/ their reIection as their greatest loss of opport!nity to .e a part of the sprea& of the 2oo& "e/s of Jes!s. =erse 4@. The proof /as in Isaiah 4+:- /hich is 6!ote& here .y 8a!l an& 7arna.as. In 5erse 3, Israel is first name& as 2o&'s ser5ant, in /hich Ge /ill .e glorifie&. Only Jes!s the 0essiah co!l& act!ally f!lfill this prophecy. Israel as a /hole ha& .een an& contin!e& to .e &iso.e&ient to 2o&'s call an& comman&ments. Ge therefore .ecame the light to the /hole /orl& # DA light for the re5elation to the 2entiles, an& the glory of thy people IsraelD E6!ote& in L!*e 2:2+# 32F. This sal5ation /as to .e sprea& !nto the en&s of the earth. =erses 4),4+. This message /as greete& /ith great Ioy .y the 2entiles, Dan& as many as /ere or&aine& !nto eternal life .elie5e&.D Those that .elie5e& then carrie& the message to the s!rro!n&ing region. =erse ,'. The lea&ing Je/s of the city chose to !se their infl!ence into getting ri& of these t/o tro!.lema*ers. T/o gro!ps /ere !se& H the &e5o!t an& important /omen /ere infl!ence& to get their h!s.an&s to reali<e the &anger of allo/ing these tro!.lema*ers to remain in the city. It /or*e& an& they /ere in&!ce& to lea5e. =erses ,$,,2. The t/o &i& the tra&itional reaction to reIection of their message. This gest!re /as the same one that Jes!s tol& Gis &isciples

Lesson A=II contin!e&

+2

/hen reIecte& EL!*e +:,F: D(ha*e the &!st of their feet off,D as .eing heathen territory. This may ha5e .een more &irecte& against the local Je/s than the ci5ic hierarchy. They tra5ele& to Iconi!m. This /as east/ar&. Those left .ehin& /ere fille& /ith the Ioy of their sal5ation, an& the Goly (pirit. "eCt, 9!rther 8ersec!tion.

Lesson A=III The Acts of the Apostles $4:$#@. 9!rther 8ersec!tion.

+3

$ An& it came to pass in Ico'ni#!m, that they /ent .oth together into the synagog!e of the Je/s, an& so spa*e, that a great m!ltit!&e .oth of the Je/s an& also of the 2ree*s .elie5e&. 2 7!t the !n.elie5ing Je/s stirre& !p the 2entiles, an& ma&e their min&s e5il affecte& against the .rethren. 3 Long time therefore a.o&e they spea*ing .ol&ly in the Lor&, /hich ga5e testimony !nto the /or& of his grace, an& grante& signs an& /on&ers to .e &one .y their han&s. 4 7!t the m!ltit!&e of the city /as &i5i&e&: an& part hel& /ith the Je/s, an& part /ith the apostles. , An& /hen there /as an assa!lt ma&e .oth of the 2entiles, an& also of the Je/s /ith their r!lers, to !se them &espitef!lly, an& to stone them, - they /ere /are of it, an& fle& !nto Lystra an& Der.e, cities of Lyca#o'nia, an& !nto the region that lieth ro!n& a.o!t: @ an& there they preache& the gospel. After ha5ing .een force& to lea5e 8isi&ian Antioch, 8a!l an& 7arna.as Dsha*ing the &!st from their feet,D hea&e& east into the oman pro5ince of 2alatia. The eastern most city /as Iconi!m. =erse $. As /as their c!stom, they first /ent to the Je/ish synagog!e. They /ere allo/e& to spea*, an& the res!lt /as imme&iate. D...a great m!ltit!&e .oth of the Je/s an& also of the 2ree*s .elie5e&.D =erse 2. Those that D/ere &iso.e&ientD not only reIecte& the 2ospel, .!t also acti5ely ma&e it their .!siness to t!rn the people, the general p!.lic E&escri.e& as all 2entilesF an& incl!&e& mem.ers of the local go5ernment E5erse , # D/ith their r!lersDF, Dagainst the .rethren.D =erse 3. As the opposition contin!e& to gro/, the t/o also contin!e& to .ol&ly preach the Bor&. Along /ith their life changing message of 2o&'s grace, there /ere Dsigns an& /on&ers to .e &one .y their han&s.D This sho/e& the greatest proof of their 2ospel .eing from 2o&, /ith appro5al an& po/er. In 2alatians 3:,, 8a!l mentions the mighty /or*s, that /hat they ha& seen /as proof of their message .eing tr!th H /hich the preaching of the La/ &i& not. Gis message /as the opposite H 2o&'s grace. =erse 4. The longer they preache&, the more mem.ers of the local pop!lation chose one si&e or the other. 9inally, the Je/ish lea&ers agitate& those that si&e& /ith them. =erse ,. A mo. /as forme& /ith the Je/ish lea&ers, an& 2entiles, to riot, en masse, see*ing the apostles an& to *ill them .y stoning.

Lesson A=III contin!e&

+4

=erses -,@. They /ere informe& of this mo. an& their plan, in time for them to lea5e. They /ent to other cities an& any other opport!nity to preach the 2ospel in the more eastern area of that region *no/n as Lycaonia, t/o of the cities: Lystra an& Der.a. In a .oo* /ritten in the 2n& Cent!ry calle& Acts of 8a!l, a man from Iconi!m name& Onesiphor!s /ent to meet 8a!l on his /ay to that city. Ge /rites the follo/ing &escription: DAn& he sa/ 8a!l approaching, a man small in si<e, /ith meeting eye.ro/s, a rather large nose, .al&#hea&e&, .o/#legge&, strongly .!ilt, f!ll of grace, for at times he loo*e& li*e a man, an& at times he ha& the face of an angel.D =erses )#$). The 0iracle at Lystra. ) K An& there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, .eing a cripple from his mother's /om., /ho ne5er ha& /al*e&: + the same hear& 8a!l spea*: /ho stea&fastly .ehol&ing him, an& percei5ing that he ha& faith to .e heale&, $' sai& /ith a lo!& 5oice, (tan& !pright on thy feet. An& he leape& an& /al*e&. $$ An& /hen the people sa/ /hat 8a!l ha& &one, they lifte& !p their 5oices, saying in the speech of Lyca#o'nia, The go&s are come &o/n to !s in the li*eness of men. $2 An& they calle& 7arna.as, J!piter? an& 8a!l, 0erc!'ri#!s, .eca!se he /as the chief spea*er. $3 Then the priest of J!piter, /hich /as .efore their city, .ro!ght oCen an& garlan&s !nto the gates, an& /o!l& ha5e &one sacrifice /ith the people. $4 Bhich /hen the apostles, 7arna.as an& 8a!l, hear& of, they rent their clothes, an& ran in among the people, crying o!t, $, an& saying, (irs, /hy &o ye these thingsL Be also are men of li*e passions /ith yo!, an& preach !nto yo! that ye sho!l& t!rn from these 5anities !nto the li5ing 2o&, /hich ma&e hea5en, an& earth, an& the sea, an& all things that are therein: $- /ho in times past s!ffere& all nations to /al* in their o/n /ays. $@ "e5ertheless he left not himself /itho!t /itness, in that he &i& goo&, an& ga5e !s rain from hea5en, an& fr!itf!l seasons, filling o!r hearts /ith foo& an& gla&ness. $) An& /ith these sayings scarce restraine& they the people, that they ha& not &one sacrifice !nto them. =erse ). The &escription of this healing is similar to the one in Acts chapter 3, .y the /or& of 8eter that .ro!ght faith in the "ame of Jes!s. 7!t /hat happens after the healing is &ramatically &ifferent. This man /as *no/n to ha5e .een a cripple since his .irth an& /as *no/n to ne5er ha5e /al*e&. =erses +,$'. As 8a!l spo*e to the gathering, he notice& this man ga<ing intently at him. 8a!l percei5e& faith: faith to .e ma&e /hole. 7y

Lesson A=III contin!e&

+,

faith he /as spirit!ally heale& an& in this case le& to his physical healing. Imme&iately, !pon 8a!l's comman& to stan& !pright on his feet, he &i& so. Ge I!mpe& !p for the first time in his life an& /al*e&. =erses $$,$2. The cro/&, pagan 2entiles, /ere ama<e&. Apparently this /as the nati5e pop!lation of this region, /ho spo*e in their ancient Lycaonian lang!age. Their reaction loo*e& .ac* to .elief of mythological go&s /ho on occasion /o!l& come &o/n to earth Din the li*eness of men.D They ha& ta*en the ne/er names from the oman pantheon H J!piter H as 7arna.as, 0erc!ry as 8a!l H the messenger spea*er. The 2ree* .eing Ne!s an& Germes. =erse $3. There /as a temple here to J!piter. The priest le& the cro/& to prepare a sacrifice to honor these t/o 5isitors. =erse $4. Bor& finally reache& 8a!l an& 7arna.as. They /ere shoc*e&, tearing their clothes, Dsprang forth.D They acte& 6!ic*ly to go o!t to the cro/& to 6!ic*ly con5ince them of their gra5e error. They ha& to sho/ their o/n h!manity H they are the same as e5eryone else. They are messengers of goo& ne/s. They m!st t!rn from their false .elief in D5ain thingsD, i&ols, the /orthless mythologies. They represent the li5ing 2o& Bho create& all things. =erses $,#$@. Gere, they &i& not retell Ol& Testament prophecies concerning the promise& 0essiah f!lfille& .y Jes!s as they typically &i& to primarily Je/ish a!&iences. Instea&, they no/ Ean& later in Acts $@:22F spea* to p!rely pagans. Gere an& more f!lly in Acts @ they call their attention to the nat!ral re5elation of the one Creator 2o&. The Je/s alrea&y accepte& the !nity an& character of 2o& the Almighty. The pagans are tol& of the one 2o& H Bho left /itness of Gis /or*s of creation, an& pro5i&ence. Ge is the One Bho s!pplies the nee&s of men /itho!t &iscrimination. Their pagan go&s are false H !tter 5anities H empty an& pointless. The emphasis here is on the contin!al an& .eneficial or&ering of the seasons, pro5i&ing foo& for all flesh. These sho!l& ha5e &ra/n concl!sions concerning 2o&'s e5er# lasting po/er an& &i5inity. The other point H in the past, 2o& o5erloo*e& their errors .eca!se of their ignorance of Gis /ill. 7!t no/ the f!ll re5elation of Gis pro5i&ing a /ay of sal5ation thro!gh Christ has .een f!lfille&. Bhat patience forga5e. "o/ they are responsi.le to ma*e a &ecision. =erse $). Their reasoning &iss!a&es the cro/& from going ahea& /ith their sacrifice, .!t not .y m!ch.

Lesson A=III contin!e& =erses $+#2). 8ersec!tion at Lystra. Tra5el to Der.e, then et!rn to the (o!thern Antioch.

+-

$+ K An& there came thither certain Je/s from An'ti#och an& Ico'ni# !m, /ho pers!a&e& the people, an&, ha5ing stone& 8a!l, &re/ him o!t of the city, s!pposing he ha& .een &ea&. 2' Go/.eit, as the &isciples stoo& ro!n& a.o!t him, he rose !p, an& came into the city: an& the neCt &ay he &eparte& /ith 7arna.as to Der.e. 2$ An& /hen they ha& preache& the gospel to that city, an& ha& ta!ght many, they ret!rne& again to Lystra, an& to Ico'ni#!m, an& An'ti#och, 22 confirming the so!ls of the &isciples, an& eChorting them to contin!e in the faith, an& that /e m!st thro!gh m!ch tri.!lation enter into the *ing&om of 2o&. 23 An& /hen they ha& or&aine& them el&ers in e5ery ch!rch, an& ha& praye& /ith fasting, they commen&e& them to the Lor&, on /hom they .elie5e&. 24 K An& after they ha& passe& thro!gho!t 8isi&'i#a, they came to 8amphyl'i#a. 2, An& /hen they ha& preache& the /or& in 8erga, they /ent &o/n into Attali'a: 2- an& thence saile& to An'ti#och, from /hence they ha& .een recommen&e& to the grace of 2o& for the /or* /hich they f!lfille&. 2@ An& /hen they /ere come, an& ha& gathere& the ch!rch together, they rehearse& all that 2o& ha& &one /ith them, an& ho/ he ha& opene& the &oor of faith !nto the 2entiles. 2) An& there they a.o&e long time /ith the &isciples. =erse $+. Tho!gh not mentione&, there pro.a.ly /as a Je/ish comm!nity here. This more easily eCplains /hy the Je/s coming from Antioch an& Iconi!m ha& a rea&y a!&ience. It seems that e5en those /ho ha& prepare& to sacrifice to the t/o missionaries /ere easily con5ince& that they /ere no/ /orthy of a p!.lic &eath sentence an& eCec!tion .y stoning. 8a!l /as fo!n& first an& stone&. Bhen they tho!ght he /as &ea&, they &ragge& him o!t of the city. =erse 2'. The &isciples gathere& aro!n& the .o&y. To their s!rprise, he got !p. Certainly he /as ta*en to someone's home an& care& for. The neCt &ay, he /ent /ith 7arna.as to the neCt city, Der.e. 8a!l /o!l& later /rite a.o!t this e5ent EII Corinthians $$:2,F. In 2alatians -:$@, he mentions carrying the scars from this stoning. =erse 2$. They preache& the 2ospel an& fo!n&e& a ch!rch in Der.e, then /ent .ac* to each of the cities they ha& e5angeli<e&. This in spite of their .r!tal treatment, so recently. Certainly they 5isite& only among the .elie5ers, ca!tio!sly o!t of the p!.lic eye. =erses 22,23. In these recently forme& ch!rches, they spent their time firming !p their !n&erstan&ing an& faith in their ne/ /ay of life, .ase& on

Lesson A=III contin!e&

+@

the 2ospel of Jes!s Christ. They also selecte& an& appointe& el&ers. They /o!l& .e tr!e spirit!al g!i&es an& gi5e f!rther instr!ction an& enco!ragement. It is repeate&ly mentione& that they /ere to eCpect an& .e prepare& for tri.!lation from the /orl&. In those times an& places this /as al/ays to .e eCpecte&. To .e tr!e to Christ an& remain faithf!l, /e follo/ Gis eCample. 8a!l co!nte& it a .lessing to s!ffer for the One that &ie& for him. (o also sho!l& all .elie5ers .e &e&icate& to stan& for their (a5ior. After prayer an& fasting they left the ch!rch in the Lor&'s care. =erses 24#2-. 9rom 8isi&ian Antioch they tra5ele& so!th o!t of the pro5ince of 2alatia an& into the pro5ince of 8amphylia. They preache& in 8erga, their first stop on arri5ing in Asia 0inor from Cypr!s E$3:$3F. They /ent &o/n to the port of Attalia. 9rom there they too* a .oat, sailing .ac* to their point of &epart!re H the so!thern Antioch E(yrianF. =erses 2@,2). The ch!rch /as gathere& together to hear the /hole story of their mission in 2entile territory. These .elie5ers ha& commissione& them /ith close fello/ship an& prayers to set forth. "o/, a.o!t a year ha& passe&. The t/o e5angelists /o!l& spen& a.o!t a year /ith the Antioch ch!rch. The t/o narrate& the great s!ccesses of the grace of 2o& that ha& opene& the &oor of sal5ation so /i&e to incl!&e the 2entiles. This /as to change the .alance of Je/s an& 2entiles in the Ch!rch. This /o!l& .e of great concern to the ch!rch of Jer!salem an& /o!l& lea& to a sho/&o/n /ith those representing the 2entiles H namely 8a!l 5s 8eter. "eCt, Chapter $,. The Co!ncil at Jer!salem.

Lesson AIA The Acts of the Apostles $,:$#2+. The Co!ncil of Jer!salem.

+)

$ An& certain men /hich came &o/n from J!&ea ta!ght the .rethren, an& sai&, %Ccept ye .e circ!mcise& after the manner of 0oses, ye cannot .e sa5e&. 2 Bhen therefore 8a!l an& 7arna.as ha& no small &issension an& &isp!tation /ith them, they &etermine& that 8a!l an& 7arna.as, an& certain other of them, sho!l& go !p to Jer!salem !nto the apostles an& el&ers a.o!t this 6!estion. 3 An& .eing .ro!ght on their /ay .y the ch!rch, they passe& thro!gh 8hoeni'cia an& (amaria, &eclaring the con5ersion of the 2entiles: an& they ca!se& great Ioy !nto all the .rethren. 4 An& /hen they /ere come to Jer!salem, they /ere recei5e& of the ch!rch, an& of the apostles an& el&ers, an& they &eclare& all things that 2o& ha& &one /ith them. , 7!t there rose !p certain of the sect of the 8harisees /hich .elie5e&, saying, That it /as nee&f!l to circ!mcise them, an& to comman& them to *eep the la/ of 0oses. - K An& the apostles an& el&ers came together for to consi&er of this matter. @ An& /hen there ha& .een m!ch &isp!ting, 8eter rose !p, an& sai& !nto them, 0en an& .rethren, ye *no/ ho/ that a goo& /hile ago 2o& ma&e choice among !s, that the 2entiles .y my mo!th sho!l& hear the /or& of the gospel, an& .elie5e. ) An& 2o&, /hich *no/eth the hearts, .are them /itness, gi5ing them the Goly 2host, e5en as he &i& !nto !s? + an& p!t no &ifference .et/een !s an& them, p!rifying their hearts .y faith. $' "o/ therefore /hy tempt ye 2o&, to p!t a yo*e !pon the nec* of the &isciples, /hich neither o!r fathers nor /e /ere a.le to .earL $$ 7!t /e .elie5e that thro!gh the grace of the Lor& Jes!s Christ /e shall .e sa5e&, e5en as they. $2 K Then all the m!ltit!&e *ept silence, an& ga5e a!&ience to 7arna.as an& 8a!l, &eclaring /hat miracles an& /on&ers 2o& ha& /ro!ght among the 2entiles .y them. $3 An& after they ha& hel& their peace, James ans/ere&, saying, 0en an& .rethren, hear*en !nto me: $4 (imeon hath &eclare& ho/ 2o& at the first &i& 5isit the 2entiles, to ta*e o!t of them a people for his name. $, An& to this agree the /or&s of the prophets? as it is /ritten, $- After this I /ill ret!rn, an& /ill .!il& again the ta.ernacle of Da5i&, /hich is fallen &o/n? an& I /ill .!il& again the r!ins thereof, an& I /ill set it !p: $@ that the resi&!e of men might see* after the Lor&, an& all the 2entiles, !pon /hom my name is calle&, saith the Lor&, /ho &oeth all these things. $) :no/n !nto 2o& are all his /or*s from the .eginning of the /orl&. $+ Bherefore my sentence is, that /e tro!.le not them, /hich from among the 2entiles are t!rne& to 2o&: 2' .!t that /e /rite !nto them, that they a.stain from poll!tions of i&ols, an& from fornication, an& from things strangle&, an& from .loo&. 2$ 9or 0oses of ol& time hath in e5ery city them that preach him,

Lesson AIA contin!e& .eing rea& in the synagog!es e5ery sa..ath &ay.

++

Intro. The ne/est infl!C of so many 2entile Christians into the .eginning Ch!rch. The Je/ish Christians feare& that these former pagans /o!l& not li5e !p to the Je/ish Eno/ ChristianF moral stan&ar&s. They face& many negati5e infl!ences from their i&olatro!s an& loosely moral c!lt!res. 8a!l's letters to the Corinthians confirms 5ario!s pro.lems that are eCamples of I!st s!ch infl!ences. (ince so many Je/s ha& reIecte& Christ, the Jer!salem ch!rch /as /illing to a&mit 2entiles to their fello/ship to increase ch!rch mem.ers. Certainly 8eter's eCperience ha& .een accepte& E/ith Corneli!sF. 7!t they also felt that it m!st .e part of their acceptance to .ecome proselyte first H to .e circ!mcise& an& .egin follo/ing the La/ of 0oses. To the maIority of these Je/s, Christianity /as the f!lfillment of the tra&itional promises, prophecies, an& hope of the Ol& Testament. The sit!ation ha& no/ change&. The Co!ncil of Jer!salem /as calle& to settle the iss!e. =erses $#,. (ome concerne& Je/ish Christians &eci&e& to carry their message to the gro/ing ch!rch in Antioch. They acte& as if they officially represente& the lea&ers of the Jer!salem Ch!rch, /hich incl!&e& the apostles an& el&ers. They ta!ght that circ!mcision /as necessary for sal5ation. 8a!l, in his letter to the 2alatians, &escri.es this e5ent in &etail. These men /ere also saying that there co!l& not .e any fello/ship /ith 2entile Christians. Other J!&ai<ers /o!l& also go to the yo!ng ch!rches of (o!thern 2alatia. 8a!l's 2alatian letter insiste& that the .elie5ers reIect this .!r&ensome attempt to a&& Je/ish D/or*sD to the simple 2ospel message of 2o&'s pro5ision of sal5ation as grace, the gift, pai& for .y Christ's sacrifice on the Cross. =erse 2. It /as rea&ily recogni<e& that this iss!e /o!l& contin!e to split the ch!rches, not only the 2entile from the Je/ish .!t among them all. This m!st .e openly &isc!sse& an& reasona.ly, an& &eci&e the tr!e /ay that 2o& inten&e&. The Antioch Ch!rch chose 8a!l an& 7arna.as, among others, to spea* for them to the lea&ers of the Jer!salem ch!rch. =erse 3. The &elegates passe& thro!gh 8hoenicia an& (amaria on their /ay. They 5isite& the ch!rches there Ealso mainly 2entile .elie5ersF. They share& the s!ccesses of their missionary trip /ith them. These .elie5ers also reIoice& o5er the 2ospel .eing sprea& among the 2entiles =erse 4. Once in Jer!salem, 8a!l an& 7arna.as appeare& .efore the apostles an& el&ers an& presente& /hat 2o& ha& .ro!ght to pass thro!gh them among the 2entiles.

Lesson AIA contin!e&

$''

=erse ,. The gro!p of 8harisees among them ha& accepte& Christ as Lor& an& 0essiah, .eca!se they .elie5e& in res!rrection Econtrasting /ith the (a&&!ccees /ho &i&n'tF. They, ho/e5er, remaine& legalists at heart, an& insiste& the 2entile con5erts m!st .e circ!mcise& an& o.ey the 0osaic la/. =erses -#$$. The Jer!salem ch!rch then met to consi&er this iss!e. "ot only the lea&ers from .oth si&es, .!t also a m!ltit!&e of the other mem.ers /ere present. =erses @#+. 8eter, lea&er of the t/el5e apostles, stoo& !p to spea*. Ge reco!nts his eCperience /ith Corneli!s, no/ nearly ten years ago. Ge reco!nts 2o&'s actions in calling an& sen&ing him to this 2entile to his family to spea* the 2ospel message. 2o& also pro5e& Gis acceptance of these ne/ .elie5ers .y the coming of the Goly (pirit !pon them. It /as the same as the 8entecost eCperience for Je/ish .elie5ers. 2o& &i& this .efore e5en the 2entiles present spo*e of their faith. 2o& rea& their hearts an& ga5e them the Goly (pirit !pon their .elief. 8eter eCplains that 2o& plainly sho/s their e6!ality /ith Je/ish .elie5ers. (ince 2o& accepte& them as .elie5ers, the ch!rch ha& no right to a&& any con&itions at all for their sal5ation or ch!rch mem.ership. =erse $'. 8eter goes f!rther, &escri.ing the yo*e of the la/, /hich his generation, as /ell as those that ha& gone .efore, /ere !na.le to .ear. 7y Christ's time, there /as the 0osaic La/, an& the a&&e& tra&itional la/s /hich /ere ta!ght an& insiste& !pon .y the teachers of the La/ H the ra..is, an& the 8harisees. "o one co!l& carry it o!t e5en eno!gh to fin& tr!e peace of conscience. Jes!s ha& often pointe& this o!t H sho/ing Gis yo*e /as easy to .ear. (al5ation /as .y free grace thro!gh Christ. Go/ co!l& they no/ &eman& something more for the 2entiles to .e sa5e&L =erses $2#2$. The m!ltit!&e /as 6!iet. 8a!l an& 7arna.as retol& the /or*s 2o& ha& &one among the 2entiles thro!gh their ministry. The /or*s of 2o& /ith Corneli!s ha& .een repeate& a m!ltit!&e of times in Antioch an& the other cities an& regions of Cypr!s an& Asia 0inor. =erses $3#$,. It appears that .y this time, James ha& .ecome lea&er of the el&ers of the Jer!salem ch!rch. Ge /as co!nte& on to spea* on this matter. Bhen 8a!l an& 7arna.as finishe& spea*ing, James stoo& !p, calling the .rethren to listen to him. Ge &escri.es (imon E8eterF reco!nting 2o&'s &ealing /ith 2entile .elie5ers. Ge &oes not a&& any of 8a!l an& 7arna.as' testimony, possi.ly .eca!se it /as still contro5ersial among Je/ish .elie5ers. 2o& /as to &isplay Gis grace an& glory thro!gh 2entiles as /ell as Je/s H th!s, .y eCtension to the /hole /orl& Eall nationsF.

Lesson AIA contin!e&

$'$

=erses $-#$). Then he calls their attention to the prophecy of Amos E+:$$F. The central message is that the royal ho!se of Da5i& /ill .e restore&, incl!&ing the Temple Ethe ta.ernacle of Da5i&F. James s!ggests that this /as f!lfille& .y the res!rrection an& eCaltation in hea5en of the (on of Da5i&, Jes!s Christ. Gis &isciples .ecome the "e/ Israel. The secon& part of the f!lfillment incl!&e& .elie5ing 2entiles as /ell as Je/s. DThe 2entiles, !pon /hom my name is calle&.D =erses $+#2$. James stan&s for the f!n&amental principle of the 2ospel H free grace, to .e recei5e& .y faith in Christ alone. "o other o.ligations m!st .e &ictate&. This incl!&e& terms of ch!rch fello/ship, eCcept t/o concessions H 2entiles are as*e& to ha5e consi&eration of their D/ea*er .rethrenD /ho ha& .een .ro!ght !p !n&er the 5ery strict Je/ish la/s. 9irst concession H a5oi& meat that is still .loo&y, or that has i&olatro!s rites or associations. The secon& concession H respect the higher Je/ish moral co&es concerning relations .et/een the seCes. This contraste& /ith the lo/ stan&ar&s of pagans. 8!t simply H no i&olatry, no fornication, no m!r&er. The synagog!es in the 5ario!s 2entile areas /o!l& contin!e to teach the 0osaic La/ for any /ho &esire& to .e 2o&#fearers. This may ha5e gi5en some reass!rance to the 8harisees. =erses 22#2+. 0essengers S A Letter for the 2entile Ch!rches. 22 K Then please& it the apostles an& el&ers, /ith the /hole ch!rch, to sen& chosen men of their o/n company to An'ti#och /ith 8a!l an& 7arna.as? namely, J!&as s!rname& 7arsa.as, an& (ilas, chief men among the .rethren: 23 an& they /rote letters .y them after this manner? The apostles an& el&ers an& .rethren sen& greeting !nto the .rethren /hich are of the 2entiles in An'ti#och an& (yria an& Cili'cia: 24 9orasm!ch as /e ha5e hear&, that certain /hich /ent o!t from !s ha5e tro!.le& yo! /ith /or&s, s!.5erting yo!r so!ls, saying, Me m!st .e circ!mcise&, an& *eep the la/? to /hom /e ga5e no s!ch comman&ment: 2, it seeme& goo& !nto !s, .eing assem.le& /ith one accor&, to sen& chosen men !nto yo! /ith o!r .elo5e& 7arna.as an& 8a!l, 2- men that ha5e ha<ar&e& their li5es for the name of o!r Lor& Jes!s Christ. 2@ Be ha5e sent therefore J!&as an& (ilas, /ho shall also tell yo! the same things .y mo!th. 2) 9or it seeme& goo& to the Goly 2host, an& to !s, to lay !pon yo! no greater .!r&en than these necessary things? 2+ that ye a.stain from meats offere& to i&ols, an& from .loo&, an& from things strangle&, an& from fornication: from /hich if ye *eep yo!rsel5es, ye shall &o /ell. 9are ye /ell. =erse 22. James' proposal /as accepte& .y those present as a /hole.

Lesson AIA contin!e&

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8a!l, later in his epistles, a&5ises Christians /ho are strong in faith, that they sho!l& 5ol!ntarily hol& in their free&om in foo& an& other things. This is so that they /o!l& not offen& /ea*er .rethren E omans $4:$? I Corinthians ):$@F. The Jer!salem lea&ers chose t/o of their mem.ers to go to Antioch /ith 8a!l an& 7arna.as to certify the co!ncil's fin&ings on the contro5ersy. Only (ilas is mentione& as a tra5eling companion of 8a!l. =erse 23. In a&&ition to these t/o /itnesses /ho /ere to 5er.ally relate the &ecisions, a letter /as &ra/n !p to .e carrie& /ith them. It /as a&&resse& from the apostles an& el&er .rethren, an& to the 2entile Christians of Antioch an& the pro5ince of (yro#Cilicia. 7y eCtension, so also any f!rther ch!rches among the 2entiles. =erses 24#2@. The past &isp!tes ca!se& .y Je/ish .elie5ers that 5isite& Antioch /ere not accepta.le H they &i& not represent the Jer!salem ch!rch. Those they sent no/ /ere chosen, officially. The .rethren 8a!l an& 7arna.as are &escri.e& as D.elo5e&D an& commen&e& for e5en ris*ing their li5es in sprea&ing the 2oo& "e/s of Jes!s Christ. =erses 2),2+. The Goly (pirit is ac*no/le&ge& as the Ch!rch's a!thor an& g!i&e thro!gho!t these &ecisions. These &ecisions are retol& H sen&ing the t/o /itnesses, an& the necessary things of a.staining from i&ol sacrifices, .loo& Ethings strangle&F, an& fornication. These simple re6!ests are the only ones H an& satisfactory for goo& relations /ith all .elie5ers H Je/ an& 2entile ali*e. The message closes /ith a &esire for their /elfare. "eCt, the letter &eli5ere&.

Lesson AA The Acts of the Apostles $,:3'#4$. The Letter Deli5ere&.

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3' K (o /hen they /ere &ismisse&, they came to An'ti#och: an& /hen they ha& gathere& the m!ltit!&e together, they &eli5ere& the epistle: 3$ /hich /hen they ha& rea&, they reIoice& for the consolation. 32 An& J!&as an& (ilas, .eing prophets also themsel5es, eChorte& the .rethren /ith many /or&s, an& confirme& them. 33 An& after they ha& tarrie& there a space, they /ere let go in peace from the .rethren !nto the apostles. 34 "ot/ithstan&ing it please& (ilas to a.i&e there still. 3, 8a!l also an& 7arna.as contin!e& in An'ti#och, teaching an& preaching the /or& of the Lor&, /ith many others also. 3- K An& some &ays after, 8a!l sai& !nto 7arna.as, Let !s go again an& 5isit o!r .rethren in e5ery city /here /e ha5e preache& the /or& of the Lor&, an& see ho/ they &o. 3@ An& 7arna.as &etermine& to ta*e /ith them John, /hose s!rname /as 0ar*. 3) 7!t 8a!l tho!ght not goo& to ta*e him /ith them, /ho &eparte& from them from 8amphyl'i#a, an& /ent not /ith them to the /or*. 3+ An& the contention /as so sharp .et/een them, that they &eparte& as!n&er one from the other: an& so 7arna.as too* 0ar*, an& saile& !nto Cypr!s? 4' an& 8a!l chose (ilas, an& &eparte&, .eing recommen&e& .y the .rethren !nto the grace of 2o&. 4$ An& he /ent thro!gh (yria an& Cili'cia, confirming the ch!rches. =erses 3'#3,. Bhen the emissaries got to Antioch, the ch!rch mem.ers /ere calle& together. The epistle /as rea&. It /as accepte& an& a ca!se for reIoicing. It /as a great relief. It /as also enco!raging. J!&as an& (ilas, &escri.e& as also .eing prophets, staye& for a perio& of time, an& DeChorte& the .rethren /ith many /or&s...D Then they /ere &ismisse& in peace to ret!rn to their home ch!rch in Jer!salem. 8a!l an& 7arna.as remaine& in Antioch, teaching an& preaching, among many others. 8a!l's 2n& 0issionary To!r 7egins. =erses 3-#3+. (ome time later, 8a!l felt it /as time to re#5isit the other 2entile ch!rches they ha& plante&, to see ho/ they /ere &oing. 7arna.as /ante& to ta*e John 0ar* /ith them. 8a!l &isagrees .eca!se John 0ar* ha& left them on their pre5io!s missionary trip to 8amphylia. L!*e relates this rift in a simple, straight#for/ar& /ay H not I!&ging either 8a!l or 7arna.as' moti5es. 7!t neither one /o!l& change their min&s H a sharp contention le& them to part company from then on. 7arna.as too* John 0ar* an& saile& to Cypr!s. 8a!l o.5io!sly felt the yo!ng man ha& &eserte& them pre5io!sly /itho!t ca!se, an& therefore &i&n't /ant to ta*e a chance that it co!l& happen again. 7arna.as /ante& to gi5e him another chance. 8a!l /o!l& later accept him EColossians 4:$'? 8hilemon 23? Timothy 4:$$F as his companion.

Lesson AA contin!e&

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2o& no/ ha& t/o missionary eCpe&itions instea& of I!st one. 7arna.as ret!rne& to contin!e e5angeli<ing his nati5e home of Cypr!s. 8a!l ret!rne& to his nati5e Anatolia, also sprea&ing the 2ospel. =erses 4',4$. 8a!l ha& apparently .een impresse& .y earlier eCperiences /ith (ilas, in Jer!salem, an& as emissary to the ch!rch at Antioch. It /o!l& .e a&5antageo!s to ha5e a /ell#respecte& mem.er of the Jer!salem ch!rch /ith him. Be later learn E$-:3@F that he /as a oman citi<en as /ell as 8a!l. Once (ilas arri5e& .ac* in Antioch the ch!rch commen&e& afresh their enterprise, as they ha& on the former occasion. They set off thro!gh (yria an& Cilicia, confirming the ch!rches. Certainly they /o!l& also share the prono!ncements of the Jer!salem co!ncil. (ilas /o!l& .e a strong /itness since he ha& the pre5io!s role of carrying the message to the ch!rch at Antioch. Acts $-:$#,. $ Then came he to Der.e an& Lystra: an&, .ehol&, a certain &isciple /as there, name& Timothy, the son of a certain /oman, /hich /as a Je/ess, an& .elie5e&? .!t his father /as a 2ree*: 2 /hich /as /ell reporte& of .y the .rethren that /ere at Lystra an& Ico'ni#!m. 3 Gim /o!l& 8a!l ha5e to go forth /ith him? an& too* an& circ!mcise& him .eca!se of the Je/s /hich /ere in those 6!arters: for they *ne/ all that his father /as a 2ree*. 4 An& as they /ent thro!gh the cities, they &eli5ere& them the &ecrees for to *eep, that /ere or&aine& of the apostles an& el&ers /hich /ere at Jer!salem. , An& so /ere the ch!rches esta.lishe& in the faith, an& increase& in n!m.er &aily. =erses $,2. Once thro!gh Cilicia, 8a!l an& (ilas passe& thro!gh the Ta!r!s 0t. ange .y the pass calle& the Cilician 2ate, an& into 2alatia. They re5isite& the cities /hich 8a!l ha& pre5io!sly e5angeli<e& E2 or 3 years agoF /ith 7arna.as H Der.e, Lystra, Iconi!m, an& 8isi&ian Antioch. At Der.e, 8a!l .ecame a/are of a yo!ng con5ert name& Timothy. Ge /as the son of a Je/ish mother /ho apparently ha& .een con5erte& on 8a!l's pre5io!s Io!rney, an& Timothy some time later. The .elie5ers in the t/o closest cities 5o!che& for their honest &emeanor. Gis father, on the other han&, /as 2ree*. =erse 3. 7efore ta*ing Timothy /ith him, 8a!l felt it necessary to ha5e him circ!mcise&, so it /o!l& not .e a st!m.ling .loc* to any Je/s in his participating in the 2ospel ministry. 8a!l spea*s of his attit!&e in I Corinthians +:2' # DAn& !nto the Je/s I .ecame as a Je/, that I might gain the Je/s? to them that are !n&er the la/, as !n&er the la/, that I might gain them that are !n&er the la/...D All iss!es /ere meas!re& .y /hether they helpe& or h!rt the sprea&ing of the 2ospel. It /as /i&ely *no/n that Timothy's father /as 2ree*.

Lesson AA contin!e&

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=erse 4. In I Timothy 4:$4 it is mentione& that Timothy /as gi5en D.y prophecy, /ith the laying on of the han&s of the pres.yteryD an& .y 8a!l also. Th!s he /as commen&e& to the ministry .y his .rethren. Their Io!rney contin!e&, 5isiting the ch!rches in (o!th 2alatia. They also &eli5ere& a copy of the Jer!salem Co!ncil's prono!ncements. =erse ,. 8rogress is reporte& H the .elie5ers /ere strengthene& an& ne/ .elie5ers /ere a&&e& to their n!m.er e5ery &ay. =erses -#$'. - K "o/ /hen they ha& gone thro!gho!t 8hryg'i#a an& the region of 2alatia, an& /ere for.i&&en of the Goly 2host to preach the /or& in Asia, @ after they /ere come to 0y'si#a, they assaye& to go into 7ithyn'i# a: .!t the (pirit s!ffere& them not. ) An& they passing .y 0y'si#a came &o/n to Tro'as. + An& a 5ision appeare& to 8a!l in the night? There stoo& a man of 0ace&onia, an& praye& him, saying, Come o5er into 0ace&onia, an& help !s. $' An& after he ha& seen the 5ision, imme&iately /e en&ea5ore& to go into 0ace&onia, ass!re&ly gathering that the Lor& ha& calle& !s for to preach the gospel !nto them. =erses -#). 8a!l /as sensiti5e to the promptings of the Goly (pirit. Bhen he planne& his neCt trip to go east into Asia, the Goly (pirit for.a&e him. It m!st ha5e .een a strong inner eCperience. They then /ent to/ar& 0ysia an& planne& to go into 7ithynia. Again the (pirit prompte& him not to. The (pirit is name& here as the (pirit of Jes!s. They /ent &o/n to Troas on the sea in the north/estern part of Asia Eno/ T!r*eyF. "o &etail is mentione& as to /hether the (pirit's comm!nication /as &eli5ere& in a &ifferent /ay than the former. To eCpress it that /ay possi.ly sho/s that 8a!l recogni<e& the secon& message /as &irectly from Christ. =erse +. Troas /as a .!sy port for ships going .et/een Asia an& 0ace&onia. 8a!l /as gi5en a positi5e &irection this time in a night 5ision. A 0ace&onian man stoo& .efore him entreating him to come there to preach the 2ospel. That region /as the center of po/er in the 4th Cent!ry 7.C. 9irst .y :ing 8hillip H then later .y AleCan&er the 2reat. It ha& .een a oman 8ro5ince since $4- 7.C. Be can ass!me that the man /as &resse& in recogni<a.le 0ace&onian attire. Ge clearly spo*e of his homelan& /hen as*ing for 8a!l's help for his people. =erse $'. After the 5ision, 8a!l no/ planne& to procee& to 0ace&onia. In this 5erse, the narrator changes from 'they' to '/e'. This is the only &etail that intro&!ces L!*e as no/ Ioining 8a!l, (ilas, an&

Lesson AA contin!e& Timothy. Ge may ha5e .een a practicing physician in Troas. =erses $$#$,. On to 8hillipi.

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$$ K Therefore loosing from Tro'as, /e came /ith a straight co!rse to (amothracia, an& the neCt &ay to "e#ap'olis? $2 an& from thence to 8hil'ippi, /hich is the chief city of that part of 0ace&onia, an& a colony: an& /e /ere in that city a.i&ing certain &ays. $3 An& on the sa..ath /e /ent o!t of the city .y a ri5er si&e, /here prayer /as /ont to .e ma&e? an& /e sat &o/n, an& spa*e !nto the /omen /hich resorte& thither. $4 An& a certain /oman name& Ly&ia, a seller of p!rple, of the city of Thy#ati'ra, /hich /orshippe& 2o&, hear& !s: /hose heart the Lor& opene&, that she atten&e& !nto the things /hich /ere spo*en of 8a!l. $, An& /hen she /as .apti<e&, an& her ho!sehol&, she .eso!ght !s, saying, If ye ha5e I!&ge& me to .e faithf!l to the Lor&, come into my ho!se, an& a.i&e there. An& she constraine& !s. =erse $$. A fa5ora.le /in& .ro!ght them across the "orth Aegean (ea in t/o &ays. The first &ay they reache& (amothracia, the &ay follo/ing to "eapolis on the 0ace&onian coast. It /as the closest port to 8hilippi H some $' miles inlan&. A /ell *no/n an& tra5ele& oman roa& en&e& at 8hilippi. It lin*e& the A&riatic /ith the Aegean. L!*e seems to repeate&ly mention &etails of ports an& arri5al an& &epart!re times in later chapters E2',2$,2@,2)F. =erse $2. They arri5e& at 8hilippi Ename& after 8hilip, *ing of 0ace&onF. 0ace&onia ha& .een &i5i&e& into fo!r a&ministrati5e &istricts .y the omans, an& settle& as a oman colony H the la/s an& a&ministration /ere mo&ele& on those of ome. =erse $3. As /as his !s!al c!stom /hen 5isiting a ne/ city, 8a!l /aite& for the (a..ath to go to the Je/ish synagog!e,to the Je/ first to sprea& the gospel. 7!t in 8hilippi there /as no synagog!e. (ince it only re6!ire& $' Je/ish men to constit!te one, there m!st ha5e .een 5ery fe/ Je/s there. They &i& fin& o!t that a gro!p of /omen met o!tsi&e the city for prayer: A Je/ish /oman an& some 2o&#fearing 2entiles came together to /orship. 8a!l an& his companions /ent to the location, .y the .an* of the ri5er 2angites. They sat &o/n /ith the gro!p an& procee&e& to tell them the story of Jes!s. =erses $4,$,. One of them /as name& Ly&ia Ethe Ly&ian /omanF. The people of the city Thyatira /ere /i&ely *no/n for eCcellence in the man!fact!re an& !se of p!rple &ye. Ly&ia ha& come to 8hilippi as a tra&er in that &ye. There /as a Je/ish colony in that city. Listening to 8a!l's message, Ly&ia .elie5e& an& ac*no/le&ge& Jes!s as Lor& an& (a5ior. (he /as 8a!l's first con5ert in %!rope. (he /as .apti<e&, /ith her ho!sehol& Eser5ants an& other &epen&entsF. (he

Lesson AA contin!e&

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strongly !rge& the missionaries to .ecome her g!ests at her &/elling. Ger first act as a Christian H to sho/ her heart of lo5e an& gi5ing. The Lor& opene& her heart to gi5e hee& to /hat /as sai& .y 8a!l. "eCt, a girl /ith a fort!ne telling spirit accosts 8a!l. The 8ythian go& at the shrine of the Delphian Oracle /as s!ppose&ly inspire& .y the go& Apollo.

Lesson AAI The Acts of the Apostles $-:$-#$). The Oracle of Delphi. 8ythian go& H fort!ne teller. $- K An& it came to pass, as /e /ent to prayer, a certain &amsel possesse& /ith a spirit of &i5ination met !s, /hich .ro!ght her masters m!ch gain .y soothsaying: $@ the same follo/e& 8a!l an& !s, an& crie&, saying, These men are the ser5ants of the most high 2o&, /hich sho/ !nto !s the /ay of sal5ation. $) An& this &i& she many &ays. 7!t 8a!l, .eing grie5e&, t!rne& an& sai& to the spirit, I comman& thee in the name of Jes!s Christ to come o!t of her. An& he came o!t the same ho!r.

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=erse $-. "eCt /e are intro&!ce& to a completely &ifferent follo/er. (he is &escri.e& as a &emon#possesse& yo!ng sla5e girl that tol& fort!nes for her masters. Also *no/n as a soothsayer or oracle. The p!.lic .elie5e& that Apollo Es!n go&F spo*e thro!gh her. (he met an& then follo/e& 8a!l an& his companions /ho /ere on the /ay to the place of prayer. =erse $@. (he follo/e& them &ay after &ay an& crie& o!t to /hoe5er /o!l& listen: DThese men are the ser5ants of the most high 2o&, /hich sho/ !nto !s the /ay of sal5ation.D This, thro!gh tr!e, came from the e5il &emon /ithin her. Je/ish la/ for.a&e all magic incantations, or any association /ith Dfamiliar spiritsD. This tr!e testimony a.o!t them from this e5il so!rce /o!l& &estroy their integrity an& honesty thro!gh g!ilt .y association. If 8a!l accepte& this so!rce then the p!.lic /o!l& thin* they /ere /or*ing together. It /o!l& call into 6!estion if /hat miracles they /ro!ght /ere also the effects of e5il spirits /or*ing magic or tric*ery. Je/s /o!l& reIect them o!tright H 2entiles /o!l& thin* of them as cre&i.le as their ser5ant girl soothsayer, th!s !seless to them. (omething ha& to .e &one, an& 6!ic*ly, /ith finality. (he m!st .e free& from this e5il &emon possessing her. =erse $). After an !nname& n!m.er of &ays, 8a!l .ecame Dgrie5e&D. This co!l& not .e allo/e& to contin!e. Ge t!rne& aro!n& to face her, .!t a&&resse& the &emon &irectly. Ge recogni<e& that the &emon controlle& her. Ge procee&s to comman& it to come o!t of her in the "ame of Jes!s Christ. The e5il spirit came o!t. This mirrors the pre5io!s &escriptions in the "e/ Testament. Jes!s &i& this many times. "o/ Gis apostles. "o/ Gis apostles ha5e the same role, in Gis "ame. =erses $+#34. $+ K An& /hen her masters sa/ that the hope of their gains /as gone, they ca!ght 8a!l an& (ilas, an& &re/ them into the mar*et place !nto the r!lers, 2' an& .ro!ght them to the magistrates, saying, These men, .eing Je/s, &o eCcee&ingly tro!.le o!r city,

Lesson AAI contin!e&

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2$ an& teach c!stoms, /hich are not la/f!l for !s to recei5e, neither to o.ser5e, .eing omans. 22 An& the m!ltit!&e rose !p together against them? an& the magistrates rent off their clothes, an& comman&e& to .eat them. 23 An& /hen they ha& lai& many stripes !pon them, they cast them into prison, charging the Iailer to *eep them safely: 24 /ho, ha5ing recei5e& s!ch a charge, thr!st them into the inner prison, an& ma&e their feet fast in the stoc*s. 2, K An& at mi&night 8a!l an& (ilas praye&, an& sang praises !nto 2o&: an& the prisoners hear& them. 2- An& s!&&enly there /as a great earth6!a*e, so that the fo!n&ations of the prison /ere sha*en: an& imme&iately all the &oors /ere opene&, an& e5ery one's .an&s /ere loose&. 2@ An& the *eeper of the prison a/a*ing o!t of his sleep, an& seeing the prison &oors open, he &re/ o!t his s/or&, an& /o!l& ha5e *ille& himself, s!pposing that the prisoners ha& .een fle&. 2) 7!t 8a!l crie& /ith a lo!& 5oice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for /e are all here. 2+ Then he calle& for a light, an& sprang in, an& came trem.ling, an& fell &o/n .efore 8a!l an& (ilas, 3' an& .ro!ght them o!t, an& sai&, (irs, /hat m!st I &o to .e sa5e&L 3$ An& they sai&, 7elie5e on the Lor& Jes!s Christ, an& tho! shalt .e sa5e&, an& thy ho!se. 32 An& they spa*e !nto him the /or& of the Lor&, an& to all that /ere in his ho!se. 33 An& he too* them the same ho!r of the night, an& /ashe& their stripes? an& /as .apti<e&, he an& all his, straight/ay. 34 An& /hen he ha& .ro!ght them into his ho!se, he set meat .efore them, an& reIoice&, .elie5ing in 2o& /ith all his ho!se. =erse $+. The 5iolent reaction. Ger masters o.ser5e& this an& apparently &re/ the concl!sion that the girl, /itho!t the &i5ining spirit, /as no/ !seless. (he /as pre5io!sly .ol& an& lo!&, .!t she /as no/ shy an& silent. They hol& 8a!l an& (ilas responsi.le. They gra..e& them an& too* them into the p!.lic mar*et. This /as the place /here the ci5il magistrates hel& their office to *eep the peace an& settle &isp!tes. =erse 2'. These Je/s /ere eCtreme tro!.lema*ers. These foreign strangers /ere teaching things against oman la/. They /ere stirring !p tro!.le H &ist!r.ing peace an& safety. =erse 2$. They also ta!ght religio!s opinions an& rites also foreign to oman religio!s c!stoms, their many go&s an& go&&esses. "o ne/ go&s or ne/ rites /ere allo/e&. =erse 22. The general p!.lic rose !p together against them. They crie& o!t for p!nishment. To sho/ their agreement the magistrates tore their clothes to sho/ their o/n &ramatic sense of o!trage H an& ga5e

Lesson AAI contin!e&

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the or&er that these t/o m!st .e imme&iately .eaten /ith ro&s Ea /ell &oc!mente& c!stomF. =erse 23. omans ha& no specific limit to the n!m.er of .lo/s. The Je/s' limit /as 3+ stripes. Bhen they /ere .eaten eno!gh to satisfy the cro/&, they /ere ta*en to the local Iail. The Iailor /as tol& sternly *eep them sec!rely. =erse 24. (o serio!s /as the charge that they /ere ta*en to the Dinner prisonD # the &ar*est an& most sec!re cell H possi.ly a &!ngeon. Their feet /ere loc*e& in stoc*s E/oo&en /ith holesF, separate& .y an !ncomforta.le &istance H an& they lay on their flaye& .ac*s on col& gro!n&. Total &efeat, h!miliation, an& painf!l &iscomfort. =erse 2,. At mi&night they praye& an& .egan singing praises !nto 2o&. They co!l& .e hear& .y the other prisoners. 8a!l an& (ilas /ere reIoicing in spite of their s!ffering an& &ire circ!mstances. They /ere in 2o&'s /ill. They praye& first, possi.ly for themsel5es, then for the sal5ation of those that /ere persec!ting them. Then they sang lo!& eno!gh for the other prisoners to hear them. =erse 2-. There /as a s!&&en earth6!a*e, sha*ing the prison's fo!n&ations. The &oors opene& an& the .an&s /ere loose&. (!rely this /as a mirac!lo!s sign from 2o& H these t/o men /ere not g!ilty, .!t &oing 2o&'s /or*. They are set free to contin!e sprea&ing the 2ospel. At this point none of the prisoners trie& to escape, .eca!se the e5ent so impresse& them. =erse 2@. The Iailor /as also no/ a/a*ene&. Ge loo*e& aro!n& an& sa/ the prison &oors /ere all open. Ge ass!me& that the prisoners ha& escape& an& that he /o!l& .e hel& acco!nta.le H the sentence /o!l& .e his o/n eCec!tion. It /as a c!stom at that time among heathens that /hen &eath /as ine5ita.le, they /o!l& choose to *ill themsel5es. Dying .y their o/n han&s /as prefera.le to &ying at the han&s of others. This man 6!ic*ly ma&e his choice, an& &re/ his s/or&. =erse 2). Be m!st *eep in min& that it /as after mi&night. 8a!l someho/ tho!ght Ea &i5ine intimationF /hat the Iailor /as a.o!t to &o. Ge m!st pre5ent it H .y crying o!t lo!&, DDo thyself no harm: for /e are all here.D Totally !neCpecte&J =erse 2+. Co!l& this .e tr!eL Ge calle& for a torch to see if this /as possi.ly tr!e. 7y the time he entere& their cell he /as trem.ling. Ge fell &o/n at their feet.

Lesson AAI contin!e&

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=erse 3'. Ge .ro!ght them o!t of the &!ngeon H the inner prison. Ge m!st ha5e .een a/are of the message these men ha& .een preaching H the &octrine of sal5ation. Only a /or* of 2o& co!l& ha5e sha*en the prison, opene& all the &oors, an& loose& all prisoners' .on&s H an& yet, no one escape&. Their 2o& m!st .e the tr!e 2o&. This man's heart felt lost, in nee& of sal5ation. At this point in his life, it /as his greatest concern H /hat m!st he &oL =erse 3$. 7y grace thro!gh faith in only one name: the Lor& Jes!s Christ. If his family is also presente& /ith this 2ospel, an& recei5es it in faith, they /ill share in this sal5ation. =erse 32. They ta!ght an& proclaime& the Bay of (al5ation to him an& his family Es!ggests that chil&ren /ere incl!&e&F. They accepte& the apostles' /or&s. 8a!l accepte& their sincerity S .apti<e& them. It's .een s!ggeste& that, .eca!se of the time Estill nightF an& the place, it /o!l& ha5e .een impossi.le to immerse the Iailor an& his family. There m!st ha5e .een an another metho& to signify .aptism Epo!ring, or sprin*lingF. The Je/ish tra&ition re6!ire& proselytes, incl!&ing their chil&ren, to .e .apti<e& in or&er to Ioin their religion. =erse 33. The Iailor sho/e& concern for their /ell#.eing, an& /ashe& their /o!n&s EstripesF. =erse 34. Ge too* them into his ho!se /hich /as most li*ely a&Iacent to the Iail /here the pre5io!s acti5ities too* place. Ge no longer ha& any fear for his o/n safety. Ge prepare& a meal for them, Ioyf!lly, /ith his /hole family # /ho /ere no/ 2o&'s chil&ren, ha5ing forgi5eness an& hope eternal. =erses 3,#4'. 3, K An& /hen it /as &ay, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go. 3- An& the *eeper of the prison tol& this saying to 8a!l, The magistrates ha5e sent to let yo! go: no/ therefore &epart, an& go in peace. 3@ 7!t 8a!l sai& !nto them, They ha5e .eaten !s openly !ncon&emne&, .eing omans, an& ha5e cast !s into prison? an& no/ &o they thr!st !s o!t pri5ilyL nay 5erily? .!t let them come themsel5es an& fetch !s o!t. 3) An& the sergeants tol& these /or&s !nto the magistrates: an& they feare&, /hen they hear& that they /ere omans. 3+ An& they came an& .eso!ght them, an& .ro!ght them o!t, an& &esire& them to &epart o!t of the city. 4' An& they /ent o!t of the prison, an& entere& into the ho!se of Ly&ia: an& /hen they ha& seen the .rethren, they comforte& them, an& &eparte&.

Lesson AAI contin!e&

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=erses 3,,3-. In the morning, the magistrates met an& &eci&e& to let 8a!l an& (ilas go. It has .een s!ggeste& that they /ere afrai& .eca!se of the earth6!a*e &!ring the night. It /as a sign of Di5ine &ispleas!re against them for so shamef!lly treating the t/o that /ere not g!ilty of any criminal acts. They, therefore, /ante& them sent a/ay 6!ietly /ith the least notice possi.le. They sent !n&erlings to carry the message. The Iailor, !pon recei5ing the or&er, informe& 8a!l that they /ere release& to go on their /ay. =erse 3@. "ot so, 8a!l retorts. They /ere .eaten in p!.lic /ith no &!e process H no stating of charges, no hearing, no I!&gment, no con&emnation. This /as s*irting oman la/ H an& especially tr!e .eca!se he an& (ilas /ere oman citi<ens. "o citi<en sho!l& .e .o!n& or sco!rge&, con&emne& or p!nishe&, /itho!t a hearing. These magistrates ha& 5iolate& all of these, incl!&ing their final imprisonment. 8a!l sai& DnayD to I!st going 6!ietly, as if these men ha& &one nothing /rong, or tho!ght to get them to lea5e .efore anyone co!l& raise 6!estions a.o!t /hat they ha& &one. 8a!l insiste& that the ones /ho ha& &one this, ha& to .e h!m.le& .eca!se of their illegal procee&ings. The p!.lic sho!l& see that the g!ilty recogni<e& their inI!stice an& correcte& it .y p!.licly going to the prison, an& sen&ing the missionaries go off in peace. =erse 3). The message /as &eli5ere& .ac* to the magistrates. The fact that the message incl!&e& that these t/o men /ere oman citi<ens ma&e them reali<e the tro!.le they co!l& .e in. =erse 3+. They /ent to the prison an& .ro!ght them o!t an& entreate& them to lea5e the city. 0ost li*ely they a&mitte& no /rong&oing on their o/n. 8ossi.ly they s!ggeste& that .y lea5ing, they /o!l& a5oi& any f!rther !proar among the people, /hich ha& .een the ca!se of their former tro!.les EpoliticiansLF. =erse 4'. 7efore lea5ing, 8a!l an& (ilas re5isite& Ly&ia at her home. They ha& .een staying /ith her /hile in 8hilippi. They reass!re& the .rethren that they /ere o*ay, an& rea&y to contin!e their missionary Io!rney H on into more of 0ace&onia, an& e5ent!ally so!th to Athens. The ch!rch starte& here /as to .e 5ery s!pporti5e to 8a!l in his contin!e& tra5els. They sent him money t/ice to Thessalonica, once to Corinth, an& finally to ome. The 8hilippian %pistle that 8a!l /rote to them /as a.o!t $' years later. "eCt, Acts chapter $@. On to Thessalonica.

Lesson AAII The Acts of the Apostles $@:$#+. On to Thessalonica.

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$ "o/ /hen they ha& passe& thro!gh Amphip'olis an& Apollo'ni#a, they came to Thessaloni'ca, /here /as a synagog!e of the Je/s: 2 an& 8a!l, as his manner /as, /ent in !nto them, an& three sa..ath &ays reasone& /ith them o!t of the (cript!res, 3 opening an& alleging, that Christ m!st nee&s ha5e s!ffere&, an& risen again from the &ea&? an& that this Jes!s, /hom I preach !nto yo!, is Christ. 4 An& some of them .elie5e&, an& consorte& /ith 8a!l an& (ilas? an& of the &e5o!t 2ree*s a great m!ltit!&e, an& of the chief /omen not a fe/. , 7!t the Je/s /hich .elie5e& not, mo5e& /ith en5y, too* !nto them certain le/& fello/s of the .aser sort, an& gathere& a company, an& set all the city on an !proar, an& assa!lte& the ho!se of Jason, an& so!ght to .ring them o!t to the people. - An& /hen they fo!n& them not, they &re/ Jason an& certain .rethren !nto the r!lers of the city, crying, These that ha5e t!rne& the /orl& !psi&e &o/n are come hither also? @ /hom Jason hath recei5e&: an& these all &o contrary to the &ecrees of Caesar, saying that there is another *ing, one Jes!s. ) An& they tro!.le& the people an& the r!lers of the city, /hen they hear& these things. + An& /hen they ha& ta*en sec!rity of Jason, an& of the others, they let them go. =erse $. the missionaries first pass thro!gh Amphipolis H .!ilt .y an Athenian general as a colony /ith $',''' Athenians. Then they also passe& thro!gh Apollonia. It is li*ely there /ere no Je/ish settlements in these t/o cities. They preache& to Je/s an& Gellenist Je/s first almost eCcl!si5ely. They arri5e& at Thessalonica, highly &e5elope& an& em.ellishe& .y 8hillip. Ge /as *ing of 0ace&onia, name& after his &a!ghter. In this larger city, there /as a synagog!e of the Je/s. In other places, Je/s ha& places of prayer calle& Dprose!chasD. These /ere open .!il&ings /ith many seats li*e an amphitheater, an& !s!ally .esi&e the sea or ri5er H as at 8hilippi. EActs $-:$3.F =erses 2,3. As .efore, 8a!l /ent to the synagog!e. Ge opene& the gathere& Je/s an& 2o&#fearers to the 2oo& "e/s of the 2ospel thro!gh the Ol& Testament prophecies an& promises. The most important points incl!&e&, firstly, that the Christ Eor 0essiahF m!st s!ffer to .e the (a5ior of 8romise. (econ&ly, the tri!mphant 0essiah, /hich the maIority of Je/s /rongly loo*e& for. Ge also emphasi<e& that he /as an eye/itness to the risen Jes!s, Bho is the Christ. =erse 4. Those that .elie5e& 8a!l an& (ilas h!ng aro!n& /ith them. These incl!&e& some of the Je/s, more than a fe/ chief /omen, an& a 'great m!ltit!&e' of &e5o!t 2ree*s. These also incl!&e& 2entiles that ha& reno!nce& i&olatry an& /ere follo/ing the moral la/ as proselytes to the Je/ish religion.

Lesson AAII contin!e&

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=erse ,. The Je/s that &i&n't .elie5e /ere mo5e& to &o something against these men that ca!se& a &ist!r.ing p!.lic t!rmoil. They gathere& together a company of la/yers /itho!t principle of .a& rep!te. They /ere *no/n to foment &isp!tes an& litigation. To&ay /e might call them am.!lance follo/ers. They /o!l& ha5e a &egree of cre&it an& a!thority to s/ay the general p!.lic .y &eno!ncing the apostles as tro!.lema*ers an& se&itio!s men. They /o!l& /or* on any si&e of a matter, as long as they got pai&. It seems o.5io!s that they /o!l& .e pai& .y the Je/ish lea&ers. The n!m.er of Je/s in the city /as small H /ho co!l& not stir !p the p!.lic .y themsel5es. This company 6!ic*ly set the city into a general !proar, acc!sing the apostles of /hat they /ere act!ally &oing themsel5es. They contin!e& to p!sh the cro/& to see* these re.els o!t an& .ring them .efore the magistrates for con&emnation an& p!nishment. They ha& information that they /ere staying /ith a man name& Jason. Once at Jason's ho!se, 8a!l an& (ilas /eren't there. They /eren't satisfie&, so they ha!le& off Jason an& certain .rethren. They /ere ta*en to the r!lers an& acc!se& of Dt!rning the /orl& !psi&e &o/nD in other places H no/ in their o/n city. The opposite /as tr!e H the 2ospel of Jes!s Christ is one of forgi5eness an& lo5e, acceptance an& peace H /hich &oes !pset those in po/er an& &oing e5il H against h!man nat!re. =erse @. Jason is acc!se& of har.oring these foreigners. They all spo*e against the oman la/ Ethe &ecrees of CaesarF, an& therefore /ere criminals H e5en s!.scri.ing to another *ing H one Jes!s. This /as the only 'la/ relate&' charge they co!l& come !p /ith. This /as to gi5e it some form of la/, so m!st .e hear& .y the local r!lers. =erses ),+. O.5io!sly the locals /ere tro!.le& .y this t!m!lt. The r!lers /ere o.lige& to listen to these allegations .!t /ere not /illing to go any f!rther against the apostles H an& these local .elie5ers. They allo/e& Jason an& his companions to pay 'sec!rity', or .ail, an& let them go. =erses $'#2$. $' K An& the .rethren imme&iately sent a/ay 8a!l an& (ilas .y night !nto 7eroe'a: /ho coming thither /ent into the synagog!e of the Je/s. $$ These /ere more no.le than those in Thessaloni'ca, in that they recei5e& the /or& /ith all rea&iness of min&, an& searche& the (cript!res &aily, /hether those things /ere so. $2 Therefore many of them .elie5e&? also of honora.le /omen /hich /ere 2ree*s, an& of men, not a fe/. $3 7!t /hen the Je/s of Thessaloni'ca ha& *no/le&ge that the /or& of 2o& /as preache& of 8a!l at 7eroe'a, they came thither also, an& stirre& !p the people. $4 An& then imme&iately the .rethren sent a/ay 8a!l to go as it /ere to the sea: .!t (ilas an& Timothy a.o&e there still. $, An& they that con&!cte& 8a!l .ro!ght him !nto Athens: an&

Lesson AAII contin!e&

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recei5ing a comman&ment !nto (ilas an& Timothy for to come to him /ith all spee&, they &eparte&. $- K "o/ /hile 8a!l /aite& for them at Athens, his spirit /as stirre& in him, /hen he sa/ the city /holly gi5en to i&olatry. $@ Therefore &isp!te& he in the synagog!e /ith the Je/s, an& /ith the &e5o!t persons, an& in the mar*et &aily /ith them that met /ith him. $) Then certain philosophers of the %pic!re'ans, an& of the (to'ics, enco!ntere& him. An& some sai&, Bhat /ill this .a..ler sayL other some, Ge seemeth to .e a setter forth of strange go&s: .eca!se he preache& !nto them Jes!s, an& the res!rrection. $+ An& they too* him, an& .ro!ght him !nto Areop'ag!s, saying, 0ay /e *no/ /hat this ne/ &octrine, /hereof tho! spea*est, isL 2' 9or tho! .ringest certain strange things to o!r ears: /e /o!l& *no/ therefore /hat these things mean. 2$ E9or all the Athenians, an& strangers /hich /ere there, spent their time in nothing else, .!t either to tell or to hear some ne/ thing.F =erses $',$$. The local .elie5ers consi&ere& it .est to sen& 8a!l an& (ilas on to the neCt to/n after &ar*. This /as 7erea on the same g!lf as Thessalonica. It /as also near the .irth place of AleCan&er the 2reat: 8ella. Once there they follo/e& their reg!lar c!stom of going to the local synagog!e. O.5io!sly these Je/s /ere of a higher class, e&!cate&, no.le. The .est sign of this /as their response to the message of the missionaries. They recei5e& the /or& /ith all rea&iness of min& an& searche& the (cript!res &aily to chec* their references. =erse $2. The Ol& Testament /as important an& familiar to them an& their &aily li5es. (o in 8a!l's message concerning Jes!s, he intro&!ce& them to the promises an& prophecies in the Ol& Testament that /ere f!lfille& .y the .irth, ministry, teaching, /or*s, trial, eCec!tion, an& res!rrection of Jes!s as 0essiah, (on of 0an, an& (on of 2o&. Their chec*ing the (cript!res .ro!ght a great many to .elie5e the tr!th. This n!m.er also incl!&e& 'honora.le /omen' that /ere 2ree*, an& also 'not a fe/' 2ree* men. Certainly 2o&#fearers that atten&e& the (ynagog!e. =erse $3. Bor& tra5ele& .ac* to Thessalonica a.o!t 8a!l an& (ilas no/ sprea&ing their message to 7erea. They &eci&e& to &eal /ith them as they ha& in their city. (o they procee&e& to 7erea an& &i& their .est to stir !p the people to &o them harm. =erse $4. The .elie5ers sent 8a!l /ith local companions to the sea. (ilas an& Timothy remaine& in 7erea. =erse $,. Those that /ere helping 8a!l .ro!ght him to Athens. 8a!l tol&

Lesson AAII contin!e&

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them to go .ac* an& tell (ilas an& Timothy to also come as soon as they co!l&. (ilas an& Timothy &eparte&. Athens /as fo!n&e& o5er 2,''' years .efore Christ's .irth. It /as the seat of the 2ree* %mpire. It /as name& after Athena, another name of 0iner5a, &e&icate& to her, an& also !n&er her protection. The ol& city /as .!ilt !pon a roc*y hill, calle& the Acropolis H the !pper city. The rest of the city gre/ on the lo/er s!rro!n&ing so!thern plain. D!ring oman times it /as 22 oman miles in circ!mference. The .!il&ings /ere the finest eCamples of 2ree* architect!re, many of /hich can still .e seen. It /as also at the height of 2ree* c!lt!re of scholars, la/yers, statesmen, philosophers, /riters, scientists. 8a!l /as to plan the first Christian ch!rch here. T/o thir&s of the present inha.itants are Christian. There are se5eral ch!rches, 2ree* Ortho&oC. =erse $-. Bhile 8a!l /aite& for (ilas an& Timothy, he o.ser5e& that the /hole city /as f!ll of i&ols, stat!es of the 5ario!s go&s an& go&&esses, shrines an& temples. A contemporary of 8a!l name& 8etroni!s /rote of this city: DO!r region is so f!ll of &eities that yo! may more fre6!ently meet /ith a go& than a man.D =erse $@. 8a!l again /ent to the local synagog!e an& &isp!te& /ith the Je/s. De5o!t persons an& 2o&#fearers proselyte& to the Je/ish faith on the (a..ath. Ge also /ent &aily to the p!.lic s6!are, the mar*et /here .!siness /as con&!cte&. It /as also the p!.lic area /here citi<ens also /ent to tal*, catch !p /ith the ne/s, tal* philosophy, an& any topic of interest. 8a!l fo!n& some that listene& to him. =erse $). The ne/s tra5ele& 6!ic*ly an& Dcertain philosophers of the %pic!re'ans, an& of the (to'icsD /ante& to chec* /hat this ne/ D.a..lerD /as tal*ing a.o!t. This /as a &erogatory term, meaning one /ho collecte& the sayings of others /itho!t or&er or metho&, also prating an& impertinent. Ge seeme& to .e .rea*ing .oth 2ree* an& oman la/, against setting forth strange go&s. 8a!l ha& only one message H Jes!s an& Gis res!rrection. %pic!reans .elie5e& the chief goo& consiste& in the gratification of sens!al appetites. They &i& not .elie5e that go&s /ere &irectly in5ol5e& in the /orl&. (toics centere& on accepting fate. The go&s /ere of no .enefit to man. Any goo& an& /ise man /as e6!al to J!piter himself. 7oth sects reIecte& the res!rrection of the .o&y. The %pic!reans also &is.elie5e& in the immortality of the so!l. In 8a!l's later &isco!rses he pointe& some of his remar*s against these .eliefs. =erse $+. These men too* 8a!l to the Areopag!s. This /as a hill near the Aeropolis. It /as the location of the s!preme co!rt of I!stice. Its procee&ings ha& the rep!tation of .eing sacre& an& rep!ta.le. It /as calle&, in %nglish, 0ars Gill. The 2ree* name of 0ars is Ares, /ho accor&ing to tra&ition /as trie& an& fo!n& not g!ilty .y a co!rt

Lesson AAII contin!e&

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of $2 go&s. The place of I!&gment /as !nco5ere&. The co!rt /as hel& after &ar* H so that their consi&erations /o!l& not .e &istracte& .y sight. 8lea&ers /ere for.i&&en to !se any means that /o!l& eCcite the passions H either pity or a5ersion. They ha& to ta*e a 5ery serio!s oath that only tr!th /o!l& .e spo*en H statement of facts. Athenians an& 5isitors /o!l& often come together at this place for philosophers an& st!&ents from all o5er the ci5ili<e& /orl& to spea* an& listen to ne/s an& &isc!ss any topics of interest. =erse 2'. 8a!l /as no/ *no/n to ha5e a ne/ thing. They /ante& to hear more a.o!t it. They /ante& to hear a f!ll eCplanation of this Dne/ &octrineD, an& /hat it means. =erse 2$. Ga5ing m!ch leis!re time, these people gathere& to *eep !p /ith anything an& e5erything going on, eery &ay. A large, c!rio!s a!&ience /as g!arantee&. "eCt H 8a!l spea*s.

Lesson AAIII The Acts of the Apostles $@:22#3$. 8a!l (pea*s on 0ars Gill.

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22 K Then 8a!l stoo& in the mi&st of 0ars' hill, an& sai&, Me men of Athens, I percei5e that in all things ye are too s!perstitio!s. 23 9or as I passe& .y, an& .ehel& yo!r &e5otions, I fo!n& an altar /ith this inscription, TO TG% O":"OB" 2OD. Bhom therefore ye ignorantly /orship, him &eclare I !nto yo!. 24 2o& that ma&e the /orl& an& all things therein, seeing that he is Lor& of hea5en an& earth, &/elleth not in temples ma&e /ith han&s? 2, neither is /orshippe& /ith men's han&s, as tho!gh he nee&e& any thing, seeing he gi5eth to all life, an& .reath, an& all things? 2- an& hath ma&e of one .loo& all nations of men for to &/ell on all the face of the earth, an& hath &etermine& the times .efore appointe&, an& the .o!n&s of their ha.itation? 2@ that they sho!l& see* the Lor&, if haply they might feel after him, an& fin& him, tho!gh he .e not far from e5ery one of !s: 2) for in him /e li5e, an& mo5e, an& ha5e o!r .eing? as certain also of yo!r o/n poets ha5e sai&, 9or /e are also his offspring. 2+ 9orasm!ch then as /e are the offspring of 2o&, /e o!ght not to thin* that the 2o&hea& is li*e !nto gol&, or sil5er, or stone, gra5en .y art an& man's &e5ice. 3' An& the times of this ignorance 2o& /in*e& at? .!t no/ comman&eth all men e5ery /here to repent: 3$ .eca!se he hath appointe& a &ay, in the /hich he /ill I!&ge the /orl& in righteo!sness .y that man /hom he hath or&aine&? /hereof he hath gi5en ass!rance !nto all men, in that he hath raise& him from the &ea&. =erses 22,23. 8a!l stoo& in the mi&st of the co!rt area. Ge .egins .y remar*ing a.o!t the m!ltit!&e of o.Iects of /orship all o5er this city H so many religio!s practices, so many go&s. Ge also o.ser5e& their &e5otions relate& to these shrines an& altars. Ge is &epen&ing !pon their loyalty to their religion to ma*e them /ant to *no/ a.o!t his. Ge has seen an altar inscri.e& to The On*no/n 2o&. This is historical e5i&ence that the 2ree*s /ere so s!perstitio!s that they ha& altars to !n*no/n go&s, I!st in case. 8a!l pic*s the altar &e&icate& to a sing!lar On*no/n 2o&, an& eCplains that this is the 5ery 2o& that he represents an& /ill enlighten them a.o!t. There has .een some spec!lation that the title D!n*no/n go&D refers to the Je/ish 2o& H /hose name /as too sacre& for the Je/s to spea* H therefore his name /as !n*no/n. =erse 24. 8a!l .egins .y stating the premise of the Creator 2o& that ma&e the /orl&, e5erything in it H .oth hea5en an& earth. This 2o& co!l& not .e limite& to any time or place EtemplesF. In contrast, 2ree* go&s seeme& to .e confine& to their 5ario!s temples an& altars. They /ere 5ain stat!es an& not real H ha5ing no a!thority or po/er H ma&e instea& .y h!man han&s. =erse 2,. 8a!l's 2o& is the opposite H Ge &oesn't re6!ire images,

Lesson AAIII contin!e& .!il&ings, offerings H Ge nee&s nothing from man. Ge &oesn't nee& gifts for Gis s!pport. Instea&, it is Ge that pro5i&es life, form, s!stenance, .reath, all things necessary for the /hole /orl& of creat!res to contin!e. All that any man may ha5e, has come to them from 2o& in the first place, his Creator.

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=erse 2-. Ge .egins .y &escri.ing the origin of all men from one man Enamely A&amF. All nations are of one .loo& race, stoc*, *in&re&. The Athenians consi&ere& themsel5es as !ni6!e H that their first men sprang !p in Attica li*e ra&ishes. 8a!l procee&s to &escri.e 2o& scattering men o5er the face of the earth. This /o!l& cancel all &isp!tes, contentio!s /ars an& .loo&she& H no gro!p or nation /as more !ni6!e or .etter than any other. It /as .y 2o&'s pro5i&ence /here an& /hen the &ifferent gro!ps /o!l& settle an& &e5elop. This incl!&e& Israel an& the Je/s. 7!t also as the Je/s, a people co!l& forfeit their original inheritance. All of /orl& history recor&s contin!o!s rise an& fall of ci5ili<ations. =erse 2@. 2o&'s p!rpose /as to gi5e each people opport!nity to see* Gim H to o.ser5e Gis /or* in all creation H as Creator preser5er an& go5ernor of men? this incl!&es Gis 5ario!s .lessings. D9eel after GimD as a person /ho is .lin& an& tries to !n&erstan& his s!rro!n&ings. This also incl!&es the spirit!al part of man H /hich feels empty an& see*ing intellect!al contentment. 2o&, as (pirit, is not far from e5ery one of !s. =erse 2). 2o& is the 5ery so!rce of o!r eCistence, o!r life comes from him an& o!r contin!al energy H all sho/ Gis contin!al presence an& po/er. Bitho!t Gim /e can &o nothing or e5en eCist. 8a!l points o!t that 2ree* poets ha& eCpresse& the same thing H t/o that 8a!l ha& st!&ie& &!ring his earlier general c!lt!ral e&!cation /ere Arat!s an& Cleanth!s, as /ell as others. Also incl!&e& /as the concept that /e are his offspring. %Camples of their /or* ha5e come &o/n to !s. =erse 2+. 8a!l connects this concept to /hat he has o.ser5e& in Athens. As 2o&'s chil&ren, /e m!s in some manner resem.le Gim. Therefore, Ge cannot .e in any /ay similar to images of gol&, sil5er, or stone H all ma&e .y the talents of men. Be, .eing li5ing, intelligent people H so also m!st 2o& .e, .!t also m!ch greater, more eCcellent than Gis creation. (o also is a man a.o5e all images ma&e of &ea& materials .y man. To /orship a man is so o.5io!sly impio!s H ho/ m!ch more &i& it seem /rong to /orship images, as if they ha& life or po/er, m!ch less intelligenceL =erse 3'. 2o& al/ays ha& the in&isp!ta.le right to &eman& the /orship of his creations. The times of i&olatry are times of ignorance. 2o& mercif!lly o5erloo*e& these &isgrace& actions of men.

Lesson AAIII contin!e&

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=erse 3$. 7!t no/ 2o& has con&escen&e& to pro5i&e a re5elation of Gimself. Bith this re5ealing comes man's responsi.ility. 2o& has appointe& a &ay of I!&gment. 0an m!st repent. The /orl& /ill .e I!&ge& in righteo!sness .y the One 2o& has or&aine& H this is as certain as Ge /as raise& from the &ea&. This /as part of Christ's message to Gis follo/ers E0atthe/ 2,:3$? John ,:2,F. The res!rrection is incontesta.le proof of 2o&'s han& to the /hole tr!th of Christ's message an& f!t!re role as I!&ge. =erses 32#34. 32 K An& /hen they hear& of the res!rrection of the &ea&, some moc*e&: an& others sai&, Be /ill hear thee again of this matter. 33 (o 8a!l &eparte& from among them. 34 Go/.eit certain men cla5e !nto him, an& .elie5e&: among the /hich /as Di#onys'i!s the Areop'agite, an& a /oman name& Dam'aris, an& others /ith them. =erse 32. This /as not the en& of 8a!l's spea*ing H he /o!l& ha5e contin!e& the message of forgi5eness an& sal5ation thro!gh the sacrificial &eath of Christ, Gis res!rrection an& ascension to the right han& of 2o& in hea5en. Bhat stoppe& his &isco!rse /as the mention of the res!rrection. As note& .efore, the %pic!reans &i& not .elie5e this, so they reacte& .y moc*ing 8a!l H an& la!ghing at him, an& most li*ely left, not /ishing to hear any more from him. The cro/& .ro*e !p .!t some Ethe (toics perhapsF sai& they /ante& to hear 8a!l contin!e a.o!t this s!.Iect. =erse 33. 8a!l also left the cro/&. =erse 34. There /as a gro!p of men that accepte& the &octrines 8a!l preache& an& they staye& /ith him. One is i&entifie& as Dionysi!s a I!&ge of the 5ery co!rt /here 8a!l ha& I!st set forth. Ge /o!l& ha5e .een of the highest p!.lic rep!tation. Areopagite H meaning official of the Areopag!s E(!preme Co!rt of AthensF. A /oman name& Damaris is mentione& .!t no &etail is incl!&e&. Acts $):$#4. On to Corinth. $ After these things 8a!l &eparte& from Athens, an& came to Corinth? 2 an& fo!n& a certain Je/ name& A6!ila, .orn in 8ont!s, lately come from Italy, /ith his /ife 8riscilla, E.eca!se that Cla!&i!s ha& comman&e& all Je/s to &epart from ome,F an& came !nto them. 3 An& .eca!se he /as of the same craft, he a.o&e /ith them, an& /ro!ght: Efor .y their occ!pation they /ere tentma*ers.F 4 An& he reasone& in the synagog!e e5ery sa..ath, an& pers!a&e& the Je/s an& the 2ree*s.

Lesson AAIII contin!e&

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=erse $. Apparently 8a!l only staye& in Athens a short time Eperhaps a fe/ monthsF /ith only limite& s!ccess in con5erting tra&itional 2ree*s. An& so he procee&e& to Corinth H a.o!t ,' miles to the east of Athens. It /as the capital of the area name& 8eloponnes!s. It has s!per. p!.lic .!il&ings, incl!&ing the Corinthian or&er of col!mn an& capital in architect!re. =erses 2,3. 8a!l fo!n& a Je/ of the same craft as he, an& tal*e& to him a.o!t Ioining him in /or*ing the same 5ocation H tent#ma*ing. Gis name /as A6!ila, his /ife, name& 8riscilla. They ha& only recently come from ome, .eca!se of the &ecree of Cla!&i!s the oman %mperor, that all Je/s m!st lea5e. Apparently this /as a res!lt of some ins!rrection pro.lems. It &i& not last H in a short time the city again /as f!ll of Je/s. There is no mention of their con5ersion H .!t it can .e ass!me& that in 8a!l's time /ith them, he spo*e to them the 2ospel an& they respon&e& positi5ely. It /as a common practice e5en among /ell# e&!cate& Je/s that learning a tra&e /as prefera.le so that one co!l& pro5i&e& for their material nee&s if necessary. Be see 8a!l &oing so on many occasions, not /anting to .e a .!r&en, or .eing acc!se& of sprea&ing the 2ospel for re/ar&. This /as the case at %phes!s an& Corinth among others. The 2ree* /or& translate& H tent#ma*er. This co!l& refer to small porta.le tents sol&iers an& tra5elers carrie& on their Io!rneys. (ome s!ggest they /ere ma&e of animal s*ins H others of linen cloth. Others s!ggest hangings or c!rtains. Bhate5er it /as, it /as a !sef!l an& honest tra&e, /or*ing /ith his han&s. =erse 4. 8a!l follo/e& his c!stom of going to the local synagog!e e5ery (a..ath an& preache& (al5ation thro!gh Christ, reasoning /ith them from the Ol& Testament, the prophecies an& promises that spo*e of all the things Ge f!lfille&. 7oth Je/s an& 2ree*s /ere pers!a&e&. In his %pistle to this .eginning ch!rch, I Corinthians $:$4#$-, 8a!l mentions some of the in&i5i&!als /ho he personally also .apti<e& H %penet!s E omans $,:,F, (tephanas an& family, Crisp!s an& 2ai!s. "eCt, (ilas an& Timothy arri5e at Corinth.

Lesson AAI= The Acts of the Apostles $):,#$$. (ilas an& Timothy Arri5e in Corinth.

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, K An& /hen (ilas an& Timothy /ere come from 0ace&onia, 8a!l /as presse& in the spirit, an& testifie& to the Je/s that Jes!s /as Christ. - An& /hen they oppose& themsel5es, an& .laspheme&, he shoo* his raiment, an& sai& !nto them, Mo!r .loo& .e !pon yo!r o/n hea&s? I am clean: from henceforth I /ill go !nto the 2entiles. @ An& he &eparte& thence, an& entere& into a certain man's ho!se, name& J!st!s, one that /orshippe& 2o&, /hose ho!se Ioine& har& to the synagog!e. ) An& Crisp!s, the chief r!ler of the synagog!e, .elie5e& on the Lor& /ith all his ho!se? an& many of the Corinthians hearing .elie5e&, an& /ere .apti<e&. + Then spa*e the Lor& to 8a!l in the night .y a 5ision, 7e not afrai&, .!t spea*, an& hol& not thy peace: $' for I am /ith thee, an& no man shall set on thee to h!rt thee: for I ha5e m!ch people in this city. $$ An& he contin!e& there a year an& siC months, teaching the /or& of 2o& among them. =erse ,. 8a!l ha& left these t/o in 7erea /hen he /as force& to lea5e .eca!se of persec!tion. "eCt, he ha& sent /or& for them to Ioin him at Athens. I Thessalonians 3:$' mentions that /hen they got to Athens, he sent them to comfort an& esta.lish the Ch!rch at Thessalonica. There is no mention of ho/ long they staye& there, .!t they &i&n't reIoin him !ntil some time after he came to Corinth. Apparently 8a!l /as greatly enco!rage& .y Timothy's report concerning the Thessalonian Ch!rch. It is li*ely that 8a!l's first letter to that ch!rch /as also the first epistle he /rote. Once his co# missionaries /ere /ith him, he /as 'presse& in the (pirit to spen& all his time an& effort preaching Christ to the Je/s H no more /or*ing his tra&e. =erse -. The Je/ish response /as to completely an& contin!o!sly oppose 8a!l an& his message. ather than searching the (cript!res an& reasoning together, these people D.laspheme&D, calling them names an& c!rsing them. 8a!l sa/ no point in contin!ing /ith them. Ge ma&e a gest!re similar to &!sting off his feet /ith his clothes. This signifie&, from "ehemiah ,:$3 # DAlso I shoo* my lap, an& sai&, (o 2o& sha*e o!t e5ery man from his ho!se, an& from his la.or, that performeth not this promise, e5en th!s .e he sha*en o!t, an& emptie&...D These /ere &iso.e&ient people. Their coming &estr!ction /o!l& .e their o/n fa!lt: Dthe .loo& /o!l& .e !pon their o/n hea&s.D Calling himself clean, 8a!l means that he is innocent of their &eath an& r!in. 8a!l ha& offere& the /ay of sal5ation to them in the 2ospel of Jes!s Christ. They !tterly reIecte& it an& him. 9rom no/ on he /ill /aste no more effort /ith them, .!t no/ he /ill openly spen& the maIority of his time /ith 2entiles. 9rom this time on/ar&

Lesson AAI= contin!e&

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it seems that the Je/s systematically oppose& the 2ospel. 8a!l /o!l& still offer the Bor& to Je/s /here5er he /ent, !ntil opposition t!rne& against him. Ge then t!rne& eCcl!si5ely to any that /o!l& listen among the general pop!lation, 2entiles. =erse @. 8a!l no/ lea5es the ho!se of A6!ila an& 8riscilla an& goes to the ho!se of J!st!s, o.5io!sly a 2entile 2o&#fearer, in a &ifferent 6!arter of the city, an& close .y the synagog!e. =erse ). The chief r!ler of the synagog!e, name& Crisp!s, .ecame a .elie5er, an& the rest of his ho!sehol& also. Gis office /as eCtremely important: he presi&e& o5er assem.lies, interprete& the la/, passe& sentence, solemni<e& marriages, iss!e& &i5orces. Gis con5ersion certainly /o!l& ha5e greatly angere& the Je/s. After 8a!l ha& t!rne& almost eCcl!si5ely to the 2entiles, here .eing mentione& that many ha& .een reache& .y 8a!l's 2ospel an& .elie5e&, then /ere .apti<e&. =erse +. 8a!l, .y this time, may ha5e .een &isco!rage& .y the contin!e& opposition of the great maIority of the Je/s. They e5en may ha5e .een plotting his arrest an& &eath. Ge may ha5e .een consi&ering lea5ing Corinth. =erse $'. At this partic!lar point, 2o& chose to gi5e 8a!l a night 5ision. Ge m!st not fear to contin!e preaching in p!.lic. 2o& /o!l& .e /ith him, an& protect him. There are more people in that city 2o& calls Gis o/n. This .ro!ght enco!ragement, comfort, an& ass!rance. In I Corinthians 2:3, 8a!l reco!nts: DI /as /ith yo! in /ea*ness, an& in fear, an& in m!ch trem.ling.D =erse $$. 8a!l remaine& in Corinth for a year an& a half, teaching the Bor& of 2o&. (ome scholars thin* he /rote the first epistle to the Thessalonians /hile here. The secon& follo/e& not m!ch later. Others thin* his letter to the 2alatians /as also /ritten &!ring this time. =erses $2#$@. $2 K An& /hen 2al'li#o /as the &ep!ty of Achai'a, the Je/s ma&e ins!rrection /ith one accor& against 8a!l, an& .ro!ght him to the I!&gment seat, $3 saying, This fello/ pers!a&eth men to /orship 2o& contrary to the la/. $4 An& /hen 8a!l /as no/ a.o!t to open his mo!th, 2al'li#o sai& !nto the Je/s, If it /ere a matter of /rong or /ic*e& le/&ness, O ye Je/s, reason /o!l& that I sho!l& .ear /ith yo!: $, .!t if it .e a 6!estion of /or&s an& names, an& of yo!r la/, loo* ye to it? for I /ill .e no I!&ge of s!ch matters. $- An& he &ra5e them from the I!&gment seat.

Lesson AAI= contin!e&

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$@ Then all the 2ree*s too* (os'thenes, the chief r!ler of the synagog!e, an& .eat him .efore the I!&gment seat. An& 2al'li#o care& for none of those things. The geographical region of 2reece .et/een Thessaly an& the so!thern coasts of 8eloponnes!s /as calle& Achaia. The office of go5ernor meant 2allio /as the &ep!ty for oman la/ there H also *no/n as procons!l. At this point, the Je/s &eci&e& to act. 2etting a mo. together, they /ent after 8a!l, an& too* him to .e I!&ge& .y the oman go5ernor. =erse $3. They .ro!ght forth the charge of 8a!l's .rea*ing the la/ of /orshiping 2o& in the /rong /ay. The omans allo/e& the Je/s to /orship 2o& accor&ing to their o/n religio!s la/. The /orship of the 2ree* go&s /ere also esta.lishe& H .y oman La/. The Je/s /ere trying to acc!se 8a!l of .rea*ing .oth sets of la/s H he reIecte& the Je/ish /ays an& also the oman pantheon. Ge /as therefore not recogni<e& as a Je/ or a 2entile, .!t ma*ing !p his o/n /ay of /orship H .rea*ing all accepte& la/s. Gis attempt to pers!a&e others to Ioin him /as &angero!s to ci5ic peace an& or&er. Ge m!st .e trying to ca!se re.ellion H he m!st .e &ealt /ith se5erely H the !ltimate H .eing p!t to &eath. =erse $4. As 8a!l /as a.o!t to spea* in his o/n &efense, 2allio ma&e a &ecision to &eal /ith the matter /itho!t 8a!l e5en spea*ing. Ge m!st ha5e o.ser5e& those Je/ish acc!sers ha& 6!estiona.le moti5ation H en5y an& malice. Ge recogni<e& no criminal la/s .ro*en H no inI!stice. "o in&i5i&!al ha& .een /ronge& or inI!re&, nor any gro!p, or the go5ernment. Ge goes on to eCplain that !n&er other circ!mstances, he /o!l& patiently listen to them H if their case ha& any o.5io!s merit. =erse $,. Ge rightly sees thro!gh their acc!sations. They /ere only tal*ing a.o!t &octrines of their religion, an& /hat names /ere .eing !se&: Jes!s or 0essiah, an& so forth. These things only concerne& the Je/ish la/ an& religion. The Je/s sho!l& ta*e care of these things .y themsel5es. oman la/ allo/e& religio!s free&om for Je/s an& 2ree*s. Ge /as not going to me&&le in religio!s opinions. =erse $-. Ge co!l& see nothing of 5al!e in contin!ing this, so he tol& them all to lea5e H they /ere officially &ismisse&. =erse $@. The gro!p of 2ree*s that /ere near.y acte& o!t .y ta*ing (othenes Ethe chief r!ler of the synagog!e an& .eating him near.y the I!&gment seat. Apparently the former r!ler Crisp!s ha& .een replace& .eca!se he ha& accepte& Christ, an& /as on 8a!l's si&e. The 2ree*s /ere lashing o!t at the Je/s for creating s!ch a fri5olo!s an&

Lesson AAI= contin!e& mean#spirite& !proar. 2allio &i&n't interce&e /ith /hate5er these .othersome people /ere &oing to each other. They /eren't /orthy of his attention. =erses $)#2$.

$2,

$) K An& 8a!l after this tarrie& there yet a goo& /hile, an& then too* his lea5e of the .rethren, an& saile& thence into (yria, an& /ith him 8riscilla an& A6!ila? ha5ing shorn his hea& in Cen'chre#ae: for he ha& a 5o/. "!m. -.$) $+ An& he came to %phes!s, an& left them there: .!t he himself entere& into the synagog!e, an& reasone& /ith the Je/s. 2' Bhen they &esire& him to tarry longer time /ith them, he consente& not? 2$ .!t .a&e them fare/ell, saying, I m!st .y all means *eep this feast that cometh in Jer!salem: .!t I /ill ret!rn again !nto yo!, if 2o& /ill. An& he saile& from %phes!s. It has .een s!ggeste& that 8a!l remaine& here for a.o!t 2 years. Ga5ing no l!c* in persec!ting him, the local Je/s *ne/ they ha& no hope in f!rther action. It may ha5e also .een .eca!se 8a!l /as *no/n as a oman citi<en. Opinions are miCe& as to the sha5ing of the hea& for a 5o/ /as &one .y 8a!l, or A6!ila H or .oth together. This /as *no/n as a "a<arite 5o/. Cenchrea /as the port, nearest the east coast of Isthm!s of Corinth. This /as nearest port in or&er to sail across the Aegean (ea to (yria, an& the city of %phes!s. =erse $+. %phes!s /as a flo!rishing city at this time. 7efore this area of Asia 0inor /as calle& Ionia H then "atolia. It /as 5ery a&5ance& c!lt!rally: great .!il&ings, eminent philosophers S orators. The famo!s temple of Diana here /as calle& one of the @ /on&ers of the /orl&. =erse 2'. 8a!l /as to lea5e 8riscilla an& A6!ila in %phes!s. Ge spent at least one (a..ath there reasoning /ith the Je/s concerning the Ol& Testament (cript!res that prophesie& a.o!t Jes!s. Go/ long he staye& is not recor&e&, .!t /hen tol& a.o!t his plan to go to Jer!salem they entreate& him to stay a longer time. Ge /o!l& not gi5e in to them. =erse 2$. 8a!l eCplains that the neCt great 8asso5er cele.ration /as the reason for his haste. "ot only /o!l& it .e possi.le time to 5isit /ith the .rethren, many his personal frien&s, .!t also a.le to preach to the tho!san&s of 5isitors /ho came to Jer!salem for this feast also. Ge promises to come .ac* Dif 2o& /ill.D Ge /ill later spen& 3 years EActs 2':3$F here firmly esta.lishing the ch!rch there. 9inally he saile& from %phes!s to the Caesarea on the 0e&iterranean coast of Israel, then he /ent !p to Jer!salem. "eCt H to the ch!rches H Jer!salem, 2alatia, 8hrygia, .ac* to %phes!s.

Lesson AA=

$2-

The Acts of the Apostles $):22#2). To the Ch!rches H Jer!salem, 2alatia, 8hrygia, .ac* to %phes!s. 22 K An& /hen he ha& lan&e& at Caesare'a, an& gone !p, an& sal!te& the ch!rch, he /ent &o/n to An'ti#och. 23 An& after he ha& spent some time there, he &eparte&, an& /ent o5er all the co!ntry of 2alatia an& 8hryg'i#a in or&er, strengthening all the &isciples. 24 K An& a certain Je/ name& Apol'los, .orn at AleCan&ria, an elo6!ent man, an& mighty in the (cript!res, came to %phes!s. 2, This man /as instr!cte& in the /ay of the Lor&? an& .eing fer5ent in the spirit, he spa*e an& ta!ght &iligently the things of the Lor&, *no/ing only the .aptism of John. 2- An& he .egan to spea* .ol&ly in the synagog!e: /hom /hen A6!ila an& 8riscilla ha& hear&, they too* him !nto them, an& eCpo!n&e& !nto him the /ay of 2o& more perfectly. 2@ An& /hen he /as &ispose& to pass into Achai'a, the .rethren /rote, eChorting the &isciples to recei5e him: /ho, /hen he /as come, helpe& them m!ch /hich ha& .elie5e& thro!gh grace: 2) for he mightily con5ince& the Je/s, an& that p!.licly, sho/ing .y the (cript!res that Jes!s /as Christ. =erse 22. After he lan&e& at Caesarea, 8a!l tra5ele& !p to Jer!salem H from sea le5el !p the mo!ntaino!s trail to the city at the top. The .elie5ers in Jer!salem /ere generally referre& to as DThe Ch!rchD, it .eing the original place an& people /here it .egan. It /as /here the Apostles /ere. It /as the mother ch!rch H all others /ere &a!ghter ch!rches. 8a!l sal!te& the .rethren, then procee&e& to Antioch, in (yria to the north. =erse 23. After staying /ith the .rethren there for a short time, 8a!l /ent to Asia 0inor, the pro5inces of 2alatia an& 8hrygia. L!*e a&&s the /or&s Din or&erD to &escri.e the planne& s!ccession of his stops. Ge /as contin!ing to enco!rage, teach, an& strengthen all the .elie5ers. =erse 24. A ne/ character ma*es his appearance. Ge is intro&!ce& as a Je/, .orn in AleCan&ria Ein %gyptF. (trangely, he is name& Apollos H from the 2ree* go& Apollo, go& of the s!n. This may s!ggest that he an& his parents /ere .orn 2entiles an& con5erte& to J!&aism after their son /as alrea&y name&. Gis .irthplace /as the cele.rate& city fo!n&e& .y AleCan&er the 2reat. It /as on the 0e&iterranean (ea, a.o!t $2 miles /est of the main .ranch of the "ile i5er. It /as also *no/n as a center of learning, an aca&emy of philosophers H *no/n as the 0!scam. Also the famo!s li.rary /as there. This man /as Delo6!entD, a highly c!lti5ate&, an& po/erf!l spea*er. Ge also /as 5ery /ell 5erse& in the Je/ish La/ an& prophets. In a&&ition he ha& .een instr!cte& in the Bay, the &octrine of Jes!s as the Christ. Ge, here, has come to %phes!s.

Lesson AA= contin!e&

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=erse 2,. Ge /as f!ll of <eal to spea* &iligently concerning the tr!th. Gis *no/le&ge, ho/e5er, /as limite& to only those things /hich came from John the 7aptist's ministry. =erse 2-. In %phes!s he .egan .ol&ly spea*ing in the synagog!e. A6!ila an& 8riscilla hear& him, reali<e& his limitation. D0ore perfectlyD &escri.es their ta*ing him asi&e to share /ith him the rest of the story concerning the finishe& /or* of Christ, Gis res!rrection, the .eginning ch!rch. =erse 2@. In a fe/ ancient man!scripts the follo/ing is a&&e&: D7!t certain Corinthians /ho /ere 5isiting %phes!s, entreate& him to pass o5er /ith them to their o/n co!ntry.D Bhen Apollos &eci&e& to go to Achaia the .rethren at %phes!s /rote to the &isciples at Corinth that they sho!l& recei5e him as a teacher. Ge /as there a /hile, an& helpe& a great &eal. Thro!gh grace all .elie5ers ha& accepte& the tr!e 2ospel, an& thro!gh grace Apollos ha& helpe& the .elie5ers at Corinth. =erse 2). Ge 5ehemently conf!te& the Je/s in p!.lic. Ge sho/e& .y the Ol& Testament (cript!res that Jes!s, Bho ha& ministere& among them, Bhom they cr!cifie&, /as the promise& 0essiah, sal5ation /as fo!n& in none other. The Je/s re5ere& the Ol& Testament as &i5inely inspire& an& /o!l& therefore ha5e .een force& to pay caref!l attention. Gis arg!ments /ere po/erf!l, con5incing many. Acts $+:$#@. $ An& it came to pass, that, /hile Apol'los /as at Corinth, 8a!l ha5ing passe& thro!gh the !pper coasts came to %phes!s? an& fin&ing certain &isciples, 2 he sai& !nto them, Ga5e ye recei5e& the Goly 2host since ye .elie5e&L An& they sai& !nto him, Be ha5e not so m!ch as hear& /hether there .e any Goly 2host. 3 An& he sai& !nto them, Onto /hat then /ere ye .apti<e&L An& they sai&, Onto John's .aptism. 4 Then sai& 8a!l, John 5erily .apti<e& /ith the .aptism of repentance, saying !nto the people, that they sho!l& .elie5e on him /hich sho!l& come after him, that is, on Christ Jes!s. , Bhen they hear& this, they /ere .apti<e& in the name of the Lor& Jes!s. - An& /hen 8a!l ha& lai& his han&s !pon them, the Goly 2host came on them? an& they spa*e /ith tong!es, an& prophesie&. @ An& all the men /ere a.o!t t/el5e. =erse $. Bhile Apollos /as at Corinth, 8a!l /ent thro!gh the parts of Asia 0inor east of %phes!s H 2alatia, 8hrygia, Lycaonia, an& Ly&ia H the !pper coasts, to %phes!s. There he fo!n& a gro!p of &isciples.

Lesson AA= contin!e&

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=erse 2#4. It seems these Asiatic Je/s ha& .een in Jer!salem an& ha& hear& John the 7aptist preaching, .elie5e&, an& recei5e& his .aptism. That /as a.o!t 2- years .efore this time. They ha& accepte& his message a.o!t the coming (a5ior, /itho!t any f!rther instr!ction or eCperience. 8a!l percei5e& this, as*ing if they ha& recei5e& the Goly (pirit. This &ramatically sho/e& the &ifference of &isciples of John /ho /ere .apti<e& !nto repentance. Thro!gh Jes!s they /ere .apti<e& /ith the Goly (pirit. This is the &istincti5e &ifference .et/een other religions Eor .elief systemsF, an& tr!e &isciples of Christ. This eCperience enlightens the min&, con5inces of sin, righteo!sness, an& I!&gment. It /itnesses to the conscience that they are 2o&'s chil&ren an& p!rifies the heart, gi5es comfort, peace, hope, ass!rance, an& Ioy. =erse ,. O.5io!sly, these men rea&ily /ante& to .e .apti<e& accor&ing to the 2ospel of Jes!s. =erses -,@. 8a!l .egan &oing so personally .y laying on of han&s. The Goly (pirit fille& them. They spo*e in tong!es, an& prophesie&. They spo*e in &ifferent lang!ages, praising 2o& an& preaching the 2ospel. =erses )#$2. ) K An& he /ent into the synagog!e, an& spa*e .ol&ly for the space of three months, &isp!ting an& pers!a&ing the things concerning the *ing&om of 2o&. + 7!t /hen &i5ers /ere har&ene&, an& .elie5e& not, .!t spa*e e5il of that /ay .efore the m!ltit!&e, he &eparte& from them, an& separate& the &isciples, &isp!ting &aily in the school of one Tyran'n!s. $' An& this contin!e& .y the space of t/o years? so that all they /hich &/elt in Asia hear& the /or& of the Lor& Jes!s, .oth Je/s an& 2ree*s. $$ K An& 2o& /ro!ght special miracles .y the han&s of 8a!l: $2 so that from his .o&y /ere .ro!ght !nto the sic* han&*erchiefs or aprons, an& the &iseases &eparte& from them, an& the e5il spirits /ent o!t of them. =erse ). 8a!l contin!e& for three months, spea*ing .ol&ly in the local synagog!e. Ge &isp!te& /ith the Je/s concerning the Ol& Testament (cript!res, trying to pers!a&e them of the tr!e f!lfillment .y Jes!s the 0essiah, an& the *ing&om of 2o&. =erse +. As .efore, an !nco!nte& n!m.er reIecte& the 2ospel, an& D/ere har&ene&D. They openly spo*e against those that .elie5e& H calling Dthat /ayD e5il. 8a!l *ne/ at this point it /as time to stop going to the synagog!e. Ge an& those that .elie5e& him Eno/ &isciplesF /ent to a ne/ location, the school of Tyrann!s. "o &o!.t they pai& for its !se. Tyrann!s /as not preI!&ice& against these Christians. "othing

Lesson AA= contin!e& else is mentione& a.o!t him or his school.

$2+

=erse $'. 9or t/o years this ministry contin!e&. All /ho &esire& to hear /ere &ra/n from all o5er the region. It is emphasi<e& that .oth Je/s an& 2ree*s /ere among this gro!p. 2ree*s /o!l& act!ally incl!&e& any non#Je/s from /hate5er .ac*gro!n& they ha&. It is possi.le that 8a!l an& other &isciples &i& some tra5eling to the near.y to/ns an& 5illages sprea&ing the D/or& of the Lor& Jes!sD. =erse $$. To .ear /itness that 8a!l spo*e tr!th concerning 2o&, an& Gis 2ospel of Gis (on, 2o& D/ro!ght special miraclesD. =erse $2. One metho& concerne& cloths, either han&*erchiefs carrie& .y 8a!l, or sashes, tie& a.o!t the /aist. They /ere loane& o!t to the sic*. In this instance, 2o& !se& these means to heal the sic* an& &isease&, .y laying these cloths !pon them. Also, e5il spirits /ere &ri5en o!t. These clothes /ere !se& .y 8a!l /hile /or*ing. Ge /ore a han&*erchief as a hea&.an&, an& a sash as an apron aro!n& the /aist. This .rings to min& the healing of the /oman /ho to!che& the hem of the garment of Jes!s. 9aith, not magic. =erses $3#2'. $3 Then certain of the 5aga.on& Je/s, eCorcists, too* !pon them to call o5er them /hich ha& e5il spirits the name of the Lor& Jes!s, saying, Be a&I!re yo! .y Jes!s /hom 8a!l preacheth. $4 An& there /ere se5en sons of one (ce5a, a Je/, an& chief of the priests, /hich &i& so. $, An& the e5il spirit ans/ere& an& sai&, Jes!s I *no/, an& 8a!l I *no/? .!t /ho are yeL $- An& the man in /hom the e5il spirit /as leape& on them, an& o5ercame them, an& pre5aile& against them, so that they fle& o!t of that ho!se na*e& an& /o!n&e&. $@ An& this /as *no/n to all the Je/s an& 2ree*s also &/elling at %phes!s? an& fear fell on them all, an& the name of the Lor& Jes!s /as magnifie&. $) An& many that .elie5e& came, an& confesse&, an& sho/e& their &ee&s. $+ 0any of them also /hich !se& c!rio!s arts .ro!ght their .oo*s together, an& .!rne& them .efore all men: an& they co!nte& the price of them, an& fo!n& it fifty tho!san& pieces of sil5er. 2' (o mightily gre/ the /or& of 2o& an& pre5aile&. =erse $3. Gere are intro&!ce& a gro!p of Je/s that ha& no fiCe& place to li5e # they /ere /an&erers. They performe& eCorcisms, for money. They ha& hear& of 8a!l casting o!t &emons thro!gh the "ame of Jes!s. If he co!l& &o it, /hy co!l&n't theyL If so, they co!l& ma*e more money. It appears that &emon possession /as fairly common then. They p!t it to the test .y saying the "ame of Jes!s EBho 8a!l preache&F,

Lesson AA= contin!e& o5er a small n!m.er of people that ha& e5il spirits.

$3'

=erse $4. These eCorcists are i&entifie& as the se5en sons of the priest (ce5a. It /as not !ncommon to fin& other Je/s that professe& to .e a.le to cast o!t &emons. =erse $,. One man, possesse&, ans/ere& them. Ge *ne/ Bho Jes!s is, an& /ho 8a!l is. Go/e5er, these men .elonge& to neither. They ha5e no a!thority, no .ac*!p. =erse $-. This man to 5iolently I!mpe& on these men, tore them !p, strippe& their !pper clothing, an& /o!n&e& them. All se5en ran o!t of the ho!se half na*e& an& /o!n&e&. =erse $@. The ne/s of this e5ent sprea& 6!ic*ly among the Je/s an& 2ree*s at %phes!s. It ma&e a strong impression concerning the 5al!e an& a!thority of the "ame of Jes!s. An& that this "ame co!l& not .e !se& .y s!ch as the lying eCorcists. =erse $). %phes!s /as /i&ely *no/n at that time to a.o!n& /ith magical arts, spell casting, am!lets /ith 5ario!s po/ers, potions, charms to *eep e5il spirits a/ay, etc. Bhen many .elie5e&, they felt .o!n& to confess their pre5io!s in5ol5ement /ith all s!ch s!perstitions H no/ reIecting an& p!tting these things o!t of their li5es. =erse $+. Those that practice& an& st!&ie& these Dc!rio!s artsD .ro!ght their .oo*s on these s!.Iects, pile& them together, an& p!.licly .!rne& them. These /o!l& ha5e .een scrolls an& parchments. (ome similar /or*s ha5e s!r5i5e&. The tr!th of Christianity ha& con5ince& them of the /orthless an& e5en harmf!l nat!re of these c!rio!s arts. They &i5este& their homes of all paraphernalia H especially .oo*s. It is also /orth mentioning that a great part of the 5al!e of the magical arts relate& to their secrecy. To confess an& sho/ these things /o!l& therefore &estroy their po/er E/hether act!al or only in appearanceF. (ome persons tho!ght it of interest to approCimate the 5al!e of these recor&s of magical arts. ,',''' pieces of sil5er in oman coins /o!l& .e e6!al to a.o!t a million &ollars to&ay. This gi5es some i&ea of ho/ pre5alent these things /ere. =erse 2'. The Bor& of 2o& concerning Jes!s sprea& far an& /i&e an& faith in its message m!ltiplie&. The conflict 8a!l mentions in I Corinthians $, Dfo!ght /ith /il& .easts at %phes!sD refers to that /ith Demetri!s later at the en& of this chapter. "eCt H time to mo5e on.

Lesson AA=I The Acts of the Apostles $+:2$#4$. (till at %phes!s.

$3$

2$ K After these things /ere en&e&, 8a!l p!rpose& in the spirit, /hen he ha& passe& thro!gh 0ace&onia an& Achai'a, to go to Jer!salem, saying, After I ha5e .een there, I m!st also see ome. 22 (o he sent into 0ace&onia t/o of them that ministere& !nto him, Timothy an& %ras't!s? .!t he himself staye& in Asia for a season. 23 K An& the same time there arose no small stir a.o!t that /ay. 24 9or a certain man name& Deme'tri#!s, a sil5ersmith, /hich ma&e sil5er shrines for Diana, .ro!ght no small gain !nto the craftsmen? 2, /hom he calle& together /ith the /or*men of li*e occ!pation, an& sai&, (irs, ye *no/ that .y this craft /e ha5e o!r /ealth. 2- 0oreo5er ye see an& hear, that not alone at %phes!s, .!t almost thro!gho!t all Asia, this 8a!l hath pers!a&e& an& t!rne& a/ay m!ch people, saying that they .e no go&s, /hich are ma&e /ith han&s: 2@ so that not only this o!r craft is in &anger to .e set at no!ght? .!t also that the temple of the great go&&ess Diana sho!l& .e &espise&, an& her magnificence sho!l& .e &estroye&, /hom all Asia an& the /orl& /orshippeth. 2) K An& /hen they hear& these sayings, they /ere f!ll of /rath, an& crie& o!t, saying, 2reat is Diana of the %phesians. 2+ An& the /hole city /as fille& /ith conf!sion: an& ha5ing ca!ght 2ai'!s an& Aristar'ch!s, men of 0ace&onia, 8a!l's companions in tra5el, they r!she& /ith one accor& into the theater. 3' An& /hen 8a!l /o!l& ha5e entere& in !nto the people, the &isciples s!ffere& him not. 3$ An& certain of the chief of Asia, /hich /ere his frien&s, sent !nto him, &esiring him that he /o!l& not a&5ent!re himself into the theater. 32 (ome therefore crie& one thing, an& some another: for the assem.ly /as conf!se&? an& the more part *ne/ not /herefore they /ere come together. 33 An& they &re/ AleCan&er o!t of the m!ltit!&e, the Je/s p!tting him for/ar&. An& AleCan&er .ec*one& /ith the han&, an& /o!l& ha5e ma&e his &efense !nto the people. 34 7!t /hen they *ne/ that he /as a Je/, all /ith one 5oice a.o!t the space of t/o ho!rs crie& o!t, 2reat is Diana of the %phesians. 3, An& /hen the to/ncler* ha& appease& the people, he sai&, Me men of %phes!s, /hat man is there that *no/eth not ho/ that the city of the %phesians is a /orshipper of the great go&&ess Diana, an& of the image /hich fell &o/n from J!piterL 3- (eeing then that these things cannot .e spo*en against, ye o!ght to .e 6!iet, an& to &o nothing rashly. 3@ 9or ye ha5e .ro!ght hither these men, /hich are neither ro..ers of ch!rches, nor yet .lasphemers of yo!r go&&ess. 3) Bherefore if Deme'tri#!s, an& the craftsmen /hich are /ith him, ha5e a matter against any man, the la/ is open, an& there are &ep!ties: let them implea& one another. 3+ 7!t if ye in6!ire any thing concerning other matters, it shall .e &etermine& in a la/f!l assem.ly. 4' 9or /e are in &anger to .e calle& in 6!estion for this &ay's !proar, there .eing no ca!se /here.y /e may gi5e an acco!nt of this conco!rse.

Lesson AA=I contin!e& 4$ An& /hen he ha& th!s spo*en, he &ismisse& the assem.ly.

$32

=erse 2$. 8a!l ha& spent pro.a.ly the /hole /inter of ,) A.D. Eas mentione& in I Cor. $-:,-F in Corinth. Ge then &eci&e& to 5isit Jer!salem, after /hich he resol5e& to act!ally tra5el to ome. Apparently he ha& .een pon&ering this for a consi&era.le time E omans $:$',$3? $-:23F. It is generally ass!me& that /hile still at %phes!s that he /rote I Corinthians. The ne/s reache& him a.o!t &i5ision an& some &isor&er no/ present in the Ch!rch. (ome follo/e& 8a!l a.o5e all others. Another gro!p fa5ore& Apollos. (ome Christians /ere s!ing each other in the heathen co!rts. They nee&e& clear, forcef!l, an& &irect correction, /hich 8a!l &eli5ere& to them thro!gh this epistle. =erse 22. 8a!l &eci&e& to sen& Timothy an& %rast!s Et/o of his companionsF .ac* to 2reece, /hile he staye& in Asia. %rast!s is first mentione& here, an& again as .eing left at Corinth EII Timothy 4:2'F. Timothy /as &irecte& to go all the /ay to Corinth EI Corinthians 4:$3F, an& after that to ret!rn to 8a!l at %phes!s EI Corinthians $-:$$F. 8a!l's reason to contin!e in Asia /as pro.a.ly to collect offerings for the poor saints in Jer!salem. =erse 23. Again, the ne/ 2ospel of (al5ation thro!gh Jes!s is calle& DThe BayD. The /ay, or path, in /hich Ge /ills men to /al*, to go safely thro!gh life an& finally attain e5erlasting life. Je/ish /riters calle& the /hole &octrine an& practice of Christianity .y it. =erse 24. The lea&er of a gro!p of craftsmen /ho ma&e sil5er shrines for the go&&ess Diana is &eeply concerne&. Gis name is Demetri!s. These shrines /ere small porta.le representations of the /i&ely *no/n Temple of Diana in %phes!s. =isitors /o!l& .!y them as so!5enirs an& as proof of their &e5otion to the go&&ess. (!ppose&ly, the temple too* 22' years to .e complete&, an& s!pporte& .y &onations from all o5er Asia. In mo&ern times it /as t!rne& into a T!r*ish mos6!e. =erse 2,. Demetri!s calle& a meeting of his fello/ craftsmen, remin&ing them ho/ they all ma&e a goo& li5ing. =erse 2-. Ge procee&s to &escri.e this ne/ threat to them all. An& not in %phes!s only, .!t thro!gho!t Asia. This man 8a!l ha& s!ccessf!lly t!rne& a large gro!p of people from their tra&itional go&s. 8a!l's main arg!ment /as, ho/ co!l& any go& ha5e po/er or a!thority if it /as ma&e .y h!man han&sL =erse 2@. Ge goes f!rther. "ot only /as their craft in &anger, .!t the Dtemple of the great go&&ess DianaD /o!l& also .e &espise&, her magnificence &estroye&. This threatene& the entire region. Diana

Lesson AA=I contin!e&

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/as represente& as !ni5ersal nat!re, mother go&&ess of all things, animals, plants, people, the sea, the s!n. This is /hy she /as calle& The 2reat 2o&&ess, !ni6!e to %phes!s an& Asia, not the simple go&&ess of the h!nt an& chastity of 2ree* mythology. =erse 2). The reaction from this gro!p /as great anger H this affront to their li5ing an& .elief H they cry o!t: D2reat is Diana of the %phesians.D =erse 2+. O.5io!sly they carry their o!trage far an& /i&e thro!gho!t the city, creating general conf!sion. The mo. loo*e& for an& fo!n& someone to p!nish. T/o of 8a!l's tra5eling companions from 0ace&onia H 2ai!s an& Aristarch!s. They too* them to the local theater. These spacio!s, p!.lic spaces /ere often !se& for p!.lic assem.lies, to &eal /ith possi.le threats to p!.lic or&er an& safety. Things /o!l& .e .ro!ght !p, &isc!sse&, an& &eci&e&. This /as a 2ree* c!stom. =erse 3'. Tho!gh 8a!l /o!l& ha5e gone into the theater to spea* on his companions' .ehalf, some of his &isciples pre5ente& him. =erse 3$. (ome infl!ential an& no &o!.t /ealthy in&i5i&!als here calle& Dchiefs of AsiaD sent 8a!l /or& not to ta*e s!ch a &angero!s chance. They are calle& also his frien&s H possi.ly Christian .elie5ers, /ho &i&n't /ant him in s!ch a sit!ation. =erse 32. In &escri.ing the mo., some &i&n't e5en *no/ /hy they /ere there, /hat the reason, ca!se, or s!.Iect. Different people crie& o!t one thing, some crie& o!t another thing. "o agreement H I!st !pset people, conf!se& an& /anting some eCplanation, some reason, /anting something to I!stify their o!trage H an o.Iect of their passion. =erse 33. Apparently some Je/s present /ante& to shift any .lame a.o!t the &isp!te from them. The Je/s /ere consi&ere& the same as Christians at the time H .oth gro!ps /ere seen as non#.elie5ers in their famo!s Diana. A man name& AleCan&er is .ro!ght for/ar& to spea* for them. Ge m!st ha5e .een an elo6!ent spea*er. Accepting their &irection, he .ec*one& /ith his han& to get the cro/&'s attention, so he co!l& spea* his piece. Ge /ante& to &efen& the Je/s, an& possi.ly point to 8a!l an& his follo/ers as the ca!se of all the tro!.le. =erse 34. Once the ne/s circ!late& that this man /as a Je/, the /hole 2entile cro/& .egan chanting, D2reat is Diana of the %phesians.D This contin!e& for t/o ho!rs. =erse 3,. 9inally, an important local official, here i&entifie& as

Lesson AA=I contin!e& to/n#cler*, 6!iete& the cro/&. Gis s!ccess an& speech may reflect that his Io. /as of greater importance H s!ch as magistrate H appealing to local la/ as the correct co!rse to follo/.

$34

Ge calls their attention to the /ell *no/n fact that %phes!s /as the center of /orship of Diana, the 2reat 2o&&ess. There /as no point in their &oing all this chanting, especially in s!ch a p!.lic spectacle. The men acc!se& ha& .ro*en no la/s, an& ha& not p!.licly starte& any re.ellion. =erse 3-. Therefore, they sho!l& cease this p!.lic &isr!ption of the peace, .efore they /ere .lame& for it. The first image of Diana /as rep!te& to ha5e fallen &o/n from J!piter, from hea5en. It /as so ol& that no one *ne/ /ho ma&e it or /hen it /as ma&e. The priests !se& these facts to cre&it J!piter himself as sen&ing it to them. "o one co!l& &ispro5e their assertion. =erse 3@. Ge states that these men ha& &one no &amage to their sacre& places, an& ha& not .laspheme& their go&&ess. "o la/ ha& .een .ro*en. =erse 3). In concl!sion, if Demetri!s an& his fello/ craftsmen ha5e a case in5ol5ing a .reach in the la/, they can ta*e it .efore the m!nicipal co!rts in their reg!lar sessions. They can ma*e their acc!sation, the other si&e can offer their &efense, an& the procons!l /ill impartially &eci&e the I!st o!tcome. =erse 3+. On the other han&, if their main concern relates to national /orship, or re.ellion against the state # these also can't .e &eci&e& .y s!ch a mo.. It m!st .e hear& .efore a la/f!l assem.ly, one properly a!thori<e& to hear the case an& ma*e a &etermination. =erse 4'. The omans al/ays &rea&e& any sign of ins!rrection. Any p!.lic !proar /as cast in this category. Anyone /ho instigate& s!ch a &ist!r.ance /as lia.le to face a &eath penalty. This official hints at this possi.ility. There /as &anger if calle& into 6!estion H there .eing no la/f!l reason, nothing that co!l& .e pro5en. Demetri!s sho!l& especially .e concerne&, .eing the main instigator. Those acc!se& co!l& /itness against him, that he /as in&ee& the one /ho raise& s!ch a passionate an& gro!n&less o!tcry. =erse 4$. Ge finishe& his spea*ing, an& &ismisse& the assem.ly. 7eing .ro!ght .ac* to calmness an& 6!iet, /e can !n&erstan& that the mo. /ent on their /ay. This /as the reason h!man go5ernment an& I!stice are from 2o&: to maintain safety an& or&er for person an& property, for the goo& of all. %n& of Chapter $+. "eCt, .ac* to 8a!l an& his Io!rney.

Lesson AA=II The Acts of the Apostles 2':$#-. 7ac* to 0ace&onia, then 2reece, Troas.

$3,

$ An& after the !proar /as cease&, 8a!l calle& !nto him the &isciples, an& em.race& them, an& &eparte& for to go into 0ace&onia. 2 An& /hen he ha& gone o5er those parts, an& ha& gi5en them m!ch eChortation, he came into 2reece, 3 an& there a.o&e three months. An& /hen the Je/s lai& /ait for him, as he /as a.o!t to sail into (yria, he p!rpose& to ret!rn thro!gh 0ace&onia. 4 An& there accompanie& him into Asia (o'pater of 7eroe'a? an& of the Thessalo'ni#ans, Aristar'ch!s an& (ec!n'&!s? an& 2ai'!s of Der.e, an& Timothy? an& of Asia, Tych'ic!s an& Troph'im!s. , These going .efore tarrie& for !s at Tro'as. - An& /e saile& a/ay from 8hil'ippi after the &ays of !nlea5ene& .rea&, an& came !nto them to Tro'as in fi5e &ays? /here /e a.o&e se5en &ays. =erse $. Once the !proar ca!se& .y Demetri!s /as o5er, 8a!l &eci&e& to lea5e %phes!s .efore he ha& pre5io!sly planne&. Ge met /ith the .rethren, em.race& them, an& too* off to 0ace&onia. =erse 2. Apparently, as he /ent thro!gh 0ace&onia on his /ay to 2reece, he 5isite& the ch!rches he ha& plante& an& Dha& gi5en them m!ch eChortationD, preaching strong enco!ragement. Ge then reache& 2reece proper. =erse 3. Ge staye& there 3 months, no &o!.t 5isiting the ch!rches Egro!ps of .elie5ersF in Corinth, Athens, an& Achaia. At the time that 8a!l planne& to ret!rn to Jer!salem, he first /o!l& sail to (yria. This /as the 6!ic*est ro!te. Ge then .ecame a/are that a gro!p of Je/s lai& in /ait for him. Ge /o!l& .e most 5!lnera.le to attac* on the ship. They might possi.ly sei<e him an& sell him for a sla5e, an& also ro. him of the collection money he /as ta*ing to Jer!salem to the poor saints. Apparently, he co!l& tra5el more safely .y lan&, thro!gh 0ace&onia to Troas. 9rom there he co!l& sail to (yria, an& procee& to Jer!salem from there. The Io!rney is &escri.e& in this an& the follo/ing chapter. =erse 4. A fe/ companions /ent /ith him. Apparently he tarrie& at some location on the /ay. The rest contin!e& on to Troas an& /aite& for him there. 9irst mentione& is (opater of 7erea. Ge is i&entifie& in omans $-:2$ as 8a!l's *insman. There /as also Aristarch!s from Thessalonica, /ho later /ent to ome /ith 8a!l. (ec!n&!s is mentione& only here. 2ai!s of Der.e H his family home. Bhether the 2ai!s mentione& .y 8a!l in I Corinthians $:$4 is the same man is !ncertain. This name /as 6!ite common. John &irects his 3r& %pistle to 2ai!s.

Lesson AA=II contin!e&

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Timothy /as pre5io!sly intro&!ce& in chapter $-. 8a!l /as to /rite 2 %pistles to him. Ge /as a nati5e of Lystra. 9rom Asia, Tychic!s. 8a!l mentions him in %phesians -:2$,22. Ge is &escri.e& as a .elo5e& .rother, an& faithf!l minister in the Lor&. 8a!l sent him to %phes!s as his representati5e, to chec* !p on the .elie5ers an& comfort their hearts. Ge /as also sent to Colossae EColossians 4:@,)F. Also to Crete Ementione& in Tit!s 3:$2F. Ge m!st ha5e .een eCtremely close /ith 8a!l, an& most tr!ste&. Trophim!s is last mentione&, also from %phes!s. Ge /as /ith 8a!l from %phes!s into 2reece, no/ on to Jer!salem Echapter 2$:2+F. "o &o!.t he accompanie& him on other Io!rneys. In II Timothy 4:2', he /as left, an& ill, at 0ilet!s. =erse ,. They /aite& at Troas H a small to/n in 8hrygia 0inor. =erse -. The &ays of !nlea5ene& .rea& refer to the &ays of the passo5er. L!*e again here incl!&es himself /ith 8a!l, /riting D/e saile& a/ay from 8hil'ippiD, an& D/e a.o&eD. L!*e stays /ith 8a!l thro!gh the remaining Io!rneys. The trip from 8hilippi to Troas too* , &ays. They ha& to stay in sight of the coast. They remaine& in Troas @ &ays. =erses @#2$. @ K An& !pon the first &ay of the /ee*, /hen the &isciples came together to .rea* .rea&, 8a!l preache& !nto them, rea&y to &epart on the morro/? an& contin!e& his speech !ntil mi&night. ) An& there /ere many lights in the !pper cham.er, /here they /ere gathere& together. + An& there sat in a /in&o/ a certain yo!ng man name& %!'tych!s, .eing fallen into a &eep sleep: an& as 8a!l /as long preaching, he s!n* &o/n /ith sleep, an& fell &o/n from the thir& loft, an& /as ta*en !p &ea&. $' An& 8a!l /ent &o/n, an& fell on him, an& em.racing him sai&, Tro!.le not yo!rsel5es? for his life is in him. $$ Bhen he therefore /as come !p again, an& ha& .ro*en .rea&, an& eaten, an& tal*e& a long /hile, e5en till .rea* of &ay, so he &eparte&. $2 An& they .ro!ght the yo!ng man ali5e, an& /ere not a little comforte&. $3 K An& /e /ent .efore to ship, an& saile& !nto Assos, there inten&ing to ta*e in 8a!l: for so ha& he appointe&, min&ing himself to go afoot. $4 An& /hen he met /ith !s at Assos, /e too* him in, an& came to 0ityle'ne. $, An& /e saile& thence, an& came the neCt &ay o5er against Chi'os? an& the neCt &ay /e arri5e& at (amos, an& tarrie& at Trogyl'li#!m? an& the neCt &ay /e came to 0ile't!s. $- 9or 8a!l ha& &etermine& to sail .y %phes!s, .eca!se he /o!l& not spen& the time in Asia: for he haste&, if it /ere possi.le for him, to .e at Jer!salem the &ay of 8entecost.

Lesson AA=II contin!e&

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$@ K An& from 0ile't!s he sent to %phes!s, an& calle& the el&ers of the ch!rch. $) An& /hen they /ere come to him, he sai& !nto them, K Me *no/, from the first &ay that I came into Asia, after /hat manner I ha5e .een /ith yo! at all seasons, $+ ser5ing the Lor& /ith all h!mility of min&, an& /ith many tears, an& temptations, /hich .efell me .y the lying in /ait of the Je/s: 2' an& ho/ I *ept .ac* nothing that /as profita.le !nto yo!, .!t ha5e sho/e& yo!, an& ha5e ta!ght yo! p!.licly, an& from ho!se to ho!se, 2$ testifying .oth to the Je/s, an& also to the 2ree*s, repentance to/ar& 2o&, an& faith to/ar& o!r Lor& Jes!s Christ. =erse @. Bhen (!n&ay came, the first &ay of the /ee*, it /as the Lor&'s &ay. The Christian (a..ath /as /hen they commemorate& Christ's res!rrection, to .rea* .rea&. They may ha5e &one this each time they met. It is also li*ely that they also ha& a common meal or 'lo5e feast'. At some point, 8a!l .egan preaching, an& contin!e& !ntil mi&night /hen he /as interr!pte&. =erse ). This ta*es place in a /ell lit !pper cham.er. =erse +. A yo!ng man name& %!tych!s /as sitting in a /in&o/ opening. 8a!l ha& .een preaching for se5eral ho!rs. The yo!ng man fell asleep an& sl!mpe& &o/n as he slept. Ge lost his .alance an& fell .ac*/ar&s an& onto the gro!n&. Bhen they reache& him, he /as &ea&. =erse $'. 8a!l also /ent &o/n to /here the yo!ng man /as. Ge stretche& himself !pon him. This /as in the same manner that %lisha ha& &one on the (h!nammite's son II :ings 4:33#3,. Ge em.race& him, an& anno!nce& that the yo!ng man /as no/ ali5e. "o f!rther a&o a.o!t it. =erse $$. 8a!l, ha5ing sa5e& the yo!ng man's life, /ent .ac* !pstairs, an& ha& something to eat. Ge then tal*e& thro!gh the rest of the night Epossi.ly , to - ho!rsF. Once &a/n came he left. The &escription of this as Dtal*D is &ifferent from preaching. Be can imagine that a goo& part of this co!l& ha5e incl!&e& 8a!l's ans/ering many 6!estions, an& eCplanations of ho/ this ne/ faith change& people's .eliefs an& manner of li5ing. At &a/n, 8a!l &eparte& on foot to Assos. =erse $2. Bhen the yo!ng man /as .ro!ght .ac* to the meeting cham.er, the .rethren /ere greatly comforte&. =erse $3. 8a!l's companions, incl!&ing L!*e, /ent on .y foot to Assos as 8a!l ha& instr!cte& them. Apparently it /as a shorter &istance .y lan&. Once there, 8a!l /o!l& again Ioin them on the ship.

Lesson AA=II contin!e& =erse $4. At Assos, 8a!l Ioins them, an& they sail on to 0itylene.

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=erse $,. They saile& on to another islan& calle& Chios. They &i& not stop, .!t saile& on to yet another islan&, (amos H also in the Aegean (ea. They passe& it an& /ent on to Trogylli!m, a city of Ionia. They staye& there o5ernight, an& contin!e& the follo/ing &ay to 0ilet!s. It /as a cele.rate& city in the pro5ince of Caria. (ome prominent 2ree* intellect!als an& philosophers /ere .orn there. =erse $-. 8a!l ha& &eci&e& not to stop .y %phes!s at this time, /anting to reach Jer!salem .y the &ay of 8entecost. It /o!l& .e an opport!nity to reach o!t an& preach to the m!ltit!&es of Je/s from &ifferent locations, /ho /o!l& .e in Jer!salem for the festi5al. Also, it /as no/ a cele.ration of the first 8entecost /hen the Goly (pirit /as po!re& o!t !pon the first .elie5ers, an& /hen a m!ltit!&e /ere con5erte& to Christ. =erse $@. 9rom 0ilet!s, he sent a message to %phes!s, calling for the el&ers Eor pres.ytersF of the Ch!rch, an& those /ith a!thority Ealso calle& .ishops. (ince he /asn't going to stop in %phes!s, he /ante& to gi5e some 5ery specific instr!ctions an& /arnings to these lea&ers to comm!nicate to the rest of the Ch!rch. =erse $). Bhen they arri5e&, 8a!l as*s them to thin* a.o!t the /ay he /as /ith them, /hat manner an& consistent care he sho/e& to/ar& them. =erse $+. Ge then specifically mentions his central moti5e H Dser5ing the Lor& /ith all h!milityD. Ge ha& .een faithf!l to his responsi.ility as an apostle. Ge also mentions his &anger. Ge ha& to .e caref!l .eca!se of the hostility of the Je/s that so!ght his harm. =erse 2'. Ge mentions that he *ept .ac* nothing that /as profita.le to them. Ge ha& tol& them the simple an& the more complicate&, &iffic!lt tr!ths of the 2ospel, as /ell as /hat /as no/ eCpecte& of them in their li5es as Chil&ren of 2o&. Ge also /arns them a.o!t the tra&itional .iases of the Je/s an& 2entiles, an& their ne/ hostility to/ar& DThe BayD. Ge /as .eing a goo& shepher& H g!i&ing, /arning, fee&ing the floc*. Ge &i& this /ith the /ay he li5e&, ta!ght in p!.lic, an& also in in&i5i&!al homes. =erse 2$. 8a!l !s!ally .egan preaching to the Je/s. In this case, he &i& so for three months. Bhen he reali<e& that those that ha&n't respon&e& to his /or&s ha& .ecome har&ene& an& no/ hostile, he left the synagog!e an& t!rne& to the general pop!lation # the 2ree*s. Ge s!mmari<es his 2ospel message: repentance to/ar&s 2o&. All

Lesson AA=II contin!e&

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ha5e sinne& against 2o& an& sho!l& h!m.le themsel5es .efore Gim. This .rings the so!l to recogni<e g!ilt an& the nee& for forgi5eness. Then 2o&'s mercy thro!gh Jes!s Christ is re5eale& an& sho/n to .e the only par&on, an& reme&y for o!r sins. 9aith in Gim an& Gis sacrifice for their sins an& his res!rrection for their I!stification. 8a!l mentions these essential &octrines in many of his %pistles E omans 4:2,? ,:)#$'F. "eCt, on to Jer!salem.

Lesson AA=III The Acts of the Apostles 2':22#3). On to Jer!salem.

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22 An& no/, .ehol&, I go .o!n& in the spirit !nto Jer!salem, not *no/ing the things that shall .efall me there: 23 sa5e that the Goly 2host /itnesseth in e5ery city, saying that .on&s an& afflictions a.i&e me. 24 7!t none of these things mo5e me, neither co!nt I my life &ear !nto myself, so that I might finish my co!rse /ith Ioy, an& the ministry, /hich I ha5e recei5e& of the Lor& Jes!s, to testify the gospel of the grace of 2o&. 2, An& no/, .ehol&, I *no/ that ye all, among /hom I ha5e gone preaching the *ing&om of 2o&, shall see my face no more. 2- Bherefore I ta*e yo! to recor& this &ay, that I am p!re from the .loo& of all men. 2@ 9or I ha5e not sh!nne& to &eclare !nto yo! all the co!nsel of 2o&. 2) Ta*e hee& therefore !nto yo!rsel5es, an& to all the floc*, o5er the /hich the Goly 2host hath ma&e yo! o5erseers, to fee& the ch!rch of 2o&, /hich he hath p!rchase& /ith his o/n .loo&. 2+ 9or I *no/ this, that after my &eparting shall grie5o!s /ol5es enter in among yo!, not sparing the floc*. 3' Also of yo!r o/n sel5es shall men arise, spea*ing per5erse things, to &ra/ a/ay &isciples after them. 3$ Therefore /atch, an& remem.er, that .y the space of three years I cease& not to /arn e5ery one night an& &ay /ith tears. 32 An& no/, .rethren, I commen& yo! to 2o&, an& to the /or& of his grace, /hich is a.le to .!il& yo! !p, an& to gi5e yo! an inheritance among all them /hich are sanctifie&. 33 I ha5e co5ete& no man's sil5er, or gol&, or apparel. 34 Mea, ye yo!rsel5es *no/, that these han&s ha5e ministere& !nto my necessities, an& to them that /ere /ith me. 3, I ha5e sho/e& yo! all things, ho/ that so la.oring ye o!ght to s!pport the /ea*, an& to remem.er the /or&s of the Lor& Jes!s, ho/ he sai&, It is more .lesse& to gi5e than to recei5e. 3- K An& /hen he ha& th!s spo*en, he *neele& &o/n, an& praye& /ith them all. 3@ An& they all /ept sore, an& fell on 8a!l's nec*, an& *isse& him, 3) sorro/ing most of all for the /or&s /hich he spa*e, that they sho!l& see his face no more. An& they accompanie& him !nto the ship. =erse 22. 8a!l &escri.es the strong inner &ri5e, the infl!ence of the Goly (pirit that mo5es him to no/ go to Jer!salem. This s!ggests that it /as not his o/n personal &esire, /ish, or /ill to go there. Ge reali<e& that there /as no /ay to *no/ /hat /o!l& happen to him there. Ge m!st go ne5ertheless. =erse 23. In e5ery city /here he proclaims the 2ospel, the Goly (pirit gi5es him a strong impression that D.on&s an& afflictionsD a/ait him. =erse 24. Bhat is 8a!l's attit!&e to/ar& these possi.ilities or e5en certaintiesL Any of these possi.ilities are !nimportant to him

Lesson AA=III contin!e&

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.eca!se he &oesn't co!nt his life as his o/n. Ge fears neither &eath nor har&ship. Gis life is in 2o&'s han&s, his life is ser5ing the Lor&, !n&er Gis g!i&ance an& &irection. Only 2o&'s perfect /ill shall come to pass. To finish his ministry accor&ing to 2o&'s plan /o!l& .e his greatest Ioy H that it please& an& glorifie& 2o&. In his ministry, he stren!o!sly asserte& the 2oo& "e/s of 2o&'s grace, the po/er of 2o& for sal5ation to e5eryone that .elie5es in Jes!s Christ. =erse 2,. 8a!l no/ /ants all those present /ith him at that moment to *no/ that he ha& no certainty he /o!l& e5er see them again. This implies that his f!t!re /as not in his o/n han&s, especially the &angers he /o!l& contin!e to face. =erse 2-. Ge /ants his listeners to ta*e note that in his ministry, he has offere& the 2ospel to e5eryone that /o!l& listen. Therefore, if anyone, Je/ or 2entile, perishes in their sins, their .loo& shall .e !pon their o/n hea&s, not on 8a!l's. =erse 2@. Ge has also not hel& .ac* or conceale& anything, thro!gh fear or fa5or, that /o!l& .enefit them in their spirit!al life. This /as calle& the /hole co!nsel of 2o&. This incl!&es all that 2o& has re5eale& concerning the sal5ation of men H the /hole &octrine of faith in Jes!s, the 0essiah, the atoning Gigh 8riest an& e5erything that Jes!s comm!nicate&. =erse 2). 8a!l no/ foc!ses on the spirit!al lea&ers, o5erseers, shepher&s, /hose role is to o.ser5e an& &eal /ith the spirit!al con&ition of those in their care H their floc*. They m!st caref!lly g!i&e an& fee& the Ch!rch of 2o&, p!rchase& .y Christ's o/n .loo&. =erse 2+. 8a!l points to the time he /ill no longer .e aro!n&. There /o!l& .e e5il ones, as /ol5es among sheep, see*ing to tear !p an& r!in the Ch!rch. They /o!l& only .e intereste& in their o/n eating, not fee&ing the floc*. =erse 3'. Ge also pre&icts that some of their o/n congregation /ill come !p /ith per5erse things, &ra/ing others to follo/ them an& their lies, &enying the tr!th of the &octrines of Christ cr!cifie&. This /ill ca!se &i5isions an& splits in the Ch!rch. =erse 3$. The .est /ay to a.i&e in the tr!th is to *eep /atch against e5il /hile remem.ering the &octrines that 8a!l ha& spent 3 years teaching /ith great care. =erse 32. Ge commen&s the .rethren to the Lor& an& the &octrine of

Lesson AA=III contin!e&

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(al5ation .y Jes!s Christ. These things .!il& yo! !p. Jes!s is the fo!n&ation. 2o&, the great master#.!il&er. Gis grace an& mercy point to the manner, the or&er, the eCtent of this .!il&ing. %ach .elie5er .ecomes the ha.itation of 2o& thro!gh the Goly (pirit. %ach .elie5er .ecomes a Temple of the Lor&, to .e *ept p!re, righteo!s, to contin!e to mat!re an& gro/ in grace EsanctificationF. Chil&ren of 2o& /ith an eternal inheritance. =erse 33. 8a!l remin&s them of the p!rity of his moti5es. Ge ne5er e5en &esire& any material gain from anyone. Borl&ly possessions /ere not important to tr!e follo/ers of Christ. Christ sho/e& the /ay. This /as the greatest contrast /ith those &escri.e& as grie5o!s /ol5es, /ho /ere al/ays see*ing their o/n gain. =erse 34. These .elie5ers sho!l& also remem.er that 8a!l earne& his monetary s!pport .y /or*ing /ith his han&s, .oth for him an& the assistants /ho tra5ele& /ith him. =erse 3,. They sho!l& follo/ his eCample in their o/n li5es. "amely, they sho!l& also /or* honestly an& &iligently, /ith the tho!ght to help s!pport the /ea*, those that co!l&n't s!pport themsel5es. Ge remin&s them that this also /as the teaching of Jes!s, 6!oting the act!al /or&s # DIt is more .lesse& to gi5e than to recei5e.D This is the only place in the "e/ Testament that this saying of Jes!s is /ritten. The one /ho gi5es eCperiences Ioy in .eing a.le to &o goo& at e5ery opport!nity. To .e in a position /here one has to &epen& on the charity of others is !s!ally em.arrassing, e5en painf!l. =erse 3-. After these /or&s, 8a!l *nelt &o/n an& praye& /ith all of them. This gest!re, *neeling, sho/s h!mility an& s!.mission, the proper attit!&e an& post!re to/ar& 2o& /hen praying. =erses 3@,3). All those present /ere mo5e& /ith sorro/. They /ere crying, em.racing, an& *issing 8a!l, .eca!se he /as lea5ing, an& especially since he ha& tol& them that they /o!l& ne5er see him again. Ge /as the one that ha& .ro!ght them to a sa5ing *no/le&ge of mercy an& forgi5eness thro!gh faith in Jes!s Christ, /ith all the Ioy an& peace an& lo5e that comes /ith it. They /ent /ith him to see him off. Acts 2$:$#+. $ An& it came to pass, that after /e /ere gotten from them, an& ha& la!nche&, /e came /ith a straight co!rse !nto Co'os, an& the &ay follo/ing !nto ho&es, an& from thence !nto 8at'ara: 2 an& fin&ing a ship sailing o5er !nto 8hoeni'cia, /e /ent a.oar&, an& set forth. 3 "o/ /hen /e ha& &isco5ere& Cypr!s, /e left it on the left han&, an& saile& into (yria, an& lan&e& at Tyre: for there the ship /as to

Lesson AA=III contin!e&

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!nla&e her .!r&en. 4 An& fin&ing &isciples, /e tarrie& there se5en &ays: /ho sai& to 8a!l thro!gh the (pirit, that he sho!l& not go !p to Jer!salem. , An& /hen /e ha& accomplishe& those &ays, /e &eparte& an& /ent o!r /ay? an& they all .ro!ght !s on o!r /ay, /ith /i5es an& chil&ren, till /e /ere o!t of the city: an& /e *neele& &o/n on the shore, an& praye&. - An& /hen /e ha& ta*en o!r lea5e one of another, /e too* ship? an& they ret!rne& home again. @ K An& /hen /e ha& finishe& o!r co!rse from Tyre, /e came to 8tolema'is, an& sal!te& the .rethren, an& a.o&e /ith them one &ay. ) An& the neCt &ay /e that /ere of 8a!l's company &eparte&, an& came !nto Caesare'a? an& /e entere& into the ho!se of 8hilip the e5angelist, /hich /as one of the se5en? an& a.o&e /ith him. + An& the same man ha& fo!r &a!ghters, 5irgins, /hich &i& prophesy. =erse $. 8a!l an& his companions sail from 0ilet!s. A straight co!rse implies /in& an& ti&e /ere right for their &irect Io!rney. 9irst, they come to an islan& in the Aegean (ea calle& Coos. It /as *no/n as the .irthplace of Gippocrates, the 2ree* physician. The neCt &ay, they /ent to ho&es H /here the Coloss!s /as locate&. The Coloss!s /as one of the @ /on&ers of the ancient /orl&. It /as a .rass stat!e of Apollo H so large that a ship in f!ll sail co!l& pass .et/een its legs. It /as $'- feet tall. It /as *noc*e& &o/n .y an earth6!a*e in 224 7.C. 9inally, they arri5e& at 8atara. =erse 2. Another ship /as fo!n& going to 8hoenicia Ethe former name of (yriaF, an& they saile& on it. =erse 3. They passe& .y the Islan& of Cypr!s, on their left si&e, an& contin!e& on to the city of Tyre on the coast of (yria, a maIor commercial center. The ship /as f!ll of cargo to .e &eli5ere& there. =erse 4. There /ere &isciples there that they fo!n&. 8a!l an& his frien&s staye& @ &ays. Apparently, there /ere some &isciples that /ere personally afrai& for 8a!l if he contin!e& on to Jer!salem. They feare& that he /o!l& .e in mortal &anger, an& earnestly trie& to tal* him o!t of it. The Goly (pirit ha& pre5io!sly /arne& 8a!l of the same &anger. "either then nor no/ /as 8a!l &iss!a&e&, not co!nting his o/n ris*, .!t aiming only for the glory of 2o&, no matter /hat it cost him. The Goly (pirit neither comman&e& him to go, nor for.a&e him. Ge /as left to ma*e his o/n &ecision. =erse ,. At the en& of the @ &ays, they .egan their neCt Io!rney. They /ere accompanie& .y the .rethren an& their /hole families all the /ay to the e&ge of the city. At the shore, 8a!l, (ilas an& L!*e Ethe D/eDF *nelt &o/n an& praye&. The /hole gathering /o!l& ha5e Ioine&.

Lesson AA=III contin!e&

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=erse -. Ta*ing their lea5e incl!&e& gi5ing each other the *iss of peace H the c!stom of the Je/s an& early Christians. 8a!l an& his companions too* ship an& ret!rne& home. =erse @. The neCt stop, from Tyre, /as 8tolemais, a seaport to/n of 2alilee, near 0t. Carmel, .et/een Tyre an& Caesarea. It /as name& after 8tolemy H one of AleCan&er the 2reat's generals, the one /ho en&e& !p r!ler of %gypt. The Io!rney .y ship en&e& here. They spent that &ay /ith the local .elie5ers. =erse ). 8a!l's company left there an& tra5ele& .y lan& on to 8alestine. One of the original se5en &eacons of the Jer!salem ch!rch m!st ha5e settle& here after his &ramatic eCperience /ith the %thiopian %!nich. Ge in5ite& 8a!l an& company to stay at his home. =erse +. 8hilip ha& fo!r 5irgin &a!ghters Emat!re .!t !nmarrie&F that prophesie&. It has .een s!ggeste& that they /ere teachers in the ch!rch. This is a fre6!ent meaning of the /or& prophesy. "eCt, another /arning a.o!t 8a!l's trip to Jer!salem.

Lesson AAIA The Acts of the Apostles 2$:$'#$-. Aga.!s' 8rophecy a.o!t 8a!l.

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$' An& as /e tarrie& there many &ays, there came &o/n from J!&ea a certain prophet, name& Ag'a.!s. Acts $$.2) $$ An& /hen he /as come !nto !s, he too* 8a!l's gir&le, an& .o!n& his o/n han&s an& feet, an& sai&, Th!s saith the Goly 2host, (o shall the Je/s at Jer!salem .in& the man that o/neth this gir&le, an& shall &eli5er him into the han&s of the 2entiles. $2 An& /hen /e hear& these things, .oth /e, an& they of that place, .eso!ght him not to go !p to Jer!salem. $3 Then 8a!l ans/ere&, Bhat mean ye to /eep an& to .rea* mine heartL for I am rea&y not to .e .o!n& only, .!t also to &ie at Jer!salem for the name of the Lor& Jes!s. $4 An& /hen he /o!l& not .e pers!a&e&, /e cease&, saying, The /ill of the Lor& .e &one. $, K An& after those &ays /e too* !p o!r carriages, an& /ent !p to Jer!salem. $- There /ent /ith !s also certain of the &isciples of Caesare'a, an& .ro!ght /ith them one 0nason of Cypr!s, an ol& &isciple, /ith /hom /e sho!l& lo&ge. =erse $'. After many &ays at Caesarea, a 5isitor from J!&ea came /ith a message, a prophet name& Aga.!s. Ge /as mentione& pre5io!sly in Chapter $$:2). =erse $$. As the prophets of ol&, this prophet gi5es a &ramatic &emonstrations !sing an em.lem. Gis first action /as to ta*e 8a!l's .elt, an& tie his o/n han&s an& feet together. Ge proclaime& his message from the Goly (pirit a.o!t the o/ner of this .elt. At Jer!salem, the Je/s /ere going to tie him !p an& t!rn him o5er to the omans. This o.5io!sly /o!l& incl!&e acc!sing him of some high crime that /o!l& .e p!nisha.le .y &eath. =erse $2. The reaction from all present /as to con5ince 8a!l not to go on to Jer!salem. This prophecy /as f!lfille& soon eno!gh H recor&e& in 5erse 33 of this chapter. As note& .efore, 8a!l still ha& the choice. =erse $3. 8a!l's reaction H their entreaties to!che& him .eca!se of their heartfelt sorro/. Their emotion /o!l& not &eter him. As he state& at e5ery pre5io!s occasion, he says that he's rea&y for .eing .o!n&, an& also to &ie at Jer!salem H the constant moti5e for the "ame of the Lor& Jes!s. "o other reason co!l& pers!a&e him from this total &e&ication of his life. =erse $4. Bhen e5eryone reali<e& there /as no /ay, no reason that /o!l& ca!se him to change his min&, they cease& their entreaties. If this

Lesson AAIA contin!e&

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/as 2o&'s /ill, e5en as the prophecy of Aga.!s foretol&, then so .e it. They /o!l& also accept it. =erse $,. The neCt thing to .e &one /as for those /ho /ere going /ith 8a!l to pac* !p their things an& .egin their Io!rney !p to Jer!salem. =erse $-. A small gro!p of the local .elie5ers Efrom CaesareaF &eci&e& to go /ith 8a!l's gro!p. One man is name&, 0nason Eoriginally from Cypr!sF. Ge is calle& an ol& &isciple Ean early con5ert, or an el&erly personF, /ho ha& a &/elling in Jer!salem, an& /ho ha& offere& his place for them to stay in /hile there. =erses $@#34. 8a!l at Jer!salem. $@ K An& /hen /e /ere come to Jer!salem, the .rethren recei5e& !s gla&ly. $) An& the &ay follo/ing 8a!l /ent in /ith !s !nto James? an& all the el&ers /ere present. $+ An& /hen he ha& sal!te& them, he &eclare& partic!larly /hat things 2o& ha& /ro!ght among the 2entiles .y his ministry. 2' An& /hen they hear& it, they glorifie& the Lor&, an& sai& !nto him, Tho! seest, .rother, ho/ many tho!san&s of Je/s there are /hich .elie5e? an& they are all <ealo!s of the la/: 2$ an& they are informe& of thee, that tho! teachest all the Je/s /hich are among the 2entiles to forsa*e 0oses, saying that they o!ght not to circ!mcise their chil&ren, neither to /al* after the c!stoms. 22 Bhat is it thereforeL the m!ltit!&e m!st nee&s come together: for they /ill hear that tho! art come. 23 Do therefore this that /e say to thee: Be ha5e fo!r men /hich ha5e a 5o/ on them? 24 them ta*e, an& p!rify thyself /ith them, an& .e at charges /ith them, that they may sha5e their hea&s: an& all may *no/ that those things, /hereof they /ere informe& concerning thee, are nothing? .!t that tho! thyself also /al*est or&erly, an& *eepest the la/. 2, As to!ching the 2entiles /hich .elie5e, /e ha5e /ritten an& concl!&e& that they o.ser5e no s!ch thing, sa5e only that they *eep themsel5es from things offere& to i&ols, an& from .loo&, an& from strangle&, an& from fornication. 2- Then 8a!l too* the men, an& the neCt &ay p!rifying himself /ith them entere& into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the &ays of p!rification, !ntil that an offering sho!l& .e offere& for e5ery one of them. 2@ K An& /hen the se5en &ays /ere almost en&e&, the Je/s /hich /ere of Asia, /hen they sa/ him in the temple, stirre& !p all the people, an& lai& han&s on him, 2) crying o!t, 0en of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men e5ery /here against the people, an& the la/, an& this place: an& f!rther .ro!ght 2ree*s also into the temple, an& hath poll!te& this holy place. 2+ E9or they ha& seen .efore /ith him in the city Troph'im!s an %phesian, /hom they s!ppose& that 8a!l ha& .ro!ght into the temple.F

Lesson AAIA contin!e&

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3' An& all the city /as mo5e&, an& the people ran together: an& they too* 8a!l, an& &re/ him o!t of the temple: an& forth/ith the &oors /ere sh!t. 3$ An& as they /ent a.o!t to *ill him, ti&ings came !nto the chief captain of the .an&, that all Jer!salem /as in an !proar: 32 /ho imme&iately too* sol&iers an& cent!rions, an& ran &o/n !nto them: an& /hen they sa/ the chief captain an& the sol&iers, they left .eating of 8a!l. 33 Then the chief captain came near, an& too* him, an& comman&e& him to .e .o!n& /ith t/o chains? an& &eman&e& /ho he /as, an& /hat he ha& &one. 34 An& some crie& one thing, some another, among the m!ltit!&e: an& /hen he co!l& not *no/ the certainty for the t!m!lt, he comman&e& him to .e carrie& into the castle. =erse $@. Opon arri5al, the .rethren of the Jer!salem ch!rch /elcome& them Ioyf!lly. =erse $). The neCt &ay, 8a!l an& his companions /ent to 5isit James H this man is i&entifie& as James the less, co!sin to Jes!s, the only apostle still in Jer!salem. Ge /as the lea&er, or .ishop. Ge /as a 5ery important mem.er of the ch!rch co!ncil. All the el&ers /ere there also. 8ossi.ly, they ha& .een calle& together, *no/ing of 8a!l's arri5al an& that some serio!s iss!es concerning him nee&e& to .e a&&resse&. =erse $+. 8a!l /as most li*ely f!lly a/are of the main complaint against him, partic!larly from Je/ish Christians. After he greets the assem.ly, he &escri.es his ministry among the 2entiles H that 2o& ha& .een glorifie& .y so many that ha& .ecome .elie5ers in the 2ospel of Gis (on. 2o& /o!l& not ha5e so .lesse& his ministry if it /as not Gis /ill. =erse 2'. The assem.ly eCpresse& appro5al an& Ioy at 2o& /or*ing. 7!t imme&iately follo/ing, the main iss!e is .ro!ght !p. The many tho!san&s of Je/ish .elie5ers presently in Jer!salem for 8entecost are all <ealo!s of the la/. The o.ser5ances of 0oses' la/ /o!l& remain in practice !ntil the &estr!ction of Jer!salem an& the Temple in @' A.D. That therefore ma&e it impossi.le. Ontil then Je/s an& Je/ish Christians still incl!&e& their o.ser5ance. As long as the maIority of all .eginning ch!rches /ere mostly Je/ish con5erts, their tra&itional o.ser5ances /ere part of the ch!rch. That /as no/ change&, especially .y the ministry of 8a!l among the 2entiles. =erse 2$. Bor& has come to them that 8a!l's teaching of Je/s among these 2entiles, enco!rages them to a.an&on their tra&itions, not to circ!mcise their chil&ren etc. This is state& as forsa*ing 0oses. "o/here in "e/ Testament (cript!re is any s!ggestion that 8a!l e5er

Lesson AAIA contin!e&

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act!ally ta!ght these things. Bhat he &i& teach /as that Jes!s Christ ha& &eli5ere& them from the yo*e of the la/, /hich they co!l& ne5er o.ey perfectly themsel5es. They &i& ha5e li.erty to /ear that yo*e if they chose to. They earne& no merit to/ar& sal5ation, .!t they ca!se& no harm. =erse 22. The el&ers an& James /ere serio!sly /orrie& a.o!t /hat /as going to happen /hen the greatest miCe& cro/& gathere& an& hear& of 8a!l's presence. (ome t!m!lt or confrontation co!l& occ!r, /hich co!l& only .e &estr!cti5e. They /ante& to pre5ent this. It /o!l& p!.licly .ring ri&ic!le an& hatre& from the Je/ish pop!lation an& .ring &o/n the omans' reaction /ith military force. =erses 23,24. They ha& a plan alrea&y. They /ante& 8a!l to follo/ their &irection, /hich /o!l& pre5ent /hat they most feare&. They ha5e 4 men that ha& ma&e a 5o/ to 2o& # the "a<arite =o/ H not c!tting hair or .ear& !ntil the 5o/ /as complete&. At the en&, all hair /as sha5e& off. It /as for spirit!al p!rification. They tell 8a!l to Ioin them in the p!rification H an& help pay for the eCpenses in5ol5e&. These incl!&e& offerings an& sacrifices H lam.s, rams, flo!r, etc. Then they /o!l& all ha5e their hea&s sha5e&. This /o!l& .e openly an& p!.licly o.5io!s to any onloo*ers, that 8a!l, along /ith others, /as still o.ser5ing 0osaic La/ H /al*ing or&erly. This /o!l& represent a&herence to an& respect of the la/ as holy, I!st, an& goo&. 8a!l /o!l& follo/ their a&5ice, ac*no/le&ge the fo!r men as follo/ing their 5o/ for the right reason H this /as !s!ally &one in gratit!&e an& than*f!lness for mercies alrea&y recei5e& from 2o&. =erse 2,. To also &eal /ith the 2entiles relate& to o.ser5ing 0osaic La/, the el&ers remin&e& e5eryone that these things ha& alrea&y .een a&&resse& Echapter $,F. This ha& .een &one at an earlier co!ncil meeting, /ith letters circ!late& to the ch!rches of mainly 2entiles. These .elie5ers /ere not re6!ire& to a&here to 0osaic La/. They /ere to a5oi& things offere& to i&ols, .loo& from strangle& animals, an& from seC o!tsi&e marriage. =erse 2-. 8a!l complie&, /ent /ith the men, an& on the follo/ing &ay he p!rifie& himself /ith them. They then /ent to the Temple to &eclare to the priest that they ha& complete& their 5o/ an& ha& come to ma*e their offerings to 2o&. (ome ha5e calle& into 6!estion /hether 8a!l /as /rong in incl!&ing these sacrifices. "o /riter in the "e/ Testament critici<e& him, nor &i& 8a!l himself. Gis eCplanation in I Corinthians +:2',23 # DAn& !nto the Je/s I .ecame as a Je/, that I might gain the Je/s? ... An& this I &o for the gospel's sa*e, that I might .e parta*er thereof /ith yo!.D =erse 2@. Apparently, a gro!p of Je/s from Asia ha& come to Jer!salem. They ha& great malice against 8a!l for his ministry in their home

Lesson AAIA contin!e&

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co!ntry. They /ere most li*ely the ones that circ!late& the false acco!nts a.o!t 8a!l e5ery/here they /ent, an& no/ thro!gho!t Jer!salem. They /ante& him stoppe& here an& no/. They 5oice& their acc!sations H stirring !p the m!ltit!&e H an& then lai& han&s on him. =erse 2). They .egan yelling D0en of Israel, helpD. They sa/ him as the man /ho ta!ght against Je/s, 0oses' La/, an& the Temple, e5ery/here he /ent. They imply that if they &on't stop him, he /ill &o the same there, as he ha& &one among the 2entiles. They then 6!ic*ly acc!se& 8a!l of .ringing 2ree*s E2entilesF into the Temple. 8a!l *ne/ the la/ H no stranger or non#Je/ /as permitte& to go /ithin the holy place. The p!nishment /as &eath. Ge ha& no reason to &o s!ch a thing. =erse 2+. Their reasoning is eCplaine&. 8a!l ha& .een seen earlier in Jer!salem in the company of Trophim!s H an %phesian. They ass!me& that 8a!l /as so .ol& as to .ring him also into the temple. =erse 3'. The eCcite& an& angry cro/& r!she& together to p!t han&s on him, an& too* him o!t of the Temple. They sh!t the &oors .ehin& them so he /o!l& ha5e no chance of protection in the sanct!ary Ethe holy placeF, an& that the holy place /o!l& not .e &efile& .y the she&&ing of his .loo&. It seems clear they /ante& to p!t him to &eath. =erse 3$. This /as ca!sing a great commotion H the ne/s tra5ele& 6!ic*ly to the captain of the .an&, the oman Tri.!ne in charge of a troop of sol&iers. They lo&ge& in the castle name& Antonia H at the north/est corner of the o!ter /all of the Temple compleC. It /as higher than an& o5erloo*e& the /hole Temple area. (tairs le& &o/n in the porticoes, an& the co!rt of the 2entiles, /here it appears the Je/s /ere a.o!t to *ill 8a!l. The Captain respon&e& 6!ic*ly to the !proar, ta*ing sol&iers an& cent!rions, r!nning &o/n the stairs to /here the mo. ha& gathere& aro!n& 8a!l. Bhen the cro/& sa/ the omans, they /isely stoppe& .eating 8a!l. =erse 33. The captain came near, too* hol& of him, an& comman&e& him to .e .o!n& /ith t/o chains. This c!stomarily meant to .e .o!n& .et/een t/o sol&iers, one chain on each han&, on each si&e. In chapter 23:2-, /e learn that this captain /as Cla!&i!s Lysias. Ge then &eman&e& to *no/ /ho this man /as an& /hat he ha& &one. =erse 34. Ge sa/ that there /ere no clean ans/ers to his 6!estions. Different people in the cro/& sai& &ifferent things. There /as no /ay to fin& o!t from them /hat starte& it all. The .est plan /as to ta*e the man into the castle so that the mo. /o!l& calm &o/n, en&ing the t!m!lt # allo/ing ans/ers to .e fo!n& in an or&erly manner. "eCt, 8a!l spea*s to the captain, then to the cro/&.

Lesson AAA The Acts of the Apostles 2$:3,#4'. 8a!l spea*s to the captain, then to the cro/&.

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3, An& /hen he came !pon the stairs, so it /as, that he /as .orne of the sol&iers for the 5iolence of the people. 3- 9or the m!ltit!&e of the people follo/e& after, crying, A/ay /ith him. 3@ K An& as 8a!l /as to .e le& into the castle, he sai& !nto the chief captain, 0ay I spea* !nto theeL Bho sai&, Canst tho! spea* 2ree*L 3) Art not tho! that %gyptian, /hich .efore these &ays ma&est an !proar, an& le&&est o!t into the /il&erness fo!r tho!san& men that /ere m!r&erersL 3+ 7!t 8a!l sai&, I am a man /hich am a Je/ of Tars!s, a city in Cili'cia, a citi<en of no mean city: an&, I .eseech thee, s!ffer me to spea* !nto the people. 4' An& /hen he ha& gi5en him license, 8a!l stoo& on the stairs, an& .ec*one& /ith the han& !nto the people. An& /hen there /as ma&e a great silence, he spa*e !nto them in the Ge.re/ tong!e, saying, =erses 3,,3-. 8a!l /as .eing ta*en !p the stairs to the castle .y the sol&iers. Ge ha& .een resc!e& from the 5iolence of the m!ltit!&e that /as a.o!t to *ill him. The cro/& follo/e& them crying alo!&, DA/ay /ith him.D To a Je/ish mo. this phrase al/ays meant, D:ill himD, to &o a/ay /ith him. EL!*e 23:$), John $+:$,F. =erse 3@. As they /ere a.o!t to enter the castle, 8a!l as*s the chief captain if he can spea* to him. Apparently, Lysias /as not fl!ent in Latin Enot .eing a nati5e omanF. Be later learn in 22:2) that he ha& p!rchase& oman citi<enship for a large s!m. The conf!sion of 5oices of the t!m!lt ma&e it impossi.le for him to clearly grasp /hat ha& .een sai&. 9or these reasons, he as*s 8a!l if he can spea* 2ree*. =erse 3). The captain first as*s 8a!l if he is that %gyptian that ha& ca!se& a great !proar. This man ne5er name& claime& to .e a prophet. Ge proclaime& that the /alls of Jer!salem /o!l& fall &o/n .efore those that Ioine& him in attac*ing the city to ro!te the omans. 7y his spea*ing, he raise& !p a gro!p of near 4,''' men that /ere m!r&erers H or assassins name& after those that carry a c!r5e& *nife hi&&en in their clothing to catch their 5ictims .y s!rprise. They ha& .elie5e& his .oasting an& eCaggerate& promises. They gathere& together in the /il&erness, then came to/ar& Jer!salem H they got as far as the 0o!nt of Oli5es. The oman go5ernor, 9eliC, ca!ght !p /ith them /ith ca5alry an& infantry. The mo. /as 6!ic*ly &is.!rse&, 4'' *ille&, 2'' ta*en prisoners? the %gyptian an& some of his closest allies escape&. "othing /as e5er hear& from or a.o!t him again. EJoseph!s /rote a.o!t this.F The captain /as g!essing that 8a!l might .e this g!y. That he ha& .een recogni<e& .y the Je/ish mo. an& that /as /hy the !proar starte&.

Lesson AAA contin!e&

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=erse 3+. 8a!l rea&ily replie&, I am a Je/ of Tars!s, a city in Cilicia. It /as a 5ery important commercial center in some meas!re a ri5al to ome an& Athens. It /as important eno!gh that J!li!s Caesar ha& gi5en its citi<ens all the rights an& pri5ileges of citi<ens of ome. The /or& DmeanD meant great an& flo!rishing. =erse 4'. 8a!l /as stan&ing on the top part of the stairs, s!rro!n&e& .y oman sol&iers, /ell o!t of reach .y the mo.. The captain ha& gi5en permission for him to spea*. 8a!l .ec*one& /ith his han&, a gest!re to get the cro/&'s attention, an& in&icating that he /o!l& a.o!t to spea*. The cro/& ma&e a great silence. 8a!l .egin spea*ing in Ge.re/. Acts 22:$#2,. $ 0en, .rethren, an& fathers, hear ye my &efense /hich I ma*e no/ !nto yo!. 2 K EAn& /hen they hear& that he spa*e in the Ge.re/ tong!e to them, they *ept the more silence: an& he saith,F 3 K I am 5erily a man /hich am a Je/, .orn in Tars!s, a city in Cili'cia, yet .ro!ght !p in this city at the feet of 2ama'li#el, an& ta!ght accor&ing to the perfect manner of the la/ of the fathers, an& /as <ealo!s to/ar& 2o&, as ye all are this &ay. 4 An& I persec!te& this /ay !nto the &eath, .in&ing an& &eli5ering into prisons .oth men an& /omen. , As also the high priest &oth .ear me /itness, an& all the estate of the el&ers: from /hom also I recei5e& letters !nto the .rethren, an& /ent to Damasc!s, to .ring them /hich /ere there .o!n& !nto Jer!salem, for to .e p!nishe&. - K An& it came to pass, that, as I ma&e my Io!rney, an& /as come nigh !nto Damasc!s a.o!t noon, s!&&enly there shone from hea5en a great light ro!n& a.o!t me. @ An& I fell !nto the gro!n&, an& hear& a 5oice saying !nto me, (a!l, (a!l, /hy persec!test tho! meL ) An& I ans/ere&, Bho art tho!, Lor&L An& he sai& !nto me, I am Jes!s of "a<areth, /hom tho! persec!test. + An& they that /ere /ith me sa/ in&ee& the light, an& /ere afrai&? .!t they hear& not the 5oice of him that spa*e to me. $' An& I sai&, Bhat shall I &o, Lor&L An& the Lor& sai& !nto me, Arise, an& go into Damasc!s? an& there it shall .e tol& thee of all things /hich are appointe& for thee to &o. $$ An& /hen I co!l& not see for the glory of that light, .eing le& .y the han& of them that /ere /ith me, I came into Damasc!s. $2 K An& one Anani'as, a &e5o!t man accor&ing to the la/, ha5ing a goo& report of all the Je/s /hich &/elt there, $3 came !nto me, an& stoo&, an& sai& !nto me, 7rother (a!l, recei5e thy sight. An& the same ho!r I loo*e& !p !pon him. $4 An& he sai&, The 2o& of o!r fathers hath chosen thee, that tho! sho!l&est *no/ his /ill, an& see that J!st One, an& sho!l&est hear the 5oice of his mo!th. $, 9or tho! shalt .e his /itness !nto all men of /hat tho! hast seen an& hear&.

Lesson AAA contin!e&

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$- An& no/ /hy tarriest tho!L arise, an& .e .apti<e&, an& /ash a/ay thy sins, calling on the name of the Lor&. $@ K An& it came to pass, that, /hen I /as come again to Jer!salem, e5en /hile I praye& in the temple, I /as in a trance? $) an& sa/ him saying !nto me, 0a*e haste, an& get thee 6!ic*ly o!t of Jer!salem: for they /ill not recei5e thy testimony concerning me. $+ An& I sai&, Lor&, they *no/ that I imprisone& an& .eat in e5ery synagog!e them that .elie5e& on thee: 2' an& /hen the .loo& of thy martyr (tephen /as she&, I also /as stan&ing .y, an& consenting !nto his &eath, an& *ept the raiment of them that sle/ him. 2$ An& he sai& !nto me, Depart: for I /ill sen& thee far hence !nto the 2entiles. 22 K An& they ga5e him a!&ience !nto this /or&, an& then lifte& !p their 5oices, an& sai&, A/ay /ith s!ch a fello/ from the earth: for it is not fit that he sho!l& li5e. 23 An& as they crie& o!t, an& cast off their clothes, an& thre/ &!st into the air, 24 the chief captain comman&e& him to .e .ro!ght into the castle, an& .a&e that he sho!l& .e eCamine& .y sco!rging? that he might *no/ /herefore they crie& so against him. 2, An& as they .o!n& him /ith thongs, 8a!l sai& !nto the cent!rion that stoo& .y, Is it la/f!l for yo! to sco!rge a man that is a oman, an& !ncon&emne&L =erse $. 8a!l .egins /ith a Ge.re/ eCpression that mans D.rothers an& fathersD. Then Dhear ye my &efenseD. Ge /ishes to eCplain /hat they ha5e /rongly acc!se& him as .eing impossi.le. =erse 2. That the cro/&, in hearing Ge.re/, *ept more 6!iet, implies that those acc!sers from Asia tho!ght of him as an imposter that /as ignorant an& hatef!l to Je/s, only /anting to harm the Je/ish religion. =erse 3. Ge emphatically .egins, as he ha& to the captain, .y stating that he is a Je/. Ge /as .orn in Tars!s in Cilicia. 7!t he /as .ro!ght !p in Jer!salem. Ge /as not only not in any /ay ignorant of the Je/ish religion, .!t also /as ta!ght an& s!premely traine& .y the fame& instr!ctor, 2amaliel. Ge learne& the la/ of the fathers an& follo/e& them. Ge /as <ealo!s to/ar& 2o&. Ge then compliments his a!&ience .y cre&iting them /ith also .eing <ealo!s to/ar& 2o&. =erse 4. 8a!l not .egins to reco!nt the eCample of his <eal to/ar& 2o&. Ge persec!te& Dthis /ayD meaning .elie5ers in Jes!s. This incl!&e& some .eing p!t to &eath EeCample of (tephen's .eing stone&F, others .o!n& an& p!t in prison H .oth men an& /omen. =erse ,. %5en the high priest an& mem.ers of the (anhe&rin co!l& 5o!ch

Lesson AAA contin!e&

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for his actions. Ge ha& recei5e& letters of a!thority to arrest an& .ring .ac* to Jer!salem for p!nishment, .elie5ers of the /ay in Damasc!s. This sho/s him as a tr!e an& strict a&herent to the 0osaic La/ as a 8harisee. =erses -#$3. On the /ay to Damasc!s, coming near the city a.o!t noon, there /as a s!&&en great light shining &o/n aro!n& 8a!l from hea5en. Ge procee&s to &escri.e the entire eCperience in &etail Eas pre5io!sly in chapter +F. =erse $4. 8a!l arri5e& in Damasc!s .lin&. A man, a &e5o!t Je/, nati5e of that city, came to see him. Ge calle& him 7rother (a!l, an& sai& recei5e thy sight. Ge also calls him chosen of the 2o& of their fathers H that he sho!l& *no/ 2o&'s /ill. Ge /as to see the J!st One H Jes!s Christ H the opposite of /hat the Je/s ha& acc!se& an& con&emne& Gim of .eing. This /as also the confirmation of /hat 8a!l ha& eCperience& H ha5ing seen an& hear& Je/s. =erse $,. 2o& has calle& him to .e a /itness to all men H Je/s an& 2entiles. =erse $-. Ananias then s!ggests that no time sho!l& .e /aste&. "eCt 8a!l m!st .e .apti<e& H openly an& p!.licly .efore the local .elie5ers proclaiming his faith in the sal5ation an& forgi5eness in the name of the Lor&, .eing .apti<e& in the "ame of the 9ather, the (on, an& the Goly (pirit. Ge also mentions that the rite of .aptism represents the /ashing a/ay of sin thro!gh accepting Christ's sacrifice in o!r stea&. =erses $@,$). 8a!l no/ I!mps ahea&, a.o!t three years later, a.o!t his first trip to Jer!salem, after his con5ersion Ealso mentione& in 2alatians $:$)F. Ge /as in the Temple praying. Ge /as then in a trance H he ha& a 5ision H Jes!s spo*e to him, &irecting him to lea5e Jer!salem 6!ic*ly .eca!se the Je/s /ill not accept his testimony a.o!t Gim. This e5ent is recor&e& only here. =erse $+. 8a!l reco!nts his history among these Je/s as a persec!tor of those early .elie5ers Eimprisone& an& .eat in e5ery synagog!eF. It /as he that ma&e it &angero!s to profess to .e a Christian at that time. =erse 2'. An& specifically at the martyr&om of (tephen, he ha& .een there, consenting to his &eath, e5en hol&ing the coats of those that thre/ the stones. Ge says all this as reasons /hy it /o!l& .e impossi.le for Jer!salem Christians to accept him. 9rom his history as persec!tor, ho/ co!l& they .elie5e he ha& change&, .!t /o!l& s!spect

Lesson AAA contin!e& he /as infiltrating their gro!p to ca!se their &o/nfall.

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=erse 2$. Jes!s replies DI /ill sen& thee far hence !nto the 2entiles.D Ge /as to esta.lish many ch!rches in the /orl& o!tsi&e of Israel, an& he ta!ght, set straight, enco!rage&, an& esta.lishe& them in con5ersion, gro/th, mat!rity, &octrine, an& righteo!s li5ing. 0ore than any of the original apostles, 8a!l &i& this thro!gh his letters an& .!ilt the frame of the Ch!rch !pon the fo!n&ation of Christ o!r Lor&. =erse 22. The cro/& ha& listene& to his story .!t from their point of 5ie/ this only sho/e& that yes he ha& gone to the 2entiles, sent .y 2o&. 7!t /hat they !n&erstoo& this to mean, /as that 2o& ha& reIecte& them, no/ choosing these pagan foreigners as Gis pec!liar people in their place. This co!l& not .e tolerate&. Again the term, Da/ay /ith s!ch a fello/D # he /ho trie& to &ra/ people a/ay to a strange /orship m!st .e p!t to &eath .y stoning EThe La/ of 0oses H De!teronomy $3:$,F. The cro/& crie& o!t that he sho!l& .e *ille&. =erse 23. Bhile they yelle& these things, they gra..e& at their !pper garments to sho/ their eCtreme agitation, possi.ly e5en casting them off as if preparing to .egin stoning 8a!l right a/ay. They also thre/ &!st in the air. This /as a sign of hostility, &efiance, malice, an& fr!stration that they co!l& not get to 8a!l or stri*e at him. =erse 24. Ga5ing allo/e& 8a!l to spea* H no/ seeing an& hearing the cro/&'s reaction, the captain *ne/ that 8a!l's speech ha& only increase& the !proar. Ge, not !n&erstan&ing Ge.re/, *ne/ no more a.o!t /hat the great crime that 8a!l ha& &one /as. The only /ay to fin& o!t /as to contin!e his pre5io!s plan H ta*e 8a!l into the castle for 6!estioning H at this point .y .in&ing him an& application of the lash. Certainly, then 8a!l /o!l& confess his crime. =erse 2,. Bhile the sol&iers /ere .in&ing 8a!l /ith leather straps H 8a!l as*e& the cent!rion loo*ing on H is it la/f!l for a oman citi<en to .e sco!rge& /itho!t .eing con&emne&. This /as against oman la/. This stoppe& e5erything. "eCt, 8a!l's "e/ Co!rse.

Lesson AAAI The Acts of the Apostles 22:2-#3'. 8a!l's "e/ Co!rse.

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2- Bhen the cent!rion hear& that, he /ent an& tol& the chief captain, saying, Ta*e hee& /hat tho! &oest? for this man is a oman. 2@ Then the chief captain came, an& sai& !nto him, Tell me, art tho! a omanL Ge sai&, Mea. 2) An& the chief captain ans/ere&, Bith a great s!m o.taine& I this free&om. An& 8a!l sai&, 7!t I /as free#.orn. 2+ Then straight/ay they &eparte& from him /hich sho!l& ha5e eCamine& him: an& the chief captain also /as afrai&, after he *ne/ that he /as a oman, an& .eca!se he ha& .o!n& him. 3' K On the morro/, .eca!se he /o!l& ha5e *no/n the certainty /herefore he /as acc!se& of the Je/s, he loose& him from his .an&s, an& comman&e& the chief priests an& all their co!ncil to appear, an& .ro!ght 8a!l &o/n, an& set him .efore them. =erse 2-. On hearing 8a!l's 6!estion a.o!t oman la/ concerning oman citi<ens, the cent!rion imme&iately /ent an& informe& the tri.!ne that Dthis manD says he is a oman. =erse 2@. The tri.!ne came an& as*e& 8a!l &irectly if he /as a ans/ers 8a!l. oman. Mes,

=erse 2). The tri.!ne a&mits that he ha& p!rchase& that right D/ith a great s!mD. 8a!l states that he ha& that right .y .eing .orn into oman citi<enship. This again relates to the grant from J!li!s Caesar to the citi<ens of Tars!s that all nati5es of that city /ere gi5en oman citi<enship. To .e free .orn meant the same thing. =erse 2+. The sol&iers that ha& .een in5ol5e& in sco!rging an& 6!estioning 8a!l slippe& a/ay. The tri.!ne also /as afrai&, ha5ing or&ere& 8a!l .o!n& .efore he /as e5en charge&. This /as also against the la/ to treat a oman. =erse 3'. The neCt &ay, ha5ing loose& 8a!l from his .on&s, the tri.!ne calls for the chief priests an& the (anhe&rin to appear .efore him an& lay o!t the case of /hat crime or crimes they /ere acc!sing 8a!l of H to state the case an& gi5e the e5i&ence, hear /itnesses, to eCamine the matter thoro!ghly. Certainly he s!specte& it ha& something to &o /ith the Je/ish religion. Also 8a!l /o!l& ha5e staye& /ith a sol&ier escort, *ept a/ay from the Je/s. This apparently ha& to ta*e place .ac* o!tsi&e of the castle in a place large eno!gh for this si<e gathering E)' to $'' peopleF.

Lesson AAAI contin!e& Acts 23:$#3'.

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$ An& 8a!l, earnestly .ehol&ing the co!ncil, sai&, 0en an& .rethren, I ha5e li5e& in all goo& conscience .efore 2o& !ntil this &ay. 2 An& the high priest Anani'as comman&e& them that stoo& .y him to smite him on the mo!th. 3 Then sai& 8a!l !nto him, 2o& shall smite thee, tho! /hite& /all: for sittest tho! to I!&ge me after the la/, an& comman&est me to .e smitten contrary to the la/L 4 An& they that stoo& .y sai&, e5ilest tho! 2o&'s high priestL , Then sai& 8a!l, I /ist not, .rethren, that he /as the high priest: for it is /ritten, Tho! shalt not spea* e5il of the r!ler of thy people. - K 7!t /hen 8a!l percei5e& that the one part /ere (a&&!cees, an& the other 8harisees, he crie& o!t in the co!ncil, 0en an& .rethren, I am a 8harisee, the son of a 8harisee: of the hope an& res!rrection of the &ea& I am calle& in 6!estion. @ An& /hen he ha& so sai&, there arose a &issension .et/een the 8harisees an& the (a&&!cees: an& the m!ltit!&e /as &i5i&e&. ) 9or the (a&&!cees say that there is no res!rrection, neither angel, nor spirit: .!t the 8harisees confess .oth. + An& there arose a great cry: an& the scri.es that /ere of the 8harisees' part arose, an& stro5e, saying, Be fin& no e5il in this man: .!t if a spirit or an angel hath spo*en to him, let !s not fight against 2o&. $' An& /hen there arose a great &issension, the chief captain, fearing lest 8a!l sho!l& ha5e .een p!lle& in pieces of them, comman&e& the sol&iers to go &o/n, an& to ta*e him .y force from among them, an& to .ring him into the castle. $$ K An& the night follo/ing the Lor& stoo& .y him, an& sai&, 7e of goo& cheer, 8a!l: for as tho! hast testifie& of me in Jer!salem, so m!st tho! .ear /itness also at ome. $2 K An& /hen it /as &ay, certain of the Je/s .an&e& together, an& .o!n& themsel5es !n&er a c!rse, saying that they /o!l& neither eat nor &rin* till they ha& *ille& 8a!l. $3 An& they /ere more than forty /hich ha& ma&e this conspiracy. $4 An& they came to the chief priests an& el&ers, an& sai&, Be ha5e .o!n& o!rsel5es !n&er a great c!rse, that /e /ill eat nothing !ntil /e ha5e slain 8a!l. $, "o/ therefore ye /ith the co!ncil signify to the chief captain that he .ring him &o/n !nto yo! tomorro/, as tho!gh ye /o!l& in6!ire something more perfectly concerning him: an& /e, or e5er he come near, are rea&y to *ill him. $- K An& /hen 8a!l's sister's son hear& of their lying in /ait, he /ent an& entere& into the castle, an& tol& 8a!l. $@ Then 8a!l calle& one of the cent!rions !nto him, an& sai&, 7ring this yo!ng man !nto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him. $) (o he too* him, an& .ro!ght him to the chief captain, an& sai&, 8a!l the prisoner calle& me !nto him, an& praye& me to .ring this yo!ng man !nto thee, /ho hath something to say !nto thee. $+ Then the chief captain too* him .y the han&, an& /ent /ith him asi&e pri5ately, an& as*e& him, Bhat is that tho! hast to tell meL

Lesson AAAI contin!e&

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2' An& he sai&, The Je/s ha5e agree& to &esire thee that tho! /o!l&est .ring &o/n 8a!l tomorro/ into the co!ncil, as tho!gh they /o!l& in6!ire some/hat of him more perfectly. 2$ 7!t &o not tho! yiel& !nto them: for there lie in /ait for him of them more than forty men, /hich ha5e .o!n& themsel5es /ith an oath, that they /ill neither eat nor &rin* till they ha5e *ille& him: an& no/ are they rea&y, loo*ing for a promise from thee. 22 (o the chief captain then let the yo!ng man &epart, an& charge& him, (ee tho! tell no man that tho! hast sho/e& these things to me. 23 K An& he calle& !nto him t/o cent!rions, saying, 0a*e rea&y t/o h!n&re& sol&iers to go to Caesare'a, an& horsemen threescore an& ten, an& spearmen t/o h!n&re&, at the thir& ho!r of the night? 24 an& pro5i&e them .easts, that they may set 8a!l on, an& .ring him safe !nto 9eliC the go5ernor. 2, An& he /rote a letter after this manner: 2- K Cla!&i!s Lys'i#as !nto the most eCcellent go5ernor 9eliC sen&eth greeting. 2@ This man /as ta*en of the Je/s, an& sho!l& ha5e .een *ille& of them: then came I /ith an army, an& resc!e& him, ha5ing !n&erstoo& that he /as a oman. 2) An& /hen I /o!l& ha5e *no/n the ca!se /herefore they acc!se& him, I .ro!ght him forth into their co!ncil: 2+ /hom I percei5e& to .e acc!se& of 6!estions of their la/, .!t to ha5e nothing lai& to his charge /orthy of &eath or of .on&s. 3' An& /hen it /as tol& me ho/ that the Je/s lai& /ait for the man, I sent straight/ay to thee, an& ga5e comman&ment to his acc!sers also to say .efore thee /hat they ha& against him. 9are/ell. =erse $. Loo*ing at the gathering, 8a!l serio!sly /as intent on ass!ring these highest Je/ish priests an& el&ers of his conscience. There /as nothing that he ha& e5er sai& or &one against 2o& right !p to the present moment. =erse 2. There /as an imme&iate response from the high priest himself H re5ealing a 6!ic* temper. Annas yells at the sol&iers stan&ing .y 8a!l to hit him on the mo!th. Ge consi&ere& 8a!l's /or&s as .lasphemy against 2o& .eca!se he ha& .een propagating the Dfalse &octrineD of Jes!s. =erse 3. 8a!l replie& I!st as 6!ic*ly, D2o& shall smite thee, tho! /hite& /allD. This saying &escri.es a hypocrite H preten&ing to .e a righteo!s I!&ge H .!t passing I!&gment /itho!t hearing or /eighing the &efense of the acc!se& person. The acc!se& /as s!ppose& to .e pres!me& innocent !ntil pro5en g!ilty. An& the p!nishment m!st match the crime, accor&ing to the la/. Ge /as o.5io!sly not acting as a tr!e I!&ge. =erse 4. (ome stan&ing near.y 6!estione& 8a!l. Di&n't he *no/ that he /as critici<ing the high priestL

Lesson AAAI contin!e&

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=erse ,. 8a!l a&mits that he &i&n't *no/, calling those that tol& him, D.rethrenD. 8a!l ha& not .een in Jer!salem for some time. The high priesthoo& /as fre6!ently .o!ght an& sol&. The omans /o!l& p!t &o/n one an& raise !p another as political press!res change&. 8a!l recogni<es his mista*e H he sho!l& sho/ respect to the r!ler of 2o&'s people for the sa*e of his position, !n&er 2o&'s pro5i&ence. 8a!l, tho!gh, &oes not a&mit that /hat he sai& /as /rong, nor &i& he apologi<e or ta*e .ac* his /or&s. Ge sai& DTho! shalt not spea* e5il of the r!ler of thy people.D =erse -. 8a!l notice& the presence of many of the t/o maIor politico# religio!s gro!ps among the cro/&: the 8harisees an& (a&&!cees. Ge *ne/ the &iffering &octrines of each gro!p. 8a!l ta*es a&5antage of this. Ge calls o!t, Dmen an& .rethrenD, again to get e5eryone's attention an& procee&s to i&entify himself as a 8harisee, an& son of a 8harisee. Then he states the main .elief that the 8harisees hol& that the (a&&!cees &on't: Dthe hope an& res!rrection of the &ea&D. Ge claims that this /as the ca!se of those /ho spo*e acc!singly against him. Bhat 8a!l state& here /as tr!e .eca!se he ha& preache& a.o!t the res!rrection of Jes!s Christ as the greatest proof of this &octrine .eing tr!e. =erse @. As 8a!l alrea&y *ne/, the cro/&'s reaction /as imme&iate H t/o gro!ps starte& arg!ing against each other. The 8harisees too* 8a!l's si&e as .elie5ing in the res!rrection. The (a&&!cees /ere consi&ere& .y them as .eing irreligio!s men. =erse ). The (a&&!cees &i& not .elie5e in the res!rrection, angels, or spirits. They o.ser5e& the or&inances of the La/, .!t only for temporal .enefits, happiness in their present life. They /ere the high priestly gro!p an& ha& great /ealth an& o/ne& m!ch lan&. The 8harisees .elie5e& in .oth. =erse +. "o/ the scri.es, /ho also /ere 8harisees, got to their feet an& in &irect opposition to the (a&&!cees. They /ere /illing to accept 8a!l's testimony that an angel or spirit ha& spo*en to him H therefore he /as not e5il, an& also 2o& m!st .e in it. If 2o& .e in it there sho!l& .e no arg!ment. =erse $'. (o the t/o gro!ps /ere at o&&s /ith each other. The tri.!ne again feare& that .et/een them, 8a!l /o!l& .e torn apart. To pre5ent this he again sent his sol&iers to resc!e him an& .ring him .ac* insi&e the castle. Ge is *ept there o5ernight. =erse $$. To gi5e 8a!l reass!rance, the Lor& appeare& to him that night. Ge tol& him to cheer !p. As he ha& /itnesse& to those in

Lesson AAAI contin!e&

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Jer!salem, it /as 2o&'s plan that he /o!l& also .ear /itness in ome. The city /as the greatest city of the oman %mpire H the center of po/er an& go5ernment, as /ell as the largest pop!lation. "o/ he *ne/ that 2o& /as /ith him in all the trials an& tri.!lation he ha& gone thro!gh, an& ha& a contin!ing p!rpose for his ministry among the 2entiles. =erses $2,$3. The follo/ing &ay a gro!p of more than 4' <ealo!s Je/s H assassins H conspire& together, an& s/ore an oath to not eat or &rin* !ntil they *ille& 8a!l. It /as common to &ispense /ith the 5o/ if !ns!ccessf!l. =erse $4. This fierce gro!p /ent to the chief priests an& el&ers for their help in gi5ing them the opport!nity to get close to 8a!l. They eCplain their 5o/ an& plan. =erse $,. They as* them to re6!est the tri.!ne .ring 8a!l to them so they can f!rther 6!estion him to clear things !p. Bhen he is near eno!gh they /ill ta*e him o!t. =erse $-. Apparently, this plot /as too /i&ely *no/n. 8a!l's sister's son hear& a.o!t these assassins that /ere planning to am.!sh an& *ill 8a!l. Ge /ent to the castle an& /as allo/e& to come in an& spea* to 8a!l, telling him the plan. =erse $@. 8a!l calle& one of the cent!rions to ta*e this yo!ng man to the tri.!ne to tell him this partic!lar plot. =erse $). The sol&ier &i& as 8a!l re6!este&. 8a!l m!st ha5e recogni<e& 2o&'s pro5i&ence an& his o/n part in it. It /as not .y chance that this yo!ng man learne& this. 8a!l playe& his part. =erse $+. The tri.!ne too* him asi&e /here they /o!l& not .e o5erhear& an& as*e& to hear the message. =erse 2'. The yo!ng man repeate& the Je/s' plan to get 8a!l to the co!ncil for 6!estioning. =erse 22. The tri.!ne let the yo!ng man go, telling him not to tell anyone else that he ha& tol& the tri.!ne. =erse 23. Ge calle& 2 cent!rions an& or&ere& them to get 2'' sol&iers to go to Caesarea, @' horsemen, an& 2'' spearmen. This /as to ta*e

Lesson AAAI contin!e& place a.o!t +pm so as not to .e seen H to get o!t of Jer!salem /itho!t these 5icio!s Je/s catching on.

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=erse 24. Gorses /ere also to .e pro5i&e& for 8a!l an& those that /ere to closely g!ar& him. They /ere to ta*e 8a!l safely to the present go5ernor, 9eliC. At one time, he ha& .een a sla5e, .!t /as free& .y Cla!&i!s the oman %mperor. Gis .rother, name& 8allas, /as a fa5orite of the emperor. 9eliC /as marrie& 3 times. Dr!silla /as his present /ife. Ge /as *no/n as less than righteo!s, .ase, mercenary, petty, an& selfish. =erse 2,. The tri.!ne /rote a letter to the go5ernor. =erse 2-. Ge i&entifies himself as Cla!&i!s Lysias H a&&resses it to Dthe most eCcellent go5ernor 9eliCD. Then straight to the heart of the matter. =erse 2@. DThis man /as ta*en of the Je/s, an& sho!l& ha5e .een *ille& of them: then came I /ith an army, an& resc!e& him, ha5ing !n&erstoo& that he /as a oman.D This /as the common manner of letter /riting &!ring that time. =erse 2). Ge ha& trie& to fin& o!t /hat they /ere acc!sing him of, finally .ringing him to appear .efore the co!ncil. =erse 2+. All he co!l& !n&erstan& /as that it concerne& 6!estions a.o!t Je/ish la/. There /as nothing against him that /as /orthy of &eath or .eing loc*e& !p .y oman a!thority. =erse 3'. Ge ha& fo!n& o!t that the Je/s ha& a plant to am.!sh an& *ill him. Ge ha& &eci&e& to sen& him to the go5ernor. Ge also tol& the Je/ish acc!sers to appear .efore the go5ernor an& eCplain their acc!sations. Ge consi&ers 9eliC the proper a!thority to hear this case an& ma*e a &ecision. Then fare/ell. "eCt, 8a!l .efore 9eliC.

Lesson AAAII The Acts of the Apostles 23:3$#3,. 8a!l Is Ta*en to 9eliC.

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3$ K Then the sol&iers, as it /as comman&e& them, too* 8a!l, an& .ro!ght him .y night to Antip'atris. 32 On the morro/ they left the horsemen to go /ith him, an& ret!rne& to the castle: 33 /ho, /hen they came to Caesare'a, an& &eli5ere& the epistle to the go5ernor, presente& 8a!l also .efore him. 34 An& /hen the go5ernor ha& rea& the letter, he as*e& of /hat pro5ince he /as. An& /hen he !n&erstoo& that he /as of Cili'cia? 3, I /ill hear thee, sai& he, /hen thine acc!sers are also come. An& he comman&e& him to .e *ept in Gero&'s I!&gment hall. =erse 3$. Ga5ing .een sent .y tri.!ne Lysias /ith a letter eCplaining the sit!ation, 8a!l is ta*en that night to Antipatris. =erse 32. The follo/ing &ay, the horsemen contin!e on /ith 8a!l, the foot sol&iers go .ac* to the castle Antonia in Jer!salem. Antipatris /as a to/n re.!ilt .y Gero& the 2reat, rename& after his father Antipater. It /as on the roa& from Jer!salem. To Caesarea Ea.o!t @' milesF. The &istance from Jer!salem ma&e it s!fficiently safe for 8a!l to contin!e /ith the @' horsemen. =erse 33. The sol&iers on horse.ac* arri5e& at Caesarea? they &eli5ere& the letter from the tri.!ne an& the person of 8a!l also to the go5ernor. =erse 34. The go5ernor, !pon rea&ing the letter, as*e& 8a!l /hat pro5ince he /as from. 8a!l tol& him he /as from Cilicia. =erse 3,. The go5ernor tol& 8a!l that he /o!l& hear his case. Ge /o!l& listen to 8a!l an& to his acc!sers /hen they arri5e&. Ge /o!l& hear .oth si&es an& .e fair. 8a!l /as to .e *ept in Gero&'s I!&gment#hall, most li*ely a room set asi&e as a hol&ing place here a g!ar& /o!l& *eep a prisoner in. Ge /o!l& .e *ept there !ntil his acc!sers arri5e&. This /as pr!&ent in only hearing .oth si&es together an& not separate& .y time or place. Acts 24:$#2@. $ An& after fi5e &ays Anani'as the high priest &escen&e& /ith the el&ers, an& /ith a certain orator name& Tert!l'l!s, /ho informe& the go5ernor against 8a!l. 2 An& /hen he /as calle& forth, Tert!l'l!s .egan to acc!se him, saying, K (eeing that .y thee /e enIoy great 6!ietness, an& that 5ery /orthy &ee&s are &one !nto this nation .y thy pro5i&ence, 3 /e accept it al/ays, an& in all places, most no.le 9eliC, /ith all

Lesson AAAII contin!e&

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than*f!lness. 4 "ot/ithstan&ing, that I .e not f!rther te&io!s !nto thee, I pray thee that tho! /o!l&est hear !s of thy clemency a fe/ /or&s. , 9or /e ha5e fo!n& this man a pestilent fello/, an& a mo5er of se&ition among all the Je/s thro!gho!t the /orl&, an& a ringlea&er of the sect of the "a<arenes: - /ho also hath gone a.o!t to profane the temple: /hom /e too*, an& /o!l& ha5e I!&ge& accor&ing to o!r la/. @ 7!t the chief captain Lys'i#as came !pon !s, an& /ith great 5iolence too* him a/ay o!t of o!r han&s, ) comman&ing his acc!sers to come !nto thee: .y eCamining of /hom thyself mayest ta*e *no/le&ge of all these things, /hereof /e acc!se him. + K An& the Je/s also assente&, saying that these things /ere so. $' K Then 8a!l, after that the go5ernor ha& .ec*one& !nto him to spea*, ans/ere&, 9orasm!ch as I *no/ that tho! hast .een of many years a I!&ge !nto this nation, I &o the more cheerf!lly ans/er for myself: $$ .eca!se that tho! mayest !n&erstan&, that there are yet .!t t/el5e &ays since I /ent !p to Jer!salem for to /orship. $2 An& they neither fo!n& me in the temple &isp!ting /ith any man, neither raising !p the people, neither in the synagog!es, nor in the city: $3 neither can they pro5e the things /hereof they no/ acc!se me. $4 7!t this I confess !nto thee, that after the /ay /hich they call heresy, so /orship I the 2o& of my fathers, .elie5ing all things /hich are /ritten in the la/ an& in the prophets: $, an& ha5e hope to/ar& 2o&, /hich they themsel5es also allo/, that there shall .e a res!rrection of the &ea&, .oth of the I!st an& !nI!st. $- An& herein &o I eCercise myself, to ha5e al/ays a conscience 5oi& of offense to/ar& 2o&, an& to/ar& men. $@ "o/ after many years I came to .ring alms to my nation, an& offerings. $) Bhere!pon certain Je/s from Asia fo!n& me p!rifie& in the temple, neither /ith m!ltit!&e, nor /ith t!m!lt. $+ Bho o!ght to ha5e .een here .efore thee, an& o.Iect, if they ha& a!ght against me. 2' Or else let these same here say, if they ha5e fo!n& any e5il&oing in me, /hile I stoo& .efore the co!ncil, 2$ eCcept it .e for this one 5oice, that I crie& stan&ing among them, To!ching the res!rrection of the &ea& I am calle& in 6!estion .y yo! this &ay. 22 K An& /hen 9eliC hear& these things, ha5ing more perfect *no/le&ge of that /ay, he &eferre& them, an& sai&, Bhen Lys'i#as the chief captain shall come &o/n, I /ill *no/ the !ttermost of yo!r matter. 23 An& he comman&e& a cent!rion to *eep 8a!l, an& to let him ha5e li.erty, an& that he sho!l& for.i& none of his ac6!aintance to minister or come !nto him. 24 K An& after certain &ays, /hen 9eliC came /ith his /ife Dr!sil'la, /hich /as a Je/ess, he sent for 8a!l, an& hear& him concerning the faith in Christ. 2, An& as he reasone& of righteo!sness, temperance, an& I!&gment to

Lesson AAAII contin!e&

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come, 9eliC trem.le&, an& ans/ere&, 2o thy /ay for this time? /hen I ha5e a con5enient season, I /ill call for thee. 2- Ge hope& also that money sho!l& ha5e .een gi5en him of 8a!l, that he might loose him: /herefore he sent for him the oftener, an& comm!ne& /ith him. 2@ 7!t after t/o years 8or'ci#!s 9est!s came into 9eliC' room: an& 9eliC, /illing to sho/ the Je/s a pleas!re, left 8a!l .o!n&. =erse $. The chronology r!ns th!s: on the fifth &ay after his arri5al in Jer!salem, he /as apprehen&e&. The follo/ing &ay E-thF he /as .ro!ght .efore the (anhe&rin. The neCt night he /as ta*en to Antipatris. The neCt &ay Ethe @thF he arri5e& in Caesarea. 9i5e &ays later Ethe $2th &ay after his arri5al in Jer!salemF the high priest an& the el&ers come &o/n /ith an orator name& Tert!ll!s to acc!se 8a!l .efore the go5ernor. This man /as most li*ely a proselyte to J!&aism, a oman, /ho spo*e 2ree* an& Latin, an& /as /ell#ac6!ainte& /ith oman La/s an& c!stoms. Ge /as !sef!l as an a&5ocate or la/yer. =erses 2,3. Tert!ll!s /as calle& to state the case against 8a!l. Ge .egins .y praising 9eliC an& his /ise a&ministration. 2reat 6!ietness most li*ely refers to the crac*&o/n on the many ro..ers that ha& .een acti5e all o5er J!&ea. 9eliC ha& also p!t &o/n the attempte& attac* .y the %gyptian imposter pre5io!sly mentione& in 2$:3) H 5ery /orthy &ee&s. 8!re flattery H he claims that no matter /hat time or place the Je/s tal* a.o!t ho/ gratef!l they are for his .eneficial a&ministration. Ge is calle& most no.le 9eliC. =erse 4. "o/ he states that he &oesn't /ant to /aste any of the go5ernor's time .y &/elling long on reco!nting his great /or*s, nor to in any /ay lesson his mo&esty. The orator claims he only /ishes to say a fe/ /or&s, than*ing him in a&5ance for *in& in&!lgence. =erse ,. The orator no/ .egins to eCplain ho/ .a& a person Dthis manD /as. Ge is acc!se& of .eing a pest H a tro!.lema*er. Ge ca!ses &ist!r.ances, s!.5erting people against the Je/s Dthro!gho!t the /orl&D. Ge is a ringlea&er of the sect of the "a<arenes H a/ay from the tr!e religion. =erse -. Ge also /or*s against the holiness of the temple. Ge trie& to poll!te an& profane it. This /as a 5ery serio!s charge. If it co!l& .e pro5e&, the Je/s /ere allo/e& to p!t anyone to &eath .y the omans. Ge no/ claims that the Je/ish lea&ers /o!l& ha5e I!&ge& 8a!l .y Je/ish la/ in a fair manner. 7!t the tri.!ne Lysias ha& 5iolently ta*en him o!t of their han&s. The tr!th /as the opposite H Lysias stoppe& the mo. from *illing 8a!l in their rage against him. 2reat 5iolence seems to s!ggest that Lysias, /ith an arme& force, interfere& contrary to la/ .y his action.

Lesson AAAII contin!e&

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=erse ). Ge also comman&e& these acc!sers to come .efore 9eliC an& state their case against 8a!l. L!*e then seems to s!mmari<e the calling an& eCamining the /itnesses .y 5erse +. The Je/s agree& /ith the charges en!merate& .y the orator, saying Dthese things /ere soD. =erse $'. The go5ernor then motione& to 8a!l that it /as his time to spea*. 8a!l .egins, as &i& the orator, .y praising his I!&ge for his years of eCperience in &iscerning an& &eci&ing many iss!es concerning the Je/ish nation. Ge therefore eCpects to ha5e a fair an& fa5ora.le hearing. =erses $$#$3. 8a!l's ref!tation .egins .y his stating that he ha& only .een in Jer!salem for $2 &ays. This /as har&ly eno!gh time for him to organi<e an& sprea& some *in& of !prising. Ge ha& come to /orship accor&ing to the La/ of 0oses. Ge ha& not p!.licly &isp!te& /ith anyone in the Temple, or in the synagog!es or the city. This co!l& .e ta*en as a challenge to the Je/s to .ring forth some *in& of proof against him. =erse $4. The 2ree* /or& DheresyD in other places sect, ha& no .a& connotation at this time among the Je/s. It referre& to gro!ps of &iffering religio!s .eliefs or opinions, s!ch as the 8harisees or (a&&!cees. Those /ere the accepte& sects, neither of these t/o gro!ps /o!l& allo/ or accept a thir& gro!p H the "a<arenes. In fact these gro!ps ha& charge& Jes!s /ith plotting against the state, an& .eing a tro!.lema*er /ho threatene& their po/er, position, an& material interests. 8a!l procee&s to &efine his .eliefs. Ge /orships the 2o& of his fathers H no ne/ go& or go&s, no ne/ religio!s cree&s. Ge .elie5es in the La/ an& the 8rophets, the Ol& Testament (cript!res as &i5inely inspire&, a!thentic an& /ith a!thority. =erse $,. Ge .elie5es the same as the 8harisees themsel5es &o: hope to/ar& 2o& that there shall .e a res!rrection from the &ea&, the I!st, an& the !nI!st. "othing &ifferent. =erse $-. 8a!l no/ eCplains ho/ these .eliefs infl!ence the /ay he li5es. (ince he .elie5es in 2o&'s I!&gments, that e5eryone /ill .e I!&ge& for the &ee&s &one in the .o&y, he stri5es &ay an& night to so li5e as to ha5e a clear conscience to/ar& 2o& an& men. To/ar& 2o& he follo/s the tra&itional /ays of /orship accor&ing to the (cript!res. To/ar& men, not to &o any harm, an& to .e a/are, an& comfort an& ser5e those in nee&. =erses $@,$). 8a!l no/ i&entifies his a.sence from J!&ea as Dmany yearsD. Gis reason for ret!rning at this time /as to .ring offerings an&

Lesson AAAII contin!e&

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money to help those less fort!nate. This relates to his lac* of participation in political matters. Gis ret!rn ha& no part of &ist!r.ing the peace or h!rting anyone. Ge .ro!ght partly the fr!it of his la.or as /ell as from foreigners H offerings to 2o& an& Gis Temple. This only sho/s his re5erence to 2o& an& Gis Temple. This only sho/s his re5erence for the esta.lishe& /orship of the 2o& of Israel. The tr!th of /hat starte& the /hole !proar: the gro!p of Je/s from Asia. They recogni<e& 8a!l in the Temple. Ge ha& I!st gone thro!gh a p!rification 5o/ to 2o&. Ge ha& no gro!p of people /ith him, /ith /hich to start something. Ge also &i& not &o anything to get people to pay any special attention to him. =erse $+. It /as this gro!p of Asian Je/s that sho!l& .e .efore 9eliC no/ to 5oice their acc!sations. Is the reason they are not present .eca!se they act!ally ha5e no proof against 8a!lL =erse 2'. Gis neCt arg!ment refers to the gro!p of priests an& el&ers Ethe co!ncilF no/ .efore 9eliC. Do they ha5e any e5i&ence of his &oing anything /rong or e5il .efore, /hen he /as .efore the co!ncil in Jer!salem. =erse 2$. 8a!l again .rings !p this one thing that he ha& openly a&mitte& to H that he state& his acceptance an& .elief in the res!rrection of the &ea& at that co!ncil meeting. This /as the only acc!sation that they ha& against him. (ince this .elief /as part of the nationally accepte& &octrines, therefore there /as nothing criminal that they co!l& .ring !p no/ .efore 9eliC. =erse 22. 9eliC spea*s eCplaining that he is not rea&y to ma*e a I!&gment. Ge ha& &eci&e& it necessary to /ait !ntil he inter5ie/s Tri.!ne Lysias. Then he /ill ha5e a more perfect *no/le&ge of that /ay. Ge /ill then get &etails a.o!t 8a!l's case in partic!lar. This /ill prepare him to ma*e a fair I!&gment. =erse 23. 9eliC or&ere& a cent!rion to ta*e charge of 8a!l, .!t allo/ him to ha5e 5isitors H of his o/n ac6!aintances. Those of his faith co!l& also .ring things for his con5enience an& comfort. They co!l& come as often as they /ante& to. Ge ha& o.5io!sly fo!n& no criminal offense, e5il, or &anger from 8a!l. There /ere, ho/e5er, at least t/o reasons that he &i&n't I!st let him go: $st, he &i&n't /ant to satisfy the Je/s, /ho co!l& ca!se him great harm if they &eci&e& to .y complaining against him to ome. 2"&, accor&ing to his rep!tation an& history, he hope& to get pai& .y 8a!l or his frien&s to p!rchase his free&om E5erse 2-F. =erse 24. After some &ays, 9eliC H /ith his /ife Dr!silla Ea Je/F, got

Lesson AAAII contin!e& 8a!l to gi5e instr!ction in more &etail a.o!t faith in Christ.

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=erse 2,. Ge reasone& of righteo!sness: /hat /as I!st an& right .et/een 2o& an& man, .et/een men in all areas of life. Also a.o!t self# control, mo&eration in all appetites an& passions. 9inally, to I!&gment H to gi5e acco!nt of all things &one in this life. This /as pointe& at an& a&apte& to the con&ition of the person he /as spea*ing to. 9eliC /as *no/n as a tyrant, oppressi5e in his go5erning. Ge in&!lge& all his fleshly appetites. Dr!silla /as also g!ilty of many &ee&s, selfish, !nI!st, an& sinf!l. It appears she ha& gi5en !p her .elief an& practice of 0oses' La/ for her h!s.an&. That 9eliC Dtrem.le&D gi5es !s the hope that this sho/s his conscience /as still a.le to feel g!ilt an& regret for the /rongs he ha& &one. Ge /as still a.le to feel the p!ll or infl!ence of the (pirit of 2o&. That he repeate&ly sent for 8a!l to spea* /ith pri5ately s!ggests that he so!ght f!rther information an& !n&erstan&ing. After Dtrem.lingD he ha& sent 8a!l a/ay a.r!ptly H possi.ly .eca!se he ha& .ecome !ncomforta.le, an& self#conscio!s, or conf!se&, an& /ante& to .e alone .efore anyone notice& or sai& anything. =erse 2-. This states a completely &ifferent moti5e for his contin!al sen&ing for 8a!l H money. %ither or .oth moti5es may ha5e .een part of his reasoning. =erse 2@. T/o years after 8a!l's arri5al at Caesarea, a ne/ go5ernor comes to replace 9eliC. 9eliC /ishes to lea5e a goo& impression /ith the Je/s H he lea5es 8a!l capti5e. It &i& not s!ccee&. The Je/s carrie& their complaints to ome, an& "ero only par&one& the certainty of 9eliC's p!nishment .eca!se of his fa5or of 9eliC's .rother H 8allas. "eCt, chapter 2,. 8a!l an& 9est!s.

Lesson AAAIII The Acts of the Apostles 2,:$#22. 8a!l an& 9est!s.

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$ "o/ /hen 9est!s /as come into the pro5ince, after three &ays he ascen&e& from Caesare'a to Jer!salem. 2 Then the high priest an& the chief of the Je/s informe& him against 8a!l, an& .eso!ght him, 3 an& &esire& fa5or against him, that he /o!l& sen& for him to Jer!salem, laying /ait in the /ay to *ill him. 4 7!t 9est!s ans/ere&, that 8a!l sho!l& .e *ept at Caesare'a, an& that he himself /o!l& &epart shortly thither. , Let them therefore, sai& he, /hich among yo! are a.le, go &o/n /ith me, an& acc!se this man, if there .e any /ic*e&ness in him. - K An& /hen he ha& tarrie& among them more than ten &ays, he /ent &o/n !nto Caesare'a? an& the neCt &ay sitting on the I!&gment seat comman&e& 8a!l to .e .ro!ght. @ An& /hen he /as come, the Je/s /hich came &o/n from Jer!salem stoo& ro!n& a.o!t, an& lai& many an& grie5o!s complaints against 8a!l, /hich they co!l& not pro5e. ) Bhile he ans/ere& for himself, "either against the la/ of the Je/s, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, ha5e I offen&e& any thing at all. + 7!t 9est!s, /illing to &o the Je/s a pleas!re, ans/ere& 8a!l, an& sai&, Bilt tho! go !p to Jer!salem, an& there .e I!&ge& of these things .efore meL $' Then sai& 8a!l, I stan& at Caesar's I!&gment seat, /here I o!ght to .e I!&ge&: to the Je/s ha5e I &one no /rong, as tho! 5ery /ell *no/est. $$ 9or if I .e an offen&er, or ha5e committe& any thing /orthy of &eath, I ref!se not to &ie: .!t if there .e none of these things /hereof these acc!se me, no man may &eli5er me !nto them. I appeal !nto Caesar. $2 Then 9est!s, /hen he ha& conferre& /ith the co!ncil, ans/ere&, Gast tho! appeale& !nto CaesarL !nto Caesar shalt tho! go. $3 K An& after certain &ays *ing Agrip'pa an& 7ernice came !nto Caesare'a to sal!te 9est!s. $4 An& /hen they ha& .een there many &ays, 9est!s &eclare& 8a!l's ca!se !nto the *ing, saying, There is a certain man left in .on&s .y 9eliC: $, a.o!t /hom, /hen I /as at Jer!salem, the chief priests an& the el&ers of the Je/s informe& me, &esiring to ha5e I!&gment against him. $- To /hom I ans/ere&, It is not the manner of the omans to &eli5er any man to &ie, .efore that he /hich is acc!se& ha5e the acc!sers face to face, an& ha5e license to ans/er for himself concerning the crime lai& against him. $@ Therefore, /hen they /ere come hither, /itho!t any &elay on the morro/ I sat on the I!&gment seat, an& comman&e& the man to .e .ro!ght forth. $) Against /hom /hen the acc!sers stoo& !p, they .ro!ght none acc!sation of s!ch things as I s!ppose&: $+ .!t ha& certain 6!estions against him of their o/n s!perstition, an& of one Jes!s, /hich /as &ea&, /hom 8a!l affirme& to .e ali5e. 2' An& .eca!se I &o!.te& of s!ch manner of 6!estions, I as*e& him

Lesson AAAIII contin!e&

$-)

/hether he /o!l& go to Jer!salem, an& there .e I!&ge& of these matters. 2$ 7!t /hen 8a!l ha& appeale& to .e reser5e& !nto the hearing of A!g!st!s, I comman&e& him to .e *ept till I might sen& him to Caesar. 22 Then Agrip'pa sai& !nto 9est!s, I /o!l& also hear the man myself. Tomorro/, sai& he, tho! shalt hear him. =erse $. 8orci!s 9est!s arri5es in Caesarea to ta*e o5er the role of oman go5ernor o5er J!&ea. After three &ays he /ent !p to Jer!salem to get ac6!ainte& /ith the nat!re an& tra&itions of the ecclesiastical go5ernment of the Je/s. This /o!l& .e necessary for him to see ho/ he /o!l& *eep the peace an& or&er relate& to oman re6!irements an& their stan&ar&s of la/ an& I!stice. =erse 2. As if no time ha& passe& or anything ha& change&, the ne/ go5ernor is first as*e& to ha5e 8a!l .ro!ght .ac* !n&er their control. The Je/s ass!me& that 9eliC ha& left 8a!l .o!n& to please them, so 9est!s sho!l& also /ant to &o this to earn their goo& fa5or. They appear to ha5e presente& a n!m.er of charges against 8a!l, co!che& in terms of la/ to pers!a&e the ne/ go5ernor that their re6!est /as reasona.le for a ne/ trial .efore their co!ncil in Jer!salem. =erse 3. Their real moti5e is state& plainly, on the trip to Jer!salem a gro!p of assassins /o!l& .e /aiting to am.!sh an& *ill him. =erse 4. 9or /hate5er reason, 9est!s felt no o.ligation, no &esire to please these Je/ish lea&ers. Ge simply tol& them that 8a!l /o!l& stay /here he /as. Bhether he ha& .een informe& a.o!t the f!ll acco!nt of /hat ha& really transpire& in Jer!salem Ean& those that 5o/e& to *ill 8a!lF, /e are not tol&. 8ossi.ly that 8a!l /as a citi<en of ome ha& a .earing on this matter. =erse ,. Apparently, 9est!s ha& planne& to go to Jer!salem soon, stay there a short time Ea little o5er $' &aysF, .!t then to ret!rn &irectly to Caesarea. Therefore it /o!l& not .e !ntil he ret!rne& to Caesarea that he /o!l& ha5e the nee&e& time to loo* into the case of 8a!l, to also ha5e a!thoritati5e an& respecta.le men to state the acc!sations against him. Ge co!l& only I!&ge a case in5ol5ing tr!e 5iolations of the la/, not /il& acc!sations concerning religion an& the Je/ish Temple. =erse -. The &ay after his ret!rn, 9est!s sat !pon the I!&gment seat an& calle& for 8a!l to .e .ro!ght .efore him. =erse @. Once 8a!l /as present those /ho came &o/n from Jer!salem, the

Lesson AAAIII contin!e&

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Je/s /ere allo/e& to spea*. It appears that their malicio!s intentions le& them to ma*e !p some ne/ charges, more than I!st those only concerning the Je/ish la/. Onfort!nately for their intentions, oman la/ re6!ire& proof an& they co!l& pro&!ce none. These may ha5e incl!&e& se&ition an& treason, Dmany an& grie5o!s complaintsD. =erse ). 8a!l ans/ere& for himself H he ha& &one nothing against Je/ish la/, against the Temple, nor yet against Caesar. =erse +. In or&er to &o the Je/s a fa5or, 9est!s as*e& 8a!l if he /as /illing to go to Jer!salem an& ha5e another trial .efore him, an& hear again the acc!sations of the Je/s. (ince 8a!l /as a oman citi<en, he co!l& not .e force& to go. =erse $'. 8a!l ans/ers: DI stan& at Caesar's I!&gment seat, /here I o!ght to .e I!&ge&D. %ach proc!rator represente& Caesar in the pro5ince o5er /hich he presi&e&. This /as the la/f!l an& proper place /here a oman sho!l& .e trie&. Certainly 9eliC left a recor& of the trial of 8a!l o5er /hich he presi&e& H incl!&ing the charges an& 8a!l's testimony. Again, .efore 9est!s, 8a!l reiterates that the Je/s co!l& not pro5e any /rong&oing on his part. 9est!s .y this time m!st agree that no charges ha5e .een pro5en against him. =erse $$. The real iss!e H sho!l& 9est!s grant the Je/s this fa5orL It is o.5io!s they see* his &eath. 8a!l says that he is not trying to a5oi& &eath if it co!l& act!ally .e pro5en that he is g!ilty of a capital crime. 7!t he has I!st .een trie& .efore 9est!s an& not fo!n& g!ilty of any crime !n&er oman la/. Therefore 9est!s has no right to sen& him off for another trial .ac* on the home gro!n&s of these Je/ish acc!sers. As 5erse $- says, DIt is not the manner of the omans to &eli5er any man to &ieD, an& so on. The final appeal H as a oman citi<en, 8a!l ha& the right in criminal cases to appeal if he tho!ght the I!&ge /as &oing anything contrary to the la/. This right of appeal /as ta*en 5ery serio!sly. Those in a!thority that /ere g!ilty of not listening an& acting !pon any oman citi<en's appeal to Caesar /ere consi&ere& 5iolators of the p!.lic peace an& con&emne&. 8a!l sa/ the sit!ation this /ay: he /as no/ stan&ing .efore a tri.!nal hearing /here he sho!l& .e I!&ge&. If 9est!s ref!se& to try his case an& ma*e a I!&gment, 8a!l ref!se& to .e sent to Jer!salem, an& appeale& to Caesar. 9est!s cons!lte& his a&5isers an& the maIority a&5ise& that the .est co!rse /as to sen& 8a!l to ome. Any other choice co!l& only .e contro5ersial an& only ha5e a potentially tro!.lesome or inflammatory o!tcome. The &ecision 9est!s states clearly # DGast tho! appeale& !nto CaesarL !nto Caesar shalt tho! go.D =erse $3. :ing Agrippa /as the son of Gero& Agrippa Ementione& in Chapter $2:$F. Bhen his father's yo!ngest .rother Ename& simply

Lesson AAAIII contin!e&

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Gero&F &ie& he /as gi5en the *ing&om of Chalcis .y Cla!&i!s. Ge later /as grante& a larger area to r!le o5er. %5ent!ally he /as gi5en the po/er to appoint the Je/ish high priest. Ge /as 5ery loyal to ome an& trie& to *eep or&er among the Je/s? he faile& an& finally Ioine& his troops /ith those of Tit!s in attac*ing Jer!salem. Ge li5es se5eral years after the &estr!ction of the Je/ish nation. 7ernice /as this man's sister, an& also sister of Dr!silla mentione& in chapter 24. (he /as marrie& first to her !ncle, simply Gero&. At his &eath, she /ent to li5e /ith her .rother, /ith /hom she /as D5iolently s!specte& to lea& an incest!o!s life.D There /ere later r!mors of her ha5ing lo5e intrig!e /ith Tit!s the emperor. They ha5e come to Caesarea to sal!te 9est!s in his ne/ position. =erse $4. After a perio& of time H 'many &ays' H 9est!s .ro!ght !p the case of 8a!l, as the one left .ehin& /itho!t &ecision .y the pre5io!s go5ernor. Agrippa /as more familiar /ith the iss!es of this case than he /as. 8erhaps he co!l& help him !n&erstan& the iss!es more clearly. =erse $,. The matter /as presente& to him at Jer!salem .y the chief priests an& el&ers /ho /ante& a sentence of &eath 'I!&gment' against him. They &i& not &eman& I!stice, .!t con&emnation an& a sentence of &eath. =erse $-. 9est!s ela.orates on the case. Ge .egins .y re5ie/ing oman la/. To grat!ito!sly gi5e a man o5er .y fa5or or caprice, to any gro!p, for this man to .e p!t to &eath, /as not the oman /ay. oman la/ re6!ire& the acc!se& an& the acc!sers to .oth .e hear& impartially, face to face. =erse $@. Bhen the acc!sers ha& come to Caesarea, on the neCt &ay 9est!s hel& the hearing, or&ering 8a!l to .e .ro!ght .efore him. =erse $). Apparently he /as eCpecting 8a!l to .e acc!se& of some 5ery serio!s crime. After all 8a!l ha& .een ta*en o!t of the han&s of the Je/s .y oman sol&iers. Ge ha& .een .ro!ght to Caesarea t/o years .efore, trie& once .efore the (anhe&rin, an& once .efore the pre5io!s go5ernor H left in Iail these t/o years. An& that the lea&ers of the Je/ish nation /ere still acti5ely !nite& in acc!sing him an& &eman&ing his con&emnation. The crime m!st .e .a& eno!gh to /arrant these actions against him. 7!t !pon hearing their acc!sations an& 8a!l's &efense, he /as gen!inely s!rprise& .y the nat!re of their charges, not .eing criminal accor&ing to oman la/. In a&&ition, there /as no proof. =erse $+. Ge &escri.es /hat he hear& as 6!estions of their o/n s!perstition. To the omans, s!perstition ha& the same meaning as it&oes to&ay. Gere, this m!st .e ta*en as the oman point of 5ie/

Lesson AAAIII contin!e& to/ar& the Je/ish religion, the national /orship. Another point of contention /as a.o!t Jes!s. The Je/ish lea&ers &eclare& him &ea& H 8a!l, ho/e5er, affirme& that Ge /as ali5e.

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=erse 2'. Go/ /as he to I!&ge in s!ch matters, accor&ing to the la/L Bhere or ho/ /as it .ro*enL Bhere an& ho/ ha& the Temple .een &efile&L Go/ co!l& it .e pro5en /hether Jes!s /as &ea& or raise& to lifeL It seeme& more proper that the Je/s sho!l& &eal /ith these matters .efore their co!ncil in Jer!salem. Ge ha& as*e& 8a!l if he /o!l& go .ac* there for this p!rpose. =erse 2$. At this point, 8a!l appeale& to Caesar EA!g!st!sF. Ge ha& *ept 8a!l !p to this time, planning to sen& him to ome at some f!t!re &ate. =erse 22. Apparently, Agrippa /as no/ c!rio!s as to this strange set of circ!mstances. Ge no/ /ante& to hear from 'the man' himself. 9est!s states H the follo/ing &ay he shall certainly hear him. The stage is set for 8a!l to /itness to another r!ler. "eCt, 8a!l .efore Agrippa, /ho /as almost pers!a&e&.

Lesson AAAI= The Acts of the Apostles 2,:23#2@. 8a!l .efore Agrippa.

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23 K An& on the morro/, /hen Agrip'pa /as come, an& 7ernice, /ith great pomp, an& /as entere& into the place of hearing, /ith the chief captains, an& principal men of the city, at 9est!s' comman&ment 8a!l /as .ro!ght forth. 24 An& 9est!s sai&, :ing Agrip'pa, an& all men /hich are here present /ith !s, ye see this man, a.o!t /hom all the m!ltit!&e of the Je/s ha5e &ealt /ith me, .oth at Jer!salem, an& also here, crying that he o!ght not to li5e any longer. 2, 7!t /hen I fo!n& that he ha& committe& nothing /orthy of &eath, an& that he himself hath appeale& to A!g!st!s, I ha5e &etermine& to sen& him. 2- Of /hom I ha5e no certain thing to /rite !nto my lor&. Bherefore I ha5e .ro!ght him forth .efore yo!, an& specially .efore thee, O *ing Agrip'pa, that, after eCamination ha&, I might ha5e some/hat to /rite. 2@ 9or it seemeth to me !nreasona.le to sen& a prisoner, an& not /ithal to signify the crimes lai& against him. Agrippa's father .efore him ha& .een acti5ely /or*ing against the sprea& of this ne/ faith. Ge /as instr!mental in ha5ing James p!t to &eath an& /o!l& ha5e 8eter *ille& also, ha& 2o& not inter5ene&. Gis father Gero& Agrippa I /as *ing of J!&ea from 4$#44 A.D. After his &eath, the go5ernment of J!&ea re5erte& to pro#c!ratorial a&ministration. Tho!gh in his late teens &!ring these years, there is no &o!.t that Agrippa ha& hear& a great &eal a.o!t Christianity. This /o!l& ha5e also incl!&e& /hat /as 5oice& a.o!t the remar*a.le con5ersion of 8a!l, .y this time *no/n thro!gho!t J!&ea, all Asia 0inor, an& 2reece. It /as only nat!ral that he /o!l& /ant to see an& hear from this notorio!s man himself. =erse 23. On the morro/, Agrippa an& 7ernice came. "ot simply, .!t /ith a great sho/: pomp, splen&or, a great para&e, a splen&i& retin!e. Gero& the 2reat ha& this great pri&e in this 5ery city, lea&ing to his .eing smitten .y 2o&, eaten !p .y /orms, a horri.le &eath, a fe/ years .efore. This /as in the place of hearing in the palace of 9est!s. This /as not another trial since 8a!l co!l& no/ only .e trie& at ome. There /ere no Je/ish acc!sers. It /as a gran& ceremony for the royal c!riosity to hear from this man concerning his religion. All the most important omans an& local citi<ens /ere also in atten&ance. =erse 24. 9est!s intro&!ces the p!rpose of this great gathering. It /as for them to see this man that the Je/ish lea&ers in Jer!salem, an& also in Caesarea that ha& ma&e s!ch a ro/ trying to get 8a!l p!t to &eath =erse 2,. T/o facts ha5e no res!lte& after hearing the case. "o crime ha& .een pro5en D/orthy of &eathD, an& he ha& appeale& to the %mperor

Lesson AAAI= contin!e& EA!g!st!sF. The only choice no/ open /as to sen& him.

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=erses 2-,2@. 7!t there remaine& one maIor o.stacle. To I!stify s!ch an action, there m!st .e some charges an& proof against him, to present to A!g!st!s in an accompanying /ritten &oc!ment. DBhereforeD 9est!s is t!rning o5er the /hole matter to :ing Agrippa as one /ho ha& special a.ility to hear an& &eci&e the case, pointing o!t a la/f!l an& reasona.le /ay to /rite !p the missal to sen& /ith 8a!l H that /o!l& Dsignify the crimes lai& against him.D Acts 2-:$#23. $ Then Agrip'pa sai& !nto 8a!l, Tho! art permitte& to spea* for thyself. Then 8a!l stretche& forth the han&, an& ans/ere& for himself: 2 K I thin* myself happy, *ing Agrip'pa, .eca!se I shall ans/er for myself this &ay .efore thee to!ching all the things /hereof I am acc!se& of the Je/s: 3 especially .eca!se I *no/ thee to .e eCpert in all c!stoms an& 6!estions /hich are among the Je/s: /herefore I .eseech thee to hear me patiently. 4 K 0y manner of life from my yo!th, /hich /as at the first among mine o/n nation at Jer!salem, *no/ all the Je/s? , /hich *ne/ me from the .eginning, if they /o!l& testify, that after the most straitest sect of o!r religion I li5e& a 8harisee. - An& no/ I stan& an& am I!&ge& for the hope of the promise ma&e of 2o& !nto o!r fathers: @ !nto /hich promise o!r t/el5e tri.es, instantly ser5ing 2o& &ay an& night, hope to come. 9or /hich hope's sa*e, *ing Agrip'pa, I am acc!se& of the Je/s. ) Bhy sho!l& it .e tho!ght a thing incre&i.le /ith yo!, that 2o& sho!l& raise the &ea&L + K I 5erily tho!ght /ith myself, that I o!ght to &o many things contrary to the name of Jes!s of "a<areth. $' Bhich thing I also &i& in Jer!salem: an& many of the saints &i& I sh!t !p in prison, ha5ing recei5e& a!thority from the chief priests? an& /hen they /ere p!t to &eath, I ga5e my 5oice against them. $$ An& I p!nishe& them oft in e5ery synagog!e, an& compelle& them to .laspheme? an& .eing eCcee&ingly ma& against them, I persec!te& them e5en !nto strange cities. $2 K Bhere!pon as I /ent to Damasc!s /ith a!thority an& commission from the chief priests, $3 at mi&&ay, O *ing, I sa/ in the /ay a light from hea5en, a.o5e the .rightness of the s!n, shining ro!n& a.o!t me an& them /hich Io!rneye& /ith me. $4 An& /hen /e /ere all fallen to the earth, I hear& a 5oice spea*ing !nto me, an& saying in the Ge.re/ tong!e, (a!l, (a!l, /hy persec!test tho! meL it is har& for thee to *ic* against the pric*s. $, An& I sai&, Bho art tho!, Lor&L An& he sai&, I am Jes!s /hom tho! persec!test. $- 7!t rise, an& stan& !pon thy feet: for I ha5e appeare& !nto thee for this p!rpose, to ma*e thee a minister an& a /itness .oth of these

Lesson AAAI= contin!e&

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things /hich tho! hast seen, an& of those things in the /hich I /ill appear !nto thee? $@ &eli5ering thee from the people, an& from the 2entiles, !nto /hom no/ I sen& thee, $) to open their eyes, an& to t!rn them from &ar*ness to light, an& from the po/er of (atan !nto 2o&, that they may recei5e forgi5eness of sins, an& inheritance among them /hich are sanctifie& .y faith that is in me. $+ K Bhere!pon, O *ing Agrip'pa, I /as not &iso.e&ient !nto the hea5enly 5ision: 2' .!t sho/e& first !nto them of Damasc!s, an& at Jer!salem, an& thro!gho!t all the coasts of J!&ea, an& then to the 2entiles, that they sho!l& repent an& t!rn to 2o&, an& &o /or*s meet for repentance. 2$ 9or these ca!ses the Je/s ca!ght me in the temple, an& /ent a.o!t to *ill me. 22 Ga5ing therefore o.taine& help of 2o&, I contin!e !nto this &ay, /itnessing .oth to small an& great, saying none other things than those /hich the prophets an& 0oses &i& say sho!l& come: 23 that Christ sho!l& s!ffer, an& that he sho!l& .e the first that sho!l& rise from the &ea&, an& sho!l& sho/ light !nto the people, an& to the 2entiles. =erse $. The stage is set, all parties present. Agrippa is in charge. Ge .egins .y gi5ing 8a!l permission to spea* in his o/n &efense. 8a!l .egins /ith the gest!re he has !se& .efore to signify that he /as a.o!t to spea* to gain e5eryone's attention. 0any stat!es from this time sho/ this gest!re as common to lea&ers an& orators, stan&ing, /ith the arm raise&. =erses 2,3. 8a!l .egins .y stating his pleasant s!rprise of ha5ing his case .ro!ght .efore one /ho /as an intelligent an& *no/le&gea.le I!&ge concerning the la/s an& c!stoms of his co!ntry. This e5en tho!gh Agrippa /as *ing of the regions north of 8alestine, east of the Jor&an an& so!th of Damasc!s, calle& Trachonitis. =erse 4. 8a!l starts /ith a reco!nting of his early years, .ro!ght !p in Jer!salem, e&!cate& there accor&ing to the tra&itional Je/ish c!stom, pro.a.ly from aro!n& the age of $2. =erse ,. The strictest sect in &octrine an& moral practice /as the 8harisees. Ge /as *no/n .y them as a mem.er an& &e5ote& follo/er of their .eliefs in his mat!rity. =erse -. D9or the hope of the promiseD referring .ac* to the hearing .efore the Je/ish co!ncil? the s!.Iect H the res!rrection of the &ea&. This promise /as fo!n& in many passages in the Ol& Testament E!nto o!r fathersF.

Lesson AAAI= contin!e& =erse @. This /as the same promise that all $2 tri.es of the nation of Israel ha& hope& for, also /itnesse& in the religio!s ser5ices or&aine& .y 2o& in the Ol& Testament. =erse ). Ass!ming that Agrippa .elie5e& in the tr!e 2o&, an& Gis omnipotence, it /o!l& not .e !n.elie5a.le that Ge co!l& raise the &ea&. =erse +. The other thing the Je/s ha& against 8a!l /as a.o!t Jes!s. Ge refers .ac* to the time /hen he tho!ght it the right thing to persec!te those /ho calle& themsel5es follo/ers of Jes!s the "a<arene.

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=erse $'. 7efore his con5ersion, 8a!l ha& .een gi5en a great &eal of po/er from the chief priests. Ge ha& the a!thority to ha5e Christians arreste& an& imprisone&. 0any /ere s!.se6!ently p!t to &eath. "o n!m.er an& no names /ere recor&e& that /ere e5er .ro!ght to light. =erse $$. Gere 8a!l &escri.es the eCtremes that he /ent to. Ge e5en calls himself a fierce ma&man. Ge /ent after them often, in e5ery synagog!e, ma&e them reno!nce Christ to sa5e their li5es. Ge e5en p!rs!e& them o!tsi&e of the Je/ish nation, going to cities he /as !nfamiliar /ith, /ith <eal. =erse $2. Bith this intention, he ma&e !p his min& to go to Damasc!s. Ge ha& the commission an& a!thority from the chief priests. =erses $3#$,. 8a!l again reco!nts the &etails of his con5ersion as note& in &etail in chapter +. =erse $-. This &etail is first mentione& here. 9or &ifferent circ!mstances he apparently mentione& things that clearly spo*e to that partic!lar a!&ience. Certainly other &etails /ere ne5er &eeme& appropriate or necessary to mention at all. Jes!s calle& !pon 8a!l to .e a minister H the 2ree* /or* incl!&ing the meaning of !n&er the a!thority of another, an assistant or ser5ant. The /or& comes from !se &escri.ing a .oating term H an !n&er#ro/er /hose responsi.ility /as t!g har& at the oar to .ring the 5essel thro!gh ro!gh seas to safe har.or. The /or& /itness at this time /as !se& for those /ho lost their li5es .eca!se they testifie& to the tr!th of the 2ospel. A synonym for martyr. Ch!rch tra&ition tells of 8a!l .eing .ehea&e& in ome .y the comman& of "ero. Jes!s re5eals that 8a!l /ill ha5e f!t!re comm!nications from Gim. These may incl!&e 8a!l's often resc!e, as /ell as &reams, 5isions EtrancesF, or general inspiration /hich ena.le& 8a!l to

Lesson AAAI= contin!e&

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re5eal the secret things of 2o& for the e&ification of the ch!rch. Also, the mirac!lo!s po/er gi5en to &o /or*s in confirmation of 2o&'s tr!th an& presence. =erse $@. 2o& /o!l& .e /ith 8a!l tho!gh Je/s an& 2entiles oppose& him. 2o& here /as ta*ing 8a!l a/ay from the great malice of the Je/s, an& sen&ing him to the 2entiles. Gis p!rpose is the same H to proclaim the 2ospel of (al5ation. =erse $). Ge /o!l& instr!ct an& eCplain the 2ospel so they co!l& !n&erstan& /hat 2o& ha& &one for them. Ge /ill sho/ them the light to .ring them o!t of the &ar*ness of their mythologies an& s!perstitions. This /ill also free them from the po/er of satan, the *ing of the &ar*ness of this /orl&. The .lesse& 2ospel of Christ frees the spirit an& .rings them into the *ing&om of 2o& as Gis chil&, recei5ing forgi5eness for their sins. As chil&ren of 2o& they are heirs to hea5en. They are also sanctifie& H set apart for the p!rification of the heart. This all comes .y faith in Jes!s. Ge &ie& for their sins an& rose again for their I!stification. Therefore there is no merit in any of man's efforts, /hether /or*s or s!ffering. =erse $+. Again a&&ressing :ing Agrippa &irectly, 8a!l simply states that he ha& to o.ey this hea5enly 5ision. This in spite of all his pre5io!s preI!&ices an& malicio!s acts against Christians an& their .eliefs. Ge ha& .een stoppe& in his trac*s an& ha& .een sho/n the tr!th in a mirac!lo!s /ay .y the risen Christ, perio&. =erse 2'. Gis o.e&ience /as imme&iate. Ge .egan preaching first in Damasc!s, an& ro!n& a.o!t in neigh.oring areas for a.o!t 3 years. Then he /ent to Jer!salem an& preache& aro!n& J!&ea. Then to Asia 0inor an& 2reece. Gis message /as repentance from their sins, t!rning to 2o& as J!&ge an& (a5ior. To sho/ .y their change& con&!ct that the sincerely so!ght sal5ation /as from only 2o&. =erses 2$#23. 9or these ca!ses the Je/s ha& gra..e& him in the Temple an& /ere going to *ill him. 9o!r ca!ses may .e s!mmari<e& th!s: $. Ge ha& eCpresse& his .elie5e in the res!rrection of the &ea&. 2. Ge ha& seen the res!rrecte& Christ that they ha& *ille&. 3. Christ Jes!s /as the promise& 0essiah Ethe (!ffering (er5antF. 4. Ge ha& preache& sal5ation thro!gh Christ to the 2entiles as /ell as the Je/s. Apparently, his not mentioning the acc!sations a.o!t &efiling the Temple an& &isloyalty to the oman go5ernment in&icates that these charges /ere a.an&one& at the prece&ing trial .efore 9est!s. Bith 2o&'s help an& promise, 8a!l contin!e& !p to this present

Lesson AAAI= contin!e&

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time testifying .efore r!lers, *ings, priests, an& peasants. In spite of opposition, threats, an& &epri5ations, he ha& stea&fastly follo/e& his calling. Gis message /as straight from the Ol& Testament prophets an& 0oses, the prophecies an& promises of 2o&. The Je/s, ho/e5er, ha& chosen to eCpect the tri!mphant 0essiah promise& to .ring the glory of Israel as a r!ling nation an& reign on the throne of Da5i&. They /ere a/are of the prophecy of Isaiah ,3 a.o!t the other 0essiah /ho they ma&e into a secon& 0essiah /ho /o!l& s!ffer an& .e p!t to &eath. The first they calle& 0essiah .en Da5i&, the con6!eror, the secon&, 0essiah .en %phraim, /o!l& s!ffer an& &ie. Their moti5es are clear. Their o/n .enefit /as their highest priority. It is the tri!mphant 0essiah that the Je/s still loo* for. 8a!l reiterates that the prophets spo*e of the passion, &eath, an& res!rrection of Christ H th!s the proof of the .elief in the res!rrection of the &ea&, Christ .eing first to rise from the &ea& !nto eternal life. All others raise& from the &ea& ha& &ie& again. This message /as also to .e &eli5ere& to those /ho &i&n't ha5e 2o&'s re5elation, the 2entiles, /ho sat in the sha&o/s, in fear an& ignorance. They /ere .ro!ght into the light thro!gh the 2ospel of Christ, to *no/ the tr!th thro!gh Christ. They that .elie5e& /o!l& .e part of the glorio!s Ch!rch. Isaiah 4+:- # DI /ill gi5e thee for a light to the 2entiles, that tho! mayest .e my sal5ation !nto the en&s of the earth.D "eCt, 9est!s stops 8a!l, an& he replies, &irecting his /or&s, first to 9est!s, then to Agrippa.

Lesson AAA= The Acts of the Apostles 2-:24#32. 8a!l Concl!&es, Agrippa espon&s.

$@)

24 K An& as he th!s spa*e for himself, 9est!s sai& /ith a lo!& 5oice, 8a!l, tho! art .esi&e thyself? m!ch learning &oth ma*e thee ma&. 2, 7!t he sai&, I am not ma&, most no.le 9est!s? .!t spea* forth the /or&s of tr!th an& so.erness. 2- 9or the *ing *no/eth of these things, .efore /hom also I spea* freely: for I am pers!a&e& that none of these things are hi&&en from him? for this thing /as not &one in a corner. 2@ :ing Agrip'pa, .elie5est tho! the prophetsL I *no/ that tho! .elie5est. 2) Then Agrip'pa sai& !nto 8a!l, Almost tho! pers!a&est me to .e a Christian. 2+ An& 8a!l sai&, I /o!l& to 2o&, that not only tho!, .!t also all that hear me this &ay, /ere .oth almost, an& altogether s!ch as I am, eCcept these .on&s. 3' K An& /hen he ha& th!s spo*en, the *ing rose !p, an& the go5ernor, an& 7ernice, an& they that sat /ith them: 3$ an& /hen they /ere gone asi&e, they tal*e& .et/een themsel5es, saying, This man &oeth nothing /orthy of &eath or of .on&s. 32 Then sai& Agrip'pa !nto 9est!s, This man might ha5e .een set at li.erty, if he ha& not appeale& !nto Caesar. =erse 24. O.5io!sly 8a!l ha& .een spea*ing of things of a spirit!al nat!re, things 8a!l ha& eCperience&, of (cript!re, prophets, 0oses, res!rrection, an& so forth. All these /ere completely foreign an& fantastic to a oman military man, a heathen. Ge co!l& only &escri.e 8a!l's /or&s as those of a man D.esi&e himselfD, a ma&man. Ge s!ggests that 8a!l ha& ac6!ire& so great an amo!nt an& 5ariety of *no/le&ge that his .rain /as o5erloa&e&, therefore he /as not ma*ing sense. =erse 2,. 8a!l's reply sho/s no anger or resentment to/ar& /hat 9est!s I!st calle& him. Ge a&&resses him as Dmost no.le 9est!sD, a respectf!l /ay to a&&ress the go5ernor. 8a!l merely states, I am not ma&, ... .!t spea* forth the /or&s of tr!th an& so.erness.D =erse 2-. 8a!l contin!es his apology to 9est!s .y mentioning that he /as spea*ing freely .efore Agrippa, /ho .eing raise& as a Je/, /o!l& .e familiar /ith the la/ an& the prophets. Ge /o!l& easily follo/ an& !n&erstan& these religio!s s!.Iects that he ha& .een spea*ing a.o!t. D...none of these things are hi&&en from him...D D...for this thing /as not &one in a cornerD refers to the preaching, miracles, passion, &eath, an& res!rrection of Jes!s Christ. They /ere p!.lic, /i&ely 5oice& a.o!t for some time. Agrippa m!st .e /ell a/are of these recent e5ents. =erse 2@. Directly a&&ressing the :ing, 8a!l as*s him if he .elie5es

Lesson AAA= contin!e&

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the prophets, an& imme&iately ans/ers for him, DI *no/ that tho! .elie5est.D The neCt logical step for a .elie5er in the prophets is to accept 8a!l's &isco!rse concerning those prophecies that spo*e of Christ, the (!ffering (er5ant, tri!mphing o5er &eath, the li5ing proof of the f!lfillment of those prophecies. As if 8a!l is saying that since Agrippa .elie5es the prophets, he m!st also .elie5e their prophecies, an& therefore he m!st .elie5e in their o.5io!s f!lfillment as 8a!l has ma&e personal an& plain. 8a!l's reasoning /as impecca.le. =erse 2). Agrippa's reply: DAlmost.D DAltho!gh if 8a!l /as correct in his ass!mption of the *ing's .eliefs, the *ing co!l& ac*no/le&ge the tr!th of 8a!l's e5i&ence, an& accept the tr!th of this ne/ Christian faith as 5ali&, .!t /hether he co!l& accept it personally as his o/n /as still his choice. Ge m!st recogni<e its ne/ eCistence. Ge chose not to accept Christ as his sa5ior. It appears his position of importance an& sec!lar life /ere more important than any religio!s .eliefs. Ge /as totally in5este& in the stat!s 6!o. =erse 2+. 8a!l's response eCpresses his &eepest &esire. Ge /ishes that not only the *ing .!t also each an& e5ery one in the a!&ience /ere not only almost .!t altogether pers!a&e& as he himself /as. Gis .est /ishes for all of them /ere that they might .e .lesse& /ith the Ioy of his faith. An& /e can imagine him raising his chains, saying, DeCcept these .on&s.D =erse 3'. This &ramatic an& emotional gest!re ma&e an imme&iate an& po/erf!l impression on the a!&ience. They co!l& .ear no more. The *ing an& the go5ernor, 7ernice an& the other &ignitaries sitting /ith them stoo& !p, signaling the en& of this inter5ie/. They t!rn asi&e an& confer pri5ately. Their !nanimo!s consens!s is that 8a!l ha& &one nothing /orthy of &eath, m!ch less, e5en Dthese .on&s.D This /as o.5io!sly an innocent, eminent, an& &ignifie& person. Bhy sho!l& he .e in this !nI!stifie& con&itionL In no /ay a criminal yet .o!n&. =erse 32. Agrippa eCpresses the strong emotion he has I!st eCperience& in this concl!sion H he spea*s &irectly to 9est!s. This man sho!l& .e free&, he is not g!ilty of .rea*ing any la/. 7!t there remaine& one o.str!ction H he ha& appeale& !nto Caesar. This appeal ha& .een properly recor&e& an& the process .eg!n. It ha& to .e carrie& o!t. It has .een s!ggeste& that Agrippa, on his ret!rn to ome, spo*e fa5ora.ly to the emperor concerning 8a!l's case H that 8a!l /as allo/e& certain li.erties. Ge li5e& for 2 years in a rente& place, /here g!ests co!l& come an& go freely. This /or*e& together for the goo& of sprea&ing the 2ospel in the seat of the go5ernment of the 5ast an& po/erf!l oman %mpire. 8a!l's calling an& con5ersion /as strong proof of the tr!th of Christ's 2ospel. Gis mission to the 2entiles /as also eCtraor&inary an& its implication to f!rther the sprea& of the 2ospel

Lesson AAA= contin!e&

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to all nations. In e5ery /ay it /as also a s!pernat!ral /or* of grace, only possi.le .y the mercy an& po/er of 2o&. The 2entile /orl& is &escri.e& as in &ar*ness H ha5ing no real a/areness or correct !n&erstan&ing of spirit!al or eternal things. This incl!&es any *no/le&ge of the one Tr!e 2o&. They remaine& !n&er the &ominion an& a!thority of the go& of this /orl&, li5ing for the l!st of the eyes, the l!st of the flesh, an& the pri&e of life. They li5e& in sin /ith no a/areness of their g!ilt, their imp!re an& !nholy hearts. The 2ospel of 2o&'s grace changes e5erything. Their eyes are opene& to see the tr!th, from &ar*ness into the light. This allo/s them to percei5e their o/n .on&age an& sla5ery to sin, an& then to accept the .ea!ty an& grace of sal5ation .y grace, thro!gh faith in the sacrifice of Jes!s. This .rings a change only possi.le .y the (pirit of the Lor&. Their sins are forgi5en. They .egin on the Io!rney of p!rification of heart, to lo5e an& ser5e the risen Christ, to eCperience the Ioy of chil&ren of 2o&. "ot .irth or m!ch e&!cation, not .y insight or cle5erness, po/er or position can this .e possi.le. It is an& fore5er /ill .e the /or* of 2o& alone, .y faith in Gis (on. This /as 8a!l's message. It has come &o/n to !s, also 2entiles. It is also the message nee&ing to .e proclaime& in o!r present /orl& of &ar*ness an& materialism, self see*ing an& sin. Acts 2@:$#$$. 8a!l's Jo!rney to ome .egins.

$ An& /hen it /as &etermine& that /e sho!l& sail into Italy, they &eli5ere& 8a!l an& certain other prisoners !nto one name& J!li!s, a cent!rion of A!g!st!s' .an&. 2 An& entering into a ship of A&ramyt'ti#!m, /e la!nche&, meaning to sail .y the coasts of Asia? one Aristar'ch!s, a 0ace&o'nian of Thessaloni'ca, .eing /ith !s. 3 An& the neCt &ay /e to!che& at (i&on. An& J!li!s co!rteo!sly entreate& 8a!l, an& ga5e him li.erty to go !nto his frien&s to refresh himself. 4 An& /hen /e ha& la!nche& from thence, /e saile& !n&er Cypr!s, .eca!se the /in&s /ere contrary. , An& /hen /e ha& saile& o5er the sea of Cili'cia an& 8amphyl'i#a, /e came to 0yra, a city of Ly'ci#a. - An& there the cent!rion fo!n& a ship of AleCan&ria sailing into Italy? an& he p!t !s therein. @ An& /hen /e ha& saile& slo/ly many &ays, an& scarce /ere come o5er against Cni&!s, the /in& not s!ffering !s, /e saile& !n&er Crete, o5er against (almo'ne? ) an&, har&ly passing it, came !nto a place /hich is calle& the 9air Ga5ens? nigh /here!nto /as the city of Lase'a. + K "o/ /hen m!ch time /as spent, an& /hen sailing /as no/ &angero!s, .eca!se the fast /as no/ alrea&y past, 8a!l a&monishe& them, $' an& sai& !nto them, (irs, I percei5e that this 5oyage /ill .e /ith h!rt an& m!ch &amage, not only of the la&ing an& ship, .!t also of o!r li5es. $$ "e5ertheless the cent!rion .elie5e& the master an& the o/ner of the ship, more than those things /hich /ere spo*en .y 8a!l.

Lesson AAA= contin!e&

$)$

=erse $. The &ecision /as ma&e. The or&ers &eli5ere&. 8a!l /as to .e ta*en to ome, accor&ing to his appeal. Other prisoners /ere incl!&e&. The D/eD here in&icates that L!*e /as also present, an& therefore co!l& gi5e s!ch a &etaile& acco!nt of the Io!rney. They are t!rne& o5er to a cent!rion of A!g!st!s' .an&. =erse 2. A ship is fo!n& an& .oar&e& for the first leg of the trip. It is i&entifie& as from the home port of A&ramytti!m, most li*ely on the coast of the Aegean (ea, not far from 8ergamos. Another in&i5i&!al that ha& .een /ith 8a!l at %phes!s Echapter $+:2+F is mentione& as no/ also tra5eling /ith him, name& Aristarch!s. =erse 3. The follo/ing &ay they stoppe& .riefly at (i&eon. J!li!s o.5io!sly ha& .een gi5en &irection to treat 8a!l *in&ly .y Agrippa an& 9est!s. J!li!s allo/e& 8a!l to go ashore to 5isit the Christians there. 0ost li*ely he /as accompanie& .y one sol&ier, no other preca!tions to pre5ent 8a!l's escape. =erse 4. (ailing north, !n&er Cypr!s Ethe neCt legF, .eca!se of contrary /in&s. =erse ,. Then sailing near Asia 0inor, Cilicia an& 8amphylia, they came to 0yra, a city of Lycia. =erse -. There the cent!rion fo!n& a ship .o!n& for ome. It /as carrying /heat from %gyptian AleCan&ria, also articles of 8ersian an& In&ian merchan&ise. The prisoners an& companions /ere .oar&e& therein. =erse @. They saile& slo/ly many &ays. The /in&s /ere not in their fa5or, an& the 5essel /as hea5y la&en. They came near Cni&!s, !n&er Crete, near (almone, a promontory on the eastern coast of Crete. =erse ). 9rom there they arri5e& at the port calle& The 9air Ga5ens. It is still there to&ay /ith the same name. It is near the northern eCtreme of the Islan&. There /as a city name& Lysea. =erse +. They remaine& there se5eral &ays. The time passe& the Je/ish &ay of atonement al/ays cele.rate& on the $'th &ay of the @th month H to !s it /o!l& .e the later &ays of (eptem.er. This /as *no/n as pro5er.ially &angero!s among the ancient Je/s, to .e sailing on the 0e&iterranean (ea. Bhether from his o/n eCperience or general *no/le&ge, or from the Goly (pirit, 8a!l pr!&ently felt it necessary to /arn them.

Lesson AAA= contin!e& =erse $'. The cargo, the ship itself, an& all the passengers /o!l& face great h!rt an& &amage. 0any li5es /o!l& .e lost.

$)2

=erse $$. The cent!rion &i& not .elie5e 8a!l, .!t listene& to the captain of the ship, an& its o/ner. (o they contin!e& their Io!rney. "eCt, the Ill#9ate& =oyage.

Lesson AAA=I The Acts of the Apostles 2@:$2#44. The Ill#fate& =oyage.

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$2 An& .eca!se the ha5en /as not commo&io!s to /inter in, the more part a&5ise& to &epart thence also, if .y any means they might attain to 8hoeniC, an& there to /inter? /hich is a ha5en of Crete, an& lieth to/ar& the so!th/est an& north/est. $3 K An& /hen the so!th /in& .le/ softly, s!pposing that they ha& o.taine& their p!rpose, loosing thence, they saile& close .y Crete. $4 7!t not long after there arose against it a tempest!o!s /in&, calle& %!roc'ly&on. $, An& /hen the ship /as ca!ght, an& co!l& not .ear !p into the /in&, /e let her &ri5e. $- An& r!nning !n&er a certain islan& /hich is calle& Cla!&a, /e ha& m!ch /or* to come .y the .oat: $@ /hich /hen they ha& ta*en !p, they !se& helps, !n&ergir&ing the ship? an&, fearing lest they sho!l& fall into the 6!ic*san&s, str!c* sail, an& so /ere &ri5en. $) An& /e .eing eCcee&ingly tosse& /ith a tempest, the neCt &ay they lightene& the ship? $+ an& the thir& &ay /e cast o!t /ith o!r o/n han&s the tac*ling of the ship. 2' An& /hen neither s!n nor stars in many &ays appeare&, an& no small tempest lay on !s, all hope that /e sho!l& .e sa5e& /as then ta*en a/ay. 2$ K 7!t after long a.stinence, 8a!l stoo& forth in the mi&st of them, an& sai&, (irs, ye sho!l& ha5e hear*ene& !nto me, an& not ha5e loose& from Crete, an& to ha5e gaine& this harm an& loss. 22 An& no/ I eChort yo! to .e of goo& cheer: for there shall .e no loss of any man's life among yo!, .!t of the ship. 23 9or there stoo& .y me this night the angel of 2o&, /hose I am, an& /hom I ser5e, 24 saying, 9ear not, 8a!l? tho! m!st .e .ro!ght .efore Caesar: an&, lo, 2o& hath gi5en thee all them that sail /ith thee. 2, Bherefore, sirs, .e of goo& cheer: for I .elie5e 2o&, that it shall .e e5en as it /as tol& me. 2- Go/.eit /e m!st .e cast !pon a certain islan&. 2@ K 7!t /hen the fo!rteenth night /as come, as /e /ere &ri5en !p an& &o/n in A'&ria, a.o!t mi&night the shipmen &eeme& that they &re/ near to some co!ntry? 2) an& so!n&e&, an& fo!n& it t/enty fathoms: an& /hen they ha& gone a little f!rther, they so!n&e& again, an& fo!n& it fifteen fathoms. 2+ Then fearing lest /e sho!l& ha5e fallen !pon roc*s, they cast fo!r anchors o!t of the stern, an& /ishe& for the &ay. 3' An& as the shipmen /ere a.o!t to flee o!t of the ship, /hen they ha& let &o/n the .oat into the sea, !n&er color as tho!gh they /o!l& ha5e cast anchors o!t of the foreship, 3$ 8a!l sai& to the cent!rion an& to the sol&iers, %Ccept these a.i&e in the ship, ye cannot .e sa5e&. 32 Then the sol&iers c!t off the ropes of the .oat, an& let her fall off. 33 K An& /hile the &ay /as coming on, 8a!l .eso!ght them all to ta*e meat, saying, This &ay is the fo!rteenth &ay that ye ha5e tarrie& an& contin!e& fasting, ha5ing ta*en nothing.

Lesson AAA=I contin!e&

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34 Bherefore I pray yo! to ta*e some meat? for this is for yo!r health: for there shall not a hair fall from the hea& of any of yo!. 3, An& /hen he ha& th!s spo*en, he too* .rea&, an& ga5e than*s to 2o& in presence of them all? an& /hen he ha& .ro*en it, he .egan to eat. 3- Then /ere they all of goo& cheer, an& they also too* some meat. 3@ An& /e /ere in all in the ship t/o h!n&re& threescore an& siCteen so!ls. 3) An& /hen they ha& eaten eno!gh, they lightene& the ship, an& cast o!t the /heat into the sea. 3+ K An& /hen it /as &ay, they *ne/ not the lan&: .!t they &isco5ere& a certain cree* /ith a shore, into the /hich they /ere min&e&, if it /ere possi.le, to thr!st in the ship. 4' An& /hen they ha& ta*en !p the anchors, they committe& themsel5es !nto the sea, an& loose& the r!&&er .an&s, an& hoiste& !p the mainsail to the /in&, an& ma&e to/ar& shore. 4$ An& falling into a place /here t/o seas met, they ran the ship agro!n&? an& the forepart st!c* fast, an& remaine& !nmo5a.le, .!t the hin&er part /as .ro*en /ith the 5iolence of the /a5es. 42 An& the sol&iers' co!nsel /as to *ill the prisoners, lest any of them sho!l& s/im o!t, an& escape. 43 7!t the cent!rion, /illing to sa5e 8a!l, *ept them from their p!rpose? an& comman&e& that they /hich co!l& s/im sho!l& cast themsel5es first into the sea, an& get to lan&: 44 an& the rest, some on .oar&s, an& some on .ro*en pieces of the ship. An& so it came to pass, that they escape& all safe to lan&. =erse $2. Bhere they /ere presently, 9air Ga5ens, /as not a goo& place to pass thro!gh the /inter. The !nanimo!s opinion of those on .oar&, also follo/ing the a&5ice of captain an& ship o/ner, /as to lea5e there, an& get to a .etter /inter ha5en of Crete. It /as name& 8hoeniC an& f!rther to the /est. There a /in& .lo/s from the so!th/est to/ar& the Aegean (ea. Also one .lo/s from the north/est. =erse $3. They neCt eCperience& a softly .lo/ing so!th /in&. They s!rmise& that this /o!l& ena.le them to caref!lly ma*e their /ay, *eeping close to the coast of Crete an& get safely to the neCt port. They set off. =erse $4. not long after they .egan, a tempest!o!s /in& arose. They e5en ha& a special name for this /in& H %!rocly&on. This &escri.e& a /in& that .le/ in all &irections, !npre&icta.ly an& 5iolently. =erse $,. The ship /as no longer controlla.le .y r!&&er or sail. They co!l&n't t!rn the pro/ to face the /in&. Their only option /as to let go of all controls, an& let these /in&s &ri5e the ship /here5er they /o!l&. =erse $-. The ship Dcame !n&erD an islan& name& Cla!&a. It /as locate&

Lesson AAA=I contin!e&

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at the so!th/estern en& of Crete. The .oats that /ere commonly carrie& a.oar& ships m!st .een /ashe& o5er.oar&, or it /as .eing to/e& off the stern of the ship, they ha& a har& time trying to sa5e it from .eing .ro*en to pieces. =erse $@. Once the .oat /as sec!re on &ec*, they set to /or* frapping the ship. This means passing strong ca.le !n&er the 5essel at the front Epro/F, carry it along !ntil it /as !n&er the *eel, then Ioining the t/o en&s on &ec*. This /o!l& pre5ent the plan*s from .eing force& o!t/ar&. This co!l& .e repeate& as m!ch as &eeme& necessary to pre5ent any .rea* !p or DopeningD. 7y this time they &i&n't *no/ /here they /ere H not seeing s!n or stars for many &ays. They &i&n't e5en *no/ /hat &irection they /ere going in. This le& to a general fear of r!nning into a ha<ar& H one maIor fear /as .eing &ri5en onto some shoals or 6!ic*san&. D(tra*e sailD s!ggests they .ro!ght &o/n anything left of sails on the main mast to lesson the effect of the /in&s on the ship. =erse $). The tempest /as 5iolently tossing the ship. The neCt &ay they lightene& the ship H most li*ely thro/ing o5er.oar& anything not part of the ship on the &ec*. =erse $+. The thir& &ay they tosse& e5en the ca.les, anchor, non#essential parts of the ship's tac*ling. =erse 2'. At this point, they ha& .een in this tempest for se5eral &ays, an& ha& no /ay to I!&ge /here they no/ /ere. The storm /as not letting !p an& they felt it ine5ita.le that they /o!l& .e &ri5en !ntil the ship /o!l& .e &estroye& an& their li5es forfeit. Gope /as gone. =erse 2$. 0ost li*ely the long a.stinence of 8a!l here &escri.e& refers to his not spea*ing o!t this /hole time. At this eCtremity he steps forth in their mi&st an& a&monishes them for not hee&ing his pre5io!s /arning. They sho!l& not ha5e left Crete an& they /o!l& not .e in the present &anger of harm to the 5essel an& loss of their cargo. =erse 22. Ge a&&s one item of goo& ne/s H e5erything /ill .e &estroye&, .!t no one /as going to &ie. All /o!l& come thro!gh this ali5e. =erse 23. Di5ine inter5ention H the 2o& /ho 8a!l ser5es ga5e him this message. The circ!mstances in /hich the message /as gi5en /ere all contrary to /hat 8a!l /as .ol&ly an& confi&ently to say. O.5io!sly he .elie5e& /hat he sai&, an& the fact that the f!lfillment /as eCactly as the pre&iction, /as strong e5i&ence to these heathens that the 2o& 8a!l ser5e& /as far &ifferent from their o/n.

Lesson AAA=I contin!e&

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=erses 24,2,. The angel ass!re& 8a!l that 2o&'s plan /as for him to .e &eli5ere& to ome to .e .ro!ght .efore Caesar. (o essential /as this man to 2o&, that 2o& grante& the sa5ing of all a.oar& as part of 8a!l's resc!e. 2@- li5es /o!l& .e sa5e& for his sa*e. Another great /itness to the po/er an& mercy an& faithf!lness of 2o&. This also ga5e strong e5i&ence that tho!gh a prisoner, 8a!l /as no criminal .!t a prophet of the tr!e 2o&. =erse 2-. The last &etail from the angel /as that they /o!l& .e cast !pon an islan&. Later /e learn that this islan& /as name& 0elita. =erse 2@. On the $4th night, a.o!t mi&night, the eCperience& sailors sense& nearness to lan&. =erse 2). They hea5e& a line /ith lea& at the .ottom to meas!re the &epth H 2' fathoms, a.o!t $2' feet. A little farther on, so!n&e& again H a.o!t $', feet. =erse 2+. They reali<e& they co!l& .e getting 5ery near a coastline, an& fearing roc*s that /o!l& &estroy e5erything. To pre5ent the ship from going any f!rther in that &irection, since it /as getting shallo/er, they &roppe& anchors from the .ac* of the ship. =erse 3'. The sailors o.5io!sly tho!ght the ship /as &oome&. They &eci&e& to escape .y getting a/ay in the &ingy. They preten&e& they /ere going to ta*e anchors to the front of the ship to help sec!re it. They lo/ere& the .oat. They /ere rea&y to a.an&on the passengers an& the prisoners to their fate. =erse 3$. At this point, 8a!l sa/ thro!gh the sailors' r!se. Ge tol& the cent!rion an& sol&iers that it /as necessary that these sailors remain on the ship for 2o&'s pro5i&ence to .e reali<e&. Only then /ill e5eryone's li5es .e sa5e&. =erse 32. 8a!l /as .elie5e&. The sol&iers c!t the .oat loose, an& it fell off into the s!rging /aters. =erse 33. At &a/n, 8a!l insiste& that e5eryone m!st eat something. D!ring the storm no one ha& eaten anything H thro!gh fear an& &iscomfort. =erse 34. Ge entreats them to eat something for their o/n goo&, to strengthen their .o&ies, to impro5e their health. Ge then 6!otes a pro5er.. "ot a hair shall fall from the hea& of anyone. Ge /as saying

Lesson AAA=I contin!e&

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that if they follo/ his a&5ice, no one /ill e5en .e h!rt, m!ch less lose their li5es. =erse 3,. Bhile he still ha& their attention, he too* .rea& an& ga5e than*s to 2o& for the foo&, their present sit!ation, an& for the promise. Ge .ro*e off a piece an& .egan to eat. =erse 3-. %5eryone /as greatly cheere& !p, an& they also ha& something to eat, so enco!rage& .y 8a!l. =erse 3@. There /as a total of 2@- Dso!lsD on .oar&. =erse 3). Bhen finishe& eating, they lightene& the ship, e5en thro/ing o!t their main cargo of /heat. 7y &oing this the ship /o!l& .e higher in the /ater, th!s allo/ing them to get closer to shore .efore hitting .ottom. =erse 3+. Once &ay came, they co!l& see lan&, .!t no one recogni<e& it. They sa/ /here a cree* ran into the sea, creating a small .ay. This loo*e& li*e a possi.ly safe place to &irect the ship into. =erse 4'. They !n&i& all their former meas!res H ta*ing !p all anchors, p!tting the r!&&ers .ac* &o/n into the /ater, hoisting the sail. The 2ree* /or& translate& mainsail, is more acc!rately the Ii., or triang!lar sail at the front of the ship. They steere& the ship to/ar& shore. =erse 4$. Bhere the fresh /ater met /ith the sea, they ran agro!n&, not reali<ing ho/ shallo/ it /as. The front part of the ship /as st!c* fast, immo5a.le in the san& .ar. This left the .ac* part of the ship at the mercy of the 5iolence of the sea /a5es, /hich tore it apart an& .ro*e it in pieces. =erse 42. "o/ seeing the possi.ility of getting to shore safely, the sol&iers sho/e& their o/n .loo&thirsty fear that some prisoners might escape them, an& they /o!l& .e hel& acco!nta.le. Their sol!tion /as to *ill them all. =erse 43. Than*f!lly the cent!rion ha& a!thority o5er them. Ge /ante& to sa5e 8a!l, an& ac*no/le&gment of 8a!l's innocence, an& eCtraor&inary spirit!al 6!ality. Ge not only stoppe& this plot, .!t loose& all the prisoners an& tol& all /ho co!l& s/im to I!mp into the /ater an& go for lan&. Also, the sol&iers /ere to &o the same. It is most li*ely that they all ma&e it, since part of their military training incl!&e&

Lesson AAA=I contin!e& learning to s/im.

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=erse 44. Those that co!l&n't s/im /ere to gra. anything that /as floating H .oar&s, plan*s, other ship parts, an& go for the shore. Certainly, .y the pro5i&ence of 2o&, e5eryone ma&e it safely to shore. 8a!l /as to go to ome. %ach peril .ro!ght him .efore another a!&ience to share his faith an& sho/ the care an& po/er of 2o& an& the tr!th of Christ an& Gis (al5ation. "eCt, on the Islan& of 0elita Emo&ern 0altaF.

Lesson AAA=II The Acts of the Apostles 2):$#22. On the Islan& of 0alta.

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$ An& /hen they /ere escape&, then they *ne/ that the islan& /as calle& 0eli'ta. 2 An& the .ar.aro!s people sho/e& !s no little *in&ness: for they *in&le& a fire, an& recei5e& !s e5ery one, .eca!se of the present rain, an& .eca!se of the col&. 3 An& /hen 8a!l ha& gathere& a .!n&le of stic*s, an& lai& them on the fire, there came a 5iper o!t of the heat, an& fastene& on his han&. 4 An& /hen the .ar.arians sa/ the 5enomo!s .east hang on his han&, they sai& among themsel5es, "o &o!.t this man is a m!r&erer, /hom, tho!gh he hath escape& the sea, yet 5engeance s!ffereth not to li5e. , An& he shoo* off the .east into the fire, an& felt no harm. - Go/.eit they loo*e& /hen he sho!l& ha5e s/ollen, or fallen &o/n &ea& s!&&enly: .!t after they ha& loo*e& a great /hile, an& sa/ no harm come to him, they change& their min&s, an& sai& that he /as a go&. @ K In the same 6!arters /ere possessions of the chief man of the islan&, /hose name /as 8!.'li#!s? /ho recei5e& !s, an& lo&ge& !s three &ays co!rteo!sly. ) An& it came to pass, that the father of 8!.'li#!s lay sic* of a fe5er an& of a .loo&y fl!C: to /hom 8a!l entere& in, an& praye&, an& lai& his han&s on him, an& heale& him. + (o /hen this /as &one, others also, /hich ha& &iseases in the islan&, came, an& /ere heale&: $' /ho also honore& !s /ith many honors? an& /hen /e &eparte&, they la&e& !s /ith s!ch things as /ere necessary. $$ K An& after three months /e &eparte& in a ship of AleCan&ria, /hich ha& /intere& in the isle, /hose sign /as Castor an& 8oll!C. $2 An& lan&ing at (yrac!se, /e tarrie& there three &ays. $3 An& from thence /e fetche& a compass, an& came to he'gi#!m: an& after one &ay the so!th /in& .le/, an& /e came the neCt &ay to 8!te'oli: $4 /here /e fo!n& .rethren, an& /ere &esire& to tarry /ith them se5en &ays: an& so /e /ent to/ar& ome. $, An& from thence, /hen the .rethren hear& of !s, they came to meet !s as far as Ap'pi#i 9or!m, an& the Three Ta5erns? /hom /hen 8a!l sa/, he than*e& 2o&, an& too* co!rage. $- An& /hen /e came to ome, the cent!rion &eli5ere& the prisoners to the captain of the g!ar&: .!t 8a!l /as s!ffere& to &/ell .y himself /ith a sol&ier that *ept him. $@ K An& it came to pass, that after three &ays 8a!l calle& the chief of the Je/s together: an& /hen they /ere come together, he sai& !nto them, 0en an& .rethren, tho!gh I ha5e committe& nothing against the people, or c!stoms of o!r fathers, yet /as I &eli5ere& prisoner from Jer!salem into the han&s of the omans: $) /ho, /hen they ha& eCamine& me, /o!l& ha5e let me go, .eca!se there /as no ca!se of &eath in me. $+ 7!t /hen the Je/s spa*e against it, I /as constraine& to appeal !nto Caesar? Acts 2,.$$ not that I ha& a!ght to acc!se my nation of. 2' 9or this ca!se therefore ha5e I calle& for yo!, to see yo!, an& to spea* /ith yo!: .eca!se that for the hope of Israel I am .o!n& /ith this chain.

Lesson AAA=II contin!e&

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2$ An& they sai& !nto him, Be neither recei5e& letters o!t of J!&ea concerning thee, neither any of the .rethren that came sho/e& or spa*e any harm of thee. 22 7!t /e &esire to hear of thee /hat tho! thin*est: for as concerning this sect, /e *no/ that e5ery /here it is spo*en against. =erse $. Once on lan&, the islan& of 0elita Eno/ calle& 0altaF /as recogni<e&. It is .et/een (icily an& Africa, a.o!t ,' miles from (icily's coast. It is a.o!t 2' miles long, an& $2 miles /i&e. It pro&!ces cotton, fr!it an& fine honey. The name 0elita comes from the 2ree* /or& signifying honey. =erse 2. The people of the islan& are &escri.e& as .ar.aro!s. The people /ho first settle& there /ere 8hoenician, then Carthaginians. Their ancient lang!age /as still in !se, tho!gh /ith some 2ree* an& Latin /or&s an& phrases. It /as c!stomary at this time to call those /ho spo*e an !n*no/n lang!age D.ar.ariansD. The original of this /or& /as not at that time &erogatory H its !se meant only an !n*no/n lang!age. The &escription of the /eather s!ggests sometime in Octo.er. The s!r5i5ors /ere certainly totally soa*e& to the s*in an& 5ery col&. The inha.itants of this islan& sho/e& great *in&ness to these strangers, /elcoming e5ery person, an& starting a fire e5en in the rain. =erses 3#,. 8a!l, 5ol!nteering to help, gathere& a .!n&le of stic*s an& place& them on the fire. O.5io!sly, a sna*e ha& .een sheltering among the .ranches in the col&, .!t /hen place& on the fire the 5iper so!ght escape from the fire an& latche& onto 8a!l's han&. Bhether it .it into his flesh an& &eli5ere& its poison is not clearly state&. It may ha5e .een merely fastene& eno!gh on 8a!l to escape the fire, not attac*ing him. The nati5es of the islan&, ho/e5er, s!ppose& that it ha&, seeing it hanging from his han&. These heathens ha& the .elief that 8a!l m!st .e an e5il criminal that a s!pernat!ral force Esome go& or go&&essF /as instilling p!nishment against him. (ince he ha& not .een *ille& in the ship/rec*, no/ another means /as .eing !se&. This /as most li*ely a go&&ess name& J!stice, that if a g!ilty one escape& the la/, she /o!l& !rge the p!nishment their sins &eman&. Contrary to their eCpectation, 8a!l shoo* of the sna*e into the fire, an& /as not inI!re& at all. =erse -. The nati5es /atch caref!lly, f!lly eCpecting 8a!l to sho/ the effects of the sna*e's 5enom H there sho!l& .e strong inflammation an& s/elling, to increase !ntil &eath occ!rre&. After a length of time they finally reali<e& that he /as not e5en inI!re&. They concl!&e& that he m!st not e5en .e a normal h!man .eing, .!t a go&. The most li*ely choice /o!l& ha5e .een Gerc!les, *no/n as the &ispeller of e5il. Gerc!les /as also famo!s for ha5ing &estroye& t/o serpents that attac*e& him in his cra&le /hen 5ery yo!ng.

Lesson AAA=II contin!e&

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=erse @. The chief man of the islan&, the ancient title for the go5ernor. An inscription fo!n& in 0alta i&entifie& the oman go5ernor of the islan& as CGI%9 of the 0elitese. This man /elcome& the 5isitors Dco!rteo!slyD an& pro5i&e& the lo&ging an& necessities for 3 &ays. =erse ). D!ring that time, 8!.li!s' father /as s!ffering from a fe5er an& Da .loo&y fl!CD, most li*ely &ysentery. There /as no c!re. 8a!l /ent in an& praye&, lai& han&s on him, an& heale& him. "othing less than a miracle from 2o& co!l& .ring a.o!t s!ch a restoration imme&iately. %5en the heathens m!st ac*no/le&ge this reality. =erse +. Once this /as *no/n, others in the islan& that ha& illnesses or &iseases came to 8a!l an& /ere heale& also. =erse $'. The gratef!l people la5ishe& gifts !pon 8a!l an& his companions, /hich /o!l& also incl!&e gifts of money. Bhen they /ere a.o!t to lea5e, the locals also pro5i&e& s!ch things that they /o!l& nee& on their neCt Io!rney a.oar& ship. =erse $$. Three months later, the en& of Jan!ary or .eginning of 9e.r!ary, the /in& /as then generally stea&ier, the passage safer. A ship from AleCan&ria that ha& passe& the /inter at the islan& /as to contin!e its Io!rney to Italy. It /as name& Castor an& 8oll!C. These /ere half go&s, sons of J!piter an& a h!man. They /ere translate& to the hea5ens, ma*ing the constellation calle& 2emini, or The T/ins. This sign /as goo& l!c* to mariners. It /as c!stomary to ha5e car5e& images on the pro/, sometimes also the stern. This c!stom /as contin!e& e5en !p thro!gh colonial times .y the 7ritish. =erse $2. :eeping close to the eastern coast of (icily. The capital of /hich /as (yrac!se. It is reno/ne& as the .irthplace of Archime&es, scientist an& engineer. The ship stoppe& there for 3 &ays. (ome form of Christianity has eCiste& there e5er since 8a!l's 3 &ay 5isit. =erse $3. 9rom there they 'fetche& a compass' H more closely from the 2ree* sho!l& .e '/eighe& anchor' an& came to hegi!m in Italy, opposite of (icily. After one &ay they ca!ght the so!th /in&, a&5ancing !p the eastern coast of Italy to the .ay of "aples. It /as a main port for AleCan&rian /heat#.earing ships. =erse $4. There /ere omans E/ritten .een con5erte&. on lan& to/ar& Christians there. In&icate& .y 8a!l's letter to the a.o!t 3 years .efore this 5oyageF, many in Italy ha& (e5en &ays /ere spent in 8!teoli. "o/ they procee&e& ome.

Lesson AAA=II contin!e&

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=erse $,. It is .elie5e& that Christianity /as first plante& at ome .y some of those omans present in Jer!salem on the &ay of 8entecost. They /o!l& ha5e .een &e5o!t men, proselytes of the Je/ish religion Estrangers of ome Acts 2:$'F. no other information concerning its origin has .een fo!n&. The gro!p no/ tra5ele& on the Appian Bay, a stone pa5e& roa& that /ent to ome. Apparently the ne/s of 8a!l's arri5al in Italy tra5ele& 6!ic*ly, the .elie5ers came a.o!t ,2 miles from ome, catching !p /ith 8a!l's gro!p at the to/n of Appii 9or!m Eor 0ar*etF. The gro!p contin!e& to/ar& ome, on the same roa&, coming neCt to The Three Ta5erns, another to/n, a.o!t 33 miles from ome. Gere another gro!p of .elie5ers ha& Io!rneye& to meet 8a!l. Ge /as greatly enco!rage&, than*ing 2o&. "o/ so close to his long so!ght &estination of the capitol of the oman %mpire, to .e greete& an& no/ accompanie& .y so many Christians, it m!st ha5e .een a great comfort. It /as proof that 2o& ha& .ro!ght him thro!gh all the &angers an& perils, so that he /o!l& no/ .e a.le to contin!e to sprea& Christ's 2ospel. Ge /o!l& teach the eCisting Christians an& all this in the seat of po/er of the oman %mpire. =erse $-. 9inally arri5ing at ome, the cent!rion &eli5ere& the prisoners to the comman&er of the emperor's g!ar&s. It /as &!ring the @th year of "ero. These praetorian g!ar&s ha& a camp near the city. 8a!l /as allo/e& to li5e separately, .y himself an& one sol&ier to /hom he /as lightly chaine& on one /rist. 8a!l mentions this in 5erse 2'. =erse $@. As /as his c!stom, 8a!l ha& &eci&e& to ma*e contact /ith the comm!nity of Je/s in the area. Ge settle& in for 3 &ays, an& not .eing free to 5isit any synagog!e, sent in5itations to local lea&ers to come an& see him. Archaeologists ha5e fo!n& oman inscriptions naming @ synagog!es. =erses $),$+. In .eginning his tal*, 8a!l see*s to ass!re these lea&ers of the Je/s that he /as innocent of any transgression of Je/ish la/s or c!stoms. Ge /as possi.ly thin*ing that they ha& recei5e& malicio!s reports a.o!t him. Ge also ha& no complaints a.o!t the Je/ish nation or its lea&ers in Jer!salem. Ge ha& .een &eclare& innocent of any criminal act &eser5ing the &eath penalty. They /o!l& ha5e release& him, .!t .eca!se the Je/s contin!e& to spea* against him, he felt force& to appeal to Caesar. Ge, in t!rn, ha& no acc!sation against them. =erse 2'. The central an& important reason for his calling these men together /as to eCplain his tr!e mission. Ge /ante& to share /ith them 'the hope of Israel'. That hope /as of the 0essiah, cr!cifie& .y the Je/s, .!t risen from the &ea& H the great promise .elie5e& .y the 8harisees.

Lesson AAA=II contin!e&

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=erse 2$. They respon&e& .y saying that they ha& not recei5e& any comm!nication concerning him from J!&ea. "o one that ha& come to ome from there ha& anything .a& to say a.o!t him. Apparently, 8a!l /as o!t of reach of any of their a.ilities to *ill him, as they ha& so plotte& in J!&ea. Therefore they ha& gi5en !p an& &roppe& the matter as o!t of their han&s. =erse 22. It seems that certain messengers ha& .een sent o!t from Jer!salem to spea* against this ne/ an& /ic*e& sect H that sho!l& .e reIecte& an& a5oi&e&. These men ha& hear& that, 'e5ery/here it is spo*en against'. 7!t no/ in 8a!l's presence, they sincerely &esire to hear the perspecti5e of his *no/le&ge an& eCperience at some f!t!re time. This /as 5ery &iplomatic, since the Christian Ch!rch in ome may /ell ha5e .een aro!n& for $' years. 8a!l's letter to them /ritten 3 years .efore in&icates a /ell#esta.lishe& an& mat!re gro!p of .elie5ers at ome. A &ay /as set. "eCt, 8a!l's testimony to the Je/ish lea&er at ome.

Lesson AAA=III The Acts of the Apostles 2):23#3$. 8a!l's Testimony at ome.

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23 K An& /hen they ha& appointe& him a &ay, there came many to him into his lo&ging? to /hom he eCpo!n&e& an& testifie& the *ing&om of 2o&, pers!a&ing them concerning Jes!s, .oth o!t of the la/ of 0oses, an& o!t of the prophets, from morning till e5ening. 24 An& some .elie5e& the things /hich /ere spo*en, an& some .elie5e& not. 2, An& /hen they agree& not among themsel5es, they &eparte&, after that 8a!l ha& spo*en one /or&, Bell spa*e the Goly 2host .y Isaiah the prophet !nto o!r fathers, 2- saying, 2o !nto this people, an& say, Gearing ye shall hear, an& shall not !n&erstan&? an& seeing ye shall see, an& not percei5e: 2@ for the heart of this people is /aCe& gross, an& their ears are &!ll of hearing, an& their eyes ha5e they close&? lest they sho!l& see /ith their eyes, an& hear /ith their ears, an& !n&erstan& /ith their heart, an& sho!l& .e con5erte&, an& I sho!l& heal them. 2) 7e it *no/n therefore !nto yo!, that the sal5ation of 2o& is sent !nto the 2entiles, an& that they /ill hear it. 2+ An& /hen he ha& sai& these /or&s, the Je/s &eparte&, an& ha& great reasoning among themsel5es. 3' K An& 8a!l &/elt t/o /hole years in his o/n hire& ho!se, an& recei5e& all that came in !nto him, 3$ preaching the *ing&om of 2o&, an& teaching those things /hich concern the Lor& Jes!s Christ, /ith all confi&ence, no man for.i&&ing him. =erse 23. On the appointe& &ay, many came to see 8a!l. Ge spent the /hole &ay, morning !ntil e5ening, eCpo!n&ing a.o!t the *ing&om of 2o&, centering on the role of Jes!s. The reign of Jes!s as the promise& 0essiah /as to .e of a spirit!al *ing&om. As the (!ffering (er5ant, Ge /as to reconcile man to 2o& thro!gh Gis sacrifice on the cross. 8a!l !se& the e5i&ence in the entire Ol& Testament, the la/ an& the prophets, all the &etails of promises an& prophecies that /ere f!lfille& in the .irth, preaching, miracles, healing, passion, &eath, an& final proof H the res!rrection from the &ea&. Ga& there e5er .een or co!l& there e5er .e another person that this co!l& .e tr!e ofL Impossi.leJ =erse 24. The response: some .elie5e&, an& others &i& not. =erse 2,. This .ecame a great contro5ersy among these Je/s. (ome accepte& the f!lfillment of (cript!re concerning Christ. Others reIecte& it. (ome /ante& to arg!e a.o!t 5ario!s points to &ispro5e 8a!l's testimony. An& so this scene has .een repeate& from that time to no/. Bhen hearing the 2ospel, some .elie5e an& some &o not. The Je/s still /ait an& pray for the 8romise& 0essiah, .!t &esire the earthly *ing&om H not the spirit!al one. They cannot .e pers!a&e& that the only possi.le /ay to the cro/n /as thro!gh the sacrifice on the cross. This remains the great st!m.ling .loc*. At this point in

Lesson AAA=III contin!e&

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the e5ening, the gro!p /as still arg!ing amongst themsel5es, an& .egan to lea5e. 8a!l ha& one more thing to say .efore they left. This /as &irecte& at &is.elie5ers. Ge 6!ote& the prophecy of Isaiah -:+. =erses 2-,2@. Ge /as applying it to those /ho I!st hear& the 2ospel of Christ, .!t &i& not !n&erstan&. Their eyes /ere close&. Their hearts /ere not reache&. They /ere not con5erte& or spirit!ally heale&. =erse 2). The reIection of the 2ospel of Christ .y the great maIority of the Je/s ha& a conse6!ence. DThe sal5ation of 2o& is sent to the 2entiles an& that they /ill hear it.D All the .lessings of Christ's *ing&om are incl!&e&. To the Je/ first, as people of DThe 7oo*D, they /ere chosen to recor& the promises an& prophecies concerning the 0essiah. 9rom them he /o!l& .e .orn an& raise&. Ge /o!l& minister, then .e reIecte& an& p!t to &eath. After that, the res!rrection an& preaching of the apostles. 2o& freely offere& Gis sal5ation to e5eryone # e5en as Jes!s ha& tol& the apostles an& &isciples to go to all nations. "ot only /as it to .e offere&, .!t the 2entiles also /o!l& hear it, /hich also s!ggests that they /ill listen /ith p!rpose, an& accept its tr!th an& ans/er its call, an& .elie5e. =erse 2+. Bhen 8a!l finishe& this message, the Je/s left. They reasone& on the pros an& cons of /hat m!st .e tr!e an& a!thentic proof of Christ the 0essiah as (a5ior. Those /ho .elie5e& /o!l& contin!e sharing their ne/#fo!n& faith. The 2ospel /o!l& *eep sprea&ing /here5er they /ent. An& so it has contin!e&, an& /ill &o so !ntil the Times of the 2entiles en&s, accor&ing to 2o&'s perfect timing /hen Christ calls all .elie5ers to Gimself in the apt!re of Gis Ch!rch. =erse 3'. L!*e no/ s!mmari<es 8a!l's follo/ing t/o years. Ge remaine& in his rente& ho!se. Bhether an apartment as part of the prison, or near.y is not *no/n. Ge /as allo/e& to stay .y himself, .!t still a prisoner of the state /ith a sol&ier g!ar&ing him. Ge /as grante& the free&om to ha5e anyone that /ante& to see him to &o so. They /o!l& ha5e only come to hear his 2ospel message, an& so he sprea& the tr!th of Christ. Gis .eing a prisoner ser5e& the p!rpose that 2o& ha& .ro!ght him here to &o. A n!m.er of those /ho came to him .elie5e&. As mentione& in 8hilemon $:$2,$3 there /ere se5eral people of Caesar's ho!sehol& in this gro!p, so that e5en in the palace of "ero, 8a!l /as tal*e& a.o!t fa5ora.ly. =erse 3$. This s!mmari<es 8a!l's preaching the *ing&om of 2o& H the tr!e spirit!al nat!re of the tr!e Ch!rch, !n&er the reign of the 0essiah. D...teaching those things /hich concern the Lor& Jes!s Christ, /ith all confi&ence, no man for.i&&ing him.D As the Lor&, the sole r!ler, he !phol&s all things .y the /or& of Gis po/er, an& go5erns the /orl& an& Gis Ch!rch. Ge has all things !n&er Gis control, an& all Gis enemies !n&er Gis feet. Ge is

Lesson AAA=III contin!e&

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the ma*er an& s!stainer of all things, an& the I!&ge of all man*in&. Jes!s is the Christ, another /or& for 0essiah, the anointe&. Ge is the (a5ior /ho sa5es, &eli5ers, an& preser5es for all eternity. Ge /as appointe&, set apart .y 2o& Almighty to this great an& glorio!s /or*. Jes!s has the (pirit /itho!t meas!re. Ge comm!nicates the gifts an& graces of that (pirit to all tr!e .elie5ers. 8a!l preache& the Lor& Jes!s Christ. This /o!l& ha5e incl!&e& all these things pl!s the life an& ministry of Jes!s, Gis persec!tions, &eath, res!rrection, ascension, an& intercession. DBith all confi&enceD eCplains 8a!l's complete free&om to say /hat he please& an& /hen H to all /ho /ere free to 5isit him. %5en the !n.elie5ing Je/s ha& no po/er to pre5ent him from this. It is ass!me& that &!ring those 2 years, Onesim!s /as con5erte& an& sent .ac* to his master 8hilemon, /ith the letter of the same name. In that epistle, 8a!l mentions that he ha& companions /ith him: namely, %paphras, 0arc!s, Artistarch!s, Demas, an& L!*e. Also, &!ring this imprisonment, the Ch!rch at 8hilippi sent 8a!l some monetary assistance .y their minister %paphro&it!s. On this trip he .ecame ill from a &angero!s mala&y, an& &i& not ret!rn to his ch!rch !ntil his health /as restore&. It is ass!me& that he carrie& /ith him 8a!l's letter to that Ch!rch. Be learn t/o &etails: Timothy /as present /ith 8a!l, an& that there /as a possi.ility that 8a!l /o!l& shortly .e set free. Gere, L!*e closes his acco!nt of 8a!l's life. It is ass!me& that his acco!nt /as /ritten a short time after these e5ents too* place. It is tra&itionally .elie5e& that 8a!l 5isite& many places, an& s!ffere& m!ch in the ca!se of sprea&ing the 2ospel /here5er he /ent. That he /as set free s!ggests that after t/o years in confinement, no one ha& come to ome /ith acc!sations against him. Ge /as release& .y imperial or&er. The capti5ity is fig!re& as &!ring -$#-3 A.D. Accor&ing to internal e5i&ence, fo!r of 8a!l's letters /ere /ritten &!ring these t/o years H 8hilemon, Colossians, %phesians, an& lastly, 8hilippians. That is a separate st!&y /hich many scholars ha5e /ritten in &etail a.o!t. Accor&ing to all a5aila.le e5i&ence an& Ch!rch tra&itions, 8a!l /as free an& tra5ele& for the follo/ing 4 or , years H from -3 to -@ A.D. I Timothy /as /ritten at %phes!s in the same year. 8a!l /as again arreste& an& imprisone& in -) A.D. Gis &eath /as recor&e& as in -) A.D. In the a.o5e mentione& t/o pastoral epistles, his 5isits to 5ario!s ch!rches are mentione&. 9inally, 8a!l /as again arreste&, ta*en to ome an& imprisone&. Ge /as trie&, con5icte&, an& p!t to &eath .y .ehea&ing. (e5eral early so!rces s!ggest that 8a!l's tra5els incl!&e& his going /est, e5en all the /ay to (pain. It has .een s!rmise& that L!*e's p!rpose in the .oo* of Acts /as to recor& in .roa& stro*es the sprea&ing of Christianity, its .eginnings in Jer!salem, an& its progress all the /ay to ome. Therefore he /asn't trying to /rite only a .iography of 8a!l. 8a!l's epistles s!pplement the 7oo* of Acts, contin!ing his relationships /ith the ch!rches he fo!n&e& on his missionary Io!rneys.

%pilog!e from the %pistles Bhat little is *no/n comes from &etails mentione& in 8a!l's letters /ritten after his release. In Tit!s $:,, /hile tra5eling east, he lea5es Tit!s in Crete. In II Timothy 4:$3 he stoppe& at Troas /here he left his cloa* an& .oo*s /ith Carp!s, apparently planning to come .ac* for them.

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I Timothy $:3. Ge /rites, on his /ay to 0ace&onia, in -,#-@ A.D., an enco!raging message of lo5e an& co!nsel for the f!t!re. 8a!l also eCpresses gra5e perils that /ere confronting Christians H all other religions an& oman a!thorities /ere more acti5ely against them. Tit!s 3:$2,$3. (till in 0ace&onia, planning to go to "icopolis for the /inter. Apollos is mentione&. II Timothy 4:$3#2$. 8a!l has ha& this /inter in prison s!ffering greatly. Christianity /as no longer permissi.le !n&er the former shelter of a c!lt of J!&aism. After the fire in ome in -4 A.D., /hich "ero trie& to .lame on the Christians, they .ecame criminals, /or*ing against the state. Informers /ere re/ar&e& for t!rning them in. II Timothy $:$,? 4:$',$$. 8a!l has .een &eserte& .y all companions, eCcept L!*e. There are some li5ing in ome that help him, .!t ha5e to li5e in hi&ing. Ge as*s Timothy to come, .ringing 0ar*. Ge.re/s $3:23. Timothy &i& come an& /as p!t in prison also. II Timothy 4:$@. 8a!l *no/s that he /as going to &ie. Jes!s /as /ith him. This is the last information that 8a!l /rites. Ch!rch tra&ition finishes the story. As a oman citi<en, 8a!l is .ehea&e& on the Ostian oa&, o!tsi&e ome. "ero &ie& in -) A.D. # 8a!l's eCec!tion o.5io!sly ha& to occ!r .efore that &ate. II Timothy 4:-#) an& 8hilemon $:23 s!ffice as 8a!l's last /or&s: Ge /as prepare& to go to Jes!s, as he ha& long /ishe& to &o.

$+) 7i.liography Clar*'s Commentary on The "e/ Testament =ol!me $ 0atthe/ # Acts 7y A&am Clar*e, LL.D., 9.(.A., S C. A.ing&on#Co*es.!ry 8ress "e/ Mor*, $)3$ "e/ %&ition Eoriginal p!.lishe& in $)$@F "e/ International Commentary on the "e/ Testament The 7oo* of Acts 7y 9.9. 7r!ce # $+-) Bm. 7. %er&mans 8!.lishing Co. 2ran& api&s, 0ichigan

A Layman's Commentary On The Acts of the Apostles

Composed In 38 Lessons Author) ,.O.D. Johnston -ublisher) Owen Johnston
http://.i.lest!&ylessonsp&f.com/ http://///.paran.aptistch!rch.com T.O.D. ta!ght from The Acts of the Apostles at 8aran 7aptist Ch!rch on Gigh/ay 34$ / Johnson5ille G/y in La*e City, (o!th Carolina. This commentary is .ase& on the notes he /rote in preparation for the lessons. Ge /as an art teacher for o5er 3' years in 9lorence (chool District 3. Ge no/ enIoys spen&ing his time /ith his /ife, an& at his st!&io on $$) (a!ls (t. O/en st!&ies an& teaches *arate. Be /o!l& all li*e to than* 2o& for Gis Bor& an& Gis small, still 5oice in the lonely ho!rs.