Acts

LESSONS 13-16

By Jim McCracken and Rich Kao © Five Stones Impact 2024

Acts

EARLY CHURCH LESSON 13

ACTS 1-7

01 OBSERVATIONS 1. What important instruction did Jesus give the disciples before he ascended into heaven?

(CHAPTER 1)

2. When Jesus was taken up, the apostles stood looking into the sky. What did the two men dressed in white tell them?

(CHAPTER 1)

3. What were the two physical signs of the Holy

7. Why were the Sadducees astonished with Peter and John as they explained about the healing and who Jesus was?

(CHAPTER 4)

8. When the disciples prayed that God would stretch out his hand to do miraculous signs and wonders, how did the Lord answer their prayers?

(CHAPTER 4)

9. What was the actual sin of Ananias and Sapphira?

(CHAPTER 5)

Spirit and how did the people react to the apostles speaking in tongues?

(CHAPTER 2)

10. Why were the Sadducees so angry, and how did the apostles respond when they were told to quit teaching in Jesus' name? (CHAPTER 5)

4. What were the believers devoted to and how did they treat each other?

(CHAPTER 2)

5. When the crippled beggar asked Peter and John

11. Why did the apostles think it would not be right for them to wait on tables and how did they choose the seven servants (deacons)?

(CHAPTER 6)

for money, what did they give the man?

(CHAPTER 3)

6. What reason did Peter give when he told the men of Israel that they should not be surprised

12. How was Stephen accused, and what did he look like to those sitting in the Sanhedrin?

(CHAPTER 6)

when the crippled man was healed?

(CHAPTER 3) 13. Stephen’s answer to the charges was an amazing summary of God’s relationship with the Jewish people in the Old Testament. Why did the religious leaders get so furious at the end?

(CHAPTER 7)

LESSON 13 : ACTS 1-7

02 DEEPER THOUGHT 1. When Peter spoke to the 120 disciples, how did he explain the fulfillment of Psalm 69:25 and 109:8? What did they then do? (CHAPTER 1)

2. When Peter spoke to the crowd, he explained the baptism of the Holy Spirit and salvation through Jesus. What three Old Testament passages did he quote, and what resulted from his speech?

(CHAPTER 2)

3. What things had the prophets foretold that Peter was referring to, and what would happen if the people repented? (CHAPTER 3)

4. When the disciples prayed after being persecuted, how did they understand the sovereignty of God as it related to the conspiracy against Jesus by Herod, Pilate, and the others? (CHAPTER 4)

5. What was the result of great power and great grace being upon the believers? (CHAPTER 4)

6. How did the apostles escape from jail and when they arrested them again, why were the officers afraid to use force? (CHAPTER 5)

7. What was Gamaliel’s logical persuasion for letting the apostles go, and how did the apostles react to their bad treatment? (CHAPTER 5)

8. What does verse 25 mean to us today? (CHAPTER 7)

9. Why was it important for Stephen to summarize the history of the Jews in front of the Sanhedrin (CHAPTER 7)

10. What did Jesus mean by “Wisdom is proved right by all her children?” (CHAPTER 7)

11. What does Stephen’s prayer at his death remind you of, and why was it important for Saul to hear and see all this happening? (CHAPTER 7)

LESSON 13 |ACTS 1-7

03 CONSIDERATION CORNER

ANSWERS TO LESSON 13

Consider this: There is clear continuity between the last 9 verses of Luke and the first 9 verses of Acts because Luke wrote them both. Jesus opened the minds of the disciples to understand Scripture and told them to wait in Jerusalem until they are baptized in the Holy Spirit. When that happened, we see their “Acts” as they became amazing preachers and workers of signs and wonders. Acts 4:13 says they were unschooled, ordinary men, but they had been with Jesus! This highly encouraging to us even today!

QUESTIONS FOR DEEPER THOUGHT

OBSERVATIONS 1) To wait in Jerusalem until they were baptized in the Holy Spirit. (1:4-5) 2) Jesus would return from heaven in the same way he left. (1:11) 3) Wind and fire. Some were amazed because they heard them speaking in their native language. Others thought they were drunk. (2:1-15) 4) The apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. They met daily in the temple courts, broke bread from house to house, and shared everything they had with each other. (2:42-47) 5) They lifted him up and healed him. (3:6-8) 6) The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has glorified his Son Jesus. The man was healed by faith in the name of Jesus. (3:12-16) 7) They saw their courage but realized they were unschooled, ordinary men, who had been with Jesus.

(4:13) 8) The meeting place was shaken, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke God’s word boldly, and with great power, the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. (4:31-33) 9) They lied to the Holy Spirit. (5:1-5) 10) They were angry with the apostles for saying they had crucified the Son of God, and when they told them not to teach in Jesus' name anymore, the apostles said it was better to obey God rather than men. (5:27-33) 11) They did not want to neglect the ministry of the word of God and prayer. They chose seven men who were known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. (6:1-6) 12) He was falsely accused by people secretly recruited.

Stephen’s face looked like an angel. (6:8-15) 13) Stephen said their fathers persecuted the prophets who foretold of Christ’s coming, and then they murdered Christ! (7:51-54)

11) They were prophetic Psalms about Judas who betrayed Jesus, died, and needed to be replaced. They had two faithful men, so they cast lots and it fell on Matthias who was added to the eleven. (1:15-26) 2) He quoted Joel 2:28-32, Psalm 16:8-11, and Psalm 110:1. About 3,000 people got saved and were baptized. (2:14-41) 3) The prophets spoke of Christ’s suffering for their sins. If they repented, their sins would be wiped out and times of refreshing would come from the Lord.

(3:17-19) 4) They believed that God’s power and will had decided beforehand what should happen at the hands of those who crucified Jesus. (4:24-28) 5) With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace caused the believers to share everything they had with each other. (4:33-35) 6) An angel let them out of jail during the night. The officers were afraid of getting stoned by the people.

(5:17-26) 7) He said if the apostle's influence was of human origin it would die out. If it was from God, they would be fighting against God. The apostles left rejoicing over suffering for Jesus' sake. (5:33-42) 8) Sometimes when we attempt to minister to people, we are surprised when they reject our help.

9) They needed to see that Stephen was very familiar with the story of God’s relationship with his people.

This gave a solid foundation for telling who Jesus was and that they had rejected him. (7) 10) It was reminiscent of Jesus' prayer on the cross, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Saul, who would later become Paul, was no doubt impacted by observing firsthand the martyrdom of Stephen and the prayer that Stephen prayed. (7:5460)

EARLY CHURCH LESSON 14

ACTS 8-14

01 OBSERVATIONS 1. After the stoning of Stephen, which Saul witnessed, what happened to the church? What did Saul do? What did the Christians do?

8. What did Agabus prophesy while he was in Antioch and how did the disciples respond?

(CHAPTER 11)

(CHAPTER 8) 2. Who was Simon and what did he want to buy from Peter?

9. How did Peter get out of jail and what was the response of the people who were meeting to pray?

(CHAPTER 12)

(CHAPTER 8) 3. Why was Saul on the road to Damascus and what

10. How did Herod die and why? (CHAPTER 12)

happened to him? (CHAPTER 9) 4. What did Peter do to Aeneas and Tabitha?

(CHAPTER 9) 5. How did Peter’s vision on the rooftop relate to the message the angel gave to Cornelius?

11. How did the church in Antioch know they were supposed to send Barnabas and Saul (Paul)?

(CHAPTER 13)

12. Who was Bar-Jesus and what did Paul say and do to him? (CHAPTER 13)

(CHAPTER 10) 6. What was Peter’s message to the group at Cornelius’ house? What was the result?

(CHAPTER 10) 7. Why did Saul and Barnabas go to Antioch and what happened there for the first time?

(CHAPTER 11)

13. Paul and Barnabas shared the gospel in Pisidian Antioch. How did the people respond? How did the Jewish leaders respond?

(CHAPTER 13)

14. What did Paul experience in Iconium and Lystra?

Why? (CHAPTER 14) 15. What did Paul and Barnabas do to set the churches in order before returning to Antioch?

(CHAPTER 14)

LESSON 14: ACTS 8-14

02 DEEPER THOUGHT 1. Why did Peter and John go to Samaria to join Philip? (CHAPTER 8)

2. What did Philip do with the Ethiopian eunuch and how did Philip travel away from there after that?

(CHAPTER 8)

3. How did Ananias know where to find Paul, why didn’t he want to meet him, and what happened when he prayed for him? (CHAPTER 9)

4. How did Paul escape from Damascus and how did Barnabas help him in Jerusalem? (CHAPTER 9)

5. What did Peter’s vision of the sheet with the animals in it mean to him?

(CHAPTERS 10 &11)

6. What convinced the Jewish believers that the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also?

Why was this important? (CHAPTER 10 &11)

7. When Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch what did they do and why was this important?

(CHAPTER 14)

LESSON 14 | ACTS 8-14

03 CONSIDERATION CORNER

ANSWERS TO LESSON 14 OBSERVATIONS

Consider this: The book of Acts has many accounts of amazing things that God did through his people. However, it also shows how fickle people are and how easily crowds are swayed to do evil.

In chapter 14, after the people saw God’s miracle, they thought the gods had come down, that Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes. The priest of Zeus brought bulls and wreaths to make sacrifices to them. Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd trying to convince them that they were only men. Even with that, they had difficulty convincing the people. And yet, shortly after that, the crowd was won over by some Jews from out of town and they stoned Paul!

QUESTIONS FOR DEEPER THOUGHT

1. The church was persecuted and the people were scattered except the apostles. Saul began to destroy 1. They heard that Samaria had accepted the word of the church but the people preached the word of God. God. (8:4-14) (8:1-4) 2. He explained passages from Isaiah, shared the 2. He was a sorcerer and wanted to buy the power of gospel, and baptized him in water. Then Philip was the Holy Spirit. (8:9-24) carried away by the Spirit. (8:26-40) 3. To find Christians and imprison them. Jesus 3. God gave him a vision but he had heard that Paul appeared in a flashing light blinding him and told him was arresting Christians. When he prayed for Paul the what to do. (9:1-6) scales fell off his eyes and he could see again. (9:10-19) 4. He healed Aeneas and raised Tabitha from the dead. 4. His friends let him down over a wall in a basket at (9:32-43) night. The disciples in Jerusalem were afraid of Paul 5. The vision gave him liberty to be with the Gentile until Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told Cornelius who had received the message from the them his story. (9:26-28) angel to bring Peter to his house. (10:1-33) 5. Peter had never eaten anything forbidden to Jews 6. Peter shared the gospel, many came to Christ, were and this represented going to the Gentiles with the baptized in water, and the Holy Spirit was poured out. gospel because they are not “unclean” in God’s eyes.

(10:34-48) (10:9-35) 7. They went because many Gentiles and Jews had 6. They heard them speaking in tongues, which meant come to Christ. The believers were first called they had received the Holy Spirit. This also meant the Christians in Antioch. (11:19-26) Gentiles were truly Christians. (10:43-48) 8. He prophesied a drought so the disciples provided 7. They reported what God had done including opening gifts to those affected. (11:27-30) the door to the Gentiles. The whole church would then 9. An angel set him free but when Peter came to where know that both Jews and Gentiles were fully accepted. they were praying, at first they didn’t believe it was him. (14:26-28) (12:5-17) 10. An angel struck him down because of his pride when the people revealed him as a god. (12:21-23) 11. The Holy Spirit spoke to them during worship. (13:23) 12. He was a sorcerer. Paul told him he was a child of the devil and then made him go blind. (13:4-12) 13. Many people believed. The Jewish leaders were jealous, spoke against the gospel, and stirred up persecution. (13:32-52) 14. Paul was persecuted and even stoned because the Jewish leaders poisoned the minds of the people against him. (14:1-6, 19-20) 15. They encouraged the disciples and set in elders.

(14:21-23)

EARLY CHURCH LESSON 15

ACTS 15-21

01 OBSERVATIONS 1. In the letter from the apostles in Jerusalem, what did it say the newly saved Gentiles should avoid?

7. Who were Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos?

(CHAPTER 18)

(CHAPTER 15)

2. Why did Paul and Barnabas part company?

(CHAPTER 15)

3. Why did Paul and his companions not go to

8. How long did Paul stay in Corinth and what did he do? (CHAPTER 18)

9. What did the disciples in Ephesus know about the Holy Spirit? What happened when Paul prayed for them? (CHAPTER 19)

Bythinia but they did go to Macedonia?

(CHAPTER 16)

10. Why was there a riot in Ephesus concerning the Christians? (CHAPTER 19)

4. How did Paul and Silas end up in jail and what

11. What happened to Eutychus in Troas that was so amazing (CHAPTER 20)

happened at midnight?

(CHAPTER 16)

5. How were the Bereans different than the Thessalonians? (CHAPTER 17) 6. Speaking to the Areopagus in Athens, what did Paul say about their altar with the inscription “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD?” (CHAPTER 17)

12. What did Paul say about seeing the Ephesian elders again and how did they respond? (CHAPTER 20) 13. What was unique about Philip’s four daughters?

(CHAPTER 21) 14. How was Paul received in Jerusalem by the brothers, by the Jewish leaders, and by the Romans?

(CHAPTER 21)

LESSON 15: ACTS 15-21

02 DEEPER THOUGHT 1. What did Peter say that made it clear how Gentiles are saved, and how was this confirmed by James quoting from Amos and Isaiah? (CHAPTER 15) 2. What was unique about Timothy’s background? How could this work in his favor or be a challenge? (CHAPTER 15) 3. Who was Lydia and why was she important to the church? (CHAPTER 16) 4. Why were the magistrates alarmed when they found out that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens? (CHAPTER 16) 5. Why did Paul quote the Greek poets and what was the application? (CHAPTER 17) 6. How did Priscilla and Aquila help Apollos? (CHAPTER 18) 7. Many new believers confessed their evil deeds openly. What did those who formerly practiced sorcery do? (CHAPTER 19) 8. What were Paul’s instructions to the Ephesian elders? (CHAPTER 20) 9. What did Agabus prophesy over Paul and what was Paul’s response? (CHAPTER 21) 10. How did Paul dispel the rumor that he was teaching against Moses? (CHAPTER 21)

LESSON 15 |ACTS 15-21

03 CONSIDERATION CORNER

ANSWERS TO LESSON 15

Consider this: Walking in the power of God must come from a close relationship with Jesus. The story of the seven sons of Sceva, in Acts 19, proves that just knowing who Jesus is, does not give people authority over evil. When they tried to cast out a demon, the demon-possessed man, overpowered them and gave them a beating.

QUESTIONS FOR DEEPER THOUGHT

OBSERVATIONS 1. Food sacrificed to idols, blood, meat of strangled animals, and sexual immorality. (15:28 - 29) 2. They disagreed about Mark going with them. (15:36 39) 3. The Holy Spirit was not leading them to go to Bythinia, but Paul had a dream that they should go to Macedonia. (16:6 - 10) 4. They cast a demon out of a girl who was making money for some people as a medium. This caused an uproar in the city so they threw Paul and Silas in Jail. At midnight God sent an earthquake that opened the jail.

The Jailer and his whole family were saved. (16:16 - 36) 5. The Berea's were of more noble character so they received Paul’s message and searched the Scriptures rather than reacting negatively and throwing their city into turmoil. (17:1-12) 6. They worship something unknown, but he proclaims to them God who made everything, and people who seek him can know him. (17:23-28) 7. Priscilla and Aquila were a Jewish couple from Rome, tentmakers like Paul. Apollos was a Jewish Christian from Alexandria who knew the Scriptures well and was a fervent speaker. (18:1-3, 24-26) 8. He stayed a year and a half teaching them the word of God. (18:11) 9. They didn’t even know there was a Holy Spirit. When Paul prayed for them the Holy Spirit came on them, they spoke in tongues and prophesied. (19:1-7) 10. Some businessmen who made income from making images of the false goddess Artemis, were afraid of losing money so they created a riot against the Christians. (19:23-41) 11. He fell asleep and dropped from a third-story window. He died from the fall but Paul raised him from the dead. (20:7-12) 12. He told them he would never see them again and the elders wept from grief. (20:25, 36-38) 13. They all prophesied. (21:8-9) 14. The brothers received him warmly, the Jewish leaders had him seized by the authorities, and the Romans arrested him. (21:17, 27-36)

1. It is by grace we are saved. The quotes from Isaiah and Amos were prophetic Scripture concerning Gentiles being saved. (15:11, 16-18) 2. His mother was Jewish and his father was Greek. This could help him relate to both Jews and Gentiles, but could also make him feel like he didn’t belong to either one. (16:1-3) 3. She was a dealer in purple, she and her family were saved and baptized, and the church met in her home.

(16:11-15, 40) 4. They had beaten them publicly without a trial and thrown them into prison, which was unlawful. (16:37-39) 5. The people could relate to their own poets and were impressed by Paul quoting them. The poets said we are God’s offspring so God would not be made by man of gold and silver. (17:28-30) 6. They taught him the way of God more accurately.

(18:26) 7. They burned their scrolls publicly. (19:19) 8. Keep watch over the church, be shepherds, and be on guard. (20:28-31) 9. Taking Paul’s belt, he bound himself and prophesied that Paul would be bound by the Jews in Jerusalem and handed over to the Gentiles. Paul said he was willing to be bound and even die in Jerusalem in the name of the Lord Jesus. (21:10-14) 10. He joined four Jewish men in purification rites as the apostles asked him to do. (21:20-24)

EARLY CHURCH LESSON 16

ACTS 22-28

01 OBSERVATIONS 1. When Paul shared his story, what part made the crowd go crazy? (CHAPTER 22)

7. King Agrippa said Paul had not done anything to warrant death or even imprisonment. He could have been set free except for what one thing?

(CHAPTER 26)

2. Why did the commander release Paul and not flog him? (CHAPTER 22)

8. How did Paul know what would happen to the ship and men when they were caught in a storm?

(CHAPTER 27)

3. How did Paul know he would leave Jerusalem and go to Rome? (CHAPTER 23)

9. What directions did the captain take from Paul after the fourteenth day?

(CHAPTER 27)

4. Why was Felix afraid when he and his wife listened to Paul? (CHAPTER 24)

10. Why did the Islanders of Malta first think Paul was a murderer and then think he was a god?

(CHAPTER 28)

5. Why did Festus not hand Paul over to the Jews but instead said he would go to Rome?

(CHAPTER 25) 6. After Paul tells his story in front of King Agrippa and the others, what is Festus’ response?

(CHAPTER 26)

11. What did Paul do for the chief official of the island? (CHAPTER 28) 12. After they arrived in Rome, what did Paul do, and for how long? (CHAPTER 28)

LESSON 16: ACTS 22-28

02 DEEPER THOUGHT

1. When Paul gave the account of his amazing conversion, why did he also tell about his persecution of the church and approval of Stephen’s martyrdom? (CHAPTER 22) 2. Why was it a word of wisdom when Paul began to speak clearly about the resurrection in front of the Sanhedrin? (CHAPTER 23) 3. Why does Paul frequently mention the Law and the Prophets when giving his defense?

(CHAPTER 24) 4. Why did Felix hope that Paul would offer him a bribe? (CHAPTER 24) 5.What was Festus hoping would become clear by having King Agrippa hear from Paul? (CHAPTER 25 ) 6. When Paul previously persecuted the church, why did he try to get Christians to blaspheme?

(CHAPTER 26 ) 7. What did Paul mean when he said that these things had not escaped King Agrippa’s notice because it was not done in a corner? (CHAPTER 26 ) 8. How did Paul wisely weave the gospel into his defense when he stood before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa? What can we learn from this? (CHAPTERS 24, 25, 26) 9. How was Paul able to give a warning about impending calamity even before they set sail?

(CHAPTER 27 ) 10. After they ran aground, why didn’t they kill the prisoners? What can we learn from this for our own lives? (CHAPTER 27 ) 11. What do we learn about God’s providence through all these circumstances including Paul being bitten by a snake and having the opportunity to heal Publius’ father? (CHAPTER 28 ) 12. Paul shared the gospel regularly with the Jews in Rome, appealing to them from Moses and the Prophets, which caused many to believe in Jesus. What Scripture did Paul quote that made others quit listening to him? (CHAPTER 28 )

LESSON 16 |ACTS 22-28

03 CONSIDERATION CORNER

ANSWERS TO LESSON 16

Consider this: Throughout Acts we see Paul using words of wisdom as he wove the gospel into his personal defense before Roman leaders. Later Paul summarized this when he wrote to the Colossians saying, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Galatians 4:5-6)

QUESTIONS FOR DEEPER THOUGHT

OBSERVATIONS 1. When he said the Lord told him he was sending him to the Gentiles. (22:21-23) 2. Paul told him he was Roman citizen and the way they were treating him was not lawful. (22:24-30) 3. The Lord appeared to him at night and told him so.

(23:11) 4. Paul’s nephew found out and told Paul who then sent him to the commander. The commander heard the story secretly from the nephew and prevented the plot. (23:16-22) 5. Paul talked about righteousness, self-control, and the judgement to come, which made Felix afraid. (24:25) 6. Paul appealed to Ceasar as a Roman citizen. (25:1012) 7. He said Paul was out of his mind. (26:24) 8. Paul could have been set free had he not appealed to Ceasar. (26:32) 9. An angel appeared to him and told him what would happen. (27:23-26) 10. Not to use the lifeboat and to eat some food for strength. (27:27-36) 11. He was bitten by a viper but when it didn’t hurt Paul they were amazed. (28:3-6) 12. He healed his father who was very sick. (28:7-10) 13. He taught about the kingdom and the Lord Jesus Christ for two years. (28:30-31)

1.To show that he was a zealous Jew and how amazing his conversion was. (22:1-5, 19-20) 2.He knew the Pharisees believed in the resurrection but the Sadducees did not so it would create a disagreement among them. (23:6-9) 3. The Jewish listeners believed in the coming messiah from the Law and Prophets, so this gave context for Jesus being the Christ. (24:10-21) 4.That would give him an out for not prosecuting Paul.

(24:26) 5.So he would have something clear to tell emperor Ceasar for why they were sending Paul and on what charges. (25:23-27) 6.To have reasons for imprisoning or executing them.

(26:11) 7.He was showing that this was not a little minor happening with a small group but was widespread all over the Roman empire. (26:26) 8.Paul used the circumstances to share the good news in front of anybody and everybody he could . We should also use any and all unique circumstances we are in to share the gospel. (24 - 26) 9.He could see it in the Spirit (27:10) 10.The centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life for all he had said and done for them. When we follow God’s will and are led by the Spirit, God will also use us to save others.

(27:42 - 43) 11. God sovereignly plans our steps to accomplish his bigger purposes even when they are a major challenge for us. (28) 12.Isaiah 6:9-10. (28:24-28)