Acts 18:22-Acts 28:11 The Final Voyages!

In this section of Acts we find Paul “shaking out his own clothes” of the Jews that he had been preaching to and sets his sights on preaching to the Gentiles exclusively. There Paul continued to preach with boldness. Apollos enters the scene in Ephesus and the text says that he spoke with great fervor.


When Paul is in Ephesus he encounters disciple of John the Baptist and then the disciples were baptized into the name of Jesus Christ. The text says with this baptism the disciples spoke in tongues. Pentecostal Christians believe that speaking in tongues is a demonstration of the Holy Spirit in someone’s life. While Methodist acknowledge speaking in tongues as a spiritual gift—we do not believe that it defines their salvation.

The church in Ephesus experiences great commotion because the challenge of the god of Artemis. Trades people were upset because their livelihood was being threatened if people no longer bought idols. There was a definite unrest in Ephesus!

Paul has a tearful goodbye with the Ephesians and heads to Jerusalem where he is arrested. Interestingly he is given permission to speak to the crowd where he preached the message of the gospel. When he got to the part of the stoning of Stephen the people wanted no more and Paul was taken and flogged. When the commander found out he had done this to a Roman citizen he was alarmed. Paul then testifies before the Sanhedrin, transferred to Caesarea and is tried in from of Festus.

Paul is sent to Rome, on the journey he warned the crew not to go any farther because of the weather—they did not listen and they were shipwrecked (but not one was lost—a miracle). Paul ultimately arrives in Rome and continues to preach.

Wow! That was a lot of material to get through—no wonder it took Paul three missionary tours and decades.

So let’s just talk

• What did you think about Acts?

It really is part of the two volume set that defines the ministry and work of Jesus Christ and the formation of the church. I love acts because is always involves motion and risk. Following Jesus going against the status quo can get you killed—or at least flogged.

• The question is-- are we willing to take the risk to tell the world about the kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ? My prayer is that the answer is yes.

Hope you have enjoyed reading Acts—Bon Voyage!

Acts Chapters 13- Ch18:22 Sent off…the mission of the church!

In Chapter 13 we find Saul (soon to become Paul) sent off with Barnabas (the encourager) off to Cyprus where Paul blinds Elymas the sorcerer. They continued their travels and they came to Perga, there Paul announced that salvation had also come to the Gentiles as well as the Jews through Jesus Christ. And so begins Paul’s missionary journey. The road would not be easy in fact in even after they healed a lame man— they would stone and left for dead outside of the city gates…but they got up and kept on preaching.

Some confusion over “right doctrine” surfaced and the issue was circumcision. Some were saying that men could only be saved if they were circumcised, so Paul and Barnabas returned to Jerusalem for clarification. To us this may seem like a small issue but this was a defining moment for the church and it was decided that people are purified in their hearts by faith in Jesus Christ. No longer would circumcision be required (this was also important to the Galatians).

Paul then continues on another journey this time with Silas because he and Barnabas had a disagreement over John Mark. Funny—even back then people are still people. Paul has a vision that says he needs to abandon his original plan and move out of Asia into Macedonia (current day Europe). In Troas Lydia is the first person baptized in Macedonia.

So let’s just talk:

• What do you think about Saul/Paul?

Personally he is one of my favorite people in the bible—he was so changed by his encounter with Jesus Christ that he changed his whole life and was willing to endure beatings, stoning, shipwreck and more to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ with the whole world.

• Who are the modern day Paul’s?

Billy Graham comes to mind—he has traveled endured criticism and remained faithful to the message for all these years. Who else do you think of?

• Has faith come to you this way or your household? One of the recurring themes in the Book of Acts is that when one person comes to faith in Christ the whole household comes to believe. I know it did for mine.

Weeks 4and 5 Acts Chapters 8:5-Ch 12

The adventures of Saul the Persecutor:

 

Sorry for the delay about this! Spent a wonderful week at Storm Camp serving Jesus by serving others but my time at the computer was nonexistent. So let’s get started!

 

Wow! Chapter 8 and 9 what a conversion story, Chapter 8 starts out with Saul persecuting the church and then as Saul is on a journey to make sure the message of Jesus did not get into Damascus…God did an amazing thing. God encountered Saul, blinded him and confronted him and Saul became blind.

 

I have to tell you I have always felt really sorry for the person we encounter next, Ananias. God calls Ananias in a vision and tells him he needs to go to this mass murderer Saul, heal him and baptize him. I wonder if I would go to a modern day killer (Manson or Dalmer) and baptize them. But Ananias is faithful and something like scales fall from Saul’s eyes. Saul meets up with Barnabas and the disciples and the church experiences a period of rest.

 

So let’s just talk:

•  This conversion story is by far one of the most dramatic but conversions happen every day. What is the most amazing conversion story you have ever hear?
• Ananias seems frustrated that God wants him to go to Saul, rightfully so, Saul has been a part of killing many followers of Jesus, but Ananias is obedient. Could God be calling you to an act of obedience that you may not like? 
• What was it that Saul saw when the scales fell from his eyes?