Thoughts on Questions from Acts Ch 8 on 11/11

My Sunday school class/Life Group is studying the book of Acts. I posted these questions this Monday and encouraged you to jot your thoughts down.

It's Wednesday. This post consists of some comments from the class discussion.

If you’d like a PDF file of the questions, email me at crd.author@gmail.com

Chapter 8

Vv1-3

What does Saul begin to do? 

• Wreak havoc. According to one footnote, "havoc referred specifically to the ravaging of a wild boar." Since boars are wild pigs, what Saul did was horrific in the sight of Jews turned Christians.
• Ravaging
• Great persecution

To whom does he do it?

Believers "The church" "house after house" "every house" he went "house to house"

This question came up: Why didn't the apostles leave Jerusalem?
The Sanhedrin was afraid of them because God's power was so great in them.

Vv4-8

What characterized the believers who were forced from Jerusalem?
They preached, taught, performed signs.
They'd paid close attention to the apostles.

Which part of Acts 1:8 is fulfilled here?
Samaria!
This would have been a safe place for a Christian with Jews after them.

What exactly does Philip do?
Evangelizes.
He was a server in Jerusalem and he was a preacher in Samaria.

What is significant about Philip being this involved?
He was considered Greek by those who chose the seven men to service the Greek widows.
He was accepted as a leader in Samaria. Was it easier for Samaritans to relate to a 'non-Jew'?

What are the immediate results of Philip's Samaritan ministry?
7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.  Acts 8:7-8
The key verse is 8. There was joy in the city!

 We got this far this week. 

Vv9-25

Who is this Simon?

Why did people follow Simon?

What significant event occurs in v13?

Why did Peter and John go to Samaria?

What was the immediate result of their ministry?

What is "wrong" with Simon's attitude in vv18-19? (How does he want to achieve power?)

How do you explain Peter's harsh response in vv20-23?

What is God's plan to provide power for/to believers?

What is wrong with Simon's answer in v24?

Vv26-40

This is a fairly famous passage. In brief, what happens here?

Who speaks to Philip? 

Where is he sent? 

What is his reaction?

What reaction might have been expected?

What is the Ethiopian reading?

Why would Philip ask the question he does?

Philip's answer to the Ethiopian's question includes what?

What happens to Philip after the Ethiopian is baptized?

Where does Philip end up?

How does Philip's ministry begin the spread of the Gospel to "the ends of the earth"?

Describe Philip’s evangelism.

In Jesus time, Jews were looking for a wrong type of Messiah rather than the One God provided in Jesus.

If you are interested in Messianic prophecies, my blog December 26 is a "fill in the blanks" table for 37 messianic prophecies. On December 27, the blog post provides the answers.

Feel free to spread the word about this.

Friday, This week Expressions of Faith is Why?

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