Thoughts on Study Questions from Act Ch 13 on 3/17



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.
This is 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.

This would be an excellent week to read to the end of the post. 
Try it. 
You'll like it.




Chapter 13

Vv13-41


What is immediately noticeable in v16?
He stands up and "addresses" them.
He took charge of the situation.

Vv17-20a is a very short version of what 5 books of the Bible?
Exodus. Leviticus. Deuteronomy.  Judges. There was a debate on what the 5th book might be. My original thought was the five books in the Pentateuch.
This would have provided a credible history for the Jews in attendance and while providing the Gentile Believers a history lesson if needed.

Whose descendents are referred to in v23?
David's.
The line of Jesse.

In v26 Paul explains the purpose of his sermon. What is it?
Salvation!
He's setting the stage.

Who specifically is included in “they” in vv 27-29?
Jews and Jewish leaders in Jerusalem.
They refused to acknowledge the prophecy fulfilled by Jesus and kept on following the old party line. It's hard to know if they were clueless or if they ignored The Messiah because He didn't fit their incorrect mold.

Why do you think Paul uses the quotations he does from Psalms in vv33-35?
He quotes Psalm 2:7 and 16:5.  But he also quotes Isaiah 55:3.
As he does in his introductory comments, he uses known Scripture. 
It focuses on fulfilled Messianic prophecy.

In vv38-41, Paul’s tone is significantly different from the tone in the same part of Peter’s first sermon. What is the warning in v40, and how does it apply to the year 2019?
Stop scoffing!
Change or die.
The terms scoffer, despiser, and scorners are common adjectives for people at all levels in today's society.
You can see this is not the first time in history this has happened by reading from Habakkuk below.

Habakkuk’s Complaint

How long, Lord, must I call for help,
    but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
    but you do not save?
Why do you make me look at injustice?
    Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?
Destruction and violence are before me;
    there is strife, and conflict abounds.
Therefore the law is paralyzed,
    and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous,
    so that justice is perverted.

The Lord’s Answer

“Look at the nations and watch—
    and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
    that you would not believe,
    even if you were told.
Habakkuk 1:2-5

It's time to pay attention!

Here's a link to a great Timeline of the Apostle Paul. I recommend bookmarking it. 

 We got this far this week. 


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Vv13-41


Vv 42-52

What evidence do we have of the effectiveness of Paul’s sermon? 
How does that compare to the evidence after Peter’s first sermon?
Why do you think there is no mention of numbers of converts here?
Vv 44-47 are pivotal verses in the Book of Acts. Why? What is implied here?
Hmmm. v46 has some interesting wording. React to the last phrase.
New evidence of Paul’s effectiveness appears in v49. What is it?
How do the Jews react to Paul’s preaching?
What does v51 mean?
What two things filled the disciples? What is the relationship between them?





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