#BibleStudy Thoughts on Study Questions from Acts Ch 28 on 10/20 and 10/27
My Sunday school class/Life Group finished studying the book of Acts. We discussed these questions over the past two weeks.
There is a timeline of Paul's life and a map of Paul's journey to Rome at the end of the post.
The line used to show the route of Paul's ship is subjective between Fair Havens and Malta. I think verse 17 makes it clear they were close to Africa than is shown on that map.
17 so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along.
Keep the map of “Paul’s Journey to Rome” handy.
Ch 28
Vv 17-30
- Jewish leaders.
- He probably went to the Synagogue.
- He's not had much success with this strategy before this.
Why would Paul speak vv17-20?
- Jews say they don't know anything about him.
- It's the "Cliff Notes" version of his story as a Christian.
- Maybe the Roman Jews heard other stories about Jesus before this.
How accurate is what he says?
- Verses 17 and 19 happened in reverse order in real life.
Roman Jews want to hear more about what?
- The Gospel.
Why?
- They know nothing of that theology.
What does Paul do in v23?
- Spends the day explaining Jesus and the movement called Christianity.
V24 sounds like a replay of what earlier in this book?
- Every other time he went to the Jews/a Synagogue in Acts!
Vv25-27 is the same message Paul preached since his conversion. What does it set up?
- Quoting the verse from Isaiah was a slap in the face of the Jews in the audience.
- "In your words" preaching to the Gentiles.
- NOTE: Jesus used this verse in the parable of The Sower in Matthew 13:1-23.
Gentiles (us!) should celebrate v28. How do you think the Jews in Rome reacted?
- They were jealous.
- There was a division of opinions among Roman Jews present although, these are also Messianic prophecies that every Jew present knew.
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us--
so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.
May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you. Psalm 67:1-3
The Lord has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations. Psalm 98:3
V29 is missing from most versions of the Bible used today. Why do you think it was inserted?
- NOTE: This is missing from the oldest texts. Many translations include it in [brackets] or as a footnote.
- It is a logical end to the thought.
What does it sound like that you’ve read/studied before in Acts?
- Acts 8:37. The Ethiopian eunuch and his baptism.
34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”
- Interestingly, verse 8:37 is not found in older texts of Acts. Some manuscripts include this after verse 36, Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
Paul lives in Rome for two years. Comment on vv30-31.
- He's still a prisoner under "house arrest" AT HIS OWN EXPENSE!
- We wondered if this was an option for all natural-born Roman Citizens.
- Based on references in Paul's letters written in AD 60-61, the charges might have been dropped, Paul resumed his travels without Luke, he probably did not die in Rome.
Concluding Questions
What would you call verse 28:28?
- It sounds a lot like Christ's "Great Commission" in Matthew 28.
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Why?
- Acts ends with its focus on Jesus, not the history of His Church.
Last remarks
According to one commentary, wherever he got his information for Acts, Luke's sources were historically accurate to Roman leaders in the areas where they traveled. This implies the accuracy of the entire book.
Vv 17-30
Who does Paul contact first when he gets to Rome?
- Jewish leaders.
- He probably went to the Synagogue.
- He's not had much success with this strategy before this.
Why would Paul speak vv17-20?
- Jews say they don't know anything about him.
- It's the "Cliff Notes" version of his story as a Christian.
- Maybe the Roman Jews heard other stories about Jesus before this.
How accurate is what he says?
- Verses 17 and 19 happened in reverse order in real life.
Roman Jews want to hear more about what?
- The Gospel.
Why?
- They know nothing of that theology.
What does Paul do in v23?
- Spends the day explaining Jesus and the movement called Christianity.
V24 sounds like a replay of what earlier in this book?
- Every other time he went to the Jews/a Synagogue in Acts!
Vv25-27 is the same message Paul preached since his conversion. What does it set up?
- Quoting the verse from Isaiah was a slap in the face of the Jews in the audience.
- "In your words" preaching to the Gentiles.
- NOTE: Jesus used this verse in the parable of The Sower in Matthew 13:1-23.
Gentiles (us!) should celebrate v28. How do you think the Jews in Rome reacted?
- They were jealous.
- There was a division of opinions among Roman Jews present although, these are also Messianic prophecies that every Jew present knew.
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us--
so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.
May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you. Psalm 67:1-3
The Lord has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations. Psalm 98:3
V29 is missing from most versions of the Bible used today. Why do you think it was inserted?
- NOTE: This is missing from the oldest texts. Many translations include it in [brackets] or as a footnote.
- It is a logical end to the thought.
What does it sound like that you’ve read/studied before in Acts?
- Acts 8:37. The Ethiopian eunuch and his baptism.
34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”
- Interestingly, verse 8:37 is not found in older texts of Acts. Some manuscripts include this after verse 36, Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
Paul lives in Rome for two years. Comment on vv30-31.
- He's still a prisoner under "house arrest" AT HIS OWN EXPENSE!
- We wondered if this was an option for all natural-born Roman Citizens.
- Based on references in Paul's letters written in AD 60-61, the charges might have been dropped, Paul resumed his travels without Luke, he probably did not die in Rome.
Concluding Questions
What would you call verse 28:28?
- It sounds a lot like Christ's "Great Commission" in Matthew 28.
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Why?
- Acts ends with its focus on Jesus, not the history of His Church.
Last remarks
According to one commentary, wherever he got his information for Acts, Luke's sources were historically accurate to Roman leaders in the areas where they traveled. This implies the accuracy of the entire book.
This is the end of this study in Acts.
There will be no new questions and answers to questions posted until 2020
This is the end of this study in Acts.
There will be no new questions and answers to questions posted until 2020
 |
| This photo will be in most of the remaining posts from Acts. In |
Here's a link to a great Timeline of the Apostle Paul. I recommend bookmarking it.
SEOs: Bible, Acts, Bible study, questions and answers
Follow me on
Twitter: @CRDowningAuthor
My website is: www.crdowning.com
My Blogs
- Life as I see it. The topics rotate between topics of general interest to authors, teachers, and other lovers of life. Posts on Tuesdays and some Mondays. http://crdowning-author.blogspot.com/?alt=rss
- My Christian Context. Posts M/W of discussion questions. Thursdays - Timeless Truths. Fridays - Expressions of Faith. https://mychristiancontext.blogspot.com/
I'd appreciate your feedback on Blogger!
Comments
Post a Comment