Acts 2

Adult Quarterly
SUNDAY SCHOOL SUMMER QUARTER, 2003
The Churches in Action

Witnessing to the Gentiles
(Part 2)
Studies in Acts 1528
QUARTERLY AIM: The students will observe the Lords churches at work
in the spread of the gospel in the world under the power and guidance of
the Holy Spirit.
JUNE
1Missionary Doctrinal Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

8Spirit-led Missionaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
15Missionary Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
22Missionary Encouragement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
29Missionaries in Ephesus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
JULY
6Missionarys Farewell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
13Missionary Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
20Missionarys Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
27Missionary Endangered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
AUGUST
3Missionary in Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
10Missionary Makes an Appeal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
17Missionary Obedience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
24A Missionarys Voyage to Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
31A Missionarys Ministry in Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
ADULT QUARTERLY, Sunday School, Vol. 90, No. 3, issued June 1, 2003, is published quarterly at $1.00
per quarter. Prepared by David Robinson; cover design by Jeff Allen; Bill Johnson, Editor in Chief;
Wayne Sewell, Business Manager.
Copyright 2003, BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL COMMITTEE of the American Baptist Association,
4605 N. State Line Ave., Texarkana, TX 75503-2928.
American Baptist Association
Through-the-Bible Series Sunday School Lessons
Winter Spring Summer Fall
Joshua 1 Samuel
2003
Judges Acts 114 Acts 1528 2 Samuel 14

Ruth 1 Chronicles 110
2 Samuel 524 James

2004
Mark 1 Chronicles 1129 1 Thessalonians Psalms

1 Kings 1, 2 2 Thessalonians
1 Kings 322
Proverbs
2 Chronicles 124
2005
Galatians 2 Kings 113 1 Corinthians Ecclesiastes

Joel, Jonah, Song of Solomon
Obadiah, Nahum
Hosea, Amos
2006
Luke 113:21 Luke 13:2224 Micah, Zephaniah 2 Corinthians

2 Kings 1416
2 Kings 2123
Isaiah 139 Philemon
2007
2 Chronicles 3335
2 Chronicles 2532 Isaiah 4066 Philippians
Lamentations
2 Kings 1720 Colossians
Habakkuk
1 Timothy Jeremiah
2008
Ephesians 2 Timothy 2 Kings 24, 25 John 112

Titus 2 Chronicles 36
1 Peter Zechariah
Daniel
2009
John 1321 2 Peter Ezra

Ezekiel Haggai, Esther
Jude
Nehemiah
2010
1, 2, 3 John Revelation Revelation

Malachi
2011
Genesis 111 Genesis 1250 Matthew 113 Matthew 1428

Job
Leviticus
2012
Exodus Romans Numbers Hebrews

Deuteronomy
June 1, 2003
1 Missionary
Doctrinal Problems
Text: Acts 15:1-41 Focus: Acts 15:1-12
Sunday Devotional: Re-

Key Verse: deemed from Law, Galatians
But we believe that through the 3:10-14.
grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we
[Jews] shall be saved, even as they Aim: By the conclusion of this
[Gentiles]. lesson the students will appreci-
Acts 15:11 ate the importance of maintain-
ing the purity of the gospel.
A FIRST LOOK
One of the most certain things about the work of missions

is that there will be problems associated with it. Another
almost certain thing is that the problems can never be antic-
ipated. If we were to make a list of the things that could pos-
sibly trouble us, our list would be inaccurate. We would leave
off some things that could be there and we would include
many possible troubles that would never happen. We find
this situation in our lesson today.
The work of Paul and Barnabas among the Gentiles had
attracted a great deal of attention. Now there were other
missionaries on the field, but they had not come to help, they
had come to hinder. Daily Devotionals
Jesus taught that when M. Value of the Word, Psalm 119:9-16.
the good seed is planted, T. Purpose of the Law, Galatians 3:19-29.
there is a chance that W. Words of Warning, Hebrews 5:11-14.
T. Justification by Faith Illustrated,
thorns and briars will Romans 4:1-8.
also grow. Paul and F. Gods Work in Gentiles, Galatians
Barnabas had sown the 2:2-9.
S. Walk of a Believer, Ephesians 4:17-24.
good seed of the gospel.
3
4 Missionary Doctrinal Problems
Now false teachers had come along to sow the briars of false-
hood.
Like many lies, this one was plausible. It seemed reason-
able, and no doubt many accepted it. Remember that these
things happened before the Bible was completed. All that
these Gentiles knew was from their knowledge of the Old
Testament and the words spoken by those who taught them.
But God had begun a good work, and He would not allow
it to be ruined by false doctrine. In the solution to this prob-
lem we are given many valuable lessons about how
Christians from different backgrounds and cultures are to
relate to each other.
A CLOSER LOOK
I. The Problem
Acts 15:1, 5
1. And certain men which came down from Judaea taught
the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the man-
ner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
5. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees
which believed, saying,That it was needful to circumcise them,
and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
In these verses we see the false doctrine that was taught

among the Gentile believers and we also identify the source
of the trouble. The thing that bothered the Pharisees and the
other Judaizers was circumcision, or the lack of it. The
Gentile believers were not circumcised and this offended the
Jews. Their solution was to compel the Gentiles who believed
to be circumcised. They were so adamant about this that
they traveled from Judea and personally taught the Gentile
churches about circumcision.
The teaching was made to be an essential part of salva-
tion. They taught that if one were not circumcised in the
Text: Acts 15:1-41 5
manner of Moses, one could not be saved. This was a gross

misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the Scriptures.
The Old Testament does not teach this in any way. But prej-
udice is a powerful thing, and these men of Judea were quick
to associate circumcision with salvation.
This is a ridiculous assertion. Anyone who has been truly
saved knows that salvation is not by circumcision or baptism
or any other thing that happens to the flesh. Those who are
truly saved are saved from within by the power of the Holy
Spirit, and they know it. But when men whom we trust tell
us things, it is easy to get confused. We are left to wonder
how many of the Gentiles actually submitted to circumcision
based on the false teaching of the Judeans.
This teaching was popular among the Pharisees. These
were the people who interpreted the Law so strictly that a
person could not keep one rule without breaking another
one. Jesus condemned this attitude, but some Pharisees had
brought this attitude with them into the church at
Jerusalem. Before we use our mouths, we should use our
ears. Those who want to teach should begin by learning. The
key to learning is to realize what you do not know. Paul and
Peter had learned this lesson, but these Pharisees had not.
II. The Council
Acts 15:2-4, 6
2. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissen-
sion and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and
Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem
unto the apostles and elders about this question.
3. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed
through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the
Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
4. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were
received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they
declared all things that God had done with them.
6. And the apostles and elders came together for to consid-
er of this matter.
When Paul and Barnabas heard about the heresy that was
being taught, they openly and forcefully defended the truth.
We should never let falsehood go unchallenged. Paul and
Barnabas evidently disputed with the Judean teachers, but
this false doctrine had gained a foothold in the Gentile
churches.
To settle the matter, they determined that Paul and
Barnabas should go to Jerusalem and present this matter to
the elders and the apostles. Evidently, they mentioned here
were the men of Judea who were troubling the Gentiles.
These Judeans were losing the day to Paul and Barnabas
and they thought that if the subject were put before the
elders and the apostles, matters would go their way. It is
always interesting to see how tenaciously men hold on to
false doctrine, even in the clear light of obvious truth. No
matter who we are or where we are, it is difficult to say, I
was wrong.
Paul and Barnabas set out for Jerusalem. As they went,
they declared the great works that had been done among the
Gentiles and all those who heard of it rejoiced with them.
The church in Jerusalem was also glad to hear this good
news from the mission field. Note that false doctrine has no
such joy. Only some misguided Pharisees would have rejoiced
to hear that hundreds of Gentiles had been circumcised, but
when Paul and Barnabas declared that they had been con-
verted, there was great rejoicing.
A gathering of the elders and the apostles along with Paul
and Barnabas was convened for the purpose of considering
the matter of Gentile believers. It is important to consider
that there is great benefit to wise counsel. Often our troubles
could be reconciled if we could only appeal them to such a
group. Wisdom does not always prevail in such meetings, but
it is always good to put things before many witnesses. Truth
loves sunshine.
The Pharisees had already decided that these Gentiles had
to be circumcised and that they had to keep the Law of
Moses. These Pharisees had believed, but they had not aban-
doned their old way of life to follow Jesus fully.
We must always remember that God is in control. This was

not the work of men; it was the work of God. God had direct-
ed that Paul and Barnabas be set aside for this work. God
had directed them to their fields of labor, and God had given
the increase when the seed of the gospel was planted. Now
God would see to it that the work He had started could go on
to completion. We must never forget this as we do the work
of God today.
III. Peters Wise Advice
Acts 15:7-12
7. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up,
and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a
good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles
by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness,
giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9. And put no difference between us and them, purifying
their hearts by faith.
10. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the
neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were
able to bear?
11. But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
12. Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to
Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God
had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
We can only imagine the kind of disputing that went on in

this assembly. We know that some of the folks in Jerusalem
did not trust Paul. We also know that the Pharisees had
already made up their minds about the fate of the Gentiles.
But as the arguments raged, Peter stood up and set the mat-
ter right. He had heard both sides of this issue. In fact, he
had lived both sides of this issue, and now he was able to
offer these wonderful words of wisdom. God had prepared

Peter for this moment in the house of Cornelius.
Peter first told this assembly that God had chosen that the
Gentiles should hear the gospel. Christianity was not to be a
part of Judaism. This is important because going all the way
back to the sermon of Stephen, there were many Jews who
believed that Christianity was exclusively for the nation of
Israel.
Then Peter declared that the Gentiles, in a state of uncir-
cumcision, had received the Holy Spirit as the Jews had. God
had made no difference between a circumcised Jew and an
uncircumcised Gentile when it came to purifying their
hearts. It was all by faith, no matter where one was born. If
any Jew there had thought about these words, he would have
realized that they were true. The things that Peter men-
tioned were matters of public knowledge, and everyone there
knew that they were true.
Then Peter asked a piercing question. Why were the men
of Judea trying to put a burden on others that they were not
able to bear themselves? Peter had heard the Sermon on the
Mount when Jesus declared the real meaning and purpose of
the Law of Moses. He knew that no one could keep the Law,
and that the Law was only a teacher that was supposed to
bring us to Christ. The men of the Old Testament could not
keep the Law, these men could not keep the Law and neither
can men in our day. The Law is about knowing that we are
sinners, not about salvation.
Note how the false doctrine went right to the heart of the
relationship of the Gentiles with God. The men of Judea did
not question the works or the sincerity of the Gentiles; they
questioned their salvation. This whole dispute was about
how to be saved and about who was saved. This is why God
takes it so seriously.
Peter clearly stated how one is saved in verse 11 and, when
he made that statement, the dispute was over. Now the mul-
titude listened to Paul and Barnabas and rejoiced at what
they heard.
A FINAL WORD
This dispute was settled by applying several valuable prin-

ciples. The Gentiles were not commanded to be circumcised,
but they were asked to take certain actions that would not
give offense to the Jews. There are matters of doctrine, and
we should never bend them to accommodate anyone. Truth is
truth, and we should stand for it.
But there are also matters of preference. The Gentiles
were asked not to eat meat offered to idols, not to eat things
that had been strangled and not to eat blood. They were
asked to avoid fornication. The food preferences were just
that. They were preferences. The Gentiles were asked to
avoid deliberately giving offense to the many Jews who were
scattered throughout the Roman empire.
The Gentiles in the faraway places needed the gospel, but
so did the Jews. God expected these two groups to live and
work together for His honor and glory. There are many
things that can divide believers. We must identify doctrines
and we must recognize our preferences. We must never give
in on doctrinal matters, but we should be ready to admit that
our individual preferences never have the standing of the
great doctrines of Gods Word.
The church at Jerusalem sent men and letters with Paul
and Barnabas so that the false teaching of those from Judea
could be counteracted. These men carried the message, and
the work of the Lord grew and prospered.
June 8, 2003
2 Spirit-led Missionaries
Key Verse: Sunday Devotional: Holy

And after he had seen the vision, Spirit Guidance, John 16:12-15.
immediately we endeavoured to go
into Macedonia, assuredly gathering Aim: By the conclusion of this
that the Lord had called us for to lesson the students will be able
preach the gospel unto them. to grasp the necessity of the
Acts 16:10 Holy Spirits leadership.
A FIRST LOOK
In some ways this second missionary journey did not begin

well. Before it began, there was a dissension between Paul
and Barnabas over John Mark. Barnabas wanted to take
him along and Paul did not. The contention was so sharp
that they decided to split up. Barnabas took John Mark and
Paul took Silas.
In addition to this, there was the continuing problem of the
teaching of legalism. This false doctrine had taken root in
some Gentile churches, and Paul had a duty to deliver the
letters and decrees from the apostles and elders in
Jerusalem. Neither of Daily Devotionals
these problems was insur-
mountable, but, like any M. Led by the Spirit, Romans 8:11-17.
T. Paul Led by the Spirit, Romans
troubles of any kind, they 15:14-20.
had to be dealt with. W. Holy Spirits Omniscience, Romans
An important compo- 8:26-30.
T. Holy Men Moved by the Spirit, 2
nent of this lesson is an Peter 1:15-21.
insight into the way that F. Holy Spirit Led Isaiah, Isaiah
we are led by the Holy 59:15-21.
Spirit. The Holy Spirit S. Holy Spirit Guided David, 2 Samuel
23:1-7.
leads us in one of two
10
Text: Acts 16:1-40 11
ways. First, He leads through the teaching of the Bible. The

Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit, so as we read the Bible,
God speaks to us. We can always be assured that when we do
what the Bible teaches, we are following the leadership of the
Holy Spirit. We can also be sure that should we ignore any-
thing that the Bible teaches us, we are going against the
leadership of the Holy Spirit.
But the Holy Spirit also leads us by opening and closing
doors of opportunity. We will see how this works in our les-
son today.
A CLOSER L O O K
I. Paul Chooses Timothy.
Acts 16:1-3
1.Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain
disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain
woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a
Greek:
2. Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at
Lystra and Iconium.
3. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and
circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quar-
ters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
Paul and Silas had traveled through Syria and Cilicia

when they came to the cities of Derbe and Lystra. They were
confirming, or strengthening, the churches. It is likely that
they were refuting the false doctrines spread by the men of
Judea and were teaching those who had been added to the
churches the things they needed to know in order to be sta-
ble Christians.
In Derbe and Lystra, Paul and Silas met Timothy. Timothy
was the son of Eunice. Eunice was from a Jewish family, but
she had married a man who was a Greek. Timothy had been
taught by his mother and grandmother and had become a

disciple of Jesus Christ. Although Timothy was a young man,
he had a good reputation throughout the area.
There is a wonderful lesson here about the influence of a
godly family and about the blessing of maintaining a good
reputation, even while we are young. There is never any-
thing to be gained by sin, and there is always a reward for
righteous conduct.
Paul invited Timothy to journey with his group, and
Timothy accepted the challenge. But Paul realized the diffi-
culties that were ahead. They were going to have to deal
with the controversy over circumcision, so Paul asked
Timothy to be circumcised. Perhaps this was done to avoid
criticism from the Jewish believers. Everyone who knew
Timothy knew that his father was a Greek, and this would
be a point of contention among the Jews wherever he went.
But as painful as Pauls request might have seemed, it would
solve this problem and stop such criticism. Timothy was cir-
cumcised and he joined Paul and Silas as a fellow traveler on
this journey.
II. The Work Grows.
Acts 16:4, 5
4. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them
the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and
elders which were at Jerusalem.
5. And so were the churches established in the faith, and
increased in number daily.
As Paul, Silas and Timothy traveled throughout Asia

Minor, they brought with them the decrees from the council
at Jerusalem. As we learned last week, these included
instructions that the Gentile believers did not have to be cir-
cumcised to be saved, but they should avoid fornication, eat-
ing things offered to idols, eating things that were strangled
and eating blood. Evidently, these decrees were readily
accepted both by the Gentiles and by the Jews.
Text: Acts 16:1-40 13
We read of the two parts of a great revival in verse 5. First,

the churches were established. Trouble drives people away
from churches, and peace is always attractive. Would you
like to take a vacation to a war-torn country? Probably not.
We want to be in peaceful circumstances. When the church-
es were established, or rooted and grounded in the truth, and
when believers in Christ settled their personal differences,
the established churches attracted people.
This attracting power led people to a daily increase in the
numbers of these churches. Evidently, they met in some
capacity every day and new believers wanted to join with
them. When we will settle our personal differences and lift
up the name of Jesus, our work will be attractive to those
who are lost.
III. A Problem of Direction
Acts 16:6-8
6. Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the
region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to
preach the word in Asia,
7. After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into
Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
8. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
These men were not just wandering about from place to

place. They were doing their best to go where they believed
the Holy Spirit was leading them. Having traveled in Asia
Minor, they started into Asia but the Holy Spirit forbade
them to preach there. Then they turned to Bithynia, but the
Spirit suffered them not.
We do not know exactly what happened in these two
instances. But one thing is clear. The Holy Spirit turned this
expedition away from Asia and toward Europe. God shut a
door in one place and opened a door in another. We might
wonder why God did not speak to these men and tell them
what He wanted. The reason is clear. God was teaching us all
how He would lead during the church age. It would not be by
personal and particular revelation. Instead, God would open

one door and close another. Paul, Silas and Timothy were
smart enough to stop preaching where the Holy Spirit had
forbade them. They were wise enough to try other places and
seek His will there. We should learn from these examples.
We can easily find ourselves beating on a closed door want-
ing in and also standing before an open door wondering if we
should enter. When we do such things, we are ignoring the
leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Note that the door was closed two times, once in Mysia
and again in Bithynia, but these missionaries did not abort
the trip and return to Antioch. They knew that God had a
work for them to do, and they kept on seeking until they
found His will for them. Do not give up. You may not get to
serve where you want to, but you will get to serve. Keep
seeking the place where God wants you until you find it.
IV. God Leads; Gods Men Follow.
Acts 16:9-12
9. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night;There stood a
man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into
Macedonia, and help us.
10. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeav-
oured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord
had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
11. Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight
course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
12. And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that
part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abid-
ing certain days.
While they were seeking Gods will at Troas, Paul had a

vision one night. He did not see God telling him where to go.
He did not see God at all. He saw a man, and the man asked
for help in Macedonia. Macedonia was in Greece, and it was
not on the itinerary of the original journey. Paul and
Text: Acts 16:1-40 15
Barnabas had discussed traveling to visit the churches that
they had established on their first journey. Now Paul was
challenged to take the gospel into Greece and into Europe.
This was new territory and a new challenge.
But these missionaries did not hesitate. They immediately
made plans to travel to Macedonia. Their purpose was to
preach the gospel there as they had in Asia Minor. The help
the Macedonian man needed was not physical; it was spiri-
tual. Others could supply the physical needs, but only Jesus
could save the lost in Greece.
Paul, Silas and Timothy traveled as directly as possible to
reach Macedonia. They set their sights on Philippi, which
was the largest city of that area. They were interested in
reaching the people. The simple principle is that we have to
get the gospel where the people are. These missionaries were
endeavoring to do this.
When God shows us the way, we should be quick to take it.
We need to carefully consider exactly where God leads us,
and, once we discover the way, we should be decisive in fol-
lowing the Lord.
V. The Work Begins in Greece.
Acts 16:13-15
13. And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river
side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and
spake unto the women which resorted thither.
14. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of
the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose
heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which
were spoken of Paul.
15. And when she was baptized, and her household, she
besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the
Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained
us.
When God leads, He leads everyone involved. God led Paul

to Macedonia and He had prepared the hearts of Lydia and
those who were with her to hear the gospel. When Paul and
those with him came to the prayer meeting by the river on
this Sabbath day, they were gladly received and their mes-
sage was believed.
Even though the Holy Spirit had forbidden them to preach
in Mysia and Bithynia, now hearts gladly accepted the Word.
Lydia even constrained these men to come home with her
and to make her home their home while they were there.
This was the beginning of the spread of the gospel in
Europe. From there it would spread throughout Greece and
other parts of the Roman empire.
A FINAL WORD
A trip that started out to be a visit to confirm and estab-

lish churches that were already there had now been turned
into a great outreach opportunity. One of the wonderful
things about following God is that we may not know where
we are going, but we know we are going somewhere great.
Paul and Silas could never have planned this wonderful
experience; yet, it was theirs because they followed the Holy
Spirit. They did not try to go where the Spirit forbade them
to go. They readily and immediately went where they were
obviously led. This is a great example for each of us to follow.
We should search the Scriptures and be aware of the open
doors in our lives. When we come to a place where people
need the Word of the Lord, we should be ready and willing to
offer it to them. Like these missionaries of old, we will find
countless blessing when we do.
Others will be blessed as well. As wonderful as it was for
Paul and his companions to find the way that God was lead-
ing, it was as great or greater for the lost of Macedonia to get
an opportunity to hear the gospel and believe in Jesus. God
blesses everyone who will follow Him and serve Him.
June 15, 2003
3 Missionary Examples
Key Verse: Sunday Devotional: How

And some of them believed, Shall They Hear? Romans 10:8-15.
and consorted with Paul and
Silas; and of the devout Greeks a Aim: By the conclusion of this
great multitude, and of the chief lesson the students will recognize
women not a few. fields of necessary missionary en-
Acts 17:4 deavors.
A FIRST LOOK
God gave His missionaries a direction in their work, but

this did not mean that there would be no problems along the
way. They had endured an awful time in the jail at Philippi,
but the wonderful result had been the salvation of precious
souls. The gospel had been sown in the chief city of
Macedonia, and now these men would go on to other fields.
In our lesson today there is a wonderful, practical example
of the truth of the parable of the sower that Jesus gave in
Matthew 13. It was the condition of the soil that determined
the harvest. Paul and
those with him did not Daily Devotionals
change their message as M. A Model Church, 1 Thessalonians
the situations changed. T. A1:1-10. Model Servant, 1 Thessalonians
They preached the same 2:12.
truth everywhere they W. Ministering Brethren, 3 John 1-14.
went. The difference was T. Missionary Church, Philippians 4:10-
19.
that some hearts were F. Vessel of Honor, 2 Timothy 2:19-
hardened and some hearts 26.
were ready to gladly S. Crown of Rejoicing, 1 Thessalo-
nians 2:13-20.
receive the Word. It is one
17
wonderful lesson to see how Paul recognized this and went

where the gospel was readily received.
As the servant of the Lord, Paul did not try to put up some
kind of defense of his rights to preach whatever he wanted.
He told the truth and when evil men refused it, he went to
other places and preached there. In these exchanges Paul,
Silas and Timothy never lost a thing. It was the evil men
who drove them out who suffered loss. They lost the oppor-
tunity to hear the gospel and to be eternally changed by this
wonderful message.
A CLOSER LOOK
I. Success in the Synagogue
Acts 17:1-4
1. Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and
Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue
of the Jews:
2. And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three
sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
3. Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suf-
fered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom
I preach unto you, is Christ.
4. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and
Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the
chief women not a few.
In spite of the bad treatment he received at Philippi, Paul

went on with the work that God had called him to do. This is
the record of the founding of the church at Thessalonica.
This church would receive two of the letters of Paul that
would become a part of the New Testament. Paul summa-
rized his experience there in 1 Thessalonians 2:2, But even
after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully
Text: Acts 17:1-34 19
entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God

to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
The missionaries left Philippi and passed through
Amphipolis and Apollonia. No doubt they were still following
the leadership of the Holy Spirit that had taken them to
Macedonia in the first place. We do see some of the strategy
of Paul in his comment to the Thessalonians in 1
Thessalonians 1:8, For from you sounded out the word of the
Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every
place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we
need not to speak any thing. He had sown seed in
Thessalonica that would spread throughout the whole
region. The things that he had taught there would bear much
fruit in the whole region. In this way, the message of the
gospel could be spread much farther than it could be by Paul
and his companions had they been acting alone. Paul was
teaching others so that they could teach others also. This is
still a wonderful way to spread the good news of Jesus.
When Paul came into Thessalonica, he went to the syna-
gogue. He chose this city because the synagogue was there.
In those places there were opportunities for anyone who was
a Jew to stand and speak, and Paul used this means to
spread the gospel. Today, a missionary does not need to seek
out a synagogue as a place to preach, but he should use all
the wisdom God has given him to look for ways and means to
spread the gospel. As one wise man said, we should preach
the gospel every chance we get and even use words if neces-
sary.
Paul was not arguing about the minor points of the Law in
his messages. He had a specific goal to present Jesus to those
who were lost. He began by showing from the Old Testament
Scriptures that the Messiah of Israel was supposed to suffer,
to die and to rise again from the dead. He used the Bible as
his foundation because no one could question what was clear-
ly stated in the Word. Notice that he made his case on three
consecutive Sabbath days. This was quite a revelation to
those present, and Paul wanted to be thorough in his pre-
sentation. So for three weeks he stayed there and empha-

sized the two points of his message.
Paul preached that the Christ, or the Messiah, had to suf-
fer, die and be raised from the dead, and he preached that
Jesus of Nazareth had done this. He was simply telling them
the essence of the gospel. That essence is summed up in the
answer to two simple questions. Was Jesus who He said He
was? Did Jesus do what He said He did? Jesus said that He
was the Son of God and He claimed that He died and rose
again. If these statements are true, then everything about
life and living is changed. If they are not true, then our faith
is in vain.
God added the convicting power of the Holy Spirit to this
message, and a great number of people readily accepted it.
They wanted more and more fellowship with Paul and with
Silas, and they found these missionaries ready to teach them
in any and all circumstances. Evidently, they made the
house of Jason a headquarters for this movement. Many of
the devout Greeks and the chief women of the city were also
attracted to this band. Out of this fellowship of believers
grew the church at Thessalonica.
We read in 1 Thessalonians how these folks turned to God
from idols and served the true and living God. We read of
their earnest expectation that Jesus would come again for
them. But, when there is great revival, there is also an
opportunity for great persecution.
II. Opposition from Unbelievers
Acts 17:5-9
5. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took
unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered
a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the
house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
6. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and cer-
tain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying,These that have
turned the world upside down are come hither also;
Text: Acts 17:1-34 21
7. Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to

the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one
Jesus.
8. And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city,
when they heard these things.
9. And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the
other, they let them go.
Some of the Jews of the city did not believe, and they were
jealous of the things that Paul and Silas had taught. They
could not refute the message; therefore, they attacked the
messengers. Note that in all these verses there is not one
word refuting the two basic claims of Paul, that the Messiah
was to suffer, die and be resurrected and that Jesus had
done these things.
What these unbelievers did was stir up the city against
Paul and Silas. They hired a company of lewd fellows of the
baser sort, gathered a large crowd of people and set the
whole city in an uproar. This is not really difficult to do.
Most people resist change of any kind and when you mix in
a few lies with the threat of change, you have the recipe for
a riot.
This mob attacked the house of Jason and demanded that
Paul and Silas be turned over to the crowd. Paul and Silas
were not there, so they took Jason and some other believers
that were with him and brought them before the officials of
the city. The charge that they brought was interesting. They
charged that Paul and Silas had turned the world upside
down. Paul and Silas had not done this; Jesus had done this.
It was faith in Christ that changed lives. Paul and Silas
were just messengers who told the truth. In fact, it was this
same mob that had set this city in an uproar. Paul and Silas
had preached peace and love through Jesus. The missionar-
ies had not led any mobs anywhere. They had not seized
anyone out of their houses and dragged them to court, but
they were accused of it nonetheless.
The final accusation was that Paul and Silas were teach-
ing contrary to Caesar. It is true that Paul was teaching that
Jesus is King, but not a king of the earth. The kingdom of

God has always been a spiritual kingdom, but this was lost
on these unbelievers, and they accused Paul and Silas of try-
ing to overthrow the government of Rome.
The baffled officials were troubled by all this and they did
not know what to do about it. So they made Jason put up
security and let him go. Jason had not committed any crime
and neither had Paul nor Silas, but the damage had been
done. The missionaries had to leave town rather than deal
with this angry mob of unbelieving Jews and lewd fellows of
the baser sort.
III. The Noble Bereans
Acts 17:10-12
10. And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas
by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the syna-
gogue of the Jews.
11. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in
that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and
searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable
women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Paul knew when to stand and he knew when to leave.

There was great wisdom in his decisions and great folly in
ignoring this simple truth. The people in Thessalonica no
longer wanted him there, so he moved on to Berea. Notice
that he and Silas left immediately. They did not give the mob
another chance to capture them.
Once again in Berea, Paul went to the synagogue. No
doubt, he presented the same message that he preached in
Thessalonica. But this time he found a more receptive audi-
ence. The Bereans were more noble and they listened and
received the Word of God. Here is the good soil that Jesus
spoke of in Matthew 13.
We note that these people received the Word with all
readiness of mind. They were eager to hear the truth, and,
Text: Acts 17:1-34 23
when they heard it, they accepted it. The message of Jesus is
one of love, peace and harmony. It is a wonderful truth that
always makes positive changes in the hearts of those who
will accept it. This is how it changed the Bereans. Then they
went on to search the Scriptures daily. That was the Old
Testament, but they were looking for Jesus there and they
readily found Him. The Bible is all about Jesus and you can
find Him in every book. These noble people were looking to
the Word of God to confirm and strengthen their faith. They
were not disappointed. The Bible definitely will tell us that
the things spoken of Jesus are true.
The result of this was that many were saved. Once again
the preaching of the Word was shown to be the power of God
unto salvation for all those who would receive it.
A FINAL WORD
The evil Jews of Thessalonica followed Paul and Silas into

Berea and stirred up trouble for them there. But the seed of
the Word had been sown in the hearts of men and nothing
could take it away. The people who were saved in
Thessalonica and in Berea were powerful witnesses. They
were so powerful that Paul testified that he did not need to
speak anymore in all the provinces around these two cities (1
Thess. 1:8).
When the good seed is sown in good soil, a great harvest is
inevitable. This was the example of Paul, Silas and Timothy
as they labored in the cities of Thessalonica and Berea.
June 22, 2003
4 Missionary Encouragement
Key Verse: Sunday Devotional:

Then spake the Lord to Paul in the Laborers Together, 1 Corin-
night by a vision, Be not afraid, but thians 3:5-9.
speak, and hold not thy peace: for I
am with thee, and no man shall set on Aim: By the conclusion of
thee to hurt thee: for I have much this lesson the students will
people in this city. be motivated to encourage
Acts 18:9, 10 missionaries.
A FIRST LOOK
Our lesson today concerns the ministry of Paul in Corinth.

Arguably, the Corinthian and the Ephesian ministries were
his most fruitful, although we are really in no position to
make such a judgment. In the work of God the principal way
we can fail is to not serve God at all. We may have no obvi-
ous success, but, when we sow the seed, God will be the judge
of our efforts. These missionaries planted the seed of the
gospel wherever they went and to that extent all of their
work was successful.
Corinth was a wicked
Daily Devotionals
city at this time. Paul
stayed there for eigh- M. Church Enriched, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9.
teen months and won a T. Diverse Opinions, 1 Corinthians
great victory when the 1:10-16.
W. Missionary Preaching, 1 Corinthians
ruler of the synagogue
1:17-25.
was converted. After
T. Missionary Purpose, 1 Corinthians
their harsh treatment at 2:1-8.
the hands of the Jews, F. Missionary Spirituality, 1 Corinthians
this must have seemed a 2:9-16.
sweet moment for these S. Missionary Joy, 2 Corinthians 3:1-6.
missionaries.
24
Text: Acts 18:1-28 25
Corinth also marked the reunion of Paul, Silas and

Timothy. They had been separated by the persecution at
Berea.
We need to see our work succeed. We need to be reunited
with old friends and share blessings with them. We need to
make new friends and see how God is leading in our lives.
Most of all we need to hear from God. We need the encour-
agement that comes from personally receiving the Word of
God. All of these needs were present for Paul in Corinth.
A CLOSER L O O K
I. Encouragement from New Friends
Acts 18:1-4
1. After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came
to Corinth;
2. And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus,
lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that
Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and
came unto them.
3. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with
them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tent-
makers.
4. And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and per-
suaded the Jews and the Greeks.
Paul now had come into the chief city of the province of
Achaia, Corinth. By all accounts this was a splendidly beau-
tiful and wicked place. He came here alone and laid a foun-
dation for his ministry.
Although Paul had an education and was a scholar, he
also knew how to work with his hands. Many Jewish fami-
lies of that day insisted that their children learn a trade.
Then and now, there is nothing dishonorable about working
with your hands to earn a living. Paul was a tentmaker, a
skill much in demand in that day. He probably made tents of

cloth and perhaps of leather to serve the many needs of that
day. Farmers used these tents as they followed their flocks.
Soldiers relied on them in their travels.
In pursuing this occupation, Paul met two people who
offered him and the work of the Lord much encouragement.
Aquila and Priscilla were Jews who were exiled from Rome
by Claudius. They had settled in Corinth and no doubt were
happy to meet a fellow Jew who was also a tentmaker. This
small company encouraged each other, so Paul renewed his
pattern of going into the synagogue every Sabbath and per-
suading those who met there.
II. Encouragement from Reunion
Acts 18:5, 6
5. And when Silas and Timotheus were come from
Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the
Jews that Jesus was Christ.
6. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he
shook his raiment, and said unto them,Your blood be upon your
own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the
Gentiles.
Note that when Paul met Aquila and Priscilla, he was

encouraged to return to the synagogue and testify about
Jesus. Now Silas and Timothy joined him and the encour-
agement increased.
First, he reasoned with the Jews publicly in the synagogue
every Sabbath. There was no force or violence on the part of
Paul. He used the Scriptures and the power of reason to pre-
sent his case. This calls to mind the great invitation of Isaiah
1:18, Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:
though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as
snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as
wool. When honest men will think rationally about matters
of eternity, they will turn to Jesus and be saved.
Text: Acts 18:1-28 27
Then Paul utilized the power of persuasion. This means he

used every device that he had available to bring these unbe-
lievers over to his own understanding of the Scriptures. He
would later write in 2 Corinthians 5:11, Knowing therefore
the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made
manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in
your consciences. Paul made an impassioned plea for the
lost to be saved. There was a powerful combination in a rea-
sonable argument that was presented with personal passion.
We also read of his earnest concern for those to whom he
spoke. He was pressed in the spirit to testify to them about
Jesus. The love of Christ constrained him to do everything he
could to assure that those who heard him were converted. He
was dealing with the hearts of lost people, and he was sincere
and earnest in every presentation he made.
The best witness is an encouraged witness. We see the
power of the gospel as it was presented by a man who truly
believed it and was impassioned about the needs of his audi-
ence. That power is still available to us today.
But everyone did not believe and as Paul put it, they
opposed themselves. So he declared that their fate was now
in their own hands and he stated his intention to preach to
the Gentiles. When we are about to give up, God opens a door
of opportunity.
III. Encouragement from the Work
Acts 18:7, 8
7. And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's
house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house
joined hard to the synagogue.
8. And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on
the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hear-
ing believed, and were baptized.
Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of
a believer named Justus. Just when Paul had decided to turn
away from the Jews, the chief Jew of the whole place accept-
ed Jesus. The mans name was Crispus. When he was saved,

the floodgates opened, and his whole household was saved.
Many other Corinthians heard about this and were saved as
well. The whole group was baptized and the beginning of the
great church in Corinth took place.
We are often our own worst enemies. We can become dis-
couraged and think that all our witnessing has been for
nothing. We can even make a decision that we need to turn
in a different direction. But then God begins to bless, and we
realize that what we do is not of ourselves, it is of God. We
plant and water, but God gives the increase.
It must have been a great encouragement to Paul to see
from the house next door that the ruler of the synagogue was
saved. Pauls ministry was having an impact on the whole
community.
We must never forget whom we serve. When we do the
work of the Lord, we never go forth in our own strength
alone. We always have the Holy Spirit to help us and to
guide us, and God Himself assures us of success (Isa. 55:11).
IV. Encouragement from Gods Wo r d
Acts 18:9-11
9. Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be
not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
10. For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt
thee: for I have much people in this city.
11. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching
the word of God among them.
God always sees things we do not see. In fact, only God

sees things as they really are. At our best we only have a
part of the picture. God knew that Paul was doing a great
work and He told him so directly.
God told Paul to not be afraid and to continue with his wit-
nessing. It is often tempting to stop when we are met with
resistance. But this is the exact time we need to keep on
working for the Lord. God was not encouraging Paul to do
Text: Acts 18:1-28 29
anything different; He was encouraging him to keep on doing

the things that God had called him to do. The gospel was and
is the power of God unto salvation, and it was imperative
that Paul keep on preaching to those in Corinth. God assured
Paul that He was there with him. If all others forsake us and
if it appears that our work is in vain, God is still there to help
us and to guide us.
God told Paul two things that only God could know. He
told him that no one in this city would hurt him. He told Paul
that there were many people in this city who were believers.
God assured Paul of success. When we do Gods work in
Gods way, we are always assured of success.
A FINAL WORD
Maybe Paul remembered the hatred that was directed
toward him in Thessalonica and the trouble that those Jews
had caused in Berea. But now things were different. When
the unbelieving Jews brought this matter before the magis-
trate in Corinth, the judge, a man named Gallio, literally
drove them out of court. God kept His promise and Paul was
not harmed.
No one can be so great as to never be discouraged. We do
not always meet with stunning success. We have some victo-
ries and we have some reverses. It is easy to concentrate on
the things that we think go wrong and to forget the things
that have worked out well. At such times we need encour-
agement from new friends and from old friends. We need to
look honestly at the blessings that God has given us and to
listen to the Word of God.
It is easy to complain and criticize and there are many
willing to fill these positions. But it is better to be an encour-
ager and look to the Lord for our strength and help. No mat-
ter where we are in the service of God, it is too soon to quit.
We must not faint. We will receive a reward in due season,
and the promises of God will sustain us in time and through-
out eternity.
June 29, 2003
5 Missionaries in Ephesus
Sunday Devotional: Pauls

Key Verse: Prayer, Ephesians 3:14-21.
So mightily grew the word
of God and prevailed. Aim: By the conclusion of this lesson
Acts 19:20 the students will be aware of the good
qualities in the church at Ephesus.
A FIRST LOOK
As we study the work of the missionaries recorded in Acts,

we do not have a day-by-day description of the things they
did. But we do have a great deal of information about the
work that was done and the wonderful results of this min-
istry.
Asking whether or not this work was successful is like ask-
ing if your great-grandfather had any children. If you are
here, then he did. There are churches in our world today as
a result of an unbroken line of churches that has existed ever
since Jesus started His church during His personal ministry
on earth.
Today, we study the ministry of Paul and those who were
with him in Ephesus.
Daily Devotionals
Ephesus was a great city
of Asia, famous for the M. Letter to Ephesus, Ephesians 1:1-14.
T. Ephesians Admonished, Ephesians
temple of Diana. This 5:1-17.
temple was one of the W. Message to Church in Ephesus, Reve-
seven wonders of the lation 2:1-7.
ancient world. Those T. Believers Welfare, Ephesians 6:10-18.
F. Trust in the Lord, Proverbs 3:1-10.
who worshiped this false S. Dwelling in Unity, Psalm 133:1-3.
god believed that the
30
Text: Acts 19:1-41 31
image they worshiped had fallen down from Jupiter (Acts

19:35). Like the people in Athens, these were superstitious
people. But there were many who would listen to the gospel
and believe it. Paul was able to build on the work that
Apollos had started, and a great church was born in this city.
Although Paul corrected the shortcomings of the limited
knowledge of Apollos, there is no hint of jealousy here.
Apollos had gone on to Corinth at this time, but God used
Paul to build a wonderful work in Ephesus. Gods men can
always work in harmony when they follow the Holy Spirit.
A CLOSER L O O K
I. Pauls Methods
Acts 19:10
10. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all
they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both
Jews and Greeks.
This verse is a summary of the preceding verses, and we

see something of the method that Paul was led to use in
building this church. There were three steps that he
employed.
First, Paul developed a core group of dedicated and conse-
crated men. There were twelve men there who had heard the
preaching of Apollos but had never received the strengthen-
ing of scriptural baptism. Paul corrected the problem by re-
baptizing these disciples. This group would form the nucleus
of the work that was done in Ephesus.
It is important to be right in everything that we do for the
Lord. The Bible likens our work to a building (Matt. 7:24-27;
1 Cor. 3:9-11). Like a building, our foundation must be
strong. This is why Paul insisted that these disciples be
absolutely correct in their understanding of baptism.
The second thing Paul did was to go into the synagogue
and preach to the Jews who gathered there. He did this for
three months. His purpose was to persuade them concerning

the kingdom of God. This ministry received mixed results.
Some believed, but others were hardened and did not
believe. Instead of staying there and provoking further con-
troversy, Paul moved on to the third stage of his ministry.
When God shuts one door, we should always look for
another one that is open. Paul found such a door in the
school of Tyrannus. He went there every day for two years.
The word disputing in verse 9 indicates that he gave scrip-
tural reasons for what he taught and then answered any
objections that might be raised. This is a kind of dialogue
method of teaching, and it is effective.
The result of this approach was that all those who dwelt in
Asia heard the Word of the Lord, Jews and Greeks alike.
This does not mean that they necessarily believed what they
heard, but the Word was sent out from these daily sessions
at this school.
II. Pauls Miracles
Acts 19:11, 12
11. And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
12. So that from his body were brought unto the sick hand-
kerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and
the evil spirits went out of them.
God began to confirm what Paul was preaching through

the use of what are called special miracles. This suggests
that, even among the miraculous, these were special works.
Note that Paul did not do these things. God did them
through Paul. The power and the miracles were from God.
Paul was only the instrument that was used.
The last time we find that Paul worked a miracle was at
Philippi, when the damsel was freed from an evil spirit (Acts
16:16-18). There is no record of any miracle at Thessalonica,
Berea or Athens. We do find miracles at Corinth. Acts does
not record them but we read of them in 2 Corinthians 12:12.
We can only conclude that Paul was following the leadership
Text: Acts 19:1-41 33
of God in this matter, and the miracles came as God provid-

ed them.
The purpose of these miracles was to confirm the Word of
God and give authenticity to the apostleship of Paul. The
things done here cannot be explained by human knowledge,
nor can they be duplicated by any human power or authori-
ty. These were clearly workings of God in Heaven. We read a
wonderful explanation of what miracles can do in John 3:2,
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi,
we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man
can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with
him. The miracles that Jesus did and that God did through
Paul confirmed the things that were taught.
These miracles took two directions. First, there was the
healing of disease. God has the power to reverse the course of
any disease and that was what happened here. Jesus often did
the same thing. Second, the evil spirits departed from those
who were controlled by them. This was a powerful witness
that the things that Paul preached were sanctioned by God.
III. Pauls Imitators
Acts 19:13-16
13. Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon
them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the
Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preach-
eth.
14. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief
of the priests, which did so.
15. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and
Paul I know; but who are ye?
16. And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them,
and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they
fled out of that house naked and wounded.
When it was evident that God was working special mira-

cles through Paul, seven men, all the sons of a man named
Sceva, undertook to imitate the things that were being done

through Paul. These men were vagabonds who wandered
about from town to town claiming to perform exorcism. The
superstitious Jews placed some credence in such things, and
these men happened to come to Ephesus during the ministry
of Paul and the other missionaries. When God is working,
Satan is also working, but the work of God is always greater.
These men attempted to use a formula, calling on the
Jesus whom Paul preacheth, without knowing Jesus for
themselves. When they did so, the evil spirit they were
attempting to cast out told them plainly that they were
impostors. The evil spirit recognized Paul and he recognized
Jesus, but he did not know these men. Then the possessed
man rose up and fought these impostors so that they fled
naked and wounded.
There is a power in the truth and there is also a danger in
falsehood. Satan easily defeats imitations. Christianity is
not another religion; it is the truth. Those who are like these
men and never exercise real faith but try to imitate the
power of Christ will be doomed to failure.
IV. A Great Influence for Good
Acts 19:17-20
17. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also
dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of
the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed
their deeds.
19. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their
books together, and burned them before all men: and they
counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of
silver.
20. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
God used this example of foolish behavior to influence

many people in Ephesus. Everyone heard about the seven
sons of Sceva. They were properly afraid. When we are deal-
Text: Acts:19:1-41 35
ing with the gospel, we are dealing with great power. Like
anything else that is powerful, we should treat it with
respect and care.
The first thing that happened was that the name of the
Lord was magnified in Ephesus. These exorcists were
exposed for the frauds that they really were, but the truth
Paul preached was made even larger by their folly. When
God is magnified, men are blessed. If we will lift up Jesus
Christ, then men will be drawn to Him.
Then, we see that many were saved. They believed, came
and confessed and were willing to show everyone the things
that they had done. When we truly believe in our hearts, we
will gladly confess with our mouths. There is a connection
here. Paul wrote as much to the Romans in Romans 10:9 and
10. When we publicly confess Jesus, we lay a foundation for
a life-changing decision to follow Him. If we try to keep our
faith secret, we will be constantly frustrated.
The work did not stop there. Those who had been wrong
and superstitious now saw the foolishness of their actions.
They brought the books that contained the curious arts and
ceremonies together and burned them. We are told that this
represented fifty thousand pieces of silver. Some have said
that this would have been fifteen hundred pounds of money!
By any measurement this was a fortune. It was sad that men
had spent so much money on so many worthless books. But
it was wonderful that they had made such a complete change
that they no longer even wanted these things in the world.
To their credit they did not pass this heresy along to others
by selling the books. They rightly decided that these evil
works had to be destroyed.
Remember that the things in these books did not work.
The evil spirit easily defeated the seven men who attempted
to adjure him.
Consequently, the Word of God grew and prevailed might-
ily. The real miracles Paul wrought confirmed the Word, and
the people received the Word, and they removed false writ-
ings. This was a winning formula.
A FINAL WORD
A great church was built on a grand foundation. It began

with twelve men who were willing to do things right, even if
it meant changing what they had already done. They needed
the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. After scriptural
baptism, they spoke in tongues and prophesied (Acts 19:5, 6).
Added to this was the persistent, dedicated work of a faith-
ful teacher. For two years and three months Paul served as
preacher and teacher. Much of this time he was teaching
every day. Think about this. If Paul taught two lessons a day,
every day for two years, that would be the equivalent of more
than nine years of modern pastoral teaching (2 lessons a day
x 7 days a week x 52 weeks a year x 2 years=1456) (3 ser-
mons a week x 52 weeks a year x 9 years =1404).
The Word of God grew because the Word of God was
taught and when the Word of God is taught, it will prevail.
The truth prevailed over the limited knowledge of Apollos; it
prevailed over the hardened unbelief of those in the syna-
gogue, and it prevailed over the evil and opportunistic sons
of Sceva. It will prevail in our day as well.
The church in Ephesus was a great church because of the
dedication and willingness of each individual who worshiped
there. The whole is the sum of its parts. If each individual is
weak, then the whole church will be weak. But if every indi-
vidual is rooted and grounded in the truth, the church that
these individuals make up is bound to be strong.Christianity
changed Ephesus. It threatened the craft of those who made
idols for a living and it exposed this great city to the truth.
When we do Gods work in Gods way, this will always be the
result.
July 6, 2003
6 Missionarys Farewell
Key Verse:
Sunday Devotional: Some
Take heed therefore unto your- Things To Remember, Ephesians
selves, and to all the flock, over 2:11-18.
the which the Holy Ghost hath
made you overseers, to feed the Aim: By the conclusion of this
church of God, which he hath pur- lesson the students will compre-
chased with his own blood. hend a missionarys love for the
people to whom he has minis-
Acts 20:28 tered.
A FIRST LOOK
Our lesson today is about the farewell address of Paul to

the elders in the Ephesian church. It is a beautiful and use-
ful passage that reveals to us the depths of the love that Paul
had for the churches that he started and also his careful
instructions to those he had left in charge of this work.
Paul was going to Jerusalem and his ministry would take
him away from this church physically, but he would always
keep them in his heart. His concern for these folks was evi-
dent in the book of Ephesians and also in his letters to
Timothy. Often we must be separated from those we love. For
the children of God these
Daily Devotionals
separations are only tem-
porary, and we all must M. Thanks for the Ephesians, Ephesians
1:15-21.
realize that the work of T. Comfort in Tribulation, 2 Corinthi-
God is greater and more ans 1:1-10.
important than any one of W. Giving Thanks Always, Ephesians
us as individuals. 5:19, 20.
T. Bearing Precious Seed, Psalm 126:1-
The work in Ephesus 6.
had been successful, but F. Be Not Weary, 2 Thessalonians 3:10-
Paul believed in his heart 15.
that it was time to move S. Ministry Gifts, Ephesians 4:7-16.
37
on in his ministry. He determined to do as he believed God

wanted and to go where he believed God was leading him.
In his last address to these brethren in Ephesus, we find
many encouragements and warnings concerning the work of
churches. Although these things were said long ago, they
will resonate in the hearts of those who are serving God in
the twenty-first century. Listen and learn.
A CLOSER L O O K
I. A Productive Ministry
Acts 20:27
27. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the coun-
sel of God.
Having told this assembly of elders that they would never

see him again, Paul declared to them that he was free from
the blood of all men. This would be bragging if it were not
the truth. Paul was stating that he had completely dis-
charged his responsibility to those in Ephesus and in other
places. He had done this by preaching the whole counsel of
God.
He had preached the things that God would have him
preach, nothing more and nothing less. This is illustrated in
two wonderful passages from 1 Corinthians. In chapter 2 he
states that his sole purpose was to know Jesus Christ and
Him crucified. This suggests that Paul was concerned with
the salvation of the lost above and beyond any other concern.
Many things need attention in mission work, but none of
them can possibly have the importance of knowing that men
have been born again through the grace of God.
The way to accomplish this is through the declaration of
the whole counsel of God. Paul did not substitute his wisdom
for the things that God had told him to preach. He reported
in 1 Corinthians 11:23 that he had simply delivered to them
Text: Acts 20:1-38 39
the things that he had received from the Lord. This is what
he means by the whole counsel of God.
Although this may or may not have pleased those who
heard it, Paul had not shunned to declare it to them. It is
through this process that we completely discharge our
responsibility and become free from the blood of others. We
can never discharge our responsibility through compromise
or through omission of the relevant truth of Scripture.
II. Diligent and Faithful Ministry

Acts 20:28-30
28. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock,
over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to
feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own
blood.
29. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous
wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse
things, to draw away disciples after them.
We cannot serve God by accident. Paul had not shunned his

duty, and now he admonished these brethren to take heed to
themselves and the flock they served. Service to God involves
a deliberate decision and a willful commitment. A shepherd
must be true to the flock placed in his care. The Holy Spirit
had made these men the overseers and that dignity of office
demanded that they faithfully discharge their duties.
The flock was so valuable that it had been purchased with
the blood of Jesus. Those people who come together in a
church capacity are all bought by the blood of Christ. Jesus
paid the ultimate price for us. Jesus loved us enough to die
for us. We should always look at the work of the Lord as a
valuable thing involving people who are of great and lasting
value to God. God never loses one of his sheep.
The reason for this encouragement is simply put. There
are grave dangers ahead. The danger is represented as a
grievous wolf that will enter in and not care for the flock.
There are many recorded instances of wolves having killed a
whole flock of helpless sheep, not for food but because the
sheep would run and the wolves had an instinct to kill. The
illustration is that of the devil. Satan does not seek to
destroy the work of God for any sensible reason. Like the
grievous wolf, he destroys and ruins just for the sake of
destroying and ruining.
There are two sources mentioned of this danger. One is
from without. There are those who are not content unless
they can do definite harm to the work of God. Paul may have
been referring to the Jews who worshiped in the synagogue
at Ephesus, and he may have been referring to the wor-
shipers of Diana and those who made a profit from the man-
ufacture and sale of false idols. But assuredly there were
those in Ephesus who wanted this church to fail.
Even more insidious are those who would arise from with-
in. These would be those who sought disciples for them-
selves, not disciples for the Lord. They would introduce an
element of politics into the church and seek to build some
kind of power base to further their own causes.
In either case the remedy begins when those in charge pay
attention and take heed to themselves and to the flock.
When we are alert and watching, our enemies are readily
identified. When we are sleepy and indifferent, Satan has
the upper hand.
III. The Tools God Has Given
Acts 20:31-35
31. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of
three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with
tears.
32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the
word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you
an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
33. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
34. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have minis-
tered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye
ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the
Text: Acts 20:1-38 41
Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to

receive.
To help those who remained behind deal with difficulty

and have an effective ministry, Paul offered some valuable
instructions. These will serve us today as well as they did
those to whom they were first given.
First, we are to watch and remember. Paul used his own
ministry as an example. He had worked in Ephesus for three
years and had been serious and sincere in his efforts. Passion
is not out of place in the work of the Lord. Paul shed tears as
he preached and taught, and he admonished these men to
remember that and to take their service to God as seriously.
Then, we are commended to the grace of God and to the
Word of God. The place to start in building a work for God is
right inside ourselves. We can never teach others the things
we do not know ourselves. So we begin by developing our
own lives as much as we possibly can. We then can go on to
help others be built up by the same grace and truth that
built us.
The best way to keep Satan from tearing down the work of
the Lord is to be sure that it is built well. When we build on
grace and on the Bible, we are building on firm foundations
that will withstand the test of our adversaries. But these
things do more than defend us. They provide us an inheri-
tance among those who are sanctified. We may lose a battle
down here on earth, but we will always be winners in eter-
nity when we serve the Lord. We must always remember
that it is too soon to judge what we do. Only eternity will tell
the value of those who faithfully serve the Lord.
We are also admonished to have the right attitude toward
money. A covetous man has no place in Gods service. Paul
had not coveted anything that others had. He had worked at
his own trade as a tentmaker and had provided for his own
necessities. He had gone further and taught these people
that they were to work and use the fruit of their labor to sup-
port those less fortunate. One way to conquer covetousness
is to have a giving spirit. It goes contrary to our world, but
Jesus taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Many people do not believe this, but it is true, and when we
realize it, we have gone a long way toward earning an eter-
nal inheritance.
A FINAL WORD
Final Farewell
Acts 20:36-38
36. And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and
prayed with them all.
37. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed
him,
38. Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that
they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him
unto the ship.
Humbly and reverently, Paul ended this meeting with

prayer. Prayer is always in order and Paul wanted this
prayer to be the thing that they remembered about this
meeting. The prayer ended with a celebration of the love and
fellowship that these men had shared in Christ. These men
had not known each other just three short years ago, and
now their lives had been forever changed by the truth of God.
The thing that troubled them most of all was one of the
first statements that Paul uttered, which was that he would
not see them again this side of eternity. This points out that
life is a one-way street. We should live so that even if we
never see each other again, we will have done everything
that we can to further the cause of Christ while we are
together.
Although there was a kind of sadness there because of a
physical parting, the message of Paul must have been
brought to mind again and again as these men faced the
days ahead. They were well served by the timeless truth of
the things that Paul said.
July 13, 2003
7 Missionary Reporting
Sunday Devotional: Dead

Key Verse: with Christ, Colossians 2:18-23.
And when he had saluted
them, he declared particularly Aim: By the conclusion of this
what things God had wrought lesson the students will understand
among the Gentiles by his min- that missionaries should report
istry. their activities to their supporting
Acts 21:19 churches.
A FIRST LOOK
In almost every circumstance we can see clearly when we

look back on history and dimly when we look ahead to the
future. When Paul returned to Jerusalem, he did not know
that in a few short years this city would be destroyed. He was
partly on a mission of mercy. A great deal of money had been
collected among the Gentile churches for the relief of the
poor saints in Jerusalem. Paul referred to this in Romans
15:25-31.
As in our travels today, there was often more than one pur-
pose in a trip. Paul wanted to minister to the poor saints in
Jerusalem, but he also wanted to give a report to the church
there of the progress that
had been made in the Daily Devotionals
Gentile churches. As he
M. Reception of the Gospel, Luke 8:4-15.
said in Acts 20:16, Paul T. Sent To Preach, Luke 9:1-6.
wanted to be in Jeru- W. Test of Discipleship, Luke 9:23-26.
salem for the day of T. Commission To Evangelize, Luke
Pentecost. 24:46-48.
F. Isaiahs Vision, Isaiah 6:1-8.
Paul did use this op- S. Last Invitation, Revelation 22:12-17.
portunity to report to the
43
church the good things God had done through him while he
traveled among the Gentiles. We should note that the church
in Jerusalem did not send Paul out. Paul was a missionary
from the church in Antioch, but he also reported to the
church in Jerusalem. A missionary has a duty to report to all
the churches that support his work in any way, not just to his
sponsoring church.
Paul took his companions with him and went to
Jerusalem. One of these men was a brother from Ephesus
named Trophimus. It was important for the Jews in the
Jerusalem church to see the charity of a Gentile who brought
them an offering in person.
A CLOSER LOOK
I. Pauls Report to the Church
Acts 21:17-19
17. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren
received us gladly.
18. And the day following Paul went in with us unto James;
and all the elders were present.
19. And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly
what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his min-
istry.
Although Luke did not refer to the part of this meeting

when the money collected from the Gentiles was presented to
the church, Paul told us of it in Acts 24:17. Presenting this
gift was one of the purposes of this trip. We have no record of
the reaction of the church to the gift, but we can safely
assume that Paul wanted to establish a good relationship
between the Jewish churches and the Gentile churches.
Surely, this offering would have done that in the mind of any
Jewish church member who stopped to think about it.
There was more to this meeting than money. Paul met
with James and all the elders of the church and told them all
Text: Acts 21:1-40 45
about the things that God had done through him while he
worked among the Gentiles. Even a cursory reading of Acts
1619 will reveal many adventures that would have made
for a truly fascinating report. This remarkable journey still
fills us with wonder even centuries later. How it must have
thrilled these believers struggling in Jerusalem to hear of
the great work that God was doing in other parts of the
world.
Note that while the brethren in Jerusalem glorified God,
their attention was almost immediately turned to the prob-
lems that they were having in Jerusalem. Our present trou-
bles can easily obscure our future blessings.
There is a wonderful and important point to be made con-
cerning the responsibility of any missionary to share his
work with others. You may know what you are doing and
God may know what you are doing, but for others to know,
you will have to tell them. Time spent away from the field in
reporting is not wasted time. If churches are to get their
hearts into mission work, they must have a continuing sup-
ply of information from the mission fields. In our day of mul-
timedia communication, every missionary and every spon-
soring church should see to it that all who have an interest
or might have an interest in their work are well-informed.
We cannot glorify God together if we do not know what is
going on.
II. The Elders Advice to Paul
Acts 21:20-24
20. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said
unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews
there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
21. And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the
Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying
that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk
after the customs.
22. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come
together: for they will hear that thou art come.
23. Do therefore this that we say to thee:We have four men

which have a vow on them;
24. Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at
charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may
know that those things, whereof they were informed concern-
ing thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly,
and keepest the law.
It is obvious that James and the elders of the church at

Jerusalem had a double standard concerning the Law. There
was one standard for Jewish churches and another one for
Gentiles. This was the time of the Feast of Pentecost, and
there were literally thousands of Jews in Jerusalem from all
over the world. Many of those were believers, but they had
never been taught beyond the Old Testament and were still
zealous to carefully observe the Law.
The Temple in Jerusalem was a holy place for Jews of that
day, and many of those present could worship in the Temple
only on special occasions such as this. The elders of the
church saw this as a recipe for trouble. Many of these Jews
in Jerusalem at this time had heard about Paul and the
things that he had taught. Remember that the Jews had vio-
lently opposed Paul in several of the cities he had visited.
Some of those Jews could have been in Jerusalem at this
time. Of course, these Jews would observe every custom of
the Levitical law.
The elders devised a plan so that Paul could demonstrate
to these thousands of Jews that he walked orderly and kept
the Law. There were four men, evidently men in the church,
who had taken a vow. This may have been the vow of a
Nazirite. Paul was asked to pay the bill for these men and go
to the Temple with them publicly so that the Jews present
would see him and know that he was orthodox. Paul agreed
to this plan.
Why did Paul, who had preached against such things, con-
sent? He told us himself in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22. He became
as a Jew to win the Jews. Whether this plan worked or not is
Text: Acts 21:1-40 47
immaterial. Paul was willing to do whatever it took so that

others could come to know Jesus. Looking back, we may
question the wisdom of this recommendation and of the
choice of Paul to go along with the plan, but we can also see
that Paul reacted in love and dedication to a potentially
troubling situation.
III. Gentiles and the Law
Acts 21:25
25. As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written
and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that
they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from
blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
The double standard seems obvious. Trophimus was not

asked to participate in the vow or the ceremony at the
Temple. In fact, he was forbidden by Jewish law from even
going into the Temple. Gentile believers were exempt from
the Law except that they were to avoid fornication and eat-
ing things offered to idols, things strangled and blood.
In spite of all that Stephen and Paul had preached, these
Jews still regarded Christianity as a kind of Judaism. Paul
had an entirely different view. He saw Jesus as a fulfillment
of the Law, not an addition to it. Pauls view would be borne
out in a few years. The Temple would be destroyed and the
shadow of the Law would have to give way to the substance
that is in Christ. After Titus destroyed Jerusalem, no Jew
anywhere thought about going up to the Temple, and they
gave little regard for who else might have gone there. The
customs of the Law that were so zealously guarded at this
time would soon vanish away forever.
Paul showed courtesy and deference to the suggestion of
the brethren. To his credit, he was not stubborn. As we read
later, his actions did not do any good, but he did try. He had
a great burden for his kinsmen according to the flesh, and
this was one more way that he sought to win them.
IV. A First Step
Acts 21:26
26. Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying him-
self with them entered into the temple, to signify the accom-
plishment of the days of purification, until that an offering
should be offered for every one of them.
By going into the Temple, Paul took the first step on a long
road that would end with imprisonment in Rome. What he
actually did was harmless enough, but the consequences
were in what the crowds thought that he did.
At this time Jerusalem was a city in turmoil. From the
time of the crucifixion of Christ until the destruction of the
city about forty years later, Jerusalem was like a volcano
that could erupt at any time. Occasionally, the fires would
break out. There had been many problems for the Romans as
rulers and for the Jews as well. This climate would make
rational thinking about what Paul was doing nearly impos-
sible.
Since Paul was known to be traveling with the Ephesian,
Trophimus, those who saw him in the Temple assumed that
he had taken a Gentile into the Temple with him. It was this
fabricated charge that would lead to Pauls arrest.
Note that by this time the church in Jerusalem had for-
feited much of the great spiritual power that had character-
ized the assembly a few years earlier. When Peter was
arrested and brought before the council, the church met in
constant prayer for his welfare. There is no mention of any-
one from the church offering any prayer or support of any
kind for Paul. Paul was left to fend for himself even though
he had brought a generous offering to the church from the
Gentiles. We are left to wonder if it would have made any dif-
ference if James and the elders had told the council that it
was their idea that Paul go up to the Temple.
Text: Acts 21:1-40 49
A FINAL WORD
Two great things stand out in this passage. First was the
willingness of Paul to give a complete report, even to a
church that did not support his work financially. Note that it
was the missionary who was bringing money to the church,
not the church that was sending money to the missionary. In
spite of this, Paul was ready to share his work with the
brethren in Jerusalem.
Any missionary will limit his ministry if he only reports to
those who support him. The wise missionary will cast [his]
bread upon the waters and share his work with all who will
hear him (Eccl. 11:1).
Then we learn that a missionary must be willing to
become all things to all men so that he can continue with the
work that God has called him to do. We can decide for our-
selves whether or not Paul made a mistake in taking part in
this vow ceremony, but we cannot question his motives. He
was willing to do things that he knew might cause trouble to
further his ministry and his outreach to others. We cannot
always play it safe in every situation. God will call on us to
take chances, and it will not always work out as we might
imagine. In the service of God, it will always work out for
good.
God saw Paul through all of his trials and allowed him to
do a great work, even in prison. God can override the deci-
sions of any man and use every circumstance to accomplish
His will.
July 20, 2003
8 Missionarys Defense
Key Verse: Sunday Devotional: Consider

Him, Hebrews 12:1-4.
For thou shalt be his witness
unto all men of what thou Aim: By the conclusion of this
hast seen and heard. lesson the students will describe the
Acts 22:15 commission to witness to a lost
world.
A FIRST LOOK
When Paul was carrying out the rite of purification by

going up to the Temple, he encountered some of his old ene-
mies from Asia. These Jews hated Paul and stirred up the
people against him by making a false accusation that he had
brought a Gentile into the Temple. Paul had been seen with
Trophimus, so this accusation was plausible.
People in large groups are no more intelligent or rational
than people as individuals. The majority is not always right;
in fact, the majority is often wrong. Paul had not brought a
Gentile into the Temple. He was completely innocent of any
wrongdoing, but this crowd was so angry that they sought
his immediate execution.
When the chief captain, Daily Devotionals
a man named Lysias, M. A Faithful Servant, 2 Timothy 4:1-6.
heard the commotion, he T. Supreme Confidence, 2 Timothy
ordered his soldiers to see 4:16-18.
what the disturbance was W. Finished Course, 2 Timothy 4:7-12.
about. There was confu- T. Call of Matthew, Mark 2:13-20.
sion about who had done F. Jesus Before Pilate, Luke 23:1-5.
S. Jesus Before Herod, Luke 23:6-12.
what. Lysias thought that
50
Text: Acts 22:1-30 51
Paul was an Egyptian who had led four thousand men in a

failed rebellion. When he learned that Paul was a Jew from
Tarsus, he allowed Paul to address the crowd. The Temple
was next door to the Fortress of Antonia. This fortress, or
castle, was the seat of Roman government in Jerusalem, and
it was from these steps that Paul spoke to the crowd.
Paul spoke to a crowd that had already made up its mind
to kill him. As far as Paul was concerned, he was innocent of
any charge against him. In fact, the violence that the crowd
had caused was a violation of the Temple rules. Paul
attempted to set the facts before the crowd, but as we shall
see, a mob is seldom swayed by the truth.
A CLOSER L O O K
I. Pauls Personal History
Acts 22:1-5
1. Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I
make now unto you.
2. (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew
tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)
3. I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in
Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and
taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the
fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
4. And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and
delivering into prisons both men and women.
5. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the
estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the
brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were
there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.
Paul acknowledged that he was defending himself before

this crowd. He did not have to do so. This was not a court;
it was just a group of Jews who were angry with him. But he
was moved with love for them. These Jews had come from all
over the world for the Feast of Pentecost and if he could win
some from this crowd, the gospel could go to many places.
Because this was a Jewish crowd, he spoke in Hebrew. The
Romans likely did not understand much of what he said, so
they would later want to question him again about the riot at
the Temple.
Paul began with his birth and told them of his relationship
with the Law. He mentioned Gamaliel, a notable lawyer, and
recounted his zeal for all the things of the Law. He then told
them that his initial encounter with Christianity was as a
persecutor of Christians. Notice how Paul worked Jesus into
this story. He was accused of bringing a Gentile into the
Temple in violation of the Law, but he used the occasion to
tell these people about Jesus. There are many opportunities
to witness, but we have to be able to recognize them and we
have to be courageous enough to step up and speak up when
we can.
Paul did not tell them anything about his recent activities.
He did not mention his missionary journeys or his relation-
ship with the people in Antioch. We are not under an obliga-
tion to tell everything that we know. Paul knew that mention
of Trophimus or of the church at Ephesus would enrage this
crowd and end his opportunity to witness. Therefore, Paul
did not stray from recounting the things that had happened
to him personally.
The wonderful thing about personal testimony is that it
cannot be refuted. You can accept it or you can reject it, but
you cannot argue that these things did not happen to Paul.
This is why even today a personal testimony is a powerful
witness. You do not have to know everything in order to know
what happened to you. Paul was there and he had lived the
things he told. No doubt there were some in this crowd who
knew that he told the truth about Gamaliel and about his
persecution of the Christians.
Text: Acts 22:1-30 53
II. Paul Told of Meeting Jesus.
Acts 22:6-10
6. And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was
come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone
from heaven a great light round about me.
7. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto
me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
8. And I answered,Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me,
I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
9. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were
afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
10. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto
me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee
of all things which are appointed for thee to do.
This is almost a word-for-word repetition of the account

that we have in Acts 9 of this same incident, but some things
stand out especially vividly. For instance, we learn that it
was nearly high noon when Jesus appeared to Paul. The sun
was at its highest and brightest when a light from Heaven
made the sun look pale by comparison. The powers of men
pale when compared to the powers of what we call nature,
and the powers of nature pale when compared to the power
of God. You may think the sky is bright at noon until the
light of God shines where you are. No wonder those who saw
this light were afraid!
Paul then told what happened. He heard a voice, at first a
voice he did not recognize, asking him a question he never
answered. Why was he persecuting Jesus? Remember, what-
ever we do to the least of the brethren of Jesus, we are doing
to Him for good or bad (Matt. 25:34-46). When he asked who
was talking to him, Jesus identified Himself as Jesus of
Nazareth. This was the first mention of Jesus in this
defense, but it was his relationship with Jesus that Paul
wanted to emphasize in this discourse. Paul moved the
account on to include his ministry to the Gentiles, but he
began with his relationship with Jesus.
If we were ever called on to make a similar defense, we

would do well to learn from this passage and do our best to
steer the conversation around to our relationship with
Christ.
Note that Paul then followed orders. He did what Jesus
told him to do. He was blinded by the great light and he
needed others to help him. This is a great metaphor, perhaps
one that was lost on the crowd, of the helplessness of human-
ity. Even when we think we are seeing clearly, we need some-
one to lead us. Had this crowd really seen Paul with a
Gentile in the Temple? Or had they just heard that someone
else had seen this thing? The blind were really leading the
blind. No one had seen Paul and a Gentile together in the
Temple because he did not violate any of the Temple laws.
III. Pauls Response to the Vision
Acts 22:11-16
11. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being
led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into
Damascus.
12. And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, hav-
ing a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
13. Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother
Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon
him.
14. And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee,
that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and
shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
15. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou
hast seen and heard.
16. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and
wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Paul now introduced Ananias to this crowd. Ananias was

a devout Jew and no doubt there were some in the crowd who
had heard of him. If anyone from this crowd were really lis-
Text: Acts 22:1-30 55
tening, he would have been much moved by the mention of

the names of Gamaliel and Ananias. But the sophistication
of Pauls defense was lost on most of this mob of Jews.
However, he did try to make a persuasive case. He used
his Jewish name, Saul, here. Paul was the Greek form of the
name and he avoided this, although by this time he was com-
monly called Paul. He recounted the miracle of his recovery
of his sight and then told the crowd the wonderful message
that God gave Ananias for him. We do not read here of the
initial reluctance of Ananias to visit Paul. The message that
Ananias gave Paul was given to Ananias by Jesus Himself.
Paul was a chosen vessel, chosen by God for a special
work. That work was to be a witness to all men of the things
that he had seen and heard. This is one of the best defini-
tions of witnessing that we will ever find. We are to tell oth-
ers the things that have happened to us. We do not have to
be theological experts to be witnesses. We do not have to
understand all mysteries and be able to answer all ques-
tions. We just have to love the Lord and be willing to tell oth-
ers the things that we have seen and heard. Paul did this
and no one could deny that he was telling the truth.
So that nothing was left out, Paul mentioned his baptism.
When Paul used the expression wash away thy sins, he was
not teaching that there is some spiritually cleansing virtue
in baptism. Only God can forgive sins. If our sins are not for-
given by God first, baptism will only get us wet. Paul was
showing this ritualistic, unruly crowd what scriptural bap-
tism really means. It is the outward evidence of an inward
conversion. Baptism is figurative of the literal salvation that
takes place in our hearts.
A FINAL WORD
This defense was going fine until Paul used the word
Gentile. When he did, the crowd lost control and pronounced
a death sentence on Paul. They did not lose control at the
mention of Jesus or of baptism, but when Paul said Gentile,

it was all over.
Remember that Paul had spoken to Lysias initially in
Greek. He spoke in Hebrew to the crowd, so the Romans did
not understand much of what he said. Lysias ordered that he
be tortured, or scourged, so that he could find out what this
uproar was about, but Paul then exerted his claim as a
Roman citizen. It was against Roman law to torture a Roman
citizen, so Paul avoided this kind of examination. In fact,
Lysias was even uneasy that he had restrained Paul at all at
this point. Lysias turned Paul loose and ordered a trial
before the Hebrew council, the Sanhedrin.
We must remember that none of these trials were really
attempts to find out the truth. Paul had done nothing at all
that would merit imprisonment, let alone death, but, when
facing an angry mob, that mattered little.
Notably, the leaders of the Jerusalem church made no
defense of Paul. While prayer was offered for Peter and oth-
ers put in prison, no such prayer meeting was mentioned
here. Even when the situation had calmed down and Paul
was transferred to Caesarea, none of the brethren from
Jerusalem went to offer him any help. To Pauls eternal cred-
it, he never changed his story, and his actions did not bring
discredit to anyone. He was a wonderful example of telling
the truth under great stress.
July 27, 2003
9 Missionary Endangered
Key Verse: Sunday Devotional: Gods

And when it was day, certain of Protection, Psalm 91:1-7.
the Jews banded together, and
bound themselves under a curse, Aim: By the conclusion of this
saying that they would neither eat lesson the students will appreciate
nor drink till they had killed Paul. the dangers to pastors and mis-
Acts 23:12
sionaries.
A FIRST LOOK
Pauls arrest in Jerusalem would afford him a number of

opportunities to witness before the officials of the Roman
empire. He would have access to situations and circum-
stances that would allow the gospel to be heard in high
places, but this was not without a price. Then and now, the
truth of God causes a real stir when it is preached.
As we read of Pauls defense, we must remember that he
was completely innocent of all the charges that were brought
against him. He seemed to believe that, if he could just
explain what had happened, reasonable people would see
that he had done nothing wrong. But Paul was not facing a
reasonable crowd. As he
appeared before the Daily Devotionals
Sanhedrin, he was be- M. Paul To Be Offered Up, Philippians
fore a group that had 2:17-25.
already decided that he T. Be Not Afraid, Jeremiah 1:4-10.
was guilty. When Paul W. Submit to Ordinance, 1 Peter 2:13-17.
declared his innocence, T. Christs Example of Suffering, 1 Peter
the high priest ordered 2:21-25.
F. Cast Care on Him, 1 Peter 5:7-11.
him smitten on the S. Spirit of Truth and Error, 1 John 4:1-6.
mouth. Paul did not rec-
57
ognize Ananias as the high priest, perhaps because of his fail-

ing eyesight, and Paul apologized for his outburst; neverthe-
less, Paul was correct. His initial punishment was contrary
to the Law that this council was supposed to be upholding.
Paul then switched tactics. He no longer was just trying to
tell what happened at the Temple. He was now using all his
wit and ability to forestall the evil judgment of this group.
Words are powerful and often lead to violence and even
death. We can easily be put in mortal danger by the things
we say, but words can also get us out of many situations.
A CLOSER L O O K
I. An Exercise of Wisdom
Acts 23:6-8
6. But when Paul perceived that the one part were
Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council,
Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the
hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
7. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between
the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divid-
ed.
8. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nei-
ther angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
The council that was judging Paul was by no means unan-

imous in their opinions. Paul realized this and used this
internal division on the Hebrew council to his own purposes.
He seemed to realize that he could not establish his inno-
cence by merely stating the facts of this matter. He had done
that on the steps of the castle, the Fortress of Antonia, but
the mob would not listen. The actions of the high priest indi-
cated that the council would not listen either, so Paul took a
different approach.
Paul saw that the council was about equally divided
between Pharisees and Sadducees; therefore, he declared
Text: Acts 23:1-35 59
that he was a Pharisee and that the reason he was on trial

was because he believed in the resurrection. This was alto-
gether true. Paul was a Pharisee before he was saved and
the resurrection is one of the fundamental truths of
Christianity. Paul was not telling a lie; he was just choosing
which truth he would tell. His statement put an entirely dif-
ferent perspective on this trial.
The Pharisees and Sadducees on the council began to
argue among themselves, and the crowd was divided. Before,
they were all against Paul; now, they were against each
other. The problem was that the Sadducees did not believe in
the resurrection, angels or spirits. Naturally, they would
deny that Paul had seen anything on the Damascus road.
The Pharisees believed in all of these things, so what Paul
said was at least possible in the mind of a Pharisee.
Now the council members were fighting with each other
over Paul rather than all agreeing that Paul should die. This
may not seem like much of a change, but it was significant.
Paul had turned this argument into a matter of doctrine, not
one of personalities.
II. The End of the Trial
Acts 23:9, 10
9. And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of
the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in
this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us
not fight against God.
10. And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain,
fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them,
commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force
from among them, and to bring him into the castle.
The Pharisees on the council judged that, if a spirit or an

angel had spoken to Paul, there was no evil in him. Of
course, the Sadducees objected. We can see a trace of the rea-
soning of Gamaliel in the decree of the Pharisees. They did
not want to be found fighting against God.
As usually happens, the argument escalated, and the

crowd was moved to violence. There was a kind of continuum
of force where words could escalate into physical violence
and physical violence could end in death. That was happen-
ing here. The great principles and precepts of the Law of
Moses had been set aside, and these wise men who were sup-
posed to be leaders of Israel had degenerated into a mob. It
appeared to Lysias that the crowd would literally pull Paul
into pieces, some defending him and others trying to harm
him.
The captain ordered the soldiers to go into the council and
forcefully remove Paul and bring him into the Fortress of
Antonia, which is called the castle. This fortress was the seat
of Roman government in Jerusalem and it was on the north-
ern wall of the Temple. Lysias knew that Paul was Roman
and he did not want a Roman citizen to suffer the indignities
of mob violence. It is likely that once again Paul spoke
Hebrew before the council, so the Romans might not have
known all that was said, but they did know that the council
was not able to render a verdict.
Paul had not won his case before the council, but they had
not killed him either. However, this did not mean that Paul
was out of danger.
III. The Promise of the Lord
Acts 23:11
11. And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said,
Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in
Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
Although it might seem that Pauls ministry was at a dead

end, God was not through with him by any means. Paul may
have been discouraged. He had brought an offering to the
church in Jerusalem and he had followed the advice of the
elders to go to the Temple. He had done his best to help, but
all his good deeds had been turned against him. Paul had
Text: Acts 23:1-35 61
faced two trials and was kept in the castle for his own pro-
tection. He could not even go about his normal business.
We can ask again, Where was the church in all of this?
Were they praying for Paul as they had for Peter? Did some
of the many priests who were believers speak up for Paul?
Why not? We do not know, but we do know that there is no
biblical record of anyone in the church at Jerusalem doing
anything to try to help Paul during this trying time.
But God is always there. God came to stand by him and to
declare that his ministry was not over. The events that start-
ed in the Temple in Jerusalem would end in Rome. Paul was
being put on the center stage of the world, and we will only
learn in eternity how powerful the witness was that he gave
during these last years of his life and ministry.
I am reminded of Samson, the Hebrew hero who killed
more Philistines at his death than he had killed throughout
his time as a mighty soldier (Judges 16:30). Perhaps Paul
did more good through his letters and his witnessing all the
way up the Roman chain of justice than he did as a traveling
evangelist. We do know that God wanted Paul to witness in
Rome. Paul may have been a prisoner and he may have been
in danger, but he was never safer in his life than he was
when Jesus stood by him and gave him this promise.
IV. The Conspiracy of the Jews
Acts 23:12, 13
12. And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded togeth-
er, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would
neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
13. And they were more than forty which had made this con-
spiracy.
We should take the things we say seriously. Our enemies

certainly do. When some of the Jews saw that the mob could
not kill Paul, that the council had not taken his life and that
the Romans had protected him, they decided to take matters
into their own hands.
Note that there was no pretense of fair judgment. These

Jews had decided that Paul was guilty and that the punish-
ment for what he had done was death. His crime was bring-
ing a Gentile into the Temple. They knew that he was guilty
and that he should die.
They took an oath that they would not eat or drink until
they had killed Paul. They intended to carry out this scheme
in the near future. Their plan was to make up a pretext to get
Paul brought before the council once more. They engaged the
men of the Sanhedrin to help them. No doubt some of the
Sadducees who were on the council agreed to help. They
planned to murder him when they saw him and to suffer the
consequences.
These things did not happen, and we wonder if these Jews
ever ate anything again. They did not kill Paul. God had
already promised Paul that he would witness in Rome and
nothing that Satan could do would countermand Gods deci-
sion.
A FINAL WORD
Lysias realized that this situation was about to get out of

control. He had a riot and rebellion on his hands, so he decid-
ed to do what most bureaucrats dohe sent the matter to his
superiors. He sent Paul under armed guard to the governor
Felix at Caesarea. Paul departed Jerusalem in the third hour
of the night guarded by two hundred soldiers, seventy horse-
men and two hundred spearmen. It is clear that Lysias was
taking seriously the threat of the Jews to murder Paul.
But Paul had a greater force guarding him than this con-
tingent of the Roman army. Paul was in the care and keep-
ing of Christ. The words of Agabus had come to pass. The
Jews had delivered Paul to the Gentiles and now he was in
the hands of the Romans. God knew all along what would
happen to Paul.
When we will dedicate ourselves to doing the will of God,
no matter what the circumstances, we can always count on
the protection and provision of God.
August 3, 2003
10 Missionary in Court
Text: Acts 24:1-27 Focus: Acts 24:1-10, 24-27
Key Verse: Sunday Devotional: Be-

Then Paul, after that the governor
fore Rulers, Mark 13:9-13.
had beckoned unto him to speak,
answered, Forasmuch as I know that
Aim: By the conclusion of
thou hast been of many years a
this lesson the students will be
judge unto this nation, I do the
able to emulate Pauls conduct
more cheerfully answer for myself.
in court.
Acts 24:10
A FIRST LOOK
As a Roman citizen, Paul was entitled to Roman justice.

But in this case Roman justice was not just. Felix and Paul
offer us a remarkable contrast. Felix was an absolute
scoundrel. He had been a slave and had insinuated himself
into the relatively high position of governor of Judea, but he
was a governor who could not govern. He did almost every-
thing wrong and eventually would lose his seat to Festus.
Under Felix, justice was for sale to the highest bidder.
On the other hand, Paul was a man of the highest moral
principles. He had not
done anything wrong; Daily Devotionals
indeed, he would not do M. Troubled But Not Distressed, 2 Cor-

inthians 4:8-18.
anything wrong no mat- T. Ambassadors for Christ, 2 Corinthi-
ter what pressures were ans 5:14-21.
W. Appeal to Reason, Isaiah 1:16-20.
brought to bear on him.
T. Why Some Are Not Saved, Jeremiah
But to the Jews all this 8:18-22.
did not matter. They had F. Uncertain Future, James 4:12-17.
S. My Shepherd, Psalm 23:1-6.
lost all sense of reason.
63
There had been vows made that Paul must die, and to
them his guilt or innocence was no longer in question.
Note that often a trial is as much political as judicial.
Public opinion and outrage have a lot to do with justice, even
in modern courts. When we add a judge who is waiting for a
bribe to be offered, the chances of justice are slim. This was
the circumstance Paul faced in Caesarea.
A CLOSER L O O K
I. The Jews Come to Caesarea.
Acts 24:1, 2
1. And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with
the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who
informed the governor against Paul.
2. And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse
him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and
that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy provi-
dence.
Paul was taken under armed guard from Jerusalem to

Caesarea. We can assume that Lysias informed the council
that Paul had been taken to appear before Felix. So without
delay, the high priest and the elders traveled to Caesarea to
appear as prosecutors in the case of Paul. This was a
remarkable departure for the high priest. His duties did not
include appearing before heathen magistrates to prosecute
fellow Jews. In fact, he was supposed to serve as an impar-
tial judge in matters of the Law, but here, there was no
impartiality.
To make their case, the Jews had hired an orator named
Tertullus. This man had a Roman name and was skilled in
communication and knowledge of Roman law. We may
assume that he, like Paul, was also a Jew because he includ-
Text: Acts 24:1-27 65
ed himself with those who found error in Paul. If Tertullus

was a lawyer for hire, we can only assume that he was paid
with funds from the Temple treasury. This indicates the
depth of the hatred that Paul had stirred in the hearts of the
Jews.
When Tertullus began to speak, he began with flattery
that, like most flattery, had little basis in truth. There was
not great quietness in the land, just the opposite. Felix had
not shown the Jews worthy deeds. He had badly misman-
aged and misunderstood the Jews in Judea and would even-
tually be removed from office because of it. But Tertullus was
earning his money, and he began by appealing to the flesh
and ego of the judge.
II. The Charges Are Brought.
Acts 24:3-9
3. We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix,
with all thankfulness.
4. Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I
pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few
words.
5. For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover
of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ring-
leader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
6. Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom
we took, and would have judged according to our law.
7. But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great
violence took him away out of our hands,
8. Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examin-
ing of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things,
whereof we accuse him.
9. And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were
so.
Many things that happen in the heat and passion of a

moment look rather foolish in the calm and clear light of rea-
son. Tertullus had to strain to make any kind of case at all

against Paul. His first accusation was that he was a pesti-
lent fellow. This means that Tertullus thought Paul was a
troublemaker. This was partly true, but the Jews had caused
much more trouble than Paul had. Then he accused Paul of
causing sedition among the Jews worldwide. This charge
was serious because it suggested that Paul was trying to stir
the Jews to rebellion against the emperor. It was untrue, of
course, but it would be difficult to disprove.
Finally, Paul was accused of being a ringleader of the sect
of the Nazarenes. This accusation is revealing. It shows
that the Jews regarded Christianity as a branch of Judaism.
As the Pharisees and the Sadducees were sects of the Jews,
now the Nazarenes were regarded as one of these sects. It is
in the Gentile world that disciples wear the name Christian,
not among the Jews.
Tertullus declared that Paul was a dangerous man. He
then stated that Paul had profaned the Temple. Note that
these three words were the only part of this speech that was
an actual charge. Tertullus began by defaming Paul and
ended by recounting recent history. Buried in the middle
was the accusation that Paul had profaned the Temple.
Tertullus did not even mention specificsthat is, that Paul
was accused of bringing a Gentile into the Temple. Felix was
a Gentile and he might not have taken so kindly to this part
of Jewish law.
Tertullus concluded by recounting how Paul was brought
before the council. This was a one-sided account, but
Tertullus was hired to tell things the Jews way. He ended by
throwing a thinly veiled insult toward Lysias. Then all the
Jews that were present assented to these words, adding
their voices to this accusation toward Paul.
A wise person will read these words and see that they
were long on rhetoric and short on actual detail. Only three
words actually accused Paul of anything, and no witnesses
were brought to show that he actually profaned the Temple
in any way.
Text: Acts 24:1-27 67
III. Paul Before Felix
Acts 24:10
10. Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto
him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast
been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more
cheerfully answer for myself:
At this time Paul seemed to believe that, when he got a

chance to explain himself, justice would be done. He was
innocent and he welcomed a chance to defend himself. His
defense appears in verses 11 through 21. In these verses
Paul went over much of the material he had used in his for-
mer defense before the crowd and before the council.
His mission to Jerusalem had been one of love and mercy.
He had not done anything that should have offended anyone
in anyway; yet, he was on trial. He simply stated that there
was no proof of any of the things that he had been accused of
doing. He was there because of the things he believed about
Jesus, not because of the things that he had done.
We should learn here that our beliefs about God can bring
forth strong feelings. Literally, wars have been fought and
many people have died because of what they did and did not
believe about religion. Beliefs are powerful things and Paul
had aroused strong sentiments among the Jews in Jeru-
salem.
He concluded by simply stating that he believed in the res-
urrection and that was the real reason he was on trial. Paul
was even more skillful than Tertullus. The Jews should have
asked Tertullus for a refund, but Paul adequately got to the
heart of this matter. It was about Jesus and about whether
Jesus was living or dead. It was about the resurrection.
IV. Felix Before Paul
Acts 24:24-27
24. And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife
Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him
concerning the faith in Christ.
25. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and

judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way
for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for
thee.
26. He hoped also that money should have been given him of
Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the
oftener, and communed with him.
27. But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room:
and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
Drusilla was Felix third wife. She was the daughter of

Herod Agrippa, the one who was eaten of worms that we read
about in Acts 12:23. Drusilla knew a lot about Jewish cus-
toms, so Felix brought her to hear what Paul would say
about the charges that were brought against him. Felix had
determined that he would keep Paul under guard until he
could hear from Lysias. During this time, Paul had general
liberty to come and go, but a centurion kept him under
guard.
So on an occasion, Felix and Drusilla came to hear Paul.
Paul had a simple and direct message for this pair. Knowing
their background, it was even more appropriate. Paul told
them about righteousness. He was speaking to two grossly
immoral people. Both of them had lived selfish lives; they
were seeking only the things that would advance them in the
Roman empire.
Paul spoke of temperance or self-control. Once again, here
were people who were used to indulging every lust and desire
of their flesh. Finally, he reasoned of judgment that was to
come. Now this message hit home. If there is life after death
and if there is a resurrection, then things are not really over
when we die. We will live on in eternity and we will be
accountable there for the things we do while on this earth.
This is sobering enough for a saved person and it is terrify-
ing for those who are lost.
Felix did what many men who are under conviction do, he
stalled. He sent Paul away stating that the season was not
convenient for him to consider these things. We can only
Text: Acts 24:1-27 69
wonder how many people are in hell today because they

could never find a convenient time to repent of their sins and
place their faith in Jesus.
We see that Felix had an even more sinister motive. He
wanted someone to give him a bribe so that he could turn
Paul loose. He sent for Paul often but never decided to let
him go.
A FINAL WORD
There are many lessons in this account that are applica-

ble to us today. We should learn of the intensity of the pas-
sions that we stir when we serve the Lord. Like Paul, we
may do nothing wrong to anyone, but we can still be the vic-
tims of unreasonable hatred. When we are, we should learn
from Paul how we should handle such a situation. He did not
make any cross accusations against anyone. Rather, he told
the truth and let the truth speak for itself.
We should learn something of the power of the gospel.
When Paul preached to Felix, it clearly made this immoral
Roman uncomfortable. Felix knew that Paul was telling the
truth and Felix knew that he needed to be saved. We can do
no better than to tell others about Jesus, no matter what our
circumstances.
We are left to wonder why no one from the church at
Jerusalem made any appearance on behalf of Paul during
these two years. The church had money. Paul had brought it
to them, but they did not use any of it to gain his freedom.
Only God knows why. We do know that God was in control.
Paul would go on to be a witness in Rome, and his message
would go throughout the Roman world.
August 10, 2003
11 Missionary Makes
an Appeal
Key Verse: Sunday Devotional: A

For if I be an offender, or have com- Living Sacrifice, Romans 12:1-
mitted any thing worthy of death, I 5.
refuse not to die: but if there be none
of these things whereof these accuse Aim: By the conclusion of
me, no man may deliver me unto this lesson the students will
them. I appeal unto Caesar. realize why Paul made an
Acts 25:11 appeal to Caesar.
A FIRST LOOK
Only twelve days had passed since Paul went to Jerusalem

to deliver the money for the poor saints and to worship, but
a great deal in his life had changed forever. Following his
rescue from the Sanhedrin, he had been taken at night under
heavily armed guards to Caesarea. He would then appear
before the Roman governor of Judea, Felix.
Felix was a great contrast to Paul. Paul was a noble and
honest man directed in his life by a love for the Lord and the
highest of moral principles. Felix was a scoundrel. He had
been a slave before he insinuated himself into government
and was for sale to the Daily Devotionals
highest bidder. In fact,
M. Fools for Christs Sake, 1 Corinthians
after hearing Pauls case, 4:9-17.
he waited anxiously for T. Walk Worthy of Vocation, Ephesians
someone to come and 4:1-6.
offer him a bribe to let W. Enemy Because of the Truth,
Paul go (Acts 24:26). Paul Galatians 4:15-18.
T. Some Shall Suffer Persecution, 2
appeared before Felix, Timothy 3:10-15.
and later on Felix ap- F. Maintain Good Works, Titus 3:8-15.
peared before Paul. In S. The Mind of Christ in Us, Philippians
this second encounter we 2:5-8.
70
Text: Acts 25:1-27 71
have the statement by Felix that is frequently quoted and is

recorded in Acts 24:25. Felix indicated that he needed a con-
venient season to be converted, but he really was greedy. His
conviction for his sins was real, but it was overridden by his
love for money.
Paul was kept in this situation for two years. Felix was
waiting for a bribe, and he was such a poor governor that he
had already angered the Jews. Paul became a victim of polit-
ical circumstances.
Then Felix was recalled and a new governor, Festus, came
on the scene. Now things would change for Paul.
A CLOSER L O O K
I. A New RulerAn Old Problem
Acts 25:1-3
1. Now when Festus was come into the province, after three
days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
2. Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed
him against Paul, and besought him,
3. And desired favour against him, that he would send for
him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
At first, Festus seemed to be a noble and able ruler. He

had only been in Judea for three days when he decided to
leave Caesarea and go to Jerusalem. No doubt, he wanted to
see firsthand what all the controversy among the Jews was
all about. Felix had been relieved in large part because he
could not handle the unruly Jews. Festus wanted to see what
the problem was, so he went to Jerusalem.
When he got there, the high priest immediately brought
the case of Paul before him. The incident that caused Pauls
arrest was now two years old, but the hatred of the Jews had
not abated. The Feast of Pentecost was long over, Trophimus
was no longer in Jerusalem and the vows were forgotten.
72 Missionary Makes an Appeal
Indeed, the church in Jerusalem was no longer involved at

all in these matters. But the Jews remembered that they
hated Paul, so the high priest asked Festus for a favor.
Because it was customary for a new governor to grant a
favor of some kind to the people he was ruling, the high
priest was using political custom to get his way. The request
seemed simple. He asked that Festus bring Paul to
Jerusalem for a trial, but the high priest had no intention of
having a trial. He was just looking for an opportunity to kill
Paul. What a remarkable revelation of how far we can slip
into immorality. Here was the high priest of Israel conspir-
ing to commit murder. He was breaking the commandment
of God. He had to know that, but his hatred of Paul had
blinded his mind to his own sin. Hatred and anger are like
that. They can blind us to the simple and sensible truth that
we would otherwise know.
II. Festus Exercises Wisdom.
Acts 25:4-6
4. But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea,
and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
5. Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go
down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness
in him.
6. And when he had tarried among them more than ten
days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on
the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.
Festus realized that something was wrong, so he wisely

decided that rather than bringing Paul to Jerusalem, he
would go to Caesarea for any trial that needed to be held.
Those who wanted to accuse Paul could go and make their
case there.
Festus continued his tour and inspection of Jerusalem for
the next ten days and then went to Caesarea. The next day
he sent for Paul, and the trial began.
Text: Acts 25:1-27 73
We should pause a moment to consider the wisdom of

Festus in this decision. At first glance, it seems that Festus
wanted to do the right thing. We can applaud him for not giv-
ing in to the demands of the high priest at first because this
showed some character and determination.
Paul was in a dangerous situation. It was customary for a
new ruler to grant the first request, but this first request
concerned him. Paul knew that he would be killed if he was
taken to Jerusalem. The hatred of the Jews had not let up
during the two years that Paul had been confined in
Caesarea. The only thing that saved him was the Roman
understanding of justice. Festus did indeed want to placate
the Jews, but Roman law demanded that a Roman citizen be
given a fair trial. It was Pauls appeal to Lysias that he was
a Roman that had stopped the scourging, and now it was the
knowledge that he was a Roman that prevented him from
being tried before the Jews. As a Roman, Paul had to be tried
in the Roman court at Caesarea.
III. Accusation and Answers
Acts 25:7, 8
7. And when he was come, the Jews which came down from
Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous com-
plaints against Paul, which they could not prove.
8. While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of
the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar,
have I offended any thing at all.
We have three accounts in Acts of Pauls trial before

Festus. One is in our Text verses, the others are in Acts
25:13-21 and in Acts 28:17-19. It is interesting to study these
accounts, but here the situation is summed up for us suc-
cinctly. The Jews came and made many complaints against
Paul but offered no proof for any of them. These things may
have seemed strange to Festus. They could have appeared as
minor things to him, but obviously the Jews who accused
Paul took their complaints seriously.
Paul made an adequate and able defense. There was no

proof of an offense against the Jews or the Romans. From the
things that were presented here, two things were clear. One
was that Paul was not guilty of anything at all. He had done
no wrong and no provable charge had ever been brought
against him. He did not take a Gentile into the Temple and
no one saw him do it. He was innocent of all charges. Festus
knew this and so did everyone who observed the trial.
The second thing that was obvious was that the Jews
wanted Pauls blood. They would not rest until he was killed.
It did not matter to them whether he was innocent or guilty.
They wanted him dead. Perhaps this was a holdover from
the anger that Paul had stirred up among the Jews during
his missionary journeys. It seemed unlikely that the Jews at
Jerusalem could stir up so much hatred all by themselves.
In one way the Jews were correct. Paul was a threat to
them and to what they believed. If Jesus was who He said
He was, then Judaism was finished. In fact, Jerusalem and
the Temple were on a short leash at this time. In a few years
the Romans would resolve the Jewish problem by destroying
all of the nation they could. The Temple would be destroyed
and Jerusalem would be torn down. In the cities of Asia
Minor and Greece, where Paul and others had gone,
Christianity would grow and flourish.
IV. Hard Choices
Acts 25:9-12
9. But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered
Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be
judged of these things before me?
10. Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where
I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou
very well knowest.
11. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing wor-
thy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these
things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto
them. I appeal unto Caesar.
Text: Acts 25:1-27 75
12. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council,

answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt
thou go.
Now Festus changed his mind. Finding out that the case
against Paul involved Jewish customs and Temple worship,
he decided to do the Jews a favor and send Paul to
Jerusalem. He may have meant that Paul would go to
Jerusalem and be judged before the Sanhedrin, or he may
have meant that he himself would go there and conduct
another trial. We do not know for sure, but we do know that
Paul wanted to be judged under Roman law.
Paul knew that the Jews would kill him if he went to
Jerusalem. Paul was not unwilling to die if he had done
something wrong, but he did not want to die for things he
had not done. Faced with the prospect of being sent to
Jerusalem and certain death, he made the only choice left to
him. He appealed to Caesar.
When Rome was a republic, certain men were elected to be
tribunes. A tribune had the power to go into a court and halt
the proceedings anytime he wanted. The case would then be
tried before the tribune. When Rome became an empire, the
emperor assumed all the duties of the tribunes. The emper-
or had the power to interfere in or reverse the decision of any
court under Roman authority.
An ordinary man could not appeal to this power of the
emperor, but a Roman citizen could. When any Roman
appealed to Caesar, the trial or proceeding would have to
stop, and the matter would then be brought before the
emperor. History reveals that the emperor seldom reversed
the decisions of lower courts. In fact, appealing to Caesar
was in most cases a sure loss; nevertheless, the remedy was
open to any Roman citizen. The only exceptions were those
Romans caught in the act of robbery or treason.
Paul did not have a good choice in this situation. He could
either go to Jerusalem and be killed by the Jews or he could
appeal to Caesar and, at the least, stay in confinement for a
much longer time. Once he appealed to Caesar, there was
nothing else to be done. Festus stopped the trial and pre-

pared to send Paul to Rome as soon as possible.
A FINAL WORD
Often we have to make a choice in a situation where nei-

ther choice that we can make is the one we really want. Paul
was innocent of all charges, but the hatred of the Jews would
have gotten him killed if he chose to go to Jerusalem.
Therefore, Paul took the only choice he really had. He
appealed to Augustus.
Festus was now faced with sending a prisoner to Rome
without being able to spell out the criminal charges against
him. But God would have His way in all of this. Jesus had
told Paul that he would be a witness in Rome, and now God
had arranged it so that Paul could go there and do exactly
that.
No matter what the courts of men may decree, Jesus is
greater than them all. When we determine to do His will, we
bring ourselves under the shadow of His protective wing.
From that position we can never fail, no matter what others
do or do not do. Paul was innocent, and the most important
thing for him was to serve the Lord. God allowed him to pur-
sue his ministry in Rome and, through the contacts he made
there, throughout the Roman empire.
August 17, 2003
12 Missionary Obedience
Sunday Devotional: Counted

Key Verse: Faithful, 1 Timothy 1:11-16.
Whereupon, O king Agrippa,
I was not disobedient unto Aim: By the conclusion of this
the heavenly vision. lesson the students will describe the
Acts 26:19 obedience necessary for missionar-
ies.
A FIRST LOOK
When Paul appealed to Caesar, Festus had a problem.

Paul, as a Roman citizen, had a right to appeal to Caesar and
he had done so to avoid the lynch mob in Jerusalem. Festus,
as governor of Judea, had to write down the charges against
Paul and send them to Caesar.
Festus had determined that Paul had not done anything
that was worthy of death; therefore, he was faced with the
dilemma of sending a relatively minor case to the highest
court in the land. Augustus, the emperor, might well wonder
why Festus had not dealt with this matter himself.
While Festus pondered this problem, Agrippa and Bernice
came to Caesarea to greet the new Roman governor. Festus
seized the opportunity to ask Agrippa to hear Paul and help
determine what charges should be sent to Caesar. The stage
was set for the wonder- Daily Devotionals
ful opportunity for Paul M. Jesus Pleased the Father, John 8:26-32.
to witness before the T. Faithful Stewards, 1 Corinthians 4:1-9.
leaders of the govern- W. Loyalty to Christ, Matthew 11:2-10.
T. Faithful Servants, Romans 16:19-27.
ment of Judea. F. Obedient Christians, 2 Corinthians
Unlike his other ap- 7:10-16.
pearances in court, this S. Press Forward, Philippians 3:10-14.
77
time Paul would be allowed to tell the whole story and the
power of the gospel would do its wonderful work.
God had promised Paul that he would go to Rome and be
a witness to many people. It would begin before Festus and
Agrippa.
A CLOSER L O O K
I. Pauls Testimony
Acts 26:19-23
19. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto
the heavenly vision:
20. But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at
Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to
the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do
works meet for repentance.
21. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and
went about to kill me.
22. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto
this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other
things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should
come:
23. That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first
that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the
people, and to the Gentiles.
Verse 19 begins at the conclusion of Pauls testimony.

When he defended himself before the Sanhedrin, he was
interrupted when he mentioned the word Gentile. Here he
was allowed to finish. Paul told something of his missionary
journeys and of the work God had allowed him to do.
First, we read that Paul had done all his work in obedi-
ence to the commands that Jesus had given him. Paul had
preached the resurrection, and the appearance of Jesus on
the road to Damascus confirmed that Jesus was indeed alive
and well. The goal of Pauls ministry was to preach forgive-
Text: Acts 26:1-32 79
ness of sin and an inheritance among those who are sancti-

fied by faith in Jesus. Paul had faithfully discharged this
responsibility and the trouble that he now had was because
he had done what Jesus had told him to do.
The wonderful thing about personal testimony is that it
cannot be denied. You can accept it or reject it, but you can-
not honestly say that it did not happen. Clearly what hap-
pened to him on the road to Damascus had changed his life.
Like John the Baptist, Paul had preached repentance and
the doing of works meet for repentance. He had preached this
same message to the Jews and to the Gentiles. Paul knew
that Agrippa was something of an expert in the customs and
questions of the Jews, so he gave a thorough explanation of
his ministry here. Note that the outcome of the trial was not
in question. Paul was going to Rome. The only question to be
settled was concerning the specific charges that would go
with him.
Paul affirmed that he was only preaching what Moses and
the Old Testament prophets had foretold. Anyone who was
well acquainted with the Old Testament knew of these
prophecies, and anyone who knew about the life and min-
istry of Jesus also knew that every one of these prophecies
uniquely fit. Jesus was indeed the Christ, the Son of the liv-
ing God.
II. Festus Testimony

Acts 26:24-26
24. And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud
voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make
thee mad.
25. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak
forth the words of truth and soberness.
26. For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I
speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are
hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
Paul testified about the Jews, those he referred to as the

people in verse 23, but then he also included the Gentiles.
Festus was a Gentile, and he realized that this was not just
a matter of their own superstition as he had said in Acts

25:19. The power of the gospel had touched the heart of this
Roman governor and he reacted.
Festus shouted. He spoke with a loud voice. Often when
our emotions are aroused, our voices are raised. There was
no need to shout, but strong passions had been brought to
the surface, and Festus was no doubt convicted by the things
Paul had said.
His declaration was that Paul was beside himself, literal-
ly schizophrenic. Paul was judged to be all right when he
spoke about most things. Festus knew that Paul was clever
and he knew that Paul was an able orator, but when Paul
spoke about Jesus, Festus then thought that Paul was mad.
When Christians go into the world, we can be admired and
appreciated as long as we do not mention Jesus. We will be
admired for our good behavior and appreciated for our recti-
tude and conduct, but when we begin to speak of Jesus, our
world will still think that we are mad.
Paul did not try to prove that he was mentally competent.
He declared that he was not mad and once again pointed
Festus to the truth of the message of the gospel. Festus did
not like what Paul said, but he could not deny anything that
Paul had spoken. The words of Paul were true and sober.
Festus needed to let these words sink into his heart and pro-
duce repentance and faith.
Paul then turned to Agrippa for a witness. He reminded
Agrippa that these were truths of the Old Testament and
that none of the life of Jesus was lived in secret. Paul was
not talking about secret hidden mysteries. The resurrection
had been seen by hundreds of people (1 Cor. 15:6). The Jews
had taken great pains to cover it up, but these high govern-
mental officials knew of the plot. The Romans knew that
they guarded the grave and that Jesus was not in it. The
Jews knew about the plot to bribe the guards to say that the
body was stolen (Matt. 28:11-14). This was a secret that the
highest officials kept, but they knew that Jesus had really
risen from the grave.
Paul was telling the truth and both Festus and Agrippa
knew that he was.
Text: Acts 26:1-32 81
III. Agrippas Testimony
Acts 26:27-29
27. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that
thou believest.
28. Then Agrippa said unto Paul,Almost thou persuadest me
to be a Christian.
29. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also
all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such
as I am, except these bonds.
Paul then turned to Agrippa and asked him a simple ques-

tion. Do you believe the prophets? Paul answered the ques-
tion for Agrippa, and Agrippa did not dispute the answer.
Agrippa did believe the prophets of the Old Testament. He
knew that the case had been made and that Paul had told
the truth about Jesus. There was no way to refute what Paul
had said.
Festus declaration that Paul was mad carried no weight. It
was like what he had heard the Jews from Jerusalem say. They
just did not like Paul and had no real charges against him.
Agrippa added the famous remark that he was almost per-
suaded to be a Christian. There are those who say that
Agrippa spoke sarcastically and that he was not really under
conviction. I believe that Agrippa was seriously touched by
what Paul had said in verse 8. Why should anyone think that
it is incredible that God should raise the dead? This thought
stuck in the mind of the king, and, when the case was made,
he saw that Paul was not mad but that he told the absolute
truth about Jesus. The proof that Agrippa was under convic-
tion was in the response of Paul.
Paul responded that it was his desire that Agrippa not be
almost persuaded, but fully persuaded to be a Christian.
Paul wanted this for Agrippa and for Festus and for Bernice
and for all that were listening. He wanted everyone to share
his faith and even his circumstance, except for the fact that
he was a prisoner.
Agrippa himself showed that the message of the gospel

had convicting power because he immediately ended the
meeting. Agrippas heart had been touched.
This passage has given rise to the famous hymn, Almost
Persuaded, and the words of that hymn are certainly true
almost, but lost. Close is never close enough with God. We
must be fully persuaded in complete faith and trust in God
to be saved. Many people have come to the altar of Gods
grace and left almost persuaded to believe the truth. King
Agrippa was one of them.
Listen to the pleadings of the Holy Spirit and be fully per-
suaded that Jesus is who He said He was and that Jesus did
what He said He did.
A FINAL WORD
Agrippa and Festus quickly ended this meeting. They

turned their thoughts to the matter of judgment and of what
charges would be carried to Rome. Their conclusion was that
Paul had not done anything worthy of death or imprisonment.
Agrippa added that Paul could have been set free if he had
not appealed to Caesar. This shows again how God has His
way, even when men think that they are acting alone and
without His direction.
Jesus had specifically told Paul that he would be a witness
in Rome (Acts 23:11), and now God had arranged it so that
Paul could go there. Festus and Agrippa did not know this.
They seemed to indicate this was a kind of miscarriage of
justice, and, if Paul had only let things alone, he could have
been set free. God saw it differently. Paul could have been
killed if he had gone back to Jerusalem, and God had greater
things for Paul. Paul would do more good in Rome than he
could in any other situation.This was because God had plain-
ly told him that this was what He wanted from Paul at this
stage in his life.
We will always do our best when we do the will of God in
the way that God reveals it to us. Paul was never alone and
Paul was never helpless. He knew that he would eventually
be more than a conqueror through Jesus.
August 24, 2003
13 A Missionarys Voyage
to Rome
Sunday Devotional: Gods

Key Verse: Sovereign Protection, 2 Timothy
Wherefore, sirs, be of good 4:14-22.
cheer: for I believe God, that it
shall be even as it was told me. Aim: By the conclusion of this
Acts 27:25 lesson the students will chart
Pauls voyage to Rome.
A FIRST LOOK
Our lesson today concerns one of the great adventures of

the life and ministry of the apostle Paul. Whatever else we
may say about actively serving the Lord, it is seldom dull.
The decision had been made to send Paul to Rome, and this
chapter discusses the means by which he made the journey.
It highlights the great difficulty of travel in days gone by.
Today, we complain if we have to wait a few minutes to get
on an airplane or if we have to sit for a while in a traffic jam.
We are used to traveling many miles quickly and in comfort
whenever we want to, but in biblical times travel was diffi-
cult and dangerous. Often people started on a journey and
were never heard from again. If they traveled by land, they
were in danger from outlaws and thieves. If they traveled by
sea, they were at the Daily Devotionals
mercy of the weather (2 M. Jesus Saved from Stoning, John 8:54-59.
Cor. 11:26). We should T. Jonahs Protection and Prayer,
never take lightly our Jonah 2:1-10.
W. Daniels Protection, Daniel 6:16-22.
ability to travel and to T. Jeremiahs Deliverance,
communicate. Both are Jeremiah 33:1-9.
great blessings from F. Doxology of Praise, Habakkuk 3:16-19.
God. S. Jesus and Storms, Matthew 14:22-32.
83
84 A Missionarys Voyage to Rome
On this journey a group of people set out to sail from Israel

to Rome. A centurion of Augustus band named Julius was in
charge of the prisoners. Julius was gracious to Paul and even
allowed him to go ashore at Sidon to visit with his friends
there. At Myra in Lycia the group boarded a ship from
Alexandria that was going to Italy. It was this ship and the
two hundred seventy-six people on it who would endure the
great trials mentioned in our lesson.
A CLOSER L O O K
A decision was made in a place called Fair Havens that

would change the lives of all those on this journey. It was
late in the year and winter was approaching. Sailing was
dangerous in the winter, and Paul warned Julius and the
captain of the ship that the voyage would put the ship, its
cargo and the passengers in great danger.
Julius and the captain did not heed this warning. The har-
bor was not a commodious place to spend the winter. They
hoped to make it to Phenice and pass the winter there. In
addition, a nice south wind began to blow, so everything
looked favorable and the ship set out on this fateful journey.
There are many times in our lives when every ounce of
human wisdom that we can apply would indicate one partic-
ular course of action, but the spiritual information that we
have warns us that we should not proceed. This was the case
here and these men did not listen to Paul but used their
human judgment. A shipwreck was the result.
I. The Wind Changed.
Acts 27:14-17
14. But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous
wind, called Euroclydon.
15. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up
into the wind, we let her drive.
Text: Acts 27:1-44 85
16. And running under a certain island which is called

Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
17. Which when they had taken up, they used helps, under-
girding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quick-
sands, strake sail, and so were driven.
For a while everything was going smoothly. It looked as if

they would make it to Phenice and be able to safely spend the
winter there before going on to Italy, but suddenly the wind
changed. This was such a strong kind of wind that they had
a name for it, Euroclydon. We have names for winds as well.
We call them hurricanes or tornadoes. Often we give hurri-
canes human names. Euroclydon literally means east wind
and it could be of hurricane strength. This Euroclydon wind
was a great threat to any ship, and the sailors knew it. We
must remember that these brave sailors did not have any of
our modern navigational aids or means of predicting the
weather. In our day we check our weather forecast almost
daily, but these men had no knowledge of this wind until the
storm was upon them.
We should learn that the wind can change quickly and for
the worse. Smooth sailing does not always mean that we
have made a right decision. When they were sailing along
under the warm south wind, the warning of Paul seemed like
foolish advice, but, when the wind changed, his prophecies
became all too real.
All that the sailors could do was turn the ship loose and let
it take whatever course it would. They were almost driven
into an island but managed to avoid it by working as hard as
they could. They took all measures that they could to
strengthen the ship, but when it looked as if they would be
driven into quicksand, they took the sails down and just let
the ship drift. With the sails down, they had only minimal
control of the ship and were at the mercy of the storm and
the wind.
We must remember that these were experienced seamen
who were doing the best that they could to handle this ship.
Their competence was not in question, but no matter how
competent we may be, we can face storms that overwhelm

us. This is when we need help from God. No matter how
smoothly things may be going and no matter how good a
plan we may have, the wind can change and we can find our-
selves in an uncontrollable storm of events.
II. Emergency Measures
Acts 27:18-20
18. And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the
next day they lightened the ship;
19. And the third day we cast out with our own hands the
tackling of the ship.
20. And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared,
and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be
saved was then taken away.
In these verses we see an interesting metaphor for our

lives. When the sea was smooth and the journey was routine,
the ship was loaded with many things that were not
absolutely necessary for the journey. This had to be a large
ship to accommodate the two hundred seventy-six people on
board. They had to have food and supplies for the journey.
Perhaps they even had cargo that was being sent to Phenice
or even on to Rome. It might surprise us to learn all of the
various things that are on any great ship that sets out to sea.
There comes a time when all the things that we think we
need are really only burdens that will drag us down. So the
sailors lightened the ship. This means that they threw all
the non-essential cargo overboard. On the next day they
examined the rigging of the ship and discarded all of the
tackling that they did not need. For instance, they could
throw away the gangplank. Now the ship was down to essen-
tials. The issue was no longer getting the cargo into port or
keeping the passengers and crew comfortable; the issue was
survival.
If we looked at life properly, we would realize that we can
do without many of the things that we think we just have to
Text: Acts 27:1-44 87
have. When survival is the issue, we can lighten our load con-
siderably. We should not wait for a storm to have the sense
to realize that we may be carrying things that we really do
not need and that are only weighing us down.
Consider the admonition in Hebrews 12:1. Many are car-
rying a load of sin that makes running the race more diffi-
cult. If we would deal with our sins every day, our ship would
be much lighter.
Even those stern measures were not enough. The storm
had been raging for three days, but there were eleven more
days to go. The storm was intensifying and now even the sea-
soned sailors had given up all hope of survival. They had
done all they could do, but it looked as if they would all per-
ish in the sea.
When we realize that we are lost, we can be saved. When
we finally figure out that we are in trouble, there is help for
us. When we know that we cannot help ourselves, there is
help for us, but we have to come to that moment. We have to
realize, as another passenger on a troubled ship said,
Salvation is of the LORD (Jonah 2:9).
III. Pauls Message of Hope
Acts 27:20-25
20. And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared,
and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved
was then taken away.
21. But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of
them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not
have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
22. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall
be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.
23. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose
I am, and whom I serve,
24. Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before
Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
25. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that
it shall be even as it was told me.
Now all hope was lost. They had been drifting for days and
days without sight of the sun or the stars. They were lost in
a storm at sea. Literally, they were just waiting to die.
After a long silence, Paul spoke again. First, he told them
that they should have listened to him before. Spiritual advice
is always to be heeded over human reasoning. We do not
always do so, but we should. When God leads, we should fol-
low and when God, or Gods man, speaks, we should listen.
There was nothing that Paul could do to save the ship. The
harm that had already occurred would not be reversed, but
he did promise them that no one on the ship would lose his
life. The ship would be lost, but the people in it would be
saved.
Quite naturally, the people would want to know how Paul
could know such a thing. Well, for one thing, he had known
about the danger of the voyage, he had been right before and
it was likely that he was right now. But more than this, Paul
told them that he had been visited by an angel that night and
that the angel had made him a promise. This was the same
promise that Jesus had given to Paul back in Jerusalem
(Acts 23:11). The Word of God is sure and no matter what
storms might come up, Paul would not die at sea. God saw to
that so that the promise Jesus made to Paul could come to
pass.
Moreover, God had also given Paul a kind of spiritual cus-
tody of all those who were on the ship. Paul would be saved
and so would all the people who sailed with him. As the salt
of the earth and the light of the world, the people of God have
an influence in the world in which they live. The promise
that Jesus made to Paul would be a blessing to all those on
this ship.
But the promise would also be easy to deny. The storm was
still raging and the ship was still out of control. Nothing
changed just because Paul spoke, but he expressed his deci-
sion clearly when he said that God had spoken and that he
chose to believe God.
We can look at the storms around us, or we can listen to
God. Paul chose to listen to God, and those on the ship could
Text: Acts 27:1-44 89
make the same choice. The result? They could then be of

good cheer, even while looking disaster right in the face.
A FINAL WORD
The safest place to be in the whole world is in the center

of the will of God. When we are there, we are not immune to
the storms of life, and our human wisdom will not be a sub-
stitute for following the leadership of God, but God will be
with us and God will always help us when we commit our-
selves to do His will.
God will not help us get our way in this world. But like
Paul, He will help us do His will and He will see to it that no
storm will destroy us until His will is accomplished. Seek
His will today and decide to walk in Gods will and Gods way
throughout your journey of life. The storms will still come,
and you may lose a lot of things you do not really need, but
you will be saved and you can be of good cheer.
August 31, 2003
14 A Missionarys Ministry
in Rome
Sunday Devotional: Pauls

Key Verse:
Desire To Preach at Rome, Romans
Be it known therefore unto
1:7-17.
you, that the salvation of God
is sent unto the Gentiles, and
Aim: By the conclusion of this
that they will hear it.
lesson the students will determine
Acts 28:28
their need to witness for Christ.
A FIRST LOOK
Jesus had promised Paul that he would bear witness in

Rome (Acts 23:11). Our lesson today concerns how that part
of the ministry of Paul began. Paul had started his ministry
helping Barnabas teach in the church in Antioch. God had
called him to the mission fields, and he had served there
faithfully. Now God had opened another door for him, and
the apostle would be as faithful to this part of his work as he
had been to all the others.
Over the years our service for the Lord may take many dif-
ferent forms. We cannot know all the things the future holds,
but we can know that, no matter where we are or what the
circumstances may be in our lives, there will be opportuni-
ties for us to serve the
Lord and to be a witness Daily Devotionals
for Jesus. M. Davids Plea, Psalm 25:1-10.
Paul had been faithful T. In His Hands, Psalm 31:12-20.
to witness to his compan- W. Gods Ears Open unto Cry, Psalm
ions on the ship. He had 34:11-18.
been faithful to serve the T. Help in Trouble, Psalm 46:1-11.
Lord on the Island of F. Waiting on God, Psalm 62:1-8.
S. Praise the Lord, Psalm 150:1-6.
Melita following the ship-
90
Text: Acts 28:1-31 91
wreck. All during the dangerous and time-consuming jour-

ney to Rome, he had constantly been a witness both in word
and in deed of the power of the gospel. Now that he was in
Rome, he would continue to serve the Lord.
Our circumstances will change, but our dedication and
direction should not. Wherever we go and wherever we are,
we should remain faithful to tell of the saving power of Jesus
at all times and in all situations.
A CLOSER LOOK
I. Pauls Circumstances
Acts 28:16
16. And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the
prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to
dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
The prisoners had at last reached Rome, but then as now,

they were not all treated the same. The centurion had real-
ized that Paul was not a common criminal. No doubt they
had ample time to discuss the charges that had been brought
against Paul, and the centurion had concluded that Paul was
not a threat to the peace of the city.
Paul was allowed to live in his own rented house. He could
have all the visitors that he wanted and for two years he
lived like that and preached anything he wanted to preach
with no interference from anyone (Acts 28: 30, 31).
His only restriction was that he had a soldier with him at
all times. After all, Paul was still under arrest and was await-
ing trial before Caesar. Soldiers were assigned to make certain
that Paul did not escape, but overall he had a great deal of
freedom. Once again, Jesus saw to it that Paul had an oppor-
tunity to carry out his ministry. Jesus had put Paul in the cen-
ter of the Roman empire and had arranged it so that Paul
could preach to anyone who came to him. No doubt the gospel
went out into many parts of the world from this setting.
92 A Missionarys Ministry in Rome
Whenever we decide in our hearts that we want to do the

will of the Lord, we have Heavens resources to help us. God
is not interested in doing my will, but He is vitally interest-
ed in helping me do His will.
II. Pauls Appeal to the Jews
Acts 28:17-21
17. And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the
chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together,
he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have commit-
ted nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet
was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the
Romans.
18. Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go,
because there was no cause of death in me.
19. But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to
appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation
of.
20. For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you,
and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am
bound with this chain.
21. And they said unto him, We neither received letters out
of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that
came shewed or spake any harm of thee.
Paul had been in Rome for only three days when he called
for the leaders of the Jews in Rome to meet with him. He
wanted to state his case to them and perhaps try to get them
on his side in his appeal to Caesar. Then as now, much of
what goes on in court is political. It was the unfavorable
political climate in Judea that brought Paul there in the first
place. If he could get the Jews on his side, he stood a much
better chance of gaining his liberty.
But there was a greater motive there. Paul wanted to wit-
ness to these Jews. We know from Romans 10:1 that Paul
had a love in his heart for Israel, his brethren according to
the flesh. He was a saved Jew and he knew that other Jews
Text: Acts 28:1-31 93
could be saved. He wanted to share the gospel with his coun-

trymen.
He began by assuring them that he had done nothing that
would violate the laws or customs of his people. He remind-
ed them of the judgment of Festus. Paul would have gone
free if he had not appealed to Caesar, but he had to appeal to
Caesar because the Jews in Judea spoke against him and
wanted him killed. Paul was not in Rome to accuse his
nation or to speak against Judaism.
He called this meeting because it was for the hope of Israel
that his liberty had been taken away. Indeed, Jesus Christ
was the hope of Israel and every other nation as well. It was
Pauls desire to share Christ with Israel that had caused him
to go to Jerusalem in the first place. Now he seized this
opportunity to lay a foundation for sharing Jesus with the
Jews in Rome.
We should look for opportunities where we can share the
gospel. We should look for ways to make the gospel as
appealing as we possibly can to those who are lost. We can
spend a lot of time regretting what we have done or moaning
about our circumstances, but we would be much better
served to accept what we cannot change and stand for Jesus
wherever we are.
The Jews had not received any correspondence concerning
Paul or the situation in Judea. No one had come to Rome and
told them anything detrimental to Paul. This was strange
because of the fervor of the Jews in Jerusalem to kill Paul no
matter what the cost. God was still in control and God had
given Paul a fresh start in Rome. No doubt it was the hand
of God that had kept these evil Jews from harassing Paul all
the way to Caesars judgment seat.
III. Pauls Appearance Before the Jews
Acts 28:22-25
22. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as
concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken
against.
23. And when they had appointed him a day, there came
many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and tes-
tified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus,
both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from
morning till evening.
24. And some believed the things which were spoken, and
some believed not.
25. And when they agreed not among themselves, they
departed, after that Paul had spoken one word,Well spake the
Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
The Jews at Rome wanted to hear from Paul, so they set a

time for him to meet with them. These Jews had heard about
Christianity, and they knew that, everywhere there were
Christians, the Christians had a bad reputation among the
Jews. To their credit, these Jews were open-minded enough
to want to hear what Paul had to say before condemning him
in anyway.
A time was chosen and the Jews of Rome came to the place
where Paul was living. In an eventful but unrecorded ser-
mon, Paul preached to them. He expounded and testified
about the kingdom of God. Remember that this was the
phrase that was used to accuse Jesus. It aroused strong pas-
sions in both the Jews and the Romans; yet, Jesus was and
is King. He is not king of an earthly kingdom; He is King of
a spiritual kingdom; but He is a king, and one day the king-
doms of this earth will become the kingdoms of our God.
Paul then turned to the Law and the Prophets of the Old
Testament and from morning on through to evening, in a
marathon session of Bible study, he showed them that Jesus
was the Messiah and that the Jews as well as the Gentiles
should believe in Him. That must have been a wonderful
time of teaching and learning. Luke witnessed it, but these
few verses are the only glimpse we have of the great things
that were discussed at that meeting.
We do know what happened next. Much the same thing
happens when we preach today. Some believed and some did
not believe. The Jews could not agree among themselves
Text: Acts 28:1-31 95
whether or not Paul was right in his teaching. There was no

great acceptance of him and there was no great rejection of
him. That is the way the world treated Jesus and it is still
the way the world treats the gospel in our day.
Jesus taught in Matthew 13 that it was the condition of
the soil that determined the harvest when the Word of God
was sown. And so it is. When the Word falls on hard hearts,
no fruit will be born. When the ground is stony or thorny, not
much good will be done. When the truth of God falls on the
fertile ground of a receptive heart, then wonderful things
will happen. It was when Paul made a reference to this fact
from the Old Testament that this meeting broke up.
IV. A Prophecy Fulfilled
Acts 28:26-28
26. Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall
hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not
perceive:
27. For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears
are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they
should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and under-
stand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should
heal them.
28. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God
is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
Paul quoted from Isaiah 6:9 and applied this prophecy to

Israel of his day. Isaiah had foretold of preaching to people
who would not hear. At least they would not understand
what they heard. They would look but they would not see.
The reason was that their hearts were not right. Their
hearts were made fat, they were full of the things of the
physical world and could not receive spiritual truth.
Conversion requires our attention. We have to listen to
what we hear and we have to look at what we see. We have
to consider the things God says to us personally and we have
to act on what we learn. We can never approach faith in total
objectivity. We have to see ourselves as lost and dying before

we will place our trust in Jesus. The Jews in Rome did not
see it that way, so the gospel did not complete its work
among them.
The work of God will not be stopped just because any
group will not believe. If the Jews did not want the gospel,
the Gentiles did, so God sent this truth to them. Truth is
always resident in the hearts of those who will receive it and
it always leaves those who will not.
A FINAL WORD
This concludes the book of Acts, but it does not end the
ministry of Paul. God would use this great man as a witness
during the time of his imprisonment. Paul would also write
several books of the Bible during that time. We call these the
Prison Epistles because they were written from Rome while
Paul was confined there.
Paul would continue to fight the good fight, even in con-
finement. He would keep the faith even though his ministry
had taken a different turn. He would finish his course and
complete the job that Jesus had given him to do. He would
finish his ministry as he had started it, in obedience to the
heavenly vision that he had of Jesus Christ.

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Adult Quarterly

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUMMER QUARTER, 2003

The Churches in Action

1Missionary Doctrinal Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Winter Spring Summer Fall

Judges Acts 114 Acts 1528 2 Samuel 14

2 Samuel 524 James

Mark 1 Chronicles 1129 1 Thessalonians Psalms

Galatians 2 Kings 113 1 Corinthians Ecclesiastes

Luke 113:21 Luke 13:2224 Micah, Zephaniah 2 Corinthians

Ephesians 2 Timothy 2 Kings 24, 25 John 112

John 1321 2 Peter Ezra

1, 2, 3 John Revelation Revelation

Genesis 111 Genesis 1250 Matthew 113 Matthew 1428

Exodus Romans Numbers Hebrews

Sunday Devotional: Re-

One of the most certain things about the work of missions

In these verses we see the false doctrine that was taught

manner of Moses, one could not be saved. This was a gross

II. The Council

We must always remember that God is in control. This was

III. Peters Wise Advice

We can only imagine the kind of disputing that went on in

offer these wonderful words of wisdom. God had prepared

This dispute was settled by applying several valuable prin-

Key Verse: Sunday Devotional: Holy

In some ways this second missionary journey did not begin

ways. First, He leads through the teaching of the Bible. The

I. Paul Chooses Timothy.

Paul and Silas had traveled through Syria and Cilicia

taught by his mother and grandmother and had become a

II. The Work Grows.

As Paul, Silas and Timothy traveled throughout Asia

We read of the two parts of a great revival in verse 5. First,

III. A Problem of Direction

These men were not just wandering about from place to

personal and particular revelation. Instead, God would open

IV. God Leads; Gods Men Follow.

While they were seeking Gods will at Troas, Paul had a

V. The Work Begins in Greece.

When God leads, He leads everyone involved. God led Paul

A trip that started out to be a visit to confirm and estab-

Key Verse: Sunday Devotional: How

God gave His missionaries a direction in their work, but

wonderful lesson to see how Paul recognized this and went

I. Success in the Synagogue

In spite of the bad treatment he received at Philippi, Paul

entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God

sentation. So for three weeks he stayed there and empha-

II. Opposition from Unbelievers

7. Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to

Jesus is King, but not a king of the earth. The kingdom of

III. The Noble Bereans

Paul knew when to stand and he knew when to leave.

The evil Jews of Thessalonica followed Paul and Silas into

Key Verse: Sunday Devotional:

Our lesson today concerns the ministry of Paul in Corinth.

Corinth also marked the reunion of Paul, Silas and

I. Encouragement from New Friends

skill much in demand in that day. He probably made tents of

II. Encouragement from Reunion

Note that when Paul met Aquila and Priscilla, he was

Then Paul utilized the power of persuasion. This means he

III. Encouragement from the Work