Paul in Acts

Chapters 24-28

 

Introduction:  Claudius Lysias was the captain at Fort Antonia.  He was in charge of keeping the peace in Jerusalem.  470 soldiers escorted Paul to Caesarea (Acts 23:23).  Claudius sent a letter to Felix the governor stating that this was over something to do with the Jewish Law and that Paul was not deserving of death. Felix was the successor to Pilate as governor of Judea.  He was a former slave whose brother was close friends with the Emperor.   He was married to Drusilla daughter of Herod Agrippa I.

 

A.     Chapter 24

1.      What were the charges against Paul?  24:5-8

a.       Paul is a revolutionary seeking to cause sedition (5)

b.      Ringleader of the sect called the Nazarenes (5)

c.       Sacrilegious fanatic (6)

d.      2 Timothy 3:12--Paul said, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

2.      How did Paul answer the charges?

a.       I have not been in Jerusalem for many years (17)

b.      You can’t get a riot going in 12 days (11)

c.       I have never been seen arguing with anyone or stirring up people (12)

d.      There is not proof offered to substantiate the charges (13)

e.       My business in Jerusalem was to bring gifts to the poor (17)

f.        I was behaving properly in the temple (18)

g.       The Jews from Asia should be here (19)

3.      What did Paul do to keep a clear conscience?

a.       1 Peter 3:13-16:  Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear ; do not be frightened."  But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,  keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 

b.      What would cause him to have an “unclear” conscience?

c.       How was he clear before God and men?

4.      What was the purpose of the conversations between Paul and Felix?

a.       What was Felix’s purpose in sending for Paul? (26)

b.      What was Paul trying to accomplish?

§         What did Paul talk about? (25)

§         What was the effect on Felix?

5.      Are the Jews glad to have Paul in prison?

Conclusion

Is God’s plan for Paul and for the gospel is being fulfilled?

 

B.     Chapter 25 & 26 – Festus succeeds Felix (Jews haven’t eaten for 2 years :)

1.      What is Paul’s defense? 25:8

2.      Where would the Jews like to have Paul tried? 25:9 Why?

3.      Where does Paul want to be tried? 25:10

4.      Who called the meeting?

a.       What did Festus intend for this meeting to accomplish? 25:20, 22; 26

b.      What did God and Paul intend for this meeting to accomplish?

c.       Who was at this meeting?  25:23

5.      Did Paul give his defense?

a.       What did he discuss?

b.      What was Paul’s purpose in asking Agrippa if he believed the prophets?

c.       This was a gospel meeting!

6.      What’s was Agrippa’s reaction to Paul?

a.       Did he know that Paul was trying to convert him?  26:28

b.      Was Paul obeying the Lord?  How?

c.       Did this make Agrippa made at Paul?  25:32

Conclusion

 

C.     Chapter 27 – Do you trust Paul?

1.      What do you think made Julius allow Paul to go visit his friends?  27:3

a.       Any idea how Paul gained the trust of the centurion so quickly?

§         What was the punishment for a Roman soldier who allowed a prisoner to escape?

b.      Was the centurion’s trust in Paul confirmed?  (He returned to the ship)

2.      What do you think made Julius listen to the pilot and owner instead of Paul?  27:10-11

a.       Are there times when God is right and the experts are wrong?

b.      Was the trust placed in the pilot/owner well placed?

3.      Will Paul’s predictions be taken seriously now?  27:21-26

a.       What are the indications that the men now trust Paul?  31-32; 33-36

b.      How much did the centurion care for Paul? 27:43

4.      What made Paul be so “low key” about the snake incident?

a.       Typical of a servant, Paul gathered sticks for the fire.

b.      Did the natives react in a similar way to the Lyconians?

c.       How did Centurion Julius’ trust in God (by way of Paul) pay off?  28:7-10

d.      The hospitality was great – 276 people accommodated (1 Peter 4:9)

Conclusion

 

D.     Chapter 28 – Paul reaches out to Rome with the gospel

1.      Now the gospel has made it to Rome.

2.      Is it significant that the Jews had not been informed about Paul?  21-22

3.      Paul preached to a large crowd for an extended period.  What was the reaction?

4.      What was the parallel between Isaiah and Paul in their ministry to the Jews? 28:26-27

a.       Didn’t Jesus quote this same scripture?

b.      What was the problem with the Jews?  Matt. 13:13-15

5.      What are some of the things we are not told at the end of the book of Acts?

6.      Maybe the reason we are not told about Paul or the fall of Jerusalem is because the spread of the Gospel is bigger than the fate of Paul or Jerusalem.

7.      Did we see Paul seeking self protection?  What was he seeking?

Conclusion – Paul spread the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome and from the Jews to the Gentiles