Study Questions for October 3, 2004

Acts 12:1-24 - Political Opposition and the Power of Prayer

1. The first question that strikes everybody about this passage is why was James killed and Peter rescued? Did God favor Peter over James? Whose death does James’ execution commemorate?
 
2. Imagine yourself to be a believer languishing in prison. How would you feel about this description of Peter’s rescue?
 
3. How did Peter interpret his rescue?
 
4. How does Luke tell the story in such a way as to emphasize that no one expected Peter to be released, not even Peter?
 
5. How does Luke’s description of Herod capture the ethos of evil that characterized his decision making (12:3), his judgment of the guards (12:19), and his ego (12:22)?
 
6. Do you think the early church prayed for the death of Herod?
 
7. In spite of all the confusion, pain, and anguish that the early church experienced, what was the bottom line?

Acts 13:1-52 - Advancing the Gospel of Grace

1. What would indicate that the church at Antioch was a healthy church? Are there lessons that we can learn from their example?

2. How would you describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the advance of the Gospel (13:2, 4, 9, 52)?
 
3. Is there a place today for the kind of boldness Paul displayed when he confronted Elymas, a Jewish sorcerer?
 
4. Luke states in a matter-of-fact manner that John Mark left Paul and Barnabas to return to Jerusalem. We learn later (15:38) that there was more to the story. For whatever reason, John Mark did not wish to advance with Paul and Barnabas. Who would you identify with more, Paul or John Mark?
 
5. How does Paul’s message in Pisidian Antioch compare to Peter’s messages (2:14-40; 3:12-26) and Stephen’s speech to the Sanhedrin (7:1-53)?  Do they share a common strategy and, if so, should that influence how we witness and preach today?
 
6. Was the flare up of opposition caused by the content of the message or the impact of the message? Are there ways the apostles might have avoided this opposition?
 
7. Luke’s bottom line description of Paul and Barnabas (13:52) indicates that they were more resilient in the face of difficult circumstances and setbacks than we often are. How can we be filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit?  

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