Acts 8 – 14 Questions and Answers

Q. When did persecution of the church begin?	A. Acts 8:1 = With Stephen's murder.
Q. Did the believers flee?	A. Acts 8:1 = Yes. They went to Judea and Samaria.
Q. What happened to Stephen's body?	A. Acts 8:2 = Some godly man gave him a decent burial, and with much weeping.
Q. Who mongst the Stephen haters witnessed his death?	A. Acts 8:3 = Saul, who later became St. Paul.
Q. Was he an enemy of the believers at the time?	A. Acts 8:3 = Yes. He threw many believers in jail, right out of their homes too.
Q. Did the fleers stop preaching?	A. Acts 8:4 = No way. They spread the gospel everywhere.
Q. Who first went to Samaria with the Good News?	A. Acts 8:5 = Philip. And he did miracles there too!
Q. What else did Philip do there?	A. Acts 8:7 = Philip cast out evil spirits and healed the lame and paralyzed.
Q. Is there any hope for the salvation of sorcerers and witches?	A. Acts 8:9�13 = Yes. Even magic�performing sorcerers were not so hardened so as to not see Philip's miracles and God's hand and intervention on the people of Samaria. One followed Philip around for a while.
Q. Who went to Samaria after Philip's success there?	A. Acts 8:14 = Peter and John.
Q. What did they bring to Samaria?	A. Acts 8:15 = Prayer for the people to receive the Holy Spirit.
Q. They didn't get the Holy Spirit at their baptism?	A. Acts 8:16 = No.
Q. How did the Holy Spirit come?	A. Acts 8:17 = Peter and John laid their hands upon them and the Holy Spirit came.
Q. On Simon, the new ex�sorcerer/believer too?	A. Acts 8:18�19 = No.
Q. Why not?	A. Acts 8:k20�23 = 1) Simon was wrong about who God is 2) Because Simon's heart was not right before God 3) Because he entertained evil thoughts, was full of bitterness and was held captive by his sins. Note: This was after his salvation. Salvation doesn't make us perfect, just forgiven. We still need God to reveal our sins, we need to repent of them as God reveals them to us, and then walk away from them in order to be right with God. Basically, we need to do our part.
Q. How did Simon respond to Peter's perceptions of him?	A. Acts 8:24 = He was horrified and asked Peter to pray for him. Note: People in trouble need help praying for deliverance and repentance. Be that person willing to step in the gap, and show them the mercy of God in prayer.
Q. Where did Peter and John go afterwards?	A. Acts 8:25 = Backto Jerusalem and on the way there, to the Samaritan villages.
Q. Where did Philip go next?	A. Acts 8:26 = South, down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.
Q. Why toward Gaza?	A. An angelof God directed him to go there.
Q. Who would Philip meet along that road?	A. Acts 8:27 = An Ethiopian eunuch of great authority under the Queen of Ethiopia. He was a converted Jew at the time.
Q. What was Philip there for?	A. Acts 8:29�39 = To teach him about what he could not understand in Isaiah and in the Scriptures.
Q. What was he reading when Philip got there?	A. Acts 8:32�33 = Isaiah 53:7�8. Prophecy about Jesus.
Q. Was Philip prepared to help him understand the Scriptures?	A. Acts 8:35�39 = Yes. And the eunuch was saved and baptized that day. Note: If you will read the Scriptures regularly, you will learn God's Word, and God will bring people to you for teaching.
Q. How did Philip get to the next place?	A. Acts 8:39 = He was caught up and carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to the city of Azotus and preached there and all the way to Caesarea.
Q. How did Saul (later called Paul) react to the spread of the Good News?	A. Acts 9:1 = Saul was furious! He uttered threats with every breath. He plotted to legally take all believers in chains from Damascus to prison in Jerusalem.
Q. Did Saul accomplish this?	A. Acts 9:3 = No. God intervened. Note: Have faith! God will accomplish His purposes when man rises up against Him.
Q. How did God intervene in Saul's life?	A. Acts 9:6 = God met with Paul. Note: God turns hearts of stone to putty as He wishes. He is able to turn that furnace against Him to do His greatest work. Always, God's greatest works involve the salvation of mankind. Isn't that awesome of Him? Hallelujah!
Q. What happened to Saul?	A. As he was nearing Damascus, a bright light from Heaven suddenly came down on him. He fell to the ground and God spoke to him.
Q. What did God say to Saul?	A. Acts 9:4 = "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting Me?"
Q. Did Saul know that voice?	A. Acts 9:5 = No.
Q. What is true about persecuted believers?	A. Acts 9:5 = Spiritually blind folks persecute Jesus through believers. Note: Be careful! There is no verse found in Scriptures where we have the right to go after anyone! The devil accuses. Don't let him manipulate you into hurting those God loves completely and perfectly.
Q. Was Saul alone at the time of his encounter with God?	A. Acts 9:7 = No. He had men with him. They heard someone's voice, but saw nothing. Note: God's voice doesn't always boom.
Q. How did Saul respond to Jesus?	A. Acts 9:8–9 = He was blind and stayed that way for three days. He ate and drank nothing all that time.
Q. What else did Saul do during that time?	A. Acts 9:11 = He prayed. Note: When God shows up in your life, it's for good reason. Wait on Him and pray!
Q. What happened after three days?	A. Acts 912 = God gave Saul a vision of a man, Ananias, who would come lay hands on him and restore his sight.
Q. Did Ananias hesitate this task given him directly by God?	A. Acts 9:13–16 = Yes. He knew what Saul's original intentions were. Note: Ananias told Jesus his fears. Always state your fears when God asks you to do something scary. He will give you assurance!
Q. What did God reveal about Saul to assure Ananias he would be safe around him?	A. Acts 9:15 = 1) Saul was chosen by Jesus as His instrument to take the Good News to the Gentiles, to kings and also to the Israelites. 2) Saul would suffer much in this work. NOte: Saul made his reputation a notorious one all over Israel. How do you stop seeing him as a monster? See him as one destined to suffer much for His God. Those words made Paul just human like the rest, and one day, people would mourn and pray earnestly for his safety and protection. Ananias was reassured by these words!
Q. What caused Saul's blindness?	A. Acts 9:18 = Divine scales over his eyes, which fell off with Ananias' hands laid on him. Note: Have you ever fasted completely for three days? Fast and pray for things heavy on your heart, for direction, for wisdom. Listen to God. Read God's Word and continue travailing for those burdens that don't lift after repeatedly laying them down at the foot of the cross. Those burdens are given to us by God for the purpose of travail. Don't forget to bless. Bind evil (like confusion, shame, etc) and loose the opposite (clarity, worthiness, etc).
Q. Where did Saul first preach?	A. Acts 9:19–20 = In the synagogues of Damascus.
Q. How did the believers respond at first?	A. Acts 9:21 = Amazed that Saul/Paul was so transformed for God's work!
Q. How did the Jewish leaders respond to Paul's preaching?	A. Acts 9:22 = They were unable to prove him wrong about Jesus, which is all they cared about, so they plotted to kill him instead. Note: Spiritual blindness is a self–inflicted condition. The miraculous change in Saul did not mean a thing to these blind religious men.
Q. Why is our testimony so important?	A. Acts 9:26–27 = Other believers need to hear how God reached us. We need to determine who is really in the Kingdom of God and who either follows blindly or else is blatantly false.
Q. Is giving testimony sufficient to prove one is saved?	A. Acts 9:28 = No. 1). Consistency in the ministry 2). Preaching boldly in the name of the Lord 3). Staying in the fellowship does! Note: Paul's strength was never on his own. God works in the fellowship of believers — in church — 1). Where we assemble together 2). Where we pray together 3) where we watch out for one another (v.25, 30). There are no loners in the church. There is always something drastically wrong with a believer, be he a preacher or a layman, who is determined to follow God apart from other believers or churches. All others can see his daily mistakes, but he cannot. He takes his own counsel, is convinced God has given him all wisdom and autonomy to operate successfully in the absence of his peers. The spirit of pride keeps him in isolation and his fruit is withered. Pray for those enslaved by the spirit of pride and individualism. Stay close to the fellowship and enjoy its many benefits!
Q. Did the church enjoy a time of rest?	A. Acts 9:31 = Yes! After Paul's last brush with death, the church enjoyed peace throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria, and it grew in strength and number.
Q. What were the first believers like?	A. Acts 9:31 = They walked in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Note: This is Christianity in a nutshell. Fear God, let Him go before you in the Holy Spirit and you hve peace and comfort. Why evangelize? The world has no peace and only discomfort. God offers peace and comfort. How can we not want to tell folks they can have peace and comfort too?
Q. What did Peter do next?	A. Acts 9:32 = Peter traveled from place to place to visit believers.
Q. What does it sometimes take for a city's entire population to see God work in believers among them?	A. Acts 9:33–35 = One amazing miracle. Note: Not everyone turns to God because of one miracle or even many, but God reveals Himself through miracles and even the hardest of hearts can see with their eys that God is moving on behalf of mankind. God reveals Himself to be loving and caring for each of us in one act of a miracle.
Q. What else is revealed in a miraculous event?	A. 1) A miracle dispels all fears that God is looking for someone to punish; that he is just waiting for one of us to slip up so that He can use His power to punish or even kill us. 2) A miracle clears up the wrong thinking of false religions that God blesses those who deserve it by some ethereal standard or measure of good works. 3) A miracle shows that God's grace and love are extended to anybody at any time. 4) People respond to a pure and holy act of God (consider Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus). 5) People get a right view of God and comprehension of the Scriptures is possible only with a right view of God. 6) A miracle in Jesus' name declares Him to be God to all who see it. Jesus is like us, yet He is God! Hallelujah!
Q. What happened to the city of Lyddia when one man was healed there?	A. Acts 9:35 = The whole population became believers. And another nearby town, Sharon, also believed!
Q. Was another town affected by miracles?	A. Acts 9:36–43 = Yes. Joppa.
Q. What happened in Joppa?	A. Acts 9:36–43 = A woman, Dorcas, was raised from the dead.
Q. Was she well–known?	A. Acts 9:36–43 = Yes. She was a believer, well–known for doing kind things for others and helping the poor. Note: That is a great legacy to leave behind!
Q. What was significant about Dorcas' miracle?	A. Acts 9:42 = Many people knew her. Note: People don't jump up and down in pure joy when a rich person who treats them poorly is raised from the dead. But when someone who is kind and self–sacrificing is raised from the dead, the rich and poor alike rejoice because they have truly mourned the loss of kindness and mercy they lost with that person. How will you be remembered? Will you truly be mourned?
Q. Did Peter raise Dorcas from the dead because of her kindness?	A. Acts 9:39–40 = No. Her friends tried to show Peter her works, but he wasn't interested in them. God raised Dorcas to save the people present who came because they heard of the miracles happening in that town. Miracles always come just before salvation of a surrounding curious people.
Q. Did Peter move on after Joppa?	A. Acts 9:43 = No. He stayed a long time there after Dorcas' miracle.
Q. Where did Peter stay while in Joppa?	A. Acts 9:43 = A man named Simon, who was a leather worker, let him stay at his house.
Q. What is Cornelius known for?	A. Acts 10:45 = Cornelius was among the first of the Gentiles to become a believer.
Q. How did God reveal salvation was for all who believed?	A. Acts 10:9–16 = God revealed this to Peter while he was in a trance.
Q. Was Peter still a 'kosher' Jew?	A. Acts 10:14 = Yes, but not for long.
Q. What Jewish Law of Moses was Peter still practicing as a believer?	A. Acts 10:14 = 1). Not eating the unclean things of the Law of Moses 2) v.28 = Not entering a Gentile's house 3)v.28 = Seeing all Gentiles as impure.
Q. Did God release Peter of law rituals finally?	A. Acts 10:15, 28 = Yes. Hallelujah!
Q. Was there a ceremony?	A. Acts 10:15 = No. God simply told him, "If God says something is acceptable, don't say it isn't."
Q. So up to this point, the apostles and other believers thought that Jesus brought only the Israelites salvation?	A. Acts 10:36 = Yes. God did not reveal this part of His salvation plan until He revealed it in Peter's trance.
Q. What did Peter think of all this new stuff?	A. Acts 10:34 = It was very clear to Peter that God never favored the Israelites above the Gentiles.
Q. What is true about salvation?	A. Acts 10:35 = In every nation, God accepts those who fear Him and do what is right.
Q. Was Cornelius a good example of a God–fearing man?	A. Acts 10:2 = Yes. Cornelius 1) totally devoted himself to God 2) feared God 3) taught his family about God and they feared God too 4) gave generously to the poor 5) prayed regularly to the Lord.
Q. When did he get a vision?	A. Acts 10:30 = While praying. Note: Do you want to hear from God? Spend time in prayer regularly. Be silent part of that time. Quiet your soul and the outside noises of life. Now listen for God's voice. Repeat this regularly for the rest of your life! Record God's words to you. Act on them!
Q. What was Cornelius' nationality?	A. Acts 10:1 = Italian.
Q. What does it mean to be devoted to God?	A. Acts 10:2 = Look at Cornelius. He had no church so he acted as a pastor to his own household. He was considered as being unclean so the people of God wouldn't come near him, but that didn't stop him from being a believer. He kept his eyes up and never swerved in his faith. He did what God said was right. He gave much of his money to charity and took care of the poor. And standing alone in his faith amidst a Gentile nation, he prayed regularly. His reputation was great. Taking care of the poor is great for one's reputation. Only believers do this for nothing, with no hidden agendas, expecting nothing in return. Taking care of the poor truly is the only way to prove to others you are sincere. Our gut feeling leads us to be self–serving. A life devoted to charity, and having a good reputation for it, shows God's hand in one's life to others who witness it.
Q. How do I start a habit of praying regularly?	A. Acts 10:2–3 = The only way I know how to not waste my time is to watch the clock. Cornelius prayed at 3pm. Set yourself some time aside and devote it to God. We already devote Sunday mornings to God. Why not do this every day? Everybody has a best time to plug in. Find out your best time and turn your eyes toward Heaven. Begin by thanking God for all He has done, all He has created, and pray for people who are sick or troubled, then your needs, then sit in total silence. Sing hymns too, if you like.
Q. Are prayers that valuable?	A. Acts 10:4 = Yes! They prove where our hearts really are.
Q. Did Cornelius pray for the poor too?	A. Acts 10:4 = Yes. Note 1: This is a good idea. Each person on earth is immensely valuable to God. God answered Cornelius' prayers concerning the poor and did a miracle for him based on those prayers. May we always remember to pray for the poor! Note 2: God is not hard to follow. Devote yourself to Him now. Devote yourself to the poor right now. Pray for the poor right now. Now do it all your life.
Q. When was a favorite time Peter prayed?	A. Acts 10:9 = Noon.
Q. Was Cornelius loved other than by the poor he helped?	A. Acts 10:22 = Yes. He was also well–respected by all the Jews.
Q. What is the path to peace with God?	A. Acts 10:36 = Through Jesus, who is Lord of all.
Q. Who set the example of how to live?	A. Acts 10:38 = Jesus did. His miracles were almost always on behalf of the poor.
Q. What is the path to forgiveness of sins?	A. Acts 10:43 = Through believing in Jesus' name.
Q. What happens when the Word of God is spoken?	A. Acts 10:44–46 = The Holy Spirit falls upon the hearers who are there and chosen by God to hear it.
Q. What should happen right after salvation?	A. Acts 10:47–48 = One should be baptized in water.
Q. What did Peter do after Cornelius' family was baptized?	A. Acts 10:48 = Cornelius asked him to stay with his family for several days. Note: Like any new believer, getting plugged into the body of Christ is the best thing one could do to really ground oneself in the faith. This is a time when you can ask questions and dispel any misconceptions you may have about God (like that of Cornelius wrong thinking that Peter should be bowed down to). This is why churches have new believer classes!
Q. The event of the Gentiles sharing in God's saving plan was called what?	A. Acts 11:1 = The Gentiles receiving the Word of God.
Q. Did all the Jews understand that all people were approachable now?	A. Acts 11:2 = No. But only because they didn't yet know of Peter's vision. All was cleared up with Peter's retelling of his vision (v.18).
Q. What does the reader learn with the retelling of Peter's adventure?	A. Acts 11:13–14 = The angel who visited Cornelius told him why Peter should come to his house.
Q. Why?	A. Acts 11:14 = To tell Cornelius and his household how they would be saved.
Q. Did the Holy Spirit fall on Cornelius and family in the same way He fell on the apostles in Jerusalem?	A. Acts 11:15 = Yes.
Q. What is God's gift to all mankind?	A. Acts 11:18 = 1) The privilege of turning from sin, which was impossible to do before Jesus paid the penalty for all sin. 2) With turning from sin comes eternal life. Note: Turning from sin is indeed a privilege! It is hard to picture the unfortunate state of sin that mankind shares in apart from salvation. Do you understand mankind's state apart from God? This is it: Every man, woman and child are slaves to sin. This means they have no choice but to sin repeatedly. Even if they wanted to change for the better, they cannot. Self–improvement books may fix a problem temporarily, but always, only for a brief time. The root of the problem is simple. Sin is manacled to our bodies and we will eventually stop pulling against its chains in defeat. Only God's Word can transform the heart. The Holy Spirit helps us to change. When we stop trying to change, when we stop striving for change via our own cleverness and abilities, when we can just sit still, God intervenes. And in His abilities and cleverness, He changes us. He is THE transformer! We don't even realize it, but sinning is a lot of work! What would happen if, right now, you, the unbeliever, just STOPPED doing what you are doing? Sin is a merry–go–round powered by Hell, which tells you that something terrible will happen if you get off the thing. Apart from God, you may get off, but your sin chains will jerk you back on. Salvation frees us from the bondage of sin. We are freed legally from the god of this world, Satan, and begin a new life filled with hope and change and the Holy Spirit to guide us in it all. This salvation is free to all of us, but it cost God everything. And He planned it from our beginnings. The blood of Jesus cleansed us all from sin, but it isn't activated to do so until we accept Jesus' blood as covering our own sin. It has been so for two thousand years thus far. The Good News is ours to tell the world! "You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Q. What happend to some believers after Stephen's murder?	A. Acts 11:19 = They fled Jerusalem.
Q. Where did they end up?	A. Acts 11:19 = Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch of Syria. Note: These cities are outside of Israel in Gentile territory.
Q. Were other Jews living there?	A. Acts 11:19 = Yes. They preached to them in these lands.
Q. Did they preach to Gentiles too?	A. Acts 11:19 = No. They were out of touch with the current events in Jerusalem very quickly.
Q. What happened next?	A. Acts 11:20 = Some of those believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to Gentiles about the Lord Jesus.
Q. How did they start?	A. Acts 11:21 = The power of the Lord was upon them. Note: When the power of the Lord comes mightily, it is time to preach to the ones present, whomever they may be.
Q. So the Good News was first preached to a crowd of Gentiles in Antioch?	A. Acts 11:20 = Yes.
Q. What did the church at Jerusalem think of that?	A. Acts 11:22 = They sent an emissary to confirm the rumors about the Gentiles' conversions.
Q. Who did they send?	A. Acts 11:22 = Barnabas (a name that means 'son of encouragement (acts 4:36).
Q. Who was Barnabas?	A. Acts 4:36 = Barnabas is a nickname for his given name, Joseph. He was an apostle and a Levite, who came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and gave the money to the apostles to distribute amongst those in need. He assured the believers in Jerusalem that Saul/Paul was genuinely converted. Barnabas was full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith (v.24).
Q. So Barnabas was a good troubleshooter for the church?	A. Acts 11:22–23 = Yes. The church in Jerusalem trusted his judgment, which was always based in fact. Don't be afraid to defend a brother in Christ who is not well–known, but who displays much fruit. Sometimes you just have to stick your neck out for someone else.
Q. Why?	A. Acts 11:22–23 = Because the devil causes factions in the church by instilling doubt and lying about the brethren. This is his job! Our job is to put our flesh to death each day so that we can resurrect each day and recognize good and evil for what it is in God's eyes and not in our own puny and limited assessments. Note: I've had to do damage control like this on more than one occasion. People judge; God sees the heart. The fruit of one mother I know is in the salvation of her entire family of grown children following her into the faith when she travailed for them. Her offspring were all saved within three months' time. This mother can't get enough of Jesus and is totally leadership material for the church. She wants to pray for the sick. She wants to pass on the power of the Holy Spirit that was granted her to others. But instead of embracing her, her church interpreted her enthusiasm for God as selfish pride and it took her aback. Somehow, because I picked this gal up and got her moving forward again, her church asked me to take her aside, away from others, and disciple her. It was my punishment for having encouraged her! So I set her firmly on her feet. I told her to keep her eyes on the Shepherd and all will be well. I encouraged her to stay in fellowship, no matter what. She fellowships elsewhere now and she and her family are surrounded by good friends. She encourages and prays for others freely now. I realize now that I learned to be an encourager from Barnabas. It is nice to know that Barnabas, Son of Encouragement, did the same thing for Paul.
Q. How did Barnabas encourage the Gentile believers?	A. Acts 11:23 = He told them to stay true to the Lord. Note: Isn't that cool? God is good!
Q. What is evidence anyway?	A. Acts 11:23 = Proof of God's favor. Note: Riches are not proof of God's favor. Changed and transformed lives are proof of God's favor. Hallelujah!
Q.Antioch sounds like the place to be for Gentile believers! What did Barnabas do next?	A. Acts 11:25–26 = Barnabas went to Tarsus to fetch Paul and bring him back to Antioch.
Q. What did Paul and Barnabas do together in Antioch?	A. Acts 11:26 = They taught the Gentile believers the Scriptures for a full year. Note: It's no coincidence that Israelites were chosen by Jesus to be apostles. They were, first of all, however little or much, exposed to God from Abraham to present. They had a God–mentality already built in by their ancestors. Jesus birthed into Abraham's line, then His apostles were all His Israelite brethren. Being ill–taught of the Scriptures was not a problem for the apostles. Jesus spent three years with them, grounding them in the Scriptures, in prophecy about Himself, and hiding only a few things from them, which would be revealed after He ascended to Heaven. Afterwards, He removed that veil from their eyes and they were able to tell the world that redemption had come. Now in Antioch, Paul and Barnabas taught the believers about their Israelite God's blood covering all mankind forever. They would know the Scriptures; they would be filled with God in the Holy Spirit; they would have all the privileges the Israelites were known for.
Q. What else happened during the time Barnabas and Paul were in Antioch teaching?	A. Acts 11:26 = Gentile believers were named Christians for the first time.
Q. What else happened during that year barnabas and Paul taught the believers?	A. Acts 11:29 = Prophets came from Jerusalem with news of a famine coming to the entire Roman world (it came during the reign of Claudius).
Q. What did the Christians do in response to this news?	A. Acts 11:29 = They took up a collection for Barnabas and Paul to deliver personally to Jerusalem and to the elders of the church, for the purpose of buying relief items for those affected by the coming famine in Judea.
Q. So Judea was part of the Roman Empire?	A. Yes. All Israel was part of the Roman Empire at this time.
Q. So the famine would affect all Israel too?	A. Acts 11:28 = Yes.
Q. And Jerusalem was like the center of Christianity?	A. Acts 11:30 = Yes. Christianity spread out from Jerusalem to all parts of the world.
Q. What countries were part of the Roman Empire at this time?	A. I'm looking at the map in the back of my bible. In today's geography, the Roman Empire would have covered England, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Armenia, Egypt, Arabia, Bulgaria, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Asia, Belgium, France and Vienna. Basically, the Roman Empire had territory all the way around the Mediterranean Sea, all the islands there, all surrounding land east, west and south of the Black Sea. England was the only island not adjacent to those seas. The parameters of these territories were mostly not more than 300 miles away from the aforementioned seas and filled with people who made their livings by the sea. These were very heavily populated areas.
Q. What happened just as the church in Antioch was getting strong?	A. Acts 12:1 = King Herod Agrippa (or Herod the King) began to persecute some believers in the church.
Q. Who in particular did Agrippa persecute?	A. Acts 12:2 = One of the apostles, James, the son of Zebedee, who was killed with a sword.
Q. What surprised Agrippa about this killing of an apostle?	A. Acts 12:3 = It pleased the Jewish unblieving leaders, which humored him. Note: It is scary to know there are fakes leading the Israelites, our most ancient and true religious people. But God allows it.
Q. Why?	A. Persecution refines us and proves to everyone that it is worth the cost of our lives to know God. God doesn't need proof, but like Job, others do, man and demon alike. And look how the angels rejoice to see us endure persecution!
Q. So the Romans did whatever they liked in those days?	A. Acts 12:1 = Yes. Note: What a contrast between a barbaric world and the Heavenly one Jesus introduced to mankind! All they had before Jesus was faulty, human Jewish law dispensers, a few genuine and faithful Israelites, people who decided to worship the Hebrew God (like Cornelius), and their barbaric world strewn with the idols of wannabe God–followers.
Q. What did Herod Agrippa do next?	A. Acts 12:3 = He had Peter arrested.
Q. Why?	A. Acts 12:3 = He was amused with the Jewish leaders' blood thirst for the apostles and during the Passover.
Q. What did he plan to do with Peter?	A. Acts 12:4 = Put him on public trial after the Passover.
Q. How did the Christians respond to this news?	A. Acts 12:5 = They prayed earnestly for Peter. Note: Always, when a disaster looms, pray before acting! Pray, travail, don't make a move until God instructs and grants wisdom about handling it. No answer, no action!
Q. Did the believers praying get instructions from God concerning Peter?	A. Acts 12:6–11 = No. God intervened. Note: No answer? God will intervene without you!
Q. How?	A. Acts 12:6–11 = God sent an angel to release Peter from prison.
Q. Where did Peter go upon his release?	A. Acts 12:12 = To Mary, mother of John Mark's house.
Q. What was happening at her house when Peter arrived there?	A. A prayer meeting for his freedom was in progress. Note: It's no coincidence that Peter went to Mary's house. We take for granted the details of our lives that God Himself works out. Thank Him now for watching out for you so carefully! The Shepherd looks out for His sheep!
Q. Did Peter pray about going to Mary's house first?	A. Acts 12:11 = No. He thought about where to go first though. Note: Think before taking action. That's a good place to start when setting out anywhere. Ask God, "Lord, where should I go?" One young pastor once said, "If your thoughts are on God, your desires will be for His will. If your thoughts are on the devil, your desires will be fore the devil's will." Peter's thoughts were on God, so he went to the place God readied him for next.
Q. What else did Herod Agrippa do?	A. Acts 12:19 = 1) He didn't believe that God Himself freed Peter and ordered a manhunt for him 2) He killed the soldiers guarding Peter at the time 3) He became angry with the people of the Roman territories of Tyre and Sidon, and to appease his anger, they managed to win an audience with him, at which time the people gave him a great ovation, shouting about Agrippa, "It is the voice of a god, not a man!"
Q. What did that lead to?	A. Acts 12:23 = Herod Agrippa accepted their worship and became ill as a result.
Q. What actually happened in that audience with Herod Agrippa?	A. Acts 12:22 = God intervened for Agrippa and the people of Tyre and Sidon. God anointed Agrippa with the wisdom to gain favor with them. He knew it too! But he took the credit that was God's due. Note: All leaders are put in place by God. But God actually works all things out in His grace. Political leaders know right away that the job they thought they wanted did not come with the wisdom to carry it out. As one wise governor said to me in response to my letting her know I am praying for her, "I need all the help I can get. Prayer really helps!" She was not a professing believer (yet!), mind you! Just one who got in over her head and humbly admitted it.
Q. Did Agrippa's hostile actions affect the spread of the Good News?	A. ACts 12:24 = No. The Good News continued to spread rapidly. Many were saved!
Q. What mission did Barnabas and Saul need to complete in Jerusalem?	A. Acts 12:25, 29–30 = They took the relief money collected in Antioch to the church in Jerusalem for distribution in Judea for the coming famine at which time the people there would need extra help. Note: Did you know that God prepares us for hard times? He makes sure we are taken care of when we are surprised by hardship.
Q. Where did Paul and Barnabas go next?	A. Acts 12:25 = Back to Antioch, taking John Mark with them.
Q. What was the church in Antioch like?	A. Acts 13:1 = It had prophets and teachers previously working in Jerusalem who were sent to Antioch to serve in ministry.
Q. What do we know about these Christians working in Antioch of Syria?	A. Acts 13:1 = 1) Barnabas (aka, Joseph), the Levite, originated from Cyprus, and was known for his generosity. 2) Simeon was also called, "The Black Man" 3) Lucius was from Cyrene 4) Manaen was the childhood friend of King Herod Antipas 5) Paul, the ex–persecuter of Christians, and on fire for God, bring the Good News to the Gentiles, was formerly known as Saul.
Q. How did God get His Kingdom work done in the church at Antioch of Syria?	A. Acts 13:2 = God initiated work for them to do while they prayed and fasted.
Q. How?	A. Acts 13:2 = The Holy Spirit said, "Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work I have for them." Note 1: God sends his workers out in twos. Who would God pair you up with? I was paired up with my husband to create a prayer covering for the leaders at a Cleansing Stream seminar one year. Pairing two together is wisdom. To reach God's people, you need people skills. Flying solo weakens people skills, even between husbands and wives. If you find yourself flying solo in ministry, it's time to mingle! Get a partner on equal footing and develop or hone your communication skills! Note 2: Does your pastor pray a lot? I like a church that prays, whose pastor waits on God. He encourages others by example to do the same.
Q. Did Saul and Barnabas go off together at that time?	A. Acts 13:3 = No. They prayed and fasted some more.
Q. Then what happened?	A. Acts 13:3 = The church folks in Antioch of Syria laid hands on them and sent them on their way.
Q. What would Barnabas and Paul do next?	A. Acts 13:4 = They sailed from Seleucia to Cyprus, which is Barnabas' birthplace.
Q. Where in Cyprus did they do Kingdom work?	A. Acts 13:5 = At the synagogues in the town of Salanis.
Q. What was the Kingdom work Barnabas and Paul did there?	A. Acts 13:5 = They preached the Word of God.
Q. Were they alone in Salanis?	A. Acts 13:5 = No. They had John Mark with them.
Q. Who was John Mark?	A. Acts 12:12 = Mary's son. At Mary's house, many gathered to pray for Peter while he was imprisoned. Peter showed up at their doorstep after his divine release.
Q. What else did they do in Cyprus?	A. Acts 13:6 = They preached from town to town across the entire island from Salamis to Paphos.
Q. What was in Paphos besides preaching for its people?	A. Acts 13:6 = A Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar–Jesus.
Q. Was he influential in Paphos?	A. Acts 13:7 = Yes. He had attached himself to the governor, Sergius Paulus.
Q. What was Sergius like?	A. Acts 13:7 = Curious, Sergius invited Paul and Barnabas over for a visit.
Q. Why?	A. Acts 13:7 = Sergius wanted to hear the Word of God for himself.
Q. What did Bar–Jesus say to Sergius about the visit?	A. Acts 13:8 = Bar–Jesus (which in Greek is Elymas) interfered in the meeting, telling Sergius the Christian faith was a joke. Right in front of Saul, Barnabas, John Mark and Sergius, he declared it. Note: Satan uses evil people to turn otherwise prospective people away from Christianity and following God. If you are honestly seeking God, this will happen. This earth houses limitless shelves of books that give us alternative things to believe in. They all seem well–meant, but are from Hell, are designed to keep you away from God's Word, and therefore, the faith. "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Don't let anyone interfere with your getting into the Word. It is the only book on the planet that will increase your faith.
Q. When did Saul begin being called Paul?	A. Acts 13:9 = Right here is the first record we have of Saul and Paul being one in the same.
Q. What happened next?	A. Acts 13:9 = Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit and looked the sorcerer in the eye and rebuked him.
Q. What did Paul charge Bar–Jesus with?	A. Acts 13:10 = 1) Being a son of the devil 2) Being full of every sort of trickery and villainy 3) Being the enemy of all that is good 4) perverting the true ways of the Lord. Note: These are common tactics of the devil used to keep unbelievers in the dark about God. Unfortunately, believers not yet on their feet in the Word succumb to these tricks. Consider each of these tricks and ask the Holy Spirit if you've been duped lately! 1) The first trick is not a trick at all. If you don't belong to God, you belong to the devil. 2) Trickery and villainy = Being turned away from doing good 3) Enemy of good = This includes poo–pooing the work people are doing in the Kingdom outside of your church walls, i.e., home churches and new and old churches that meet in schools and other unconventional places. 4) Perverting the true ways of the Lord = This is a big one; it includes 1) Shoving the Word of God down people's throats 2) obeying God's Word to extremes like over–discipling children, demanding Old Testament Laws to be kept, like those requiring sacrifices offered for sin (Jesus fulfilled the Law! We are free from it and live under the New Covenant He set up; the Covenant of Love) 3) Teaching that God has characteristics outside of His Word, like His love is limited to those who continually do good deeds, and teach that otherwise you may die and be surprised by Hell. This is a lie. Jesus paid for all sin, once for all. Our actions do not save us. Our lack of actions for the Kingdom may limit heavenly rewards later on, but they do not determine eternal salvation. Only acceptance of Jesus' finished work of the cross saves. With that salvation is eternal life. It is a complete package!
Q. What other tactics did the devil use in manipulating Bar–Jesus?	A. Acts 13:8 = 1) Interference with the true words of God that Barnabas and Saul were saying to the governor; interrupting them. Note 1: If your teaching is good, the devil will try to interrupt it. This is so annoying! Pray before talking or teaching about God's Word. Ask God to silence Hell, then silence Hell yourself, and there will be fruit without interruption. Note 2: Do you as a teacher tend to interrupt your students during Sunday school? Or do you let others share? Teachers are reminded to let everyone share in a group cell. Everyone blesses everyone else with their part in the sharing of their lessons.
Q. What other tactics does the devil use to thwart God's work on earth?	A. Acts 13:8 = Poo–pooing important teaching, the Good News message itself. Minimizing its importance as it is being preached. Note: No part of the Good News Message can be omitted. One must understand the eternal plan for salvation as not being man's idea, but God's. It begins and ends with God! Anything less and a prospective believer may turn away from God because the Good News only makes sense when related completely.
Q. What are those Good News points we need to pay particular attention to?	A. 1) God planned the universe and created it for us 2) God made man to fellowship with HIm 3) In order to fellowship with man, man required a free will, so God built free will into man. 4) Giving man free will meant man had the choice to accept or reject God 5) God has no human children who have not failed. 6) Man lives in darkness until God calls him to salvation. 7) Man chooses God because He chooses man first. 8) In order for man to be in God's presence and not die, man must be made perfect. 9) The work Jesus did on the cross made man able to come into God's presence 10) The blood of Jesus cleansed man, once and for all, from sin 11) Accepting that payment for sin qualifies every man for salvation 12) Salvation is a choice; there is only one way to God and that is through Jesus' blood. 13) Salvation comes with eternal life, which makes a believing man Hell's enemy. 14) You cannot sin your way out of salvation 15) Salvation is forever 16) There are three deaths we all share in. The first one is at our salvation, the 2nd one is dying daily to self, so God's power can work His Kingdom through us, and the 3rd one is physical death. Satan can do nothing about our salvation, but he tries to stop the daily process of dying to self through temptations designed to trip us up. 17) We press on, knowing we are being made perfect until death and resurrection. This is our maturity, only made possible by knowing God's Word and in praying. 18) The taking away of the church from this planet is coming soon and at an unexpected time. 19) This world is passing away 20) Judgment Day is today. 21) A new world is coming, one without sin, and where Jesus will be the world ruler. 22) Rewards await God's people 23) Hell is hot. 24) We can rest in God because only He can save our families and loved ones. 25) If life is hard, then we are living it in the flesh 26) Words are powerful. Bless only with your mouth! 27) Our thankfulness makes nonbelievers want to know God. 28) I cannot change anyone, but God will send the Holy Spirit to change me. This happens by learning His Word and through prayer 29) My maturity attracts people who desire to know God 30) We are not under the Old Covenant Law, but rather under the New Covenant Law of Love. 31) 1 Corinthians 13 shows us how to behave always 32) Death to self means humbling myself before God. 33) I need a daily refilling of the Holy Spirit because I leak. 34) When I teach others about God, God confirms the truth with miracles and healings.
Q. If I am filled daily with the Holy Spirit, what benefit is it to me?	A. Acts 13:9–12 = I can see the schemes of the devil carried out and can do battle with him.
Q.Why do I need a daily filling of the Holy Spirit?	A. Because we leak.
Q. Why should I do battle with Hell?	A. Acts 13:12 = Because potential believers witness the battle and see God's miracles in it.
Q. What is a seeker of God like when he hears the Good News?	A. Acts 13:12 = He is astonished! Note: This means that he is hearing something he has never heard before. He believes right away.
Q. Where did Paul begin to be referred to as the leader of his mission team?	A. Acts 13:13 = Right after dealing with Bar–Jesus, when he and the team boarded a ship to Pamphylia and Pisidia.
Q. Where are Pamphylia and Pisidia?	A. In modern day Turkey.
Q. Did they stay together?	A. Acts 13:13 = No. John Mark left Paul and Barnabas in Pamphylia and returned to Jerusalem. Barnabas and Saul traveled inland to Antioch of Pisidia.
Q. What was the Sabbath service like in Paul's day?	A. Acts 13:14–15 = 1) They read from the books of Moses and the Prophets 2) People were appointed to be in charge of the services. 3) Those people would call on others to speak at their synagogues.
Q. Did Paul and Barnabas get invited to speak there?	A. Acts 13:15 = Yes.
Q. How did the synagogue leaders contact them?	A.Acts 13:14 = They were already attending the service in in Turkey.
Q. What did guest speakers do at a service?	A. Acts 13:15 = They spoke words of encouragement to the people.
Q. Who attended the synagogue?	A. Acts 13:16 = People of Israel and devoted Gentiles who feared the Lord.
Q. How long did it take for God to conquer the people of Canaan so that He could give it to Israel?	A. Acts 13:20 = 450 years.
Q. Once they possessed the land, and after Joshua died, who led the Israelites?	A. Acts 13:20 = The judges of the Book of Judges.
Q. How long were there judges in the land?	A. Acts 13:20 = Until Samuel, the prophet came.
Q. Who led Israel after the last judge died?	A. The Israelites asked God for a human king, which God warned them was a bad idea. Note: God is good. He lets us choose, even if we choose unwisely.
Q. But King Saul was a mess! Did God intervene during his reign?	A. Acts 13:22 = Yes. God anointed David to replace Saul eventually.
Q. Why?	A. Acts 13:22 = Because David's heart was for God and he would do everything God wanted him to. Note: A young preacher, Jonovan Asato, once said, "If your heart is for God, you will do what God wants you to do too! But if your heart is for satan, you'll do what satan wants you to do."
Q. What confirms God's acceptance of David's heart?	A. Acts 13:23 = Jesus is David's descendant and God's Son. Note: Not half human, half God's Son, Jesus is all human and all God's Son. Hallelujah!
Q. Why did John the Baptist come?	A. Acts 13:24 = To get people ready to meet their Savior.
Q. How does one ready oneself for being in the presence of God?	A. Acts 13:24 = An anointed one of God will come to him and show him what is needed.
Q. Which is what?	A. Acts 13:24 = You need to choose to turn from sin. Repent. Note: Everyone knows basically what sin is. We are all affected by its results. But we also need a reason to choose to walk away from it, as far as it is possible for us to do in our own strength.
Q. What else is needed to prepare oneself to be in the presence of God?	A. Acts 13:24 = The second act of our will is to turn to God. Note: It isn't enough to say, "I'm not sinning anymore." One must replace sinning with a direction to go in. That is turning onto God's path towards Him.
Q. What is the 3rd requirement to being in the presence of God?	A. Acts 13:24 = Getting baptized. Note: I love this! Baptism is the symbolic putting to death the deeds of the flesh, my own fleshly thinking and living by my own will, which is pure sin, and waiting on God to lead me. Waiting on God means I fast and pray while expecting Him to come.
Q. This is what John the Baptist did for those waiting for Messiah?	A. Acts 13:24 = Yes. We all need the proper attitude and preparation to come into God's presence. Note 1: Do you know you are sin? That your flesh wants nothing to do with God? That the curse of Adam makes you run from God? Then you know that repentance of sin is admitting this fact about yourself. Note 2: Did you know that you can repent of sin and not turn to God? This is a dangerous place to be! The devil looks for people in this state to possess. "And having found his house clean and swept, he returns with seven more demons..." Repentance requires a new filling - of God - immediately! Note 3: Did you know also that you can have repented and turned to God and still miss the mark? Let me illustrate: You really want this particular job. Finally, you are hired. Your employer is the best! You wear the uniform and show up for the first day of work. The employer gives you instructions for your job, but you throw the instructions away, telling him you can do it better than he. The boss spends the time training you anyway, but you disregard his voice, his memos, and continually botch the job. No fruit is produced. You have cost the kingdom unnecessary delay. He confronts you with the facts at the end of the day, but you insist that it wasn't you who botched the job, it was another guy who has incidentally, already produced fruit for the company for a decade. You get ired, walk away disillusioned. Wasn't your heart in the right place? Hadn't you demonstrated that by repenting and turning to God? Well, no. You wore the uniform proudly, but only in the flesh. Like Cain, you thought you could offer God something from inside you that would beat what God said He required. You never learned that you and all you are IS sin. You disregarded the manual and insisted on using your manual, your way. But God requires the opposite. Be baptized! Death to self! Read the manual; do the job right. The manual transforms your thinking, so that you can know what your job requires. The better you learn it, the less you trust yourself because, whoa, sin is soooo ugly and opposite and the enemy of your soul and the manual spells that out clearly! The devil uses our selfish flesh to destroy us. We need to lasso it every morning and catapult the thing to the foot of the cross so as not to interfere inadvertently or knowingly with God's Kingdom work. We then need to wait on God to use our humbled self to display His talents and abilities in His Kingdom work. See the difference? This is God's simple way to be. Let Him work and ask Him to kick your butt out of His way should it interfere in any way.
Q. Was John the Baptist a worthy man to herald in Jesus' coming?	A. Acts 13:25 = No. But he was born to do it. Note: Only Jesus' blood makes us worthy to be part of God's family.
Q. What was the message Paul said to the people of Antioch?	A. Acts 13:26 = A brief history of God's people from Abraham to present day. He then declared that Messiah saved everyone in His perfect time.
Q. What did Paul say about the Israelites who killed Jesus?	A. Acts 13:27 = That they fulfilled prophecy in their ignorance.
Q. But didn't they read the Scriptures about Messiah every Sabbath?	A. Acts 13:27 = Yes. They didn't recognize their own Messiah! Note: If you merely hear the Word of God, what good is it? God said to meditate on it and it would become treasure in your heart. The Bible seems like too much to meditate on, line upon line and precept upon precept. But by today's standards, the bible is only about 1400 pages in length; the size of three novels maybe? I am in my 5th year, having begun reading the bible with the book of Genesis. I am now in Acts 13, 5 years later. Is this too much for God to ask of me? This study has deepened my intimacy with God in prayer and fellowship. Without having memorized a single verse during this time, I remember clearly the passages of Scripture I need at the appropriate times, and I am very memory-impaired! I can only regret not having meditated and studied this way earlier in my life. I can only repent for turning a deaf ear to the daily promptings of God to find a way to draw near today, which is always fresh and new. This is why I publish my studies and meditations for you. May these pages begin a fire in you to begin your own personal study. Publish it and let me know where to pick up a copy!
Q. How did the Israelites kill Jesus?	A. Acts 13:28 = They asked Pontius Pilate to kill Him, even though they could find no reason to. Note: Who does your dirty work? Even if you don't do the actual deed, God will hold you responsible for ordering it.
Q. Who cleaned up after Jesus' death?	A. Acts 13:29 = More Israelites; those who had listening ears. Note: At the very least, sinning people may harm someone, but if you must witness such horrible behavior, be obedient to God by cleaning up the mess. People who cause harm don't stick around for damage control. You are free to bind the wounds they cause. Do it faithfully and God will reward you. Remember, God witnessed this too, and has His reasons for letting harm happen to Him. We cannot grow unless we are in trial. Trials refine us. Those who endure them are rewarded.
Q. What happens when we endure a trial?	A. Acts 13:30 = God transforms us. Note: This is the pattern God uses. As Jesus endured His trial under false pretenses, was murdered too, believers took care of His body. Then God moved in and transformed Him. Only God can do wonderful things on our behalf. Do you anticipate God's intervention in your life?
Q. Did Jesus show Himself to everyone after God raised Him from the dead?	A. Acts 13:31 = No. Only to those who went with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem to the finish of His task here on earth.
Q. Who did Paul refer to these folks as?	A. Acts 13:31 = Jesus' witnesses to the people of Israel. Note: Have you seen God move in a big way? Did you know that makes you Jesus' witness to the people?
Q. When was Jesus being God's Son revealed by God Himself again? I know the first time was at His baptism by John the Baptist.	A. Acts 13:32-33 = When God raised Jesus, He revealed Jesus as His Son. It was prophecy fulfilled out of Psalm 2:7.
Q. Did God promise to raise Jesus from the dead in prophecy?	A. Acts 13:34 = Yes. IN Isaiah 55:3-5, which is a beautiful and clear prophecy. It is written out below: "Come to Me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake. I am ready to make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the mercies and unfailing love that I promised to David. He displayed My power by being My witness and a leader among the nations. You also will command the nations, and they will come running to obey, because I, the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious."
Q. What else does the Scriptures say about Jesus?	A. Acts 13:35 = In Psalm 16:10, it was prophesied that God would not allow His Holy One to rot in the grave.
Q. Did the Israelites assume that God was speaking of David here?	A. Acts 13:36 = No. They knew David's body rotted away like his ancestors did.
Q. So this Psalm had been left as a mystery?	A. Acts 13:37 = Yes. They knew it had referred to someone else; someone who God had to raise and whose body would not decay.
Q. Why did Jesus plan to die on the cross before time began for us?	A. Acts 13:38-39 = To make it possible to be forgiven of sin, just by believing in Jesus' substitutionary death for mankind.
Q. What does it mean to be forgiven of sin?	A. Acts 13:39 = 1) Freedom from all guilt 2) Being made right with God.
Q. Didn't the Law of Moses and its sacrifices do that for the Israelites?	A. Acts 13:39 = No. the Law of Moses was incomplete in that way. The rituals in it had to be repeated constantly just for temporary atonement for sins.
Q. Did Jesus know how hard it would be fore man to accept salvation on these terms?	A. Acts 13:40 = Yes. He warned us to not mock at the salvation plan when it was in place. He prophesied rejection of it in Habakkuk 1:5.
Q. What does Habakkuk say?	A. Acts 13:41 = In Habakkuk 1:5, God told mockers to be amazed and die! Note: To be surprised that God cares about His people that intensely was not enough. Even the Jewish leaders and teachers were amazed at Jesus' wisdom without believing in His words.
Q. What did the people in that synagogue think of what Paul and Barnabas had to say about God's present movements?	A. Acts 13:42-43 = They asked them back to speak further about Jesus. Some were saved, Jew and Gentile alike, and Paul and Barnabas then urged them to be faithful to God.
Q. How would these new believers be faithful?	A. Acts 13:43 = By God's grace! Note: God, give us the grace to be faithful to You! You are always faithful to us!
Q. Where does faith originate?	A. Acts 13:43 = With God. By His gift of grace to us. We believe and let Him go before us in all things. Note: Do you have trouble accepting the Word of God, His plan of salvation? Ask God to grant you the grace you need to believe. Only he can make the salvation plan, the Good News, clear to you.
Q. Were other people in Antioch being prepared by God to hear the Good News?	A. Acts 13:44 = Yes. The entire city showed up at the synagogue the next time they spoke.
Q. How did the Jewish leaders respond to that larger crowd?	A. Acts 13:45 = They were jealous of the crowd Paul and Barnabas drew to themselves.
Q. And?	A. Acts 13:45 = They did what they did to Jesus previously. They slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said. Note: Only God grants grace to believe. It never occurred to these Jewish leaders to listen and consider their words.
Q. What happens when people reject such good news about our good fate to come?	A. Acts 13:46 = They judge themselves as being unworthy of eternal life. Note: Only the Good News makes us worthy. Only Jesus' work of the cross gives us eternal life. Rejecting it makes us unworthy of Heaven.
Q. Was it prophesied that salvation would come to the Gentiles?	A. Acts 13:46-47 = yes. In Isaiah 49:6, it says that 1) Israel was made to be a light to the Gentiles 2) Israel was made to bring salvation to the furthest corners of the earth.
Q. How did the Gentiles respond to this Good News?	A. ACts 13:48 = They thanked God and were very happy!
Q. Any saved at this time?	A. Acts 13:48 = Yes. All who were appointed to eternal life became believers. Note: Appointed? This truth is based on our willingness to accept the Good News. God knows whose hearts believe.
Q. How did the Jewish leaders cause trouble for Paul and Barnabas in Antioch?	A. Acts 13:45, 50 = First, they tried slander, argued with them in public. Then they advanced to stirring up influential religious women and the leaders of Antioch. Joining together, they were a mob, inciting people with lies and running Paul and Barnabas out of town.
Q. How did Paul and Barnabas respond to their hostility?	A. Acts 13:51 = They shook the dust off their feet and went to a different city to spread the Good News. Note: Sometimes our work is finished in a particular place. God will continue any work we leave unfinished through other believers and pursue those destined for salvation until the death. Isn't that good of Him?
Q. Why did Paul and Barnabas shake the dust off their feet?	A. Acts 13:51 = Jesus taught His disciples to do this as a visual symbol to the unbelievers that they were now at God's mercy.
Q. How did the new believers in Antioch respond to the hostility shown to Paul and Barnabas?	A. Acts 13:52 = They were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Note: Let God spread His Good News with your mouth. Even if some people cause trouble, those God appoints will be saved from among the lost.
Q. Where did Paul and Barnabas go after Antioch?	A. Acts 13:51 = To the land now called Turkey.
Q. How far a journey was that from Antioch?	A. Acts 13:51 = According to the map, Turkey is about 250 miles Northwest of Antioch. By foot, that is about a twelve day walk!
Q. What happened in Iconium?	A. Acts 14:1 = Paul and Barnabas preached with such power that a great number of both Jews and Gentiles believed.
Q. At the synagogue?	A. Acts 14:1 = Yes! Note: Let God's power flow through your voice. Don't think of clever anecdotes to humor folks into listening to your message. God's power flows freely. The more you speak the Good News, the more God speaks. Ask God to boot your flesh out of the way so He can speak freely through you!
Q. How did the Jews who hated God's Good News cause trouble in Iconium?	A. Acts 14:2 = 1) They stirred up distrust among the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas, saying all sorts of evil things about them. Note: Interesting that they targeted the Gentiles only. Since the Gentiles were basically ignorant about God's Word, it would be easy to lie about those biblical things they preached, which were telling them Israel's story and her prophecies fulfilled by Jesus. It would be impossible to fool a Jew about these things.
Q. Howdid Paul and Barnabas defend the truth they spoke?	A. Acts 14:3 = God gave them power to do miraculous signs and wonders to confirm that all they said was true. Note: God doesn't need our help defending His Word. We are the mouthpieces of God's Word. Once God's Word is out, it convicts hearts and plants seeds of salvation, and is confirmed by signs and wonders.
Q. Did Paul and Barnabas stay a long time in Iconium?	A. Acts 14:3 = Yes.
Q. What did they emphasize in Iconium?	A. Acts 14:3 = The grace of the Lord. Note: Grace and salvation are based on Jesus' finished work, not our own Kingdom work in spreading around what He did for us.
Q. What resulted in the hostile Jews' lies about them?	A. Acts 14:4 = The people there were divided in their opinions about Paul and Barnabas. Note: I don't care what conflict you may find yourself suddenly in. Do not talk about it to new believers. They may misunderstand completely the Gospel of Peace, God's Good News. Take your troubles to God and He will confirm His solutions to you.
Q. What happened next?	A. Acts 14:5 = The misled ones tried to undo Paul and Barnabas' deciding they should be stoned to death.
Q. Did they succeed?	A. Acts 14:6 = No. They learned of this plot and fled for their lives. Note: People don't generally go alone to a hanging. They need a posse to drum up the courage to sin against the innocent this severely! When I was accused falsely, my accusers tried to get a Christian posse in the name of prayer. The posse they found were spread all over the mainland and close to me as well. None of the members of this posse hand the nerve to tell me what was happening and the gossip continued to spread for two weeks. My husband stumbled into the midst of it and alerted me right away. He then called the source of the gossip and they were so stirred up by then that they nearly committed many more sins the instant they heard from my husband. Be careful, sheep, to follow God's lead. The devil knows your armor chinks well and enthusiastically waits to use these chinks against your brethren, even your closest ones! Anyone can be made a fool by Hell. Don't be the devil's patsy!
Q. Where did Paul and Barnabas flee to from Iconium?	A. Acts 14:6 = Lystra and Derbe, about 125 miles to Derbe, and about 150 miles to Lystra from Iconium. They also preached in the surrounding areas.
Q. Did they take a break from preaching?	A. Acts 14:7 = No way!
Q. Where did they go first then?	A. Acts 14:8 = To Lystra.
Q. What happened there?	A. Acts 14:8 = Paul was preaching when he noticed a man with crippled feet. He had been that way since birth, so the man had never walked.
Q. What was noticeable to Paul about this man?	A. Acts 14:9 = 1) He was listening to the message 2) He had faith to be healed. Note: God gives this kind of faith. Ask God to give you faith to be healed!
Q. How did Paul deal with this man?	A. Acts 14:10 = He commanded him in a loud voice, saying, "Stand up!"
Q. What happened?	A. Acts 14:10 = The man jumped to his feet and started walking.
Q. How did the crowd respond?	A. Acts 14:11 = They shouted in their own dialects that Paul and Barnabas were gods in human bodies.
Q. Which gods?	A. Acts 14:12 = They decided that Barnabas must be their Greek god, Zeus, and that Paul must be the Greek god, Hermes, since he was the chief speaker.
Q. Then what happened?	A. Acts 14:13 = They had a temple for these gods located on the outskirts of the city, which they brought sacrifices to.
Q. For what purpose?	A. Acts 14:13 = To offer them up to their now allegedly visible gods, Paul and Barnabas. Only now they brought their sacrifices to the city gates. Note: Pagan worship copies Mosaic Law.
Q. How did Paul and Barnabas respond to this gesture?	A. Acts 14:14 = In dismay, with correction, calling the people 'friends' and assuring them they were men just like them.
Q. What does the knowledge of the Good News do for people?	A. Acts 14:15 = It makes people turn from worthless idolatry to the living God. Note: Idolatry in its broadest sense is that which you spend the most time doing apart from God. The Good News frees us from all things not God-centered and places God in the center of whatever we do. Careers, money, entertainment, relationships, all fall under the place in your life where the living God is, and we are influenced by a desire to do these things God's way. This way of living is peaceful and balanced for us. Hallelujah!
Q. Why did all the nations go their own ways?	A. Acts 14:16 = God permitted them to do so.
Q. But He gave all nations a reminder of Himself. What is this reminder?	A. Acts 14:17 = Sending mankind rain and good crops, which give them food and joyful hearts. Note: Always represent God's attribute as Provider. Non-believers who hear the truth for the first time tend to be over-grateful to the one providing the Good News. Point them upward. Believers are merely other humans under God's provision too, and somehow got saved a bit earlier than those we preach to.
Q. Did the people believe Paul and Barnabas' message?	A. Acts 14:18 = Barely! Note 1: They always wanted to see their idols take life! Non-believers live in a state of expectation of false truths. When the real truth comes around, what will you do? Let God be God. Anticipate His good pouring down on you. Await His coming. Let your expectations come from God's Word. Note 2: I expect the Rapture of the church. That will be a sudden event! Others expect instead the return of Jesus who will descend from the clouds. Both are biblical things. Both are prophesied. They are written to us so we have hope. I believe both prophecies. First, the Rapture, then Jesus' Second Coming.
Q. What was nice about preaching in Lystra and Derbe?	A. Acts 14:19 = There were no hateful Israelites to hinder the Good News until later on. Note: There is nothing like doubt to hinder a healing ministry. It is good to move about from place to place and tell the Good News to strangers. God's Word convicts the heart. It's always good to hear it again from someone new.
Q. Did the hateful Israelites eventually show up then?	A. Acts 14:19 = Yes.
Q. From where?	A. Acts 14:19 = Antioch in Iconium.
Q. Did they cause the same trouble?	A. Acts 14:19 = Yes. But they were better at it now! This time Paul did not escape. He was stoned and dragged out of the city, thought to be dead.
Q. Was Paul's body alone outside the city?	A. Acts 14:20 = No. As the believers stood around him in sorrow, he got up and went back into the city! Note: It is good to gather around one in jany trouble. That really is an act of faith! I hovered over a friend laying sick in the hospital with impossible survival odds. I prayed and prayed and read the Scriptures to him. Others did the same in a sort of rotation. And he recovered!
Q. What happened next?	A.Acts 14:20 = Paul found Barnabas and left with him for Derbe. Note: Barnabas had been listed first as the initial apostle in Antioch. But Paul's place in this mission as at least as important was quickly established.
Q. When?	A. Acts 13:7 = Up to the time they met with the governor of Paphos in Cyprus. It was there that God used Paul, filling him with the Holy Spirit, and where he openly rebuked demons. But Paul was still counted as second to Barnabas at the time. Paul preached up a storm in Antioch of Pisidia, and after that, he was listed as the initial preacher. Note: Your actual works in ministry will define your place in the church. I love seeing people blossom as God works His miracles through ordinary men and women. But what precedes this? Knowing the Word of God so one can be speaking it too!
Q. Did Paul and Barnabas run into any problems in Derbe?	A. ACts 14:21 = No. Many were saved without interference there!
Q. Where did they go next?	A. Acts 14:21 = Back to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch of Pisidia.
Q. Why did they return?	A. Acts 14:22 = To strengthen the new believers.
Q. How does one strengthen a fellow believer?	A. Acts 14:22 = 1) By encouraging him to continue in the faith 2) By reminding him that in order to get to the Kingdom of God, he must endure many trials.
Q. How did they get these new churches organized?	A. Acts 14:23 = 1) They appointed elders in every church 2) They prayed and fasted for them 3) Paul and Barnabas turned over each elder to Jesus' care, knowing that He would take care of them as He cared for them. These elders would oversee the different churches.
Q. Where did Paul and Barnabas go next?	A. Acts 14:24 = Back through Pisidia to Pamphylia. They preached again in Perga too.
Q. Where did they go after those places?	A. Acts 14:25 = To Attalia.
Q. Where to next?	A. Acts 14:26 = By ship, they returned to Antioch of Syria.
Q. How did they begin this leg of the journey?	A. Acts 14:26 = By committing the whole trip to the grace of God and all the work they would do as well.
Q. When they got back, did they report on their trip?	A. Acts 14:27 = Yes.
Q. What did they emphasize?	A. Acts 14:27 = God's work with them in opening a door of faith to the Gentiles.
Q. Did they go back out again?	A. Acts 14:28 = Not for a long time. They stayed with the believers in Antioch a long time. Note: Hang out with believers! They will encourage you, refresh you and build you up. Non-believers are already empty and feel like life has been sucked out of them. They are for preaching the Good News to, not for good fellowship! As my good friend, Jana, puts it when dealing with unbelievers and weakened believers, "I hope you are telling me all this depressing stuff for a reason because I am going to give you a solution!" That is humanity, isn't it? Filled with Good News, answers to lifelong questions are within our grasp. We tell the world what God has done. Hallelujah! Amen!

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