Acts Series: Bible Studies
by Rev Dr Iain Greenshields
In this series, we are studying the Acts of the Apostles – written by Luke to a friend in order to help him understand the growth of the church after the Ascension of Jesus. Each week a chapter will be chosen as we systematically work our way through the gospel. The Minister will take a section of that chapter to preach on, but over 5 of the 7 days in that week you will have the opportunity to read that chapter for yourselves as we explore together. If you have any questions as you study, please do not hesitate to either email the Minister or contact him by phone - he will be delighted to help.
Week 6
Here we continue to see the growth and development of the young church as it gets beyond the borders of Israel and reaches out into the Roman empire and beyond. The two main characters are Peter and Paul as they lay down the roots of the new churches.
Day 1 Read Acts 13:1-12
Paul and Barnabas spend time in prayer and are clearly directed by the Holy Spirit.
Notice that this is not an individual thing because there was an agreement between all who prayed that God, through the Holy Spirit, had spoken clearly to them all, and instructed Paul and Barnabas to go out and spread the Gospel.
They head for Cyprus and immediately go to the local synagogue where they share their faith with the Jews in that society – doors opened for these two men.
Notice the way this works – they went out and doors opened! Doors do not open by us waiting and hoping but by us taking action and moving forward in faith.
Day 2 Read Acts 13:13-43
The people asked for a word of encouragement – literally, “ a Word that gives courage” [v15]. Paul takes the people on an excursion through the Old Testament and puts the coming of Jesus into perspective. It is important to try and grasp these links because they were fundamental to the beliefs of the early Christians – Christianity is not something that appeared with the coming of Christ but is rooted in the covenants of God and how, down through history, He revealed Himself – and eventually, through the Jewish community, in the person of Christ.
Day 3 Read Acts 13:44-52
Paul turns from speaking to the Jews to ministering to the Gentiles.
- Notice that when the Jewish leaders saw that people were turning to Christ from the Gentile world, their response was not joy but jealousy,
I wonder how often this happens when new Christians come to faith and come to the church only to be met with the cold shoulder? The jealousy that is born out of not wanting new blood in the church!
- Notice the joy of the new believers and reflect on the second part of verse 48.
The message of the Gospel will always take root because it is God’s intended purpose to bring people into His Kingdom.
Day 4 Read Acts 14:1-20
Paul and Barnabas move on and there is power in their togetherness.
Notice that for as much as there was a powerful response to the preaching of the Gospel [see v1], there was also incredible opposition.
- Is aggressive opposition a sign of the authenticity of the message?
- When people see the evidence of the Gospel through the miracles performed, what is the response of the people?
- Why do you think Paul and Barnabas resist this?
It is always important for the messenger never to confuse themselves with the substance of the message they bring.
Day 5 Read Acts 14:21-28
It is interesting that Paul returns to Syria [and to equate this with what is happening to the Christian Church in Syria today, where almost all Christians are displaced – a point of prayer for us.]
They relate their experience to their fellow believers and continue to strengthen the faith of the church in Syria. The church moves a step forward and starts to plan for the future by appointing leaders. It is important to see that God is at the heart of what is happening and that Paul is happy to hand on to local people the development of the church.