Study #10 12:25-13:52
Recap
In our previous study, we explored the complex story of Peter’s miraculous escape from prison, paralleled by the death of James, the brother of John. God chose to stop one tragedy, but allowed another to happen. We saw that though the church was fervently praying for Peter, they didn’t initially believe that God had actually saved Peter from prison; their faith was filled with doubts, but God acted anyway.
Last week's reading was the final major story of the apostle Peter; from now on, the primary focus of Acts will be on the Apostle Paul as he sets out on several missionary journeys across the Roman Empire.
Introduction
Verse 12:25 starts by reminding us of the context of this story. At the end of chapter 11, Saul and Barnabas had left Antioch with a financial gift for Jerusalem because of the prophesied famine. Now they have returned to Antioch along with John Mark.
After this context, we see three distinct movements in our reading:
First, Paul’s calling as an apostle to the Gentiles is reiterated by God, and he is sent out with Barnabas.
Second, Paul and Barnabas face resistance that leads to belief; this strange story acts as a prologue for what is about to happen.
Third, Paul preaches his first recorded sermon, which retells the story of how God worked with and through the Hebrew people, preparing the way for Jesus.
Through these three stories, we continue to see the growth and expansion of the church, and we see how God is intimately involved and at work through and before the church. We also see the human choice at every step; sometimes people choose to believe because of what they have seen, while other times, the gospel is too offensive, and thus is resisted and oppressed.
Through these stories, we get a glimpse of how we should respond as Christians to belief and to resistance.
Read Acts 12:25-13:52
(Remember - First read out loud, either one person reads the whole thing, or separate it by verses. After you read through the passage out loud, take a little bit of time to re-read it individually, noting and marking verses, words or phrases that stand out in the story.)
Three Quick Questions:
Is there anything that stands out to you as we read through the passage?
Did you learn anything new or surprising about Jesus or God’s character?
Are there any other stories or passages in the Bible that Luke may be subtly referencing? Why is Luke connecting this story to that passage?
Diving Deeper
In acts we have begun to see a pattern of prayer and fasting. When the church is waiting on the Lord, potentially unsure what the next steps are, they pray and fast in anticipation of God's action.
Why do you think fasting is regularly repeated as a key part of what the church is doing?
Have you ever practiced fasting? If so, how did it feel to fast, and did anything come as a result of it?
In 13:4, we see the beginning of Saul and Barnabas’ mission; they travel by sea to the island of Cyprus and move between two cities there. When they arrived in the cities, they went to the local Jewish Synagogue to share the Gospel.
Why do you think they first went to the Synagogue?
What could this model teach us about sharing our faith today?
Verse 6-12 introduces two characters, Simon Bar Jesus, the Jewish sorcerer and a false prophet (We should remember that sorcery and witchcraft are completely outlawed in the Hebrew Law), and Sergius Paulus, the Proconsul (Roman Governor)
What do you think Luke is trying to show us by the introduction of these two characters?
Hint: Simon Bar Jesus is a Jewish man who has turned away from God and is now antagonistic to Yahweh, while Sergius Paulus is a gentile who does not know God but is eager to hear about him.
The story ends with Simon Bar Jesus unable to see, and the proconsul amazed at what he saw.
In verses 16-41, Paul preaches his first sermon, like Peter’s before him; this sermon is a recounting of how God was at work in and through Israel, preparing to bring Jesus through them.
Is there anything that stands out to you in this sermon?
Is there anything new or surprising in the book of Acts that Paul teaches?
Verses 42-52 tell us of the reaction of the crowd; some Jews believed, while others rejected Paul’s teaching. Because of this reaction, Paul announces that they will now turn to the Gentiles, and that this was in fact a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 49:6). Like the Roman Proconsul, the Gentiles were glad and embraced the word, but many of the Jewish people rejected what was taught.
Why do you think Paul and Barnabas “Shook the dust off their feet”
What might this teach us about evangelism and sharing our faith?
The final verse, 52, tells us that the disciples were filled with joy.
Why do you think they were filled with Joy even though they faced great rejection?
How can we experience that same joy when we also face challenges and rejection?
Benediction
As we leave this place, remember:
God, who chose you before your birth,
who calls you and knows you by name,
now sends you out into the world—
to bring light to those in darkness,
comfort to those who grieve,
hope to those who despair.
And may the blessing of God,
the love of Jesus Christ,
and the presence of the Holy Spirit
be among you and within you
as you seek to do God’s will.
Amen.
