Acts of the Apostles
Lesson 12Acts 13-14
In today’s study, Acts Chapters 13 and 14, we see the work of church approximately seventeen years after Christ’s resurrection, as Paul and Barnabas are commissioned as missionaries and sent on the first of three missionary journeys; spreading the gospel and building churches across the Roman Empire.
We have much to learn from this study about how the early church grew, about Paul’s testimony, about the gospel message, and how both the Jews and Gentiles reacted to it. Is there anything in this week’s study we can apply to the work of our local churches today?
Let’s read chapters 13 and 14 and answer the following questions to find out.
- After Paul and Barnabas are commissioned by the church at Antioch by the laying on of hands, they head to the island of Cyprus as their first stop. Where do they go when they arrive? (Acts 13:1-14)
- Read what Paul’s message was in 13:13-42. What does this illustrate to us about reaching the Jews around us?
- While Paul’s message illustrates that you can lead someone to Christ with just the Old Testament, it also illustrates the use of several scripture references within a specific message; much the way we see pastors and evangelists use this same practice today. List the Old Testament reference that Paul used beside each of the following verses from Acts.
- Acts 13:22
- Acts 13:33
- Acts 13:34
- Acts 13:35
- Acts 13:41
- What was the reaction of the Jews to Paul’s message? (Acts 13:44)
- Why did the Jews later turn against them? (Acts 13:45)
- What was Paul’s response in verses 46 and 47? Did he again use scripture?
- In verses 48 and 49, what was the reaction of the Gentiles, and what does it tell us about witnessing to people who are not Jewish and who do not know anything about the Bible?
- What happened in the synagogue at Iconium? (Acts 14:1)
- Did Paul and Barnabas stay long at Iconium? (Acts 14:2-3)
- Why did Paul and Barnabas flee Iconium? (Acts 14:4-6)
- In Acts 14:7-13, Luke records that Paul heals a lame man in Lystra. What happens to Paul and Barnabas as a result of that healing?
- How do Paul and Barnabas react to this, as recounted in verses 14 thru 18?
- What happens to Paul at Lystra? (Acts 14:19-20)
- In verse 20 of Acts 14, we see that after much work, success and persecution at Lystra and Iconium, they reach their final city, Derbe. After completing their work at Derbe, what do Paul and Barnabas then do? (Acts 14:20-25)
- Having firmly established these churches, where do Paul and Barnabas go next and what do they do? (Acts 14:26-28)
- Do you think that these two chapters provide a model for how churches and missionary outreach can work, even today?
Have a great week everyone!
In Christ,
Wes
[2016]