Study 23
From The book of Acts Is: Acts 12:25-13:12
And
now, we are back to the book of Acts and we will stick with it until the end.
Once that is done, we will study Amos & Hosea together because they are two
very short books.
With
the return of Barnabas and Saul to Antioch (12:25) begins the story of a great
expansion of the gospel among the Gentiles.
- What parts were played by (a)
the Holy Spirit and (b) the local church in initiating the new advance?
Note that the church may have been praying about possible future
developments of their work when guidance came through a prophet inspired
of the Holy Spirit. What does this teach you about guidance?
- Paul and Elymas meet in a
head-on clash (verses 6-12). What was (a) the cause of the clash, (b) the
reason for Paul’s strong condemnation of Elymas, (c) one purpose of the
judgment which visibly fell upon him? Are you as prepared as Paul to
rebuke and resist direct opposition to the Lord Jesus?
Notes
- Verses 6-8. As a court magician
Bar-Jesus or Elymas feared his job would be in danger if the proconsul
became a Christian.
- Verse 9. ‘Saul, who is called
Paul’: Luke changes from the apostle’s Jewish name to his Roman and
gentile name to stress Paul’s special ministry as the apostle to the
Gentiles which was now beginning. Note also that Paul takes over as leader
from Barnabas: Cf. verse 1 with verse 13. Doubtless, because Paul was a
Roman citizen, the proconsul treated him as superior to Barnabas.
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