Answers for a Study in the Book of Acts: Chapter 13

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“Answers For A Study in the Book of Acts” is a weekly post in addition to the regular “Case for Christianity, Person of Interest” posts on the weekend. The original questions can be found at the bottom of the “Case for Christianity, Person of Interest” study the weekend before, and the answers appear here mid-week. This gives you time to do your own research, and then check your answers here. Keep in mind these will be basic answers with a little depth, but you can go much deeper for discussion if you’d like.

Note: The answers will focus on what the text of the Bible says, and commentaries and speculative answers will be noted as such. There are many scholarly commentaries out there but it will be important, as students of the Bible, to keep the text of the Bible as our first source. Commentaries can be used, keeping in mind that they are human thoughts about God’s Word.

The Goal for the notes, questions and answers: Share and reuse to lead your own Bible study!

Bible Study

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

Read Acts Chapter 13: Then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions.

NOTE: The New American Standard Version (NASB) is the Bible being used here, unless otherwise noted. Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for “Discussion” or “Going Deeper” questions. Cite sources to share with your group.

The book of Acts Hermeneutics; Paul’s first missionary journey 

1. Before starting your Bible study at this point in the book of Acts, it would be important to review some of the Hermeneutics:

a. Author-Audience-Purpose: Who wrote the book of Acts and what other books did he write? Who was the original audience? What was the purpose for the writing of this book?

Author: Luke, a Gentile physician and missionary companion of the Apostle Paul. He also wrote the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts is part 2, or a continuation of that Historical narrative. Luke is considered by many scholars to be one of the greatest historians to ever record because much of his writings have been confirmed through archeology and other historical records.

Audience: Written specifically to Theophilus in both the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts (Luke 1:1-3; Acts 1:1). Theophilus means “one who loves God.” Some scholars believe that Luke was “owned” by Theophilus, or was his personal doctor because physicians in that day and culture were usually servants of the upper class, and thus Luke was commissioned by him to uncover the truth of what he had been taught (Luke 1:4). The audience was expanded to all believers of that day as this Gospel circulated through the early churches, and it continues as the inspired Word of God still teaching us today. (Written ca. AD 63 -70 prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70)

Purpose: To present an accurate account of the life of Christ in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:1-4), and to continue this account with the birth and growth of the Christian Church in the book of Acts. Others had written accounts (Matthew and Mark) but Luke wanted to clarify what was being taught to the Gentiles who did not necessarily understand Jewish traditions and teachings from the Old Testament, and to record the ministry and missionary work of the early apostles and disciples of Christ, specifically Peter and Paul.

Note: These accounts are recorded within the life and times of the witnesses as we know the New Testament narratives were all completed in the first century, A.D., and this makes them primary accounts that support their historicity.

b. Who are some of the main characters in the book of Acts (include some of the Biblical background you have previously learned about them)?

Peter: The close friend of Jesus and one of the inner circle of twelve disciples who emerges, after his eyewitness experience with the resurrected Christ, from being a scared, doubting and denying follower, to a bold, outspoken and passionate Apostle (and eventual martyr) for Jesus.

Paul: Also known as Saul (his Hebrew name). Saul persecuted the first Christians and even stood by as they stoned Stephen to death. Then, after his experience with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, Saul became the primary missionary to the Gentiles, going by his Gentile name of Paul he wrote 13 of the Epistles to the various churches and believers he visited. Paul goes from being a Rabbi of high status in the Jewish Sanhedrin to a persecuted teacher of Christ, who along the way, is beaten, tortured and eventually martyred for his faith.

John-Mark: The author of the Gospel of Mark and cousin of Barnabus. He was a young companion and assistant of Paul and Barnabus on their first missionary journey, but abruptly left before completing the mission. He would reunite with Paul toward the end of Paul’s life and ministry.

Stephen: The first martyr for the faith. Stoned to death while Saul looked on.

James, the Apostle: Brother of John and part of Jesus’ inner circle of twelve disciples. The first of the twelve to die for the faith – martyred by Herod.

James, the half-brother of Jesus: Becomes the leader of the early Church in Jerusalem, and is the author of the Epistle of James.

Barnabus: A leader in the early Church; traveling companion of Paul’s on his first missionary journey. He splits with Paul before the second journey and takes his cousin John-Mark on a separate mission.

Silas: Paul’s main traveling companion after his first missionary journey. He basically took Barnabus’ place along with Luke, Timothy and several others.

2. Read Chapter 13:1-13 with your table group

In the first part of this chapter, Paul and Barnabus were set apart for specific ministry:

a. Describe the Church at Antioch and how it came about that Paul and Barnabus were chosen.

“Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”  Acts 13:1-3 (NASB)

  • The Church at Antioch was the earliest established Christian Church outside Jerusalem.
  • Notice the importance of worshipping God together, along with prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit that set up Barnabus and Saul (Paul) for this ministry.

b. Who was Elymas the magician, and what happened between him and Paul? How did this affect the proconcul (and most likely the people he influenced)?

“When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.  But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand.”

 Acts 13:6-11 (NASB)

  • Elymas was a false prophet and magician (his name, Bar-Jesus means son of a man named Jesus which was a common name in the first century), who was causing problems for Paul and Barnabus.
  • Paul caused him to go blind for a time and rebuked him as an enemy of God (he called him the son of the devil).

“Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.”  Acts 13:12 (NASB)

  • Because of this miracle the proconsul believed, and it most likely caused a ripple of belief amongst the people who were there, or who would be taught by this proconsul.

c. Discuss: What do you think is the main point of miracles in the Bible (like the one Paul performed here), and even in our lives today?

It is important to note that miracles in Scripture are always done to give glory to God, to point people to the one true God, or prove a truth about Christianity. Jesus’ miracles were also pointing people to the fact that He was God incarnate because of His ability to control nature (physics, chemistry, biology etc.). It should be no different today in terms of the purpose of miracles when they do occur.

d. Going Deeper: Who left and returned to Jerusalem at this point? Where else is he found in the Bible and what do we know about him?

“Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem.”  Acts 13:13 (NASB)

  • The Scripture tells us that John (John-Mark) left and returned to Jerusalem – it does not tell us why but scholars speculate…
    • He was young and perhaps became fearful
    • He was not reliable at this young age yet
    • He could have been ill
  • What we know about him…
    • He is the author of the Gospel of Mark
    • He was a cousin of Barnabus, and Barnabus later splits from Paul and takes John-Mark on another missionary journey (Acts 15:37-39)
    • He was a companion of Peter’s (1 Peter 5:13)
    • The disciples gathered at his mother’s house (Acts 12:12)
    • Paul later sent for him and he helps in the ministry (Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24)

3. Read Chapter 13:14-43 with your table group

In the second part of this chapter, Paul and his companions set out to sea to continue their missionary journey as they arrive at Pisidian Antioch (not the same Antioch as in 13:1):

a. At this point Paul and his companions were asked to speak in a Jewish Synagogue. What specific Old Testament references did Paul use to make a connection to Jesus?

Using a form of “apologetics” Paul begins with the history of the Jewish Nation and the promises God made in the Old Testament. This sets up the connection to the New Testament and the person of Jesus who fulfills the Old Testament prophecies, narratives and pictures that point to Him:

  • Verses 17-19 come from the historical narratives in the Old Testament books of Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy and Joshua, and verses 20-22 encompass the narratives in the books of Judges and 1-2 Samuel
  • Verse 23 is concerning the Davidic Covenant found in 2 Samuel 7:8-17 that the Messiah would come from his royal line
  • Verses 24-25 refer to the preaching of John the Baptist in the New Testament Gospels, who prepared the way for Jesus as the promised Messiah
  • Verses 26-29 focus on the salvation message Jesus fulfilled “uttered” by the prophets of the Old Testament (that they did not recognize)

b. What evidence did Paul give concerning Jesus’ Resurrection?

Paul continued the “apologetic” speech…

“When they had carried out all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead;  and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people. And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today I have begotten You.’ As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ Therefore He also says in another Psalm, ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.’ For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay; but He whom God raised did not undergo decay.”  Acts 13:29-37 (NASB)

  • First of all, most of the people Paul was talking to, knew about the things that had happened, and the witnesses were still talking about it and telling the people (this was just a few years after Jesus death and resurrection – eyewitness testimony is all over the New Testament!)
  • Paul also focused on the fulfillment of Scripture and God’s promises – example: Psalm 2:7; Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 55:3

“Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. Therefore take heed, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you: ‘Behold, you scoffers, and marvel, and perish; For I am accomplishing a work in your days,
A work which you will never believe, though someone should describe it to you.’”  Acts 13:38-41 (NASB)

  • The goal, and conclusion, of the “apologetic” focused on salvation by grace (vs. law)
  • The final Old Testament reference comes from Habakkuk 1:5 which is an amazing prophecy fulfilled in this first century, AD

c. What effect did this “apologetic” presentation have on the people?

In verses 42-43 the people “kept begging that these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath” and “many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabus, who were speaking to them, were urging them to continue. In the grace of God.”

  • It sparked the interest of many of the people, and it appears that there were some who became believers and followers

d. Discuss: How can we use Paul’s example of “apologetics” today?

We can use Paul’s example by explaining some of the Old Testament first, and how much of what happened, and promised by God, was fulfilled in Jesus. It is important, as Paul did, to emphasize at the end of your apologetic, the salvation Jesus offers by grace (simple belief), and that it is not by works or following the “Law” that anyone is saved. (See Ephesians 2:1-9)

Please continue to join us in making our “Case for Christianity, Person of Interest” along with a study in the book of Acts, and share it with others!

Note: Class presentation, videos, reflections and Bible study question are posted on the weekend – Bible study answers (like these) posted mid-week.

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in!  Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15

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