Week 34

 Monday, August 18

Acts 20:7-38

 

Commentary

          This passage shows us the hearts of the Ephesian church and the man who served as their primary pastor, Paul. After nearly three years of ministry there, Paul prepares to depart for his next place of ministry. The church gathers on the first day, Sunday, to break bread - a fellowship meal or the Lord’s Supper, possibly both. An interesting detail to note here is that they were gathered later in the day.  Ancient Israel and Rome did not have weekends like we do today. The Romans begrudgingly allowed the Jews to observe the Sabbath practices on Saturdays, but work did not stop for anyone on Sundays. Thus, early churches probably met in the afternoons and evenings. Paul’s farewell speech was so lengthy, surely full of great emotion and wise instruction, that someone fell asleep and toppled out of a window to his death. Paul nonchalantly raises him from the dead, much to the comfort of the church. 

As Paul picks up his traveling again, he asks the elders of the Ephesian church to meet him in Miletus. He gave a farewell speech to the church before leaving Ephesus, now he gives a farewell speech to the elders. Paul tells the elders that he is certain his next series of trips will be his last. He wants them to recognize he has lived above reproach among them and that he has faithfully fulfilled his pastoral duties. By bringing up his own example, he is exhorting them to live in a like manner, walking closely with God and faithfully shepherd, teach, and protect God’s Church. Paul’s sincerity and love radiate from the page as we read them. This is the love God calls all of us to have for him and his people, and the love he demonstrated by sending his son to pay the price for our salvation with his very blood.

 

Application/Discussion

1. How does Paul’s example encourage you to pursue God with greater passion?

2. What kinds of false teaching have you encountered within or outside your local church? Why must pastors especially be on guard to refute false teaching?

 

Points of Prayer

Adoration: Praise God for his victory over sin, death, Satan, and his enemies through the cross and empty tomb.

Confession: Ask for God’s help to follow Paul’s example of following Christ.

Thanksgiving: Thank God for loving his enemies enough to send Jesus to die for them.

Supplication: Pray for the Holy Spirit’s strength and guidance for your pastors.

Tuesday, August 19

Acts 21:1-36

 

Commentary 

In our passage today, Paul continues his travels. Despite repeated warnings that his travel to Jerusalem would lead to his death, Paul faithfully follows God's calling to Jerusalem. He even visits a familiar face, Phillip, who now has four daughters who are faithfully serving the Lord as well. The New Testament never gives us a precise definition of prophet, but the prophets of the New Testament seem to operate differently from the prophets of the Old Testament. Rather than calling Israel to faithfulness, predicting the Messiah, or writing books of the Bible, the prophets of the New Testament give divine messages to the early churches.

When Paul tells James and the elders of the Jerusalem church how God has been reaching the Gentiles, they immediately rejoice. They are not jealous or defensive of their own efforts; they are simply glad for what God is doing. All believers serve the same God with the same ultimate goal. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep; this is how God calls us to live as his family. James and the elders are also eager to let Paul help them by sending him to the Judaistic Christians to show that he obeys the law, contrary to any rumors. While in Jerusalem, Paul continues his usual custom of teaching in the synagogue. The Jews of the city  stir up a mob that demands Paul's arrest. As we will see in the next few days, this arrest would ultimately lead to Paul’s execution for his faith. He was faithful, no matter what the cost, and he has received his crown of glory. 

 

Application/Discussion

1. Why would God call Paul to a mission that would lead to his death? How is God glorified when we faithfully face the trials he sends our way?

2. Remember that a win for another believer or church is a win for you, too, because it is a win for the Lord. Pray for fellow believers and churches, and rejoice with them!

 

Points of Prayer

Adoration: Praise God for showing his love and care through imperfect vessels like us.

Confession: Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help in loving everyone in God’s family.

Thanksgiving: Thank God for his great love for everyone to send Jesus and draw us to him.

Supplication: Pray for the Holy Spirit’s encouragement and help to a nearby church other than your own.

Wednesday, August 20

Acts 21:37-22:21

 

Commentary

From here to the end of Acts, the narrative is dominated by Paul’s defense of his ministry and faith to various opponents. Paul is arrested and asks the tribune (commander) permission to address the Jewish authorities. He agrees, probably hoping Paul would either condemn himself accidentally or give a defense that appeases the Sanhedrin and thus the rest of the Jews. Paul presents a masterful account of his life, salvation, and ministry. He is brutally honest about his life before Christ. He violently persecuted the very church he now serves, but he can describe his sinful past in the confidence of the perfect forgiveness he has through Christ. Notice that Paul does not glory in his sin or try to make himself seem cool or tough, like many do when they share their own testimonies. Paul simply describes his past sin and emphasizes the forgiveness he desperately needed and graciously received.

Conrad Gempf noted a common thread in Paul’s defense speeches: “Paul’s justification for his actions was simple: he was a good Jew and as such when confronted with visions and words from the Lord he could do nothing but obey them.”[1] Even Paul's use of Hebrew in his speech evidences that he is a faithful, God-fearing Israelite because Hebrew was spoken less and less by Jews in his day. Much like Jesus when he was tried by the Jewish authorities, our apostle has done nothing wrong, but the authorities hate him and his message enough to find any excuse to punish him. Paul is not dissuaded, however; he is too committed to the truth and to God to waver in the face of opposition. Like Paul, we should be so rooted in our faith and so confident in the sovereign rule of our God that we can face any opponent with boldness.

 

Application/Discussion

1. How does Paul’s telling of his salvation story help you consider how to tell your own? 

2. Have you recently publicly sinned in a way that would disgrace your testimony? Seek God’s forgiveness, then the forgiveness of those you may have offended. 

 

Points of Prayer

Adoration: Praise God for redeeming and transforming his enemies.

Confession: Ask God’s forgiveness for any ways you have fallen short of his goodness today.

Thanksgiving: Thank God for giving believers the guiding gift of the Holy Spirit.

Supplication: Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to boldly witness for Christ in your family, work or school, and community.

Thursday, August 21

Acts 22:22-23:11

 

Commentary

Our reading today shows the reaction of the Jewish authorities to Paul's speech. They are following along fine until Paul mentions that God sent him to witness to the Gentiles. The Jewish authorities could almost stand to hear about Jesus, but to hear of his love for the Gentiles that the Jewish elites despised was too much. They cry for Paul to be punished violently, but as Paul points out, he is a Roman citizen and thus cannot be punished without a proper trial and conviction. This is not the first time, or the last, that Paul's citizenship would protect him and allow him to witness to more people. God equipped Paul to fulfill his calling, even providentially arranging for Paul to be born as a Roman citizen so that he could witness without nearly as much persecution as the pagans or Jews often wished for him.

The next day, Paul is unbound by the Roman commander, who summons the Sanhedrin to give him a more legitimate examination. God was working so heavily in this situation, even the tribune in charge of Paul's imprisonment is curious about the gospel Paul proclaims. Everywhere God leads us, even the unpleasant places, has opportunities for us to glorify God. Look for them and seize them! Paul was wise in his trial before the Sanhedrin. He spoke out against the high priest for unjustly striking him, yet when he realizes that person was the high priest, he apologizes immediately. An aspect of Christian witness that is often overlooked is that even when we do live in perfectly before others, we can apologize and mention that we must apologize because of who God is and how he calls us to live. Paull then causes a division between the Pharisees and the Sadducees with mention of the Resurrection. From Jerusalem, God would lead Paul to Rome where he could give his testimony to the rulers there as well.

 

Application/Discussion

1. Can you see some ways in which God has equipped you serve him?  If you are not sure, ask your pastors or mature Christian friends for what they see in you.

2. Are there places in your life now where you could be a more active, loving, faithful witness?

 

Points of Prayer

Adoration: Praise God for showing his glory by convicting and converting his enemies.

Confession: Ask for God to help you not to neglect his calling, gifting, and service opportunities.

Thanksgiving: Thank God for the truth of his Word and the power of his Spirit.

Supplication: Pray for the Holy Spirit’s conviction and enlightenment to the leaders of a prominent false religion in your community.

Friday, August 22

Acts 23:12-35

 

Commentary

Paul’s case continues to escalate in this passage. Throughout Paul’s defense accounts, Luke emphasizes that the pagan tribune was just and reasonable while the self-claimed God-fearing Jews were hateful, murderous, and opposed to the truth. Many of the Jews conspire to pressure the Sanhedrin into condemning Paul by fasting together and speaking to the whole council, as if they had a legitimate spiritual reason to wish for Paul’s death. In God's providence, Paul's nephew somehow learns of the plot and is able to tell the tribune. We have seen this pattern many times in Luke's narrative;, though God does allow Paul to go through many hardships, he also keeps Paul from many. 

The tribune wisely orders a group of soldiers to escort Paul to Felix, the governor of Israel. The tribune did not drop Paul's case, instead following procedure by escalating the case to a higher authority. However Felix would deal with Paul, all of his subjects would have to be content. The tribune, who we learn is named Claudias Lysias, discreetly gathers a great many soldiers to protect an escort Paul to the governor. Tensions were high with the Jews. Claudius recognized a revolt could be looming if he was careless with Paul’s case. Ironically, although Paul was arrested by the Jews and delivered to the Romans, as Agabus prophesied, the Romans were the ones who consistently protected Paul. What a shame for these Jews to know so much of God's word in their heads, yet have none of it influencing their hearts. Read and know God’s Word, but be a doer of the Word as well as a hearer!

 

Application/Discussion

1. How does the tribune’s following of legal procedures and Paul’s contentment to go along with them show us how to be God-honoring citizens?

2. How does God’s providential protection of Paul remind you that God has a plan to protect his people and spread his gospel?

 

Points of Prayer

Adoration: Praise God for his gracious providence and mighty rule over all creation.

Confession: Ask God’s help in faithfully exemplifying the gospel in your life.

Thanksgiving: Thank God for using Paul to reach so many with the gospel and for the opportunities every believer has to spread the gospel.

Supplication: Pray for the Holy Spirit’s conviction and enlightenment to your city and state leaders. Mention them by name if you can.

Saturday, August 23

Acts 24

 

Commentary

In this chapter, Paul is tried before Governor Felix. The chief priest, other Jewish leaders, and a hired lawyer testify against Paul, hoping their flattery would advance their cause with Felix since the facts of the case would not. Felix actually had less peace and less reforms than his predecessors, so the flattery was not even based on truth. When it is Paul's turn to speak, he simply presents his faith, which is in continuity with (indeed, in fulfillment of) true Judaism. Whether by the standards of Israel or Rome, Paul was verifiably innocent. He often preached his beliefs, which led some of the Jews to react to strongly against him. However, Paul was not at fault for the truth being violently rejected by those who should have been prepared for it through the Scriptures. Do not be surprised when spiritually blind people run away from the truth or oppose solid reason. We would all be completely blind and lost and sin if God did not graciously open our eyes. Be patient and prayerful towards those who do not know God; perhaps he may open their eyes one day as well.

Like Claudius, Governor Felix is rather kind towards Paul. He sees nothing worthy of condemnation in Paul's testimony, but waits until he consults with Claudius to give his judgement. It turns out, however, that Felix never gave his sentence, instead keeping Paul in custody awaiting a trial. It was a cowardly but beneficial move for Felix. The Jews would be pleased by this silencing of Paul’s voice, but Felix would not have to condemn an innocent man. Perhaps if Felix got the bribe he was secretly hoping for, he would have let Paul go and faced the outcry of the Jews, but without any money involved, Felix preferred to avoid the conflict completely.

 

Application/Discussion

1. Compare how Paul and Felix had to decide what was right in the face of Jewish opposition. How does knowing God is on your side make a difference in your decision-making?

 

Points of Prayer

Adoration: Praise God for working out salvation history to bring the Savior and the kingdom to sinners like us.

Confession: Ask for God’s help in doing the right thing and trusting he will bless and protect you for your obedience.

Thanksgiving: Thank God for the promise of heaven, no matter the difficulty of life on earth.

Supplication: Pray for the Holy Spirit’s conviction and enlightenment of a lost  person you know well and for opportunities to witness.

 

Sunday, August 24

Acts 25

 

Commentary

In chapter 25, Paul is briefly examined by the new governor, Festus, after Felix was deposed. New governors would usually wrap up any loose ends left by their predecessors quickly. Festus sees that the apostle is innocent, but wants to gain the favor of the Jews by at least having a proper trial before dismissing the charges against the apostle. Paul asks for his case to be escalated to the emperor. We have little surviving information about this process, but it seems from Acts and other sources that Roman citizens could ask to bring their case directly to the emperor.

While Paul awaits his transfer to Rome, King Agrippa pays a visit to the newly installed governor. Festus asks for his advice in dealing with Paul, as Paul’s preaching seemed to be an internal religious problem rather than a slight against Rome. The king desires to speak to Paul himself. Festus uses the occasion to try to send Paul to Caesar for a just cause, thus appeasing the Jews and making himself look good.

Patrick Schreiner wisely observed, “Paul is Jesus’ witness before Jews, Gentiles, and kings. The trials prove the innocence of Christianity in relation to both Judaism and Rome. Though Christianity fulfills Judaism, it also stands in continuity. Though Christianity collides with the current political structures, it is still innocent of sedition and Jesus does not seek Caesar’s throne. In fact, Paul can even appeal to Caesar, confident that his message is untainted.”[2] By appealing to Caesar, Paul could both defend his innocence (and thus protect the reputation of the gospel) and share his message with the most powerful and influential person in the world. Jesus’ promise that Paul would bear witness of him to kings (Acts 9:15) is being fulfilled. Every promise that comes from heaven is as sure as done!

 

Application/Discussion

1. Paul lived such a blameless life that he could face even emperor with confidence of his innocence. How would your life stand up to such scrutiny? 

2. How does Paul’s testimony of his radically changed life provide evidence for the truth of Christianity?

 

Points of Prayer

Adoration: How can you praise God based on what you just read?

Confession: Is there unconfessed sin in your heart today?

Thanksgiving: How can you thank God based on what you just read?

Supplication: What can you ask for God’s help with based on what you just read?

 

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[1] Conrad Gempf, “Acts,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 1100.

[2] Patrick Schreiner, The Visual Word: Illustrated Outlines of the New Testament Books, ed. Connor Sterchi (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2021), 50.