From Arabia Paul “returned again to Damascus” (Galatians 1:17), and “preached boldly . . . in the name of Jesus.” Unable to withstand the wisdom of his arguments, “the Jews plotted to kill him.” The gates of the city were diligently guarded day and night to cut off his escape. This crisis led the disciples to seek God earnestly, and finally they “took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket. (AA 128.2)
Reading Plan, Week 36
The Acts of the Apostles
Chapters: 10–18
Monday: 97.1–114.2
Tuesday: 115.1–130.3
Wednesday: 131.1–150.1
Thursday: 151.1–168.2
Friday: 169.1–187.1
All page/paragraph numbers are the original page numbers and can be used with any edition of Conflict of the Ages (shown in gray on the inside margin within The Conflict Beautiful).
The following is an overview of this week’s reading. Each chapter is introduced with a short paragraph, followed by a couple of thoughts/questions for you to consider.
Chapter 10: The First Christian Martyr
In addition to helping with food distribution, Stephen the Deacon becomes a powerful proclaimer of the Good News about Jesus. When well-educated religious leaders, including Saul of Tarsus, fail to prove him wrong in a trial before the Sanhedrin, false witnesses are hired to accuse him of blasphemy. Stephen delivers a rousing defense under the influence of the Holy Spirit and infuriates the priests and leaders, who summarily stone him to death. Just before he perishes, he is blessed with a vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God and begs God to forgive his murderers, making a deep impression on everyone present.
What is your role in your faith community? How can you use that opportunity to share God’s love?
Whose life and/or death has made a deep impression on your spiritual life? What can you learn from them to draw you closer to Jesus?
Chapter 11: The Gospel in Samaria
Saul and the Sanhedrin begin to persecute the church in Jerusalem, causing them to scatter through Judea and Samaria. Along with them, the Word of God begins to spread. Because of the seeds planted in Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well, Philip the Deacon and the fledgling church are welcomed there. Philip also witnesses to an Ethiopian eunuch on his way from Jerusalem back to the service of Queen Candace. We, too, can share the message of salvation with those in our sphere of influence.
When has God prepared the way for you to share your faith in Jesus with someone you have just met?
How can you create opportunities for spiritual conversations with those you know while remaining sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and timing?
Chapter 12: From Persecutor to Disciple
Saul expands his persecution of Jesus’ followers outside the city of Jerusalem. On his way to Damascus, a vision from heaven illuminates his mind with the truth that Jesus is the promised Messiah. Though spiritually enlightened, Saul is left physically blind and sits in sorrowing, repentant darkness for three days until healed, baptized, and welcomed into the church by the hesitant but obedient Ananias.
What things have you done or participated in that you later regretted? Have you repented and confessed your errors to God and those affected?
Do you know anyone whose life has made a dramatic turnaround after they met Jesus? How can you welcome them into the fellowship of believers and help connect them with others?
Chapter 13: Days of Preparation
Saul, now known as Paul, applies as much zeal to the preaching of Jesus as Messiah as he had previously employed in persecuting the believers. When Paul’s life is threatened, he travels into the desert, communing with God and Scripture for some time. Returning to Damascus, he is again forced to flee, this time to Jerusalem, where Barnabas introduces him to the church leaders. Paul’s hopes to convert his former compatriots in the Sanhedrin are not realized, and they soon desire his life as well. Under God’s direction, the believers send him to Tarsus.
When have you felt like changing your name and running away?
Think of a time when your spiritual hopes have been dashed. How have you regained a sense of God’s leading?
Chapter 14: A Seeker for Truth
God sends supernatural visions to reveal new light to both a sincere Gentile and a biased apostle. Using Peter to reveal the truth about Jesus to the Roman centurion Cornelius, God also uses the opportunity to break down walls of separation between the Jewish believers and other nations. The Gentiles’ baptism with the Holy Spirit paves the way for their baptism by water, leading Peter and other church leaders to welcome them into God’s family.
Ask God to reveal biases that you and/or your faith community may be holding on to and help you move past them to see everyone as a member of God’s family.
How can you advocate for those being intentionally or unintentionally excluded from the body of believers?
Chapter 15: Delivered from Prison
Herod Agrippa executes James and imprisons Peter, intending to kill him as well. Concerned that Peter may escape again, Herod surrounds him with sixteen guards, two of whom are directly chained to him inside his cell. The night before the scheduled execution, God sends an angel to miraculously set Peter free. Some time later, Herod accepts adulation as a god from his admiring subjects, and the same angel is sent to smite Herod with a painful death.
When have you seen God miraculously intervene for you at the last minute? What confidence does that give you in God’s leading?
What is the real danger in accepting too much praise and adulation from others?
Chapter 16: The Gospel Message in Antioch
Barnabas and Paul are called to help strengthen a group of new believers in Antioch of Syria, where the church is first given the name “Christian.” Like the members of the church in the great city of Antioch, every believer today can live a life of holy impact. God instructs the church leaders to set apart Paul and Barnabas by fasting, prayer, and laying on of hands in preparation for their ministry to the wider Gentile world.
How can you make the love of God visible in your daily activities wherever you live and work?
Do you know someone who has received a special calling to a specific ministry or mission? How can you strengthen and affirm their call?
Chapter 17: Heralds of the Gospel
Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark set out on a missionary journey. Encountering satanic opposition, they press on in the name of Jesus, but John Mark eventually becomes so discouraged that he returns to his mother’s home in Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas preach Jesus to both Jews and Gentiles in the cities they visit but find the Gentiles to be largely more receptive. Opposed by jealous Jews in Pisidian Antioch, they are finally forced to leave the city.
Have you encountered opposition or disinterest in your attempts to share God’s love with others? How do you know when it is time to “shake the dust off your feet” and move on to more fertile ground?
Chapter 18: Preaching Among the Heathen
Leaving for Iconium, Paul and Barnabas continue presenting Jesus to both Jews and Gentiles. Some unbelieving Jews lay a plot to kill them, and they depart for Lystra. In the course of explaining God and His Son to the Lystrians, Paul heals a crippled man. Overwhelmed with gratitude, the people prepare to honor Paul and Barnabas, believing them to be the gods Mercury and Jupiter. Paul’s careful persuasion is able to dissuade them. Some disgruntled Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrive and turn the people against Paul and Barnabas. Paul is stoned and dragged outside the city but miraculously revives. He and Barnabas go on to Derbe and later return to the cities they have visited to strengthen and train leaders for the new churches.
What are the dangers of relying on crowd-based enthusiasm in evangelism rather than working with people one on one?
When have you seen God’s protection at work in your life?