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PAUL THE MISSIONARY

宣教士保羅
A Study of Acts 13-28
使徒行傳 13~28
Dr. Glen L. Thompson 湯森博士
Copyright 2003
All Rights Reserved

TABLE OF CONTENTS 目錄
Preface 序.........................................................................................................................................ii
INTRO 1: Acts and its Author 使徒行傳及其作者............................................................................3
INTRO 2: Text, Chronology, and Modern Theories原文, 年代, 現代的學說.....................................5
INTRO 3: Acts 1-12使徒行傳1~12................................................................................................12
INTRO 4: Paul's Early Life 保羅年輕時.........................................................................................16
ACTS 13: Journey 1 -- Cyprus and Galatia 第一次出外傳道-居比路島及加拉太..............................18
ACTS 14: Journey 1 -- Galatia and the Return第一次出外傳道-加拉太和回程................................23
ACTS 15: The Council at Jerusalem 耶路撒冷教會會議.................................................................26
ACTS 16: Journey 2 -- Through Galatia to Macedonia第二次出外傳道-經加拉太到馬其頓............29
ACTS 17: Journey 2 – Greece第二次出外傳道-希臘.......................................................................32
ACTS 18: Journey 2 -- Corinth第二次出外傳道-哥林多..................................................................35
ACTS 19: Journey 3 -- Ephesus第三次出外傳道-以弗所.................................................................38
ACTS 20: Journey 3 -- Revisiting Greece and Asia第三次出外傳道-再拜訪希臘和小亞洲...............41
ACTS 21: Riot in Jerusalem 回耶路撒冷後被捉拿..........................................................................44
ACTS 22: Paul's Defense 保羅對耶路撒冷的百姓作見證.................................................................47
ACTS 23: A Prisoner in Jerusalem and Caesarea在耶路撒冷和該撒利亞坐牢..................................50
ACTS 24: Trial Before Felix 保羅在巡撫腓力斯前受審判................................................................52
ACTS 25: Trial Before Festus 保羅在巡撫非斯都前受審判.............................................................54
ACTS 26: Speech Before Agrippa 保羅在亞基帕王前的見證..........................................................56
ACTS 27: Sailing to Rome 保羅被解赴羅馬...................................................................................58
ACTS 28: On to Rome 保羅在羅馬................................................................................................60

PAUL THE MISSIONARY宣教士 保羅


i
A Study of Acts 13-28 使徒行傳 13~28

Required textbook:
1. The Concordia Self-Study Bible

Suggested Resources:
Acts (The People's Bible), by Richard D. Balge, NPH, 1993

ii
INTRODUCTION, PART 1: ACTS AND ITS AUTHOR
引言 第一部分: 使徒行傳及其作者
A. Read Acts 1:13 and Luke 1:1-4
1. What is the relationship between the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles?

2. What principles or procedures will the author follow, according to Luke 1:1-4?

3. Based on your answer, what conclusion might we draw about Acts?

4. Why do you think the author divided his work into two parts?

5. What is the most obvious evidence is there in Acts that Luke was a companion of Paul?

6. Why do many Bible students think Luke was a doctor?

7. What is the most likely date for the writing of Acts. Give two reasons to support your
opinion.

8. Who was Theophilus?

9. In what way is Acts a "link" among New Testament books?

10. In what way is Acts a "bridge" to later generations?

11. Write a complete sentence describing the main purposes of Acts.


a)

b)

c)

12. Describe each of the 4 main characteristics of Acts.

a)
b)

c)

d)
INTRODUCTION, PART 2: TEXT, CHRONOLOGY AND MODERN
THEORIES

A. Read the following discussion of the text of Acts, then answer the questions.

THE ORIGINAL TEXT OF ACTS

Like all the books of the New Testament, the Acts of the Apostles was written in Greek. We have
quite early manuscripts of Acts also. However, unlike any other New Testament writing, the early
manuscripts of Acts show a considerable divergence in text. This divergence is also evident in the
earliest translations into other languages, especially the Latin and Syriac translations, and in some
of the early quotations of Acts by the earliest fathers of the church.

The two main early text types differ considerably in length. The longer text was given the name
"Western" text over a century ago. Even though this name may not be accurate, it is still used for
the sake of convenience. The Western text is 8.5% longer than the Alexandrian text, the name
usually given to the other old text-type. The earliest Greek manuscript that contains a form of the
Western text is Codex Bezae (5th century). Although a quarter of the text of Acts has been lost in
Codex Bezae, the existing parts have 800 more words than the Alexandrian text has for those
same parts. However, neither Codex Bezae nor any other early manuscript or translation which
has survived preserves the complete Western text; they all are to some extent mixed.

Most scholars think that Acts circulated in these two forms -- Alexandrian and Western -- very
shortly after it was written. Many of the details which the Western text adds seem very accurate.
This has led some scholars to suggest that Luke put out both a longer and shorter edition himself.
Others disagree. The most common opinion is that the shorter version, the Alexandrian, is
probably the original text, and that one or more early Christians added additional material to form
the Western text. At present, no theory satisfactorily explains all the peculiarities of the Western
text and its origin. At the same time the Western and Alexandrian texts differ neither in doctrine
nor in the historical events told. Even if the Western text is the original, our faith would not be
changed.

You can get some idea of the kinds of additions in the Western text by looking at the notes in the
NIV translation (10:19,15:33-34, 24:6-8, 28:28-29) or the additional notes in the Concordia
Study Bible.
1. What is the main difference between the two oldest text-types of Acts?

2. Why do you think it may have been named "Western?"

3. Does the article seem to imply that it is a good name? Why?

4. Why might it be important for a pastor to know about the two different text-types of Acts?

5. Use the NIV to look up 3 of the passages listed above. Tell what words the Western text adds
at each place. Comment on the kind of information the Western text adds.

a.

b.

c.

B. Study the two chronological charts provided. The first gives dates from secular history;
the second are attempts to date important events in Acts. Answer the following questions.

6. Acts begins on Ascension Day and ends with Paul in prison in Rome (for the first time).
Approximately what years are covered by the book?

7. Paul's death was traditionally said to have been ordered by Nero as part of his blaming
Christians for the great fire in Rome. If so, about what year would Paul have died?

8. Explain how the following events from Chart 1 and sections of Acts can help us date the
events in Acts. Also explain any weaknesses in such dating (make sure you read the note at the
end of Chart 1).
a) The death of King Herod Agrippa亞基帕王 and Acts 12:1-2

b) Emperor Claudius'革老丟 expulsion of the Jews from Rome and Acts 18:1-2

c) Festus波求非斯都 becomes procurator巡撫 and Acts 24:27


Chart 1. Secular Chronological points of reference to Acts and Paul

Dates Events
14, Aug. 19 Accession of Emperor Tiberius《提庇留》
26 Pontius Pilate本丟彼拉多 becomes procurator
37, March 16 Death of Tiberius 《提庇留》
March 18 Accession of Emperor Gaius (Caligula) 該猶 (加里古拉)
40 Death of the Nabatean Aretas IV亞哩達IV
Caligula加里古拉 orders his statue erected in the temple in Jerusalem
41, Jan. 24 Death of Gaius (Caligula) 該猶 (加里古拉)
Jan. 25 Accession of Emperor Claudius 《革老丟》
Unrest in Antioch
44 Death of Herod Agrippa 希律亞基帕
44-46 Severe famine in Judea 猶大
46 Tiberius Alexander提庇留.亞歷山大 is procurator
48 Jewish disturbances in Antioch
Cumanus becomes procurator溫提丟.古曼努
49 Claudius' 《革老丟》expulsion of the Jews from Rome
Felix 腓力斯 becomes procurator
51-52 Gallio 迦流is Roman proconsul in Achaia
54, Oct. 13 Death of Claudius; Accession of Emperor Nero
59 Festus 波求非斯都 becomes procurator
64, July Great fire in Rome
68, June 9 Death of Nero

NOTE: Accept for the dates of the emperors, most of these other dates are at times disputed
among scholars. The dates we give are the most commonly accepted ones.
Chart 2. CHRONOLOGY OF ACTS AND PAUL (4 Conservative Reconstructions)
Brug Arndt Bruce Riesner
Death and Resurrection of Christ 30 30 c. 30 7 April, 30

Stephen's death and subsequent persecution 31-32

Conversion of Paul c. 31 32 c. 33 32

Paul's first post-conversion Jerusalem visit c. 33-34 35 c.35 33/34

James executed by Agrippa 41-42

Paul helps Barnabas in Antioch c. 43 43 42-44

Famine visit to Jerusalem (= 2nd visit of Gal. 46 46 46 c. 45 (famine 44-46)


2:1)

First missionary journey 47-48 47-48 47-48 45-47

Paul writes Galatians 48-49? 48-49? 48?

Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) 49 48-49 49 48/49

Second Missionary Journey 49-52 49-51 49-52 49-51

Paul writes 1-2 Thessalonians 50

Paul's 3rd Jerusalem visit summer 52 51

Third Missionary Journey 53-58 52-56 52-57 52-57

Paul in Ephesus 52-55 52-55 52/3-55

Paul writes 1-2 Corinthians 55-56


55/56
Paul in Macedonia, Illyricum, Achaia 55-57

Paul writes Romans early 57

Paul's 4th (last) Jerusalem visit 58 56 May 57 May 57

Imprisonment in Caesarea 58-60 56-58 57-59 57-59

Paul's voyage to Rome begins 60 58 Sept. 59 October ship-wreck,


59

Paul reaches Rome 61 59 Feb. 60 60

Paul's 1st Roman imprisonment 61-63 59-61 60-62 60-62

Paul's captivity letters 61-63 60-62?

Paul visits Spain 64-67 61-62 65?

Revisit to Ephesus and Macedonia 62

Paul goes to Crete 63

Final imprisonment of Paul 63-64

Paul writes pastoral epistles ?

Death of Paul 67? 64 67


C. Read the following discussion of modern theories concerning Paul and Acts; then
answer the questions.

Until the past 150 years, almost all Christians accepted the book of Acts as an accurate account of
the early church written by a companion of Paul. During the nineteenth century, however, some
scholars began questioning its accuracy and authenticity.

Prof. F. C. Baur of the University of Tuebingen in Germany began claiming that Acts was written
in the second century. It was written, he said, by someone who was trying to cover up an early
church controversy. According to Baur, the early Jewish Christians had a long battle with the
Gentile followers of Paul. The Jewish Christians wanted to keep the church Jewish and continue
to enforce the Old Testament customs of worship, circumcision and eating. Paul tried to open up
the church and so he recommended throwing out all Old Testament customs. This battle
continued well after the death of Paul, but the followers of Paul finally won out. They then
stamped out all the opposing views and even re-wrote history to cover up the battle. Acts was
written as part of the cover-up.

Bible believing scholars quickly challenged Baur's views. Bishop Lightfoot of England showed
that there was no talk about this battle in any of the other church fathers of the early second
century. Early in the 20th century, the English historian and traveler William Ramsay also showed
that many of the small geographical, political and cultural details in Acts accurately described the
first century and not the second century world. Despite these arguments, Baur's position was
more agreeable to most liberal scholars and Baur's arguments are still often repeated without
realizing how indefensible they are.

Acts reputation has also suffered because of comparisons to Paul's letters. Liberal scholars would
like to believe that Jesus was a simple peasant who was incapable of any complex theological
thoughts. Therefore, all the theology in Paul's letters is due to later development. Liberal
scholars therefore divided Paul's letters, claiming that Paul himself only wrote some, and later
followers wrote the other more advanced letters. Every small detail in Acts that did not seem to
agree with Paul's letters was used as evidence that Acts was written much later. Today liberal
scholars accept only a half dozen of Paul's letters as authentic; the rest, together with Acts, are
usually dated decades later.

Bible believing scholars, however, have continued to accept Acts as a work of Luke, the
companion of St. Paul. Archaeological discoveries, historical research and theological study have
continued to shed new light on the life of Paul, and the book of Acts continues to ring true in all
its details. And the Acts of the Apostles continues to be a vehicle for the Holy Spirit's work in the
hearts of God's people.
9. Why do you think it is important to liberal scholars to see Acts as a second-century writing?

10. How is the dating of Acts linked to the dating of Paul's letters by some scholars?

11. Do you think that new archeological discoveries can "prove" that Acts was written by a
companion of Paul? Explain your answer.

12. Many false theories are concocted編造 by blowing a small truth out of proportion. In what
way does that fit the theory of F. C. Baur?

13. How might a Bible believing person deal with seeming contradictions between Acts and Paul's
letters?
INTRODUCTION, PART 3: ACTS 1-12

Read Acts 1-12 and answer the following questions. The chart on
the next page may help you.

1. Acts 1:8 is often said to be an outline of the book of Acts. Complete the
following outlines by filling in the chapters for each part:
Witnessing for Christ
1. In Jerusalem: chapters
2. In Judea and Samaria: chapters
3. To the ends of the earth: chapters
2. What were the qualifications sought for the replacement apostle (1:21-22)

3. What did the Old Testament festival of Pentecost 五詢節 (also called Weeks)
commemorate? (cf. Exodus 23:15-16) Why do you think the Holy Spirit chose
to make his special appearance on that day? (cf. 2:5 and 9-11)

4. Name 5 important biblical teachings mentioned in Peter's answer to the


question "What shall we do?" (2:38-3 9)

5. What does 3:1 tell us about the religious life of the early Christians in
Jerusalem?

6. What does 3:42-47 tell about the same subject?

7. How does 4:36-37 fit in with 5:1-11?

8. What important biblical teachings are found in 5:29-32


OVERVIEW OF ACTS CHAPTERS 1-15

9. Comment on the following expressions in 5:41-42:


a) counted worthy of suffering disgrace 因被算是配為這名受辱
b) in the temple courts and from house to house ...teaching 每日在殿裡、在家裡…教訓人

10. What was the difference between the job description工作說明 of the 12 Apostles and that of the 7
assistants? (6:1-4)

11. What was the purpose of Stephen's recounting of Jewish history? Cf. 7:51

12. What words inspired Stephen's final words (7:59-60)

13. What is the significance for the mission work in Judea and Samaria that the Apostles remained in
Jerusalem while the other Christians were scattered (8:1)?

14. The English word "simony", which means "to sell a church office", comes from the story in Acts
8:9-25. Explain.

15. What does the story of the Ethiopian eunuch (8:26-40) tell us about mission work by the Jews?
What do we call the area today where was he from? (see the note on v. 27)

16. What does 9:10 imply about the early spread of the Gospel?

17. Why was Paul's preaching especially effective with the Jews of Damascus? (cf. 9:21-22)
18. The story of Cornelius哥尼流 is so important that two chapters are devoted to it (10-11). What
does it teach about the following:
a) Who has God made clean? (10:28)

b) How has God done this? (10:36-38)

c) How does a person receive God's cleansing forgiveness? (10:43)

d) What does this mean about other Old Testament laws of ceremonial cleanliness?
(10:28-29).

e) Why did Peter's preaching to Cornelius raise questions in Jerusalem? (11:3)

f) What convinced the Jewish Christians that Peter had acted properly? (11:15-17)

g) To what conclusion did all the Jewish Christians now come? (11:18)

19. Who founded the church in Antioch and what was their innovative mission strategy? (11:19-21)

20. Why might it have been especially important for Paul to bring gifts to help the starving Christians
in Jerusalem? (compare 11:27-30 with 9:1 and 9:26)

21. What does chapter 12 teach about the ongoing life of the church in Jerusalem? How might it
explain the later need for Paul to take up collections for the Christians there?
INTRODUCTION, PART 4: PAUL'S EARLY LIFE

A. Look up the Scripture passages cited. Use them to complete the story of Paul's early life
given below.

Acts 5:34 Acts 12:25 Acts 23:6


7:58-8:3 18:3, Gal. 1:15-18
9:1-18,24-30 21:39 2 Cor. 11:32-33
11:25-30 22:3,27-28 Acts 13::9

1. Paul grew up in the city of ________________, which is in the region called ________________
(locate this city and region on Map 11 in the back of your Self-Study Bible)
2. Paul then went to _______________ to study under _______________, a famous
______________ teacher..
3. Paul was also born a citizen of ________________.
4. Paul's father was a member of the ________________, and Paul was also raised as a devout
_______________________.
5. Paul also received occupational training職業培訓 as a _______________________.
6. Paul's Hebrew name was ___________________.
7. At first Paul/Saul helped to ____________________ the church.
8. Later he was _________________ while on the road to ______________________.
9. After being baptized he went to __________________ for _______ years.
10. At one point he had to escape from Damascus大馬士革 by ______________________________.
11. When he again visited Jerusalem. the disciples ___________________________________.
12. ___________________ was the first Christian in Jerusalem to befriend Paul.
13. Quite soon the disciples sent him to ___________________________.
14. Later ______________ found Paul and took him to _______________ to help with his mission
work there.
15. Paul and _____________ went back to Jerusalem in order to bring ____________________ to
the Christians there during a time of ________________.
16. Later they returned to _______________, taking along _____________________.
B. Consider the above facts about Paul's early life when answering the following questions.
17. In what ways was Paul well-prepared to preach the Gospel to Jews?

18. In what ways was he well-prepared to preach the Gospel to Gentiles?

19. Why do you think God may have chosen the Gentiles as Paul's specific mission target?

20. How did being an "adult convert" perhaps affect Paul's mission and message?

21. What languages do you think Paul spoke? Why? In what situations?

22. Paul makes no further references to his parents or family. What do you think that suggests?

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