Acts
Bible Study
Lesson 18
¥ To date we have been focused solely on Israel.
- Continuing the Kingdom theme from the Gospels, we see an escalation of Kingdom-related events.
- Miracles, signs and wonders increase, the number of believers increase, no one in Jerusalem could be ignorant of the message of the good news of the Kingdom.
- The first
recorded bona fide offer was recorded in PeterÕs second sermon. Acts 3:19—20
- We also see three recorded times when the Gospel of the Kingdom was presented personally to the leadership of Israel. (Peter and John—Acts 4; the Apostles—Acts 5; Stephen—Acts 7)
- In each instance, they become more adamant in their rejection of Jesus Christ.
¥ We see Israel
stumble at the stoning of Stephen and through IsraelÕs fall comes the rising up
of the Gentiles.
Romans 11:11—12 11I say then, they did not stumble so as to (fatally) fall, did they? May it never be! But by
their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. 12Now
if their transgression (stumbling) is riches for the world
and their failure (diminishing) is riches for the
Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!
¥ The rest of Acts is primarily focused on the casting away (diminishing) of Israel.
- The rising of the Church, the Body of Christ is a sub theme keeping a low profile to IsraelÕs fall.
- The rise of the Body of Christ is the theme of PaulÕs later writings.
¥ We see a definite change with the salvation of Paul (Saul).
Acts 9:1—2
¥ Paul was on his mission to stamp out anything having to do with Jesus. The word ÒstillÓ in Acts 9:1 indicates that all through chapter eight Saul was playing havoc with believers.
¥ ÒThe WayÓ definitely referred to believing Israel (the remnant) who existed before the dispensation of Grace because we see Paul stamping out those of Òthe WayÓ before he was saved. (9:2)
¥ Apollos was a
Kingdom believer who is said to be instructed in the way of the Lord. This
could be a general reference that may not refer specifically to Òthe WayÓ. Acts 18:24—26
¥ When Paul was
in Ephesus he ministered to Jews belonging to Òthe WayÓ. These were all
Israelite believers. Paul approached them as such. Acts 19:4—6
¥ According to how the NIV reads, Paul was a follower of
Òthe WayÓ Acts 24:14
- This verse could be read: In accordance with the beliefs of the Way, which some call a cult, this
is how I serve the God of Abraham, without violating anything written in the
Scriptures.
- By doing this, Paul defends those of Òthe WayÓ by saying they have done nothing that goes against anything written in the Old Testament. The accusations are groundless.
¥ Interestingly, Òthe WayÓ does not seem to refer to those belonging to the Church, the Body of Christ. Paul, in defending the Way, never says he is a part of the Way. He also never references the Way in his Epistles nor states that we are a part of the Way.
SaulÕs Conversion
¥ When God says something twice in Scripture, you know itÕs important. SaulÕs conversion is brought up in three chapters in the book of Acts. It must be an important and significant event.
¥ Many point to his conversion as the turning point in their own lives seeing his change as absolute proof that Christianity is valid and true. PaulÕs conversion is proof of GodÕs love and mercy and his radical change is proof of the power of God.
¥ PaulÕs conversion may even be seen as a hope for Israel. Just as God took Paul and made him a believer, God will, at the end of the Tribulation, cause all of Israel to turn to Him.
¥ PaulÕs hatred of those who followed Jesus as Messiah was misdirected. His goal was to stamp out those who would make a mockery of the Law and seemingly turn their backs on Judaism by following a false religion.
- Paul was sincere in all that he did to defend Judaism but he was completely wrong.
- Contrary to popular belief, sincerity will not sway God in the least.
¥ People
misinterpret Paul as getting a pass from God because he did what he did in
ignorance not realizing the emphasis is on GodÕs grace, not PaulÕs ignorance.
If Paul continued doing what he was doing, even in ignorance, the final
resurrection would bring eternal condemnation.
1 Timothy 1:13—14 13even though I was formerly a
blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor Yet I was shown mercy
because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14and the grace of our Lord
was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ
Jesus.
¥ We now see in Paul the immensity of GodÕs grace to all.
Acts 9:3—7
¥ Imagine how Paul felt, not only to have this intense sensory experience of the light and voice coming out of heaven, but also found out everything youÕve been doing is wrong.
¥ Notice that mistreating believers is the same as mistreating the Lord.
- We see this principle in the judgment of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31—46. How you treat Israel is directly applied to how you treat Jesus.
¥ We in the Church, the Body of Christ also need to treat each other in love because we are all one.
¥ ItÕs interesting to note that God left Saul alone while he persecuted Israel but when he stared to step outside of the borders of Israel, going into Gentile territory, He put a stop to him.
- Israel had already rejected Christ, but the Gentiles havenÕt had a chance to do so yet.
¥ Is SaulÕs conversion any less dramatic than our own conversion?
- Inwardly we were the same type of person as Saul. There was nothing good in us.
- It required the same process to convert Saul as it did us. God needed to get our attention and drag us to where we are today. We would not have done it on our own.
- Both Saul and we were depraved—we were as bad off as we could possibly be. We could not have become any worse.
- Both Saul and we went through the same spiritual events at the point of our believing.
¥ Of course, Christ had a very special and unique ministry for Paul to fulfill and He gave him everything he needed to do so.
¥ In Paul we
find our pattern of salvation. 1 Timothy 1:16
Acts 9:8—16
¥ Ananias was told to go to Saul. This would be like a Jew being told to go speak to Hitler.
¥ PaulÕs commission is given in verse 15. As a chosen vessel, Paul was to bear the name of Jesus to:
1. Gentiles; 2. Kings; 3. Sons of Israel
¥ Contrast this with the Gospel of the Kingdom which was to go to Israel. Paul is commissioned to go to the sons of Israel (individuals) instead of to the nation of Israel.
¥ As Saul caused much suffering on the part of the believers, he will be called to suffer greatly for the sake of Jesus Christ.
¥ It was at the time Jesus Christ appeared to Saul that he
was given his commission. Acts 26:16—18
- Here Jesus Christ tells him that He will be appearing to him in the future.
¥ ItÕs obvious that God has raised up Paul to be a separate Apostle distinct from the 12. Many say Paul should have been the 12th Apostle but we know he was not qualified because he was not with Jesus during His whole ministry. (See Acts 1:22)
- As we see in Galatians 1:1 Paul was appointed directly by Jesus Christ to be an Apostle without the intervention of man.