GRACE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP | 恩道堂

Scripture Reading        : Acts 23:12-35

Theme                         : Protected by Providence of God

1. The plot to kill Paul was planned. More than forty Jews made an oath to kill Paul. What these Jews actually did was they invoked divine judgment upon themselves should they fail to kill Paul! In the Old Testament, taking an oath was meant for a person who devoted himself to serving God (Deut. 23:21). These Jews took an oath before God to kill Paul, thus swearing falsely by God’s name and profaned His name (Lev. 19:12).

2. The plot to kill Paul was punctured. This is the only passage where Paul’s family is clearly identified. Why the nephew was in Jerusalem and helped Paul is not revealed in the Bible. What is clear is that by God’s providence, He directed Paul’s nephew to learn of the ambush and informed him of the plot. The plot was subsequently reported to the tribune, who took the matter seriously.

3. The plot to kill Paul was prevented. The tribune prevented the assassination by sending Paul away by night under heavy guard. Antipatris was 40 miles (64 km) away from Jerusalem, and to reach there in one night was no small feat by the soldiers who marched on foot. From Antipatris, only the horsemen continued with Paul to Caesarea, because the foot soldiers would have been extremely tired after marching 40 miles in one night.

Praying the Scripture

1. The Jews took an oath to kill Paul, which was swearing falsely by God’s name and profaning His name (Lev. 19:12). On the other hand, Jesus said, “Do not take an oath at all… Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” (Matt. 5:34-37) Pray that we will not profane the name of God, and that we will do all things for the glory of God.

2. Luke 12:2-3 “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.” Nothing can be hidden from God, including the plot of the Jews to kill Paul. Let us thank God for being omniscient, and pray that we will watch everything that we do and say, even when no human is watching, because God knows it all.

3. Through God’s providence, Paul was protected and sent to Caesarea. Eventually, he would be sent to Rome under Roman guard too. God only reveal certain things for us to obey, but many details are hidden from us by His wisdom. Pray that we will obey whatever God has revealed to us, and not try to find out the unnecessary details which God has kept hidden.

Scripture Reading        : Acts 23:1-11

Theme                         : Be Perfect in the Imperfect World

1. Paul is submissive to God’s sovereignty. When the high priest Ananias ordered Paul to be struck on the mouth, Paul pronounced judgment on him for not obeying the law. Paul did not recognize the high priest because he had gone away from Jerusalem for many years, and this was not an official gathering of the council (it was called by the Roman tribune) so Ananias did not wear his official garments. When Paul found out that it he was the high priest, he submitted to the human authority that is established by God, even though he was unfairly treated.

2. Paul is wise in using the environment. From the unfair treatment he received from the high priest, Paul perceived that he would not be given a fair trial, so he wisely defended himself using the doctrinal argument he knew existed between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, who did not believe there would be a resurrection. Note that Paul did not lie about what he believed just so to create dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees – he truly believed in the resurrection. So sharp was their theological dispute with the Sadducees that some Pharisees actually defended Paul.

3. Paul is reassured by the Lord. After going through so many trials and affliction, it is not surprising that Paul was fearful and discouraged (he wrote to in 1 Corinthians 2:3 that “I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling.”) God is very gracious to Paul and reassured him that God will bring him to Rome safely. Note that God only promised that He will bring Paul to Rome, but He did not promise that the journey would be smooth.

Praying the Scripture

1. Romans 13:1 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Paul submitted to the high priest even though he was unfairly treated. Pray that we will obey God’s Word and submit to the governing authorities, for in so doing we are submitting to God’s sovereignty.

2. Jesus said, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matt. 10:16) Submitting to the authorities does not mean we suffer in silence in all circumstances. God gave us wisdom to use the proper channels to protect ourselves. But when we do so, we must ensure that we do not break God’s commandments (e.g. we cannot lie). Pray that we will “be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

3. Even the great Apostle Paul was fearful and trembling (1 Cor. 2:3). God is gracious to us and He promised to be with us (Matt. 28:19-20) and He works all things for our good (Rom. 8:28). Pray that we will trust in God’s eternal promises, and persevere in serving Him.

Scripture Reading        : Acts 21:27 – 22:30

Theme                         : Serving God in Adversity

1. The reasons for Paul’s arrest. The leaders of the Jerusalem church anticipated the false accusations and tried to avoid unnecessary conflict by instructing Paul to join in the purification rites of 4 men, and Paul submitted to them. However, this did not prevent the Jews from stirring up a riot with the false accusations. The Jews did not have authority to make any arrests, so they simply tried to kill Paul by mob-action. Because of the riot, the Romans came and arrested Paul.

2. The response of Paul to the arrest. Paul took the opportunity while he was under Roman custody to preach the Gospel to the Jews in the mob. He did not place a higher priority on his own safety than to serve God by preaching the Gospel.

3. The result of Paul’s arrest. Paul was a Roman citizen by birth, and he was under the protection of Roman law. He made use of his right to a legal trial and was thus protected by the Roman soldiers from being attacked and killed by a mob.

Praying the Scripture

1. Often in life, we may be doing the right things but still get false accusations. Pray that we will be faithful to God and obey His Word, and may God protect us from false accusations.

2. After Paul was arrested, he did not make a defence for himself, but took the opportunity to preach the Gospel. Pray that we will serve God in adversity, just like Paul.

3. The biblical teaching that Christians should submit to the authorities does not mean that Christians cannot exercise their right as citizens. Pray that God will use the local government to protect Christians and the church from persecution.

Scripture Reading        : Acts 21:17-26

Theme                         : Biblical Submission

1. Discernment – is this about Gospel truth? The leaders in the Jerusalem church heard about the rumours that certain Jews were spreading about Paul, which the leaders knew were false. So they instructed Paul to join in the purification rites of 4 men who took the Nazirite vow. This was not a disagreement regarding the way of salvation, whether circumcision is required for one to be saved.

2. Disagreement – is this about personal preference? Whenever there are any disagreements in the church, Christians need to be clear whether the disagreement is with regards to fundamental and essential Christian doctrines (e.g. sinlessness of Jesus, Jesus is both God and man, salvation by grace alone, etc.) or simply matters of personal preferences. If the disagreement is on personal preferences, Christians should submit to the church leaders’ decision. Paul certainly did not disagree with the church leaders, but simply submitted.

3. Deference – is this about preferring others? When certain practices were not in conflict with the Gospel, Paul would do it, in order not to hinder the spread of the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Paul wrote of how he would adopt the practices of people with whom he was sharing the Gospel. In a similar fashion, Paul circumcised Timothy in order to facilitate Timothy’s access to the synagogue, since Timothy was a half-Jew (16:3). But in another occasion, Paul would refuse to circumcise Titus because certain Jews were preaching a false gospel that circumcision is needed for salvation (Gal. 2:3-5).

Praying the Scripture

1. Galatians 1:9 “As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” Pray that we will have discernment and not change the content of the Gospel for the sake of anything (e.g. religious harmony, government funding, etc.).

2. Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Whenever there are disagreements due to personal preferences, the Christian’s responsibility is to submit to the church leaders (Heb. 13:17) and to one another (Eph. 5:21). Pray that we will be humble and submit to the church leaders, and also submit to one another.

3. Paul dedicated his life to preaching the Gospel in every way he could, always preferring others, as far as the Gospel message was not compromised. Pray that in everything we do, we too will have the objective of sharing the Gospel with unbelievers around us.

Scripture Reading        : Acts 21:1-16

Theme                         : Commitment to Christ

1. The object of commitment. Paul was fully committed to the Lord Jesus Christ, to the extent that he was willing to lay down his life “for the name of the Lord Jesus” (21:13). No other cause is worthy of anyone laying down his life, except to follow the Lord Jesus, who also laid down His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).

2. The plan of commitment. Paul intended to bring the offering that he collected from the Gentile churches to the church in Jerusalem as soon as he could. To sail along the coast would have been safer, but Paul took the more risky route of sailing directly across the Mediterranean Sea to Tyre.

3. The determination of commitment. The Holy Spirit did not forbid Paul from going to Jerusalem, but revealed to the believers that suffering awaited Paul in Jerusalem. In fact, Paul was “constrained by the Holy Spirit” to go (20:22). Paul’s well-meaning friends persuaded him not to go because they feared for his safety, but Paul was determined to go to Jerusalem, because of his commitment to obey God and the church.

4. The cost of commitment. The ultimate cost of commitment to Christ on this earth is to lose one’s life. Paul was fully prepared to do so as he continued his journey to Jerusalem. He was able to pay the price of commitment to Jesus because he did “not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself.” (20:24)

Praying the Scripture

1. There are religious fanatics who lay down their lives for the wrong cause, and they are most to be pitied. Genuine Christians who truly believe that the Lord Jesus laid down His life for sinners ought to be fully committed to Him. Pray that we will be willing to die “for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

2. Sometimes, well-meaning Christians may give us advice out of love, but it is always more important to obey God than hear the voice of man. Pray that we will always obey God as the first priority. Also pray that when we counsel others, may we provide godly counsel that does not violate God’s will.

3. Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Pray that we will be willing to give up our earthly lives for Jesus Christ, so that we may receive eternal life in heaven.

Scripture Reading        : Acts 20:25-38

Theme                         : Biblical Eldership

1. Paul’s illustration for the elders. Paul lived a life of integrity amongst the people to whom he preached the Gospel (20:18). He laboured among the people and preached the Gospel and “the whole counsel of God” to them. Also, Paul worked whenever he could so that he did not burden the church financially (20:33-35) and to “present the Gospel free of charge” (1 Cor. 9:18). He set the example for the elders of the church to follow.

2. Paul’s instruction to the elders. The responsibility of the elders is to shepherd the sheep – they must take care of the believers whom God has entrusted to them. The sheep does not belong to the elders, but to Christ who obtained them “with His own blood”. Shepherding the flock includes teaching them God’s Word (20:27), counselling them to direct their steps back to God (20:20), helping them when they are weak (20:35), and protecting them from false teachers (20:31).

3. Paul’s intercession for the elders. After giving them instructions, Paul prayed for the elders, commending the elders “to God and to the Word of His grace”. Prayer reflects trust and dependence on God, rather than man. The challenges that the elders faced are enormous, and only by God’s power can they do the work.

Praying the Scripture

1. Paul set an example for the elders to follow. In the same way, he instructed Timothy to set an example for believers in the church (1 Tim. 4:12). Pray that the elders in our church will also set a godly example for the believers. Pray also that we too may be godly examples for others to follow.

2. Pray for the elders of the church, that they will “not shrink from declaring the whole counsel of God” and will “not shrink from declaring anything that is profitable.” Pray that we will be humble and teachable and submit to the teachings of the elders.

3. The task of the elders, especially the pastor, is an impossible thing to do, without God’s help. We need to pray unceasingly for our pastor and elders. Pray that they will “pay careful attention to themselves and to all the flock”. Pray also that they “be alert” against “fierce wolves” (false teachers). Pray also that they be godly examples who “coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel”.

Scripture Reading        : Acts 20:17-24

Theme                         : Paul’s Philosophy of Ministry

1. Serving the Lord heartily. Paul’s whole heart was devoted to God and he served God “with all humility”. Paul was a Pharisee and had an outstanding religious career, but he gave it all up when he realised that all those things that he practised as a Pharisee did not please God. Instead, he took on a life dedicated to the Gospel, even though it meant hardship and danger (“with tears and with trials”).

2. Serving the church unreservedly. Paul dedicated his life to preaching the Gospel and teaching the Christians wherever he went (“in public and from house to house”). He also counselled the believers by declaring to them “anything that was profitable”. With regards to the Word of God, he declared to them “the whole counsel of God” (20:27), without concealing anything.

3. Serving the world inexhaustibly. Paul did not know what exactly awaited him, but he did know that it would be hardship and persecution in every city (“imprisonment and affliction await me”). Despite the danger and hardship, Paul simply pressed on to preach the Gospel to all the cities that he went to, so that sinners might be saved.

4. Serving his calling single-mindedly. Paul understood that the calling he received was from the Lord Jesus. He gave up his life to serve this calling, dedicated to being faithful to God to the very end (“finish my course”).

Praying the Scripture

1. Christians should not think of serving God only when it is convenient and easy for them to do so. We are to serve God heartily, even if it means hardship and danger. Pray that we will serve God “with all humility and with tears and with trials”.

2. Paul served God through serving the church, by teaching them the Word of God and counselling the believers. Pray that we too will serve the church unreservedly, by counselling one another and declaring “anything that is profitable” in order to build one another up.

3. The world needs the Gospel, not political, economic and social change. Pray that we will serve the world inexhaustibly, by sharing the Gospel with all the people around us.

Scripture Reading        : Acts 18:18-19:7

Theme                            : Forget the Past

1. Caught in the OT laws. Paul took a Nazirite vow, which was a vow to be separated and devoted to God (Num. 6:2-5, 13-21). At the end of the vow, the devotee would shave his head, as Paul did. Paul likely took such a vow because God protected him in Corinth. Even though Paul was absolutely clear that obeying OT laws did not earn salvation, he was still caught in it (though it was a sincere devotion).

2. Caught in the OT teaching. Alexandria was an important city in Egypt. Coming from a city far from Jerusalem, Apollos did not know about Jesus’ death and resurrection, because he was teaching the OT prophecies concerning Jesus. He might have heard John the Baptist and believed his message concerning the Messiah, but had no personal knowledge of Jesus yet. Priscilla and Aquila heard Apollos in the synagogue and they explained the full Gospel to him. Apollos became a powerful Christian preacher, notably at Corinth (Acts 19:1; 1 Cor. 1:12).

3. Caught in the OT baptism. Paul came to Ephesus and found some disciples of John the Baptist. They were baptized by John, which was an OT form of baptism signifying repentance and preparation for the Messiah’s arrival. They had not heard the Gospel, but when Paul preached the Gospel to them, they were baptized in the name of Jesus, signifying not only repentance, but also death (of sin) with Jesus and future resurrection (Rom. 6:3).

Praying the Scripture

1. There are some people who might be sincerely abstaining from certain things as devotion to God (e.g. no wine, no food offered to idols, etc.). The Bible has clear teachings on this, but let us pray that those who have a stronger conscience not judge those who are weaker, and pray that we will treat brethren who have personal convictions with grace and patience.

2. Apollos was already eloquent in the OT, but that did not cause him to be puffed-up in pride. He gladly received instruction from Priscilla and Aquila concerning Christian doctrine. Pray that we will be humble and teachable like Apollos.

3. Believers in the Bible were willingly baptized as soon as they believed the Gospel. Pray that the believers in our congregation who are not baptized yet to obey our Lord’s command to be baptized.

Scripture Reading        : Acts 19:21-41

Theme                             : The Riot in Ephesus

Paul wanted to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. These provinces were in the opposite direction from Jerusalem, and Paul wanted to take this way in order to collect offering for the poor in Jerusalem due to the famine (Acts 11:27-30). After sending Timothy and Erastus ahead of him to Macedonia, Paul stayed longer in Ephesus.

1. The cause of the riot. An idol-maker called Demetrius stirred up the craftsmen to riot against Paul and the Christians. This is most likely not the same Demetrius commended by John in 3 John 12, since it was a common name. The main cause was that the craftsmen suffered financial loss, since more and more Ephesians turned from worshipping idols to the true God. The goddess Artemis was also known as “Diana”.

2. The chaos of the riot. The riot was mainly led by Demetrius and the craftsmen, but many people joined the riot, most not knowing the reason (19:32). These people were simply following the crowd and did not even know what they were rioting for.

3. The calming of the riot. The city clerk was like the Mayor of the city of Ephesus. He reasoned with the crowd, correctly attributing the cause of the riot to them. The image of the goddess which fell from heaven was likely a meteorite that fell from space. The city clerk appealed to the people to go through the proper legal channels of charging Paul, because a riot could bring down the Roman cohort to destroy the city.

Praying the Scripture

1. In our day and age, there continues to be many businesses that thrive because of idol-worship and many idol-worshippers. Pray that God will have mercy on the unbelievers who are idol worshippers, especially our family members, convict their hearts of idolatry and grant them repentance.

2. Many people join street protests without knowing the reason or are not as convicted as the leaders of the protest. Pray that as Christians, we will be discerning and not participate in any protests or demonstration. Pray that we will change the world through the preaching of the Gospel, not through protests or demonstrations.

3. God protected Paul and his companions using the city clerk. In a similar way, God can protect us using the local government. Pray that we will be bold to preach the Gospel, but be wise in our ways so that we will not be guilty of breaking the law when sharing the Gospel.

Scripture Reading        : Acts 20:1-16

Theme                            : A Glimpse into the Heart of a Pastor

1. The spiritual need of the church. As Paul travelled throughout Macedonia, he spent much time preaching and encouraging the believers. At Troas, Paul continued to preach late into the night, because he was going to leave the next day. Instead of resting, his concern for the spiritual need of the church compelled him to preach until the morning (20:11).

2. The physical need of the church. The author of Acts (Luke the Physician) did not give details of the reason Paul travelled through this region, because Luke wanted to show the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to Rome, but we can reconstruct the scenario from Paul’s epistles. There was a famine in Jerusalem (Acts 11:27-30), and Paul went to the Gentile churches throughout the region to collect monetary gifts to help the church in Jerusalem (Romans 15:25-27; 1 Cor. 16:1-4). Paul was concerned for the physical need of the church, and went to different churches that he established to collect offerings. The different names mentioned in 20:4 were representatives from the churches that contributed to the offering.

3. The overall health of the church. Even as Paul was hurrying to Jerusalem, he still had the church of Ephesus in mind. After leaving Ephesus, on his way to Jerusalem, Paul would stop over at Miletus, where he would send for the elders of the church in Ephesus (20:17), in order to teach, warn and encourage them once more before he left.

Praying the Scripture

1. Just like Paul, many godly pastors labour day and night because they are concerned for the spiritual need of the church. Pray for our pastor, that he will have the strength to continue the work that God has given to him.

2. Pray that we will be generous in our giving, so that our own local church will not be in need of resources. Pray also that we will not be inward-looking, but share our resources with other like-minded churches that are in need.

3. The pastor’s responsibility is not only to preach God’s Word, but also to counsel believers. Pray that believers in our local church will respond positively to our pastor’s counselling, so that the overall health of the church will be good.