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1992-11-09
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Ill. THE IMPRISONMENT OF PAUL, 21:15 - 28:31
A. PAUL'S IMPRISONMENT IN JERUSALEM, 21:15 - 23:10
1. What does Paul do in Jerusalem, 21:15-26? He observed a meaningless
Jewish custom to avoid unnecessary opposition by the Jews.
2. What takes place in:
(1) 21:27-40? Paul is providentially saved by intervention of the
Roman authorities.
(2) 22:1:23? Paul seeks to convince his opponents that the
evangelization of the Gentiles was an obligation laid upon him by
Christ.
(3) 22:24-30? Paul saves himself from scourging by making use of his
legal rights as a Roman citizen.
3. In Paul's trial before the Sanhedrin, what may be observed from:
(1) 23:1-2? The wickedness of the Jewish leaders.
(2) 23:3? The fearlessness and courage of Paul.
(3) 23:4-5? Paul's respect for the law of God.
(4) 23:6-9? Paul's brilliant strategy in dividing his enemies
against each other.
(5) 23:10? That if it had not been for the protection of Rome, Paul
would have been torn to pieces.
B. PAUL'S IMPRISONMENT IN CAESAREA, 23:11 - 28:29
1. How does the Lord take care of his servant in:
(1) 23:11? By the Lord's personal appearance, standing by him with
reassurance.
(2) 23:12-35? By the providential employment of an ordinary young
man and a governor.
2. Of what is Paul accused, 24:1-9? Of being a pestilent fellow, a
seditious ringleader, and a profaner of the temple.
3. Point out the events in 24:10-27:
(1) The case is deferred, pending the arrival of another `Witness'.
(2) Felix under obvious conviction through Paul's testimony,
temporizes with the excuse of waiting for a more convenient
season, thus missing the opportunity of his life.
(3) Felix further temporized by hopes of a bribe, thus providing
opportunity for his hardening against the truth.
(4) Finally, with the hardening process well on the way, Felix failed
to take judicial action in order to win the favour of the Jews.
4. List the events during Paul's trial before Festus in Caesarea, 25:5-27:
(1) Festus, for political advantage, decides to grant the Jews their
demand and sends Paul to Jerusalem, v. 7-9.
(2) Paul, to save himself from the Jews, takes advantage of his legal
right to appeal to Caesar, v. 10-12.
(3) In the meantime, King Agrippa requests to hear Paul for himself,
v. 13-27.
5. How did Paul succeed with his defence, 26:1-32?
(1) He had almost persuaded King Agrippa, v. 28.
(2) He was absolved from all guilt, v. 30-32.
6. In the light of 26:32, had Paul made a mistake by appealing to Caesar?
No, for he would have been delivered to the Jews and never brought
before Agrippa.
7. Throughout the stormy voyage, 27:1-44, the providential care for Paul
is manifest, wherein?
(1) In the centurion's courtesy toward Paul, v. 3.
(2) By giving Paul knowledge of impending disaster, v. 10.
(3) By the reassuring visit of an angel, v. 21-24,34,37.
(4) By their ability to run the ship aground at a suitable place, v.
39-41.
(5) By the centurion's interference with the soldiers' intent to kill
their prisoners, v. 43.
8. Wherein did the fleeing shipmen endanger the lives of others, 27:31?
In that their skill was needed to run the ship aground.
9. Comment on 27:44: God kept his promise by getting them safely to land,
even though it was in a very unconventional manner.
10. Comment on the incident in:
(1) 28:1-6 - How quickly men jump to wrong conclusions from mere
appearances.
(2) 28:7-10 - Paul ministered to others notwithstanding his personal
circumstances.
(3) 28:11-16 - God's providential care is evident in the centurion's
special consideration for Paul.
11. What was the result of Paul's patient efforts in 28:17-29? Some
believed, and some believed not.
C. FULFILLMENT OF APOSTOLIC COMMISSION, 28:30-31
1. Observe the remarkable providential circumstances associated with
Paul's imprisonment at Rome, 28:30-31:
(1) Paul's imprisonment was actually for his own safety; for had he
been allowed to go free, he would have been killed at once by the
Jews.
(2) Protected, yet unhindered by the Roman authorities for two years,
he was able to fulfil his mission for Christ.
(3) The seeming hindrance of his imprisonment was so ordered by God
as to bring about the more rapid spread of the truth,
Phil. 1:12,13.
(4) Furthermore, many of the brethren became much more bold to preach
the gospel, Phil. 1:14.
2. Why does this book end so abruptly and evidently incomplete, 28:31?
Because the work of the Lord upon the earth was not terminated with
the end of the book of Acts.