ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

• Curriculum Content
• Authorship of acts of the apostles
• Purpose of writing Acts
• Date of writing
• Place of writing
• Recipients of Acts of the apostles

• Learning Objectives
• Students should be able to establish the following:
• The author of the book of Acts
• The personalities of the author
• The purpose of writing, date, place of writing and the recipients
 Authorship of Acts, Purpose, Date and Destination

• The book of Acts was written before AD74. The authorship of the book of Acts is
given to Luke by one tradition of the church, the book is also dedicated to
Theophilus by Luke, the Acts is the continuation of the book of Luke for it takes up
the narrative precisely were one 3rd gospel.
• This means that the gospel of Luke ends with Jesus assurance that he will send
the promise of the father upon the disciples will the command that they should
stay until they are endowed with the power from on high and with the accounts
of how he noted from them. Acts of the Apostles opens with a reminder of the
promise and the command, a picture of disciples waiting at Jerusalem for the
fulfillment, a fuller account of the ascension of Jesus and a clear description of
the fulfillment of the promise of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The two works (Luke
and Acts) have one great characteristic in common. This is the universality of the
gospel (Luke 7:30, Acts 17:18). Another one is the unity of style between the
gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles.
• The Date of Writing
• The book of Acts was written before AD74 and this suggests that the book was
probably written between AD70 and AD74.
•  
• Destination
• By destination we mean the place of composition and the recipients. These were
the same as of Luke’s. Scholars were divided about the place of composition
among them. Some suggested that the book was probably written at Caesarea
Philippi, Jerusalem or Rome.
• The Purpose of Writing Acts
• 1. To write an orderly account about the life of Jesus
• 2. As an apology
• 3. Historical purpose
• 4. A defense for Paul’s trial
• The purpose of Luke’s gospel is similar to Acts of the Apostles
• This may be summarized as follows:
• To show the expansion of Christianity (Acts 1:8)
• To commend or present Christianity to the Roman world (Romans
Government) Acts 13:12, 18:20; 19:31
• To show that Christianity is a universal religion that is open to all men
regardless of their tribe, gender, race and countries.
• To give an account about the life of Paul and his trials in conjunction with the
communal life of the early apostles).
• Personalities of the man Luke
• Luke was a beloved physician
• Luke was the only writer in the New Testament who was a gentile
• Luke didn’t have any child
• Luke died at the age of 84
• Luke dedicated his gospel to Theophilus; a Roman magistrate
• Like died under an oak tree
• Luke was a prolific writer/author
• He was a Gentile Christian
• He was an educated writer
• He never married
• He was a companion of Paul
• He wrote two volumes of book in the New Testament( Luke and Acts)
•  
• The book of Acts can be divided into these sections.
• The foundation of the church in Jerusalem
• The expansion of the church outside Jerusalem to Judea, to Samaria and other parts of Palestine
Acts 8:12.
• The missionary journeys of Paul the Apostle – Acts 13 – end.
•  
• Evaluation material
• 1. Who was the Author of Acts?(2mks)
• 2. Why did Luke write two volumes of book?(4mks)
• 3. Where and when did Luke write his work?(2mks)
• 4. Who were the recipients of Acts’ gospel?(2mks)
• 5. Give personalities of Luke(5mks)
• Curriculum Content
• Jesus’ speech as he ascended into heavens
• Disciples actions and reactions to the event
• Angel’s appearance and the statement made
• Disciples’ return and expectation of the promise

• Learning Objectives
• Students should be able to do the following:
• Discuss the way Jesus was caught up into heavens
• Say what the reaction of the disciples was when Jesus was taken up
• Highlight the event of catching up into heavens
 ASCENSION OF JESUS (ACTS 1:1-14)

• Jesus appeared to the apostles (disciples) for 40 days speaking of the kingdom of
God. After he had taken food with them, he charged them to stay in Jerusalem
until they receive the promise of the Father. The disciples asked him if he would
restore the lost kingdom of Israel but he replied that the matter of the lost
kingdom was not meant for their discussion. He later told them that the Holy
Spirit will descend on them so that they could be witnesses to people in
Jerusalem, Judea and all over part of the world. After saying all these, Jesus was
raised and lifted up from the disciples and the disciples looked up at him as he
was going up to heaven until the cloud received him completely from them. Two
men in white robes stood by them and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand
looking into heaven. This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will
come before you as you saw him go”. Immediately the disciples went back to
Jerusalem from the mounts called Olivet to Jerusalem and assembled in the
upper room as instructed by Jesus.
• Evaluation material
• 1. How was Jesus caught up into heavens?(6mks)
• 2. Give details of the events of Jesus’ ascension.(6mks)
• 3. What was the reaction of the disciples to this event?(6mks)
• Curriculum Content
• The place of Judas among the disciples
• The role of Peter in the early church
• The speech of Peter in chosen a replacement
• The nominees and how a candidate emerged as the replacement.

• Learning Objectives
• Students should be able to discuss:
• the end of Judas after he betrayed his master
• how Peter led other disciples in chosen a replacement
• the criteria considered in selecting the nominees
• how Matthias emerged as the candidate
THE REPLACEMENT OF JUDAS (Acts 1:15-26,
Ps. 69:25, Ps. 109:9)
• During these days, Peter stood up and addressed the disciples,
recounting the death of Judas Iscariot and what the scripture said
about his actions and urged members to assist in selecting a
replacement for Judas’ ministry. The man to be selected must have
accompanied them during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in
and out among them, beginning from the baptism of John until
the day when Jesus was taken up from them. The names selected
were Joseph called Barsabbas and Matthias. After they had prayed
for God’s guidance, they cast lots and it fell on Matthias and he
was enrolled with the eleven apostles to take the office of Judas
Iscariot. These activities were still secret because they were afraid
of the Jews and had not received the Holy Spirit.
• Evaluation material
1.In five simple sentences, how were the disciples able to choose
a replacement?(5mks)
2. In your own opinion, was Matthias appointment fair by the
disciples?(Yes, No)
3.Wha criteria was found in Matthias that was lacking in
Barsabbas?(2mks)
• Curriculum Content
• Meaning of Pentecost
• Feasts celebrated by the Jews
• Fulfillment of the Promise
• Descent of the Holy Spirit
• Reactions from the Audience
• Peter’s defence
Learning Objectives:
Students should be able to the following:
• define Pentecost
• give the various feasts celebrated by the Jews
• Discuss the Pentecost events
 THE HOLY SPIRIT-THE PENTECOST (Acts 2:1-13)

• There were three major Feasts that the Jews celebrated. These
were:
• The Feast of Passover,
• The Feast of Pentecost and,
• The Feast of Tabernacles
• The feast of Pentecost is also called the Feast of Weeks. It is
celebrated on the fiftieth day after the Passover Feast. The
purpose of celebrating Pentecost is to thank God for His protection
for the last agricultural year and asking God to protect them
during the next Agricultural year. During this Feast the Jews in
foreign countries e.g. Mesopotamia, Judea, Asia, Egypt etc will
come to celebrate the Feast of the Week in Jerusalem.
• On the day of Pentecost the disciples were in one place and then suddenly, a
sound came like the rustle of the mighty wind. It filled the whole house in
which they were sitting. Then they saw tongues made of fire on the head of
each of them. Immediately they were filled with the Holy Spirit at the same
time, they began to speak in other tongues (or languages) as the spirit gave
them utterances. The people saw the apostles and they were surprised to
what had happened that they spoke in their languages, while others charged
the apostles of being intoxicated or being under influence of wine.
•  
• PETER’S DEFENSE (Acts 2:14-20)
• Peter, standing with the disciples recollected from the Old Testament and
used it to show as evidence that the messiah had indeed appeared in the
person of Jesus of Nazareth and had founded his kingdom on earth. He
introduced the following points:
• (1)The remarkable scene that they had witnessed that day was as a result of infilling or
the outpouring of God’s spirits as prophesied by Prophet Joel and not as a result of
intoxication (Joel 2:2-8).
• (2)That was the resurrection of Jesus was in accordance with the prophecy of Isaiah
• (3)That it was the revised of the verdict of the cross and vindicated his claim to be the
Messiah
• (4)That the dominion of the Messiah as Lord of all is recognized by their great national
hero David; who admitted his superiority by addressing him as “my Lord”. He concluded
with an appeal to them as the chosen race to fit themselves by repentance and for the
remission of their sins and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
• REACTION FROM THE AUDIENCE (Acts 2:41-47)
• Those who received the message were baptized and about three thousand souls were
added to the group. Those who were of one accord remained together praying, breaking
bread and sharing all they had in common for the benefit of those who had nothing. The
Lord bestowed them with many signs and wonders through the apostles. Day after day,
the Lord added to them those that were saved.
• Evaluation material
• 1. What were the feasts celebrated by the Jews?(3mks)
• 2. What event was called Pentecost?(3mks)
• 3. How did Holy Spirit come upon the early disciples?(3mks)
• 4. How did Peter react to the audience on the day of Pentecost?
(3mks)
• 5. What was the audience response?(3mks)
• 6. How were the disciples able to relate with the newly converted
Christians after Pentecost?(3mks)
• Curriculum Content
• The gate called beautiful
• Peter and John in Jerusalem
• The cripple at the gate
• Peter and James encounter with the cripple
• The reaction from the audience
• Peter’s speech

• Learning Objectives
• Students should be able to do the following:
• Describe the man at the gate called beautiful
• Discuss Peter and John’s mission in the temple in Jerusalem
• Give an account of how Peter and John encountered the cripple
• Account for the reaction of people standing and Peter’s response to it
 THE HEALING OF THE CRIPPLE AT THE
BEAUTIFUL GATE (Acts 3:1-10)
• Peter and John were going into the temple for the ninth hour
prayer (3:00pm) and a certain cripple asked them for alms as he
sat at the gate called ‘beautiful’. Peter said to him “silver and
gold I have none, but what I have that I give to thee, in the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth walk”. He took the cripple in his right
hand and raised him up. His bones became strengthened and
normal. He stood up and began to walk. He entered into the
temple, leapt up in joy for the miracle performed on him and he
was praising God. Those people that saw him walking and
praising God wondered at the great miracle done. In his joy, the
cripple now made whole ran after Peter and John holding them
in his hand, the crowd became more intensely amazed.
PETER AND JOHN IMPRISONED (Acts 4:1-15)
• As a result of the healing of the cripple at the temple gate and Peter’s sermon,
the people were perplexed about the preaching of Peter and John. The
Sanhedrin arrested them and put them in custody. The next morning, the
Sanhedrin assembled for a trial and punishment of the apostles. They asked
the apostles, “By whose power or in what name have you done this?” Peter
told them that they did the miracle in the name of Jesus Christ who rulers of
the people and the chief priests killed and in whose name all shall be saved.
The persecutors felt surprised at the boldness of these uneducated men and
noted that they had been with Christ.
• The Sanhedrin met out and converged together to decide what punishment
would be meted out to these men. But when they warned Peter and John not
to preach in that name, Peter said, “will it be right in the sight of God to
hearken onto you other than unto God, judge ye?” After more strict warning,
the persecutors let them go. The fame of the miracle spread far and wide.
• Evaluation material
• 1. In five simple sentences, describe how the apostles were able to
perform signs and wonders at the Beautiful Gate?(5mks)
• 2.In two short paragraphs account for what happened at the
beautiful gate?(5mks)
• 3.Give the reaction of the by-standers and the on-lookers at the
beautiful gate in one simple paragraph(5mks)
• 4. How many souls were added to the early Church as a result of
this event?(2mks)
• Curriculum Content
• Togetherness in the early church
• Sharing and distribution of goo
• Learning Objectives
• Students should be able to do the following:
• Discuss what togetherness means
• Account for the communal life of the early disciples
• Highlight the consequences of this communal life
 THE COMMUNAL LIFE OF THE EARLY DISCIPLES
(Acts 4:32-37)
• After the release of Peter and John from prison, they went to their
friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders have said
to them, when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God,
when they prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken
and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God
with boldness. The company of those who believed was of one heart
and soul. No one owned what he possessed but had everything in
common. There was not a needy person among them for as many as
were possessors of land or houses sold them and brought the
proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles feet and
distribution was made to everyone as he had needs. For instance,
Barnabas, the Levite sold a piece of land that belonged to him and
brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
• Evaluation material
• 1. In two simple paragraphs show how the disciples sell and share their
belongings to meet the needs of the Church?(5mks)
• 2. In three simple sentences what resulted from the daily life of the Early
Church?(3ks)
• Curriculum Content
• Problems ensuing from the communal life of the early disciples
• Dishonesty in the early church

• Learning Objectives
• Students should be able to do the following:
• Discuss the role of Ananias and his wife Saphira in the early church
• Account for the speech of Peter
• Account for the end of dishonest couple in the early church
 ANANIAS AND SAPHIRA (Acts 5:1-15)

• Ananias and Saphira, husband and wife, sold their land and played
dishonesty and falsehood with their proceeds. They gave part of the
amount they had from their sales and the untruth become scandalous
and would have demoralized the converts of the young church.
• Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit spoke for the church to the husband first
and to the wife later. They both lies and their death made a deep
impression on the mind at those converts. They become more honest and
truthful. Many signs and wonders were done among the people by the
hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon’s Porticle and
the people held them in high honour. More than ever believers were
added to the Lord in multitude both of man and women so that they even
carried out the sick to the streets, laid them on beds and pallets that as
Peter come by at least his shadow might fall on some of them and they
were healed.
• Curriculum Content
• Apostles and the Jewish religious leaders
• The role of Gamaliel in the trial of the apostles
• Apostles’ boldness in preaching the gospel
• Apostles’ release
• Learning Objectives
• Students should be able to do the following:
• Discuss the courage of the apostles in preaching the gospel
• Account for the roles of Gamaliel in the release of the apostles
 THE APOSTLES IMPRISONED (Acts 5:17-
32)
• The Sadducees were the foremost in persecution of the early church,
because apostles preached to all the Jews far and near that Jesus Christ
who was crucified, “had risen from dead”. The chief priests who were of
the Sadducean party felt the sting of the sermon and feared the
consequences of an attack on them by the zealous Jews for having
condemned their Messiah.
• When they arrested the apostles, the chief priests said, let us threaten
them that they speak no more to no one in the name of Jesus Christ.
Peter replied that they would obey God rather than man. The chief priests
and all the Sadducees were anxious to prevent the name of Jesus from
being preached to the Jews as their God and Saviour, lest the Jews will
revolt against the political authority and consequently such a riot might
give the Romans the reasons for removing authority and prestige from
the rich Sadducees party.
• As the apostles went on preaching to the people and healing many
diseases in Christ name, the chief priests arrested the apostles, and
put them in custody. But the angel of the Lord opens the door of the
prison and said to them “Go ye and stand and speak in the temple to
the people of the word of this life’. In the morning of the next day, the
apostles were not found in the prison but were preaching in the
temple. The others and the captain re-arrested them and conduct
them before the Sanhedrin without violence.
•  
• GAMALIEL’S SPEECH (Acts 5:33-42)
• A Pharisee in the council name Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in
great honour by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be
put outside for a while.
• He said to them, “Men of Israel take care that you do with these men, for
before there days Theudas arose, a number of men about 400 joined him
but he was slain and those who followed him were dispersed and came to
nothing.
• After him Judas the Galilean arose on the days of Census and drew away
some of the people after him, he also perished and all who followed him
were scattered. So in the present case, I tell you keep away from these
men and let them alone”. He added that if the plan or the undertaken is
of men it will fail, but if it is of God they will not be able to over throw
them, they might even be found opposing God. The Sanhedrin took his
advice and released the apostles after beating them. The apostles then
left the presence of the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy
to suffer dishonor for his name. They went to the temple and homes
everyday preaching Jesus as the Christ.
• Curriculum Content
• Problems of food distribution among the Hellenists and the Hebrews

• Learning Objectives
• Students should be able to do the following:
• Account for the murmuring among the early disciples
• Describe the way the problem was resolved
 Problems of the Early Church-Appointment of
Seven Deacons
• When the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenists
murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were
neglected in the daily distributions. The twelve summoned the bodies
of disciples and said. “It is not right that we should give up preaching
the word of God to serve tables. Therefore brethren, pick out from
among you seven men of good repute, full of the Holy Spirit and of
wisdom whom we will appoint to the duty. But we will devote
ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the words”. What they said
pleased the multitude and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith
and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,
Nicholas, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles
and they prayed and laid their hands upon them
• .
 STEPHEN’S ARREST (Acts 6:7-9)

Stephen was a Grecian Jew, a man full of faith and of the Holy
Spirit and full of grace and power. He preached with power and
taught that the worship of God was no longer for the Jews only,
nor was it confined to the Jewish nation or to the temple. The Jews
which he had compounded with his reasoning and wisdom stirred
up the people (Jews). The elders and the scribes accused him
falsely and seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They
accused him as preaching blasphemy saying, “This man never
ceased to speak words against the Holy place and the law, for we
have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this
place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us”.
 STEPHEN’S SPEECH AND DEATH
• STEPHEN’S SPEECH (Acts 7:1-52)
• Stephen tried to prove that even in the past history of the Jews God did not confine his
presence to the Holy land or to the temple at Jerusalem. He pointed out that the Jews
who had been selected from early times to be God’s people had often disobey and
rebelled against him as they done against the Son of God. He then accused their judges of
disobedience, ill-will and stiffneckedness and asked them to name the prophet whom
they had not killed or persecuted. He reproached them with being murderers of the Holy
one (Christ) and of receiving the law and not obeying it. The judges were cut to the heart
and gnashed their teeth upon him. Stephen turned his face towards heaven and declared
that he saw the heaven opened and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.
• DEATH OF STEPHEN (Acts 7:54-60)
• When they heard the speech of Stephen, they were enraged and they gnashed their
teeth against him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him to death. The
witnessed laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were
stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus receive my spirit”. He knelt down and cried with a
loud voice. “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”. When he said this, he fell asleep.
• Curriculum Content
• Appointment of Stephen
• Stephen’s speech
• Stephen’s arrest
• Stephen’s death
• Learning Objectives
• Students should be able to do the following:
• Account for the speech of Stephen
• His opposition by the Jews
• His persecution and death
• Activities of Philip with the Ethiopian Eunuch
• Conversion of Ethiopian Eunuch
• Learning Objectives
• Curriculum Content
• Students should be able to do the following:
• Give an account of the personality of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
 PHILIP AND ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH (ACTS 8:26-40)

• The angel of the Lord said to Philip, ; ‘Rise and go toward the south to the road that
goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert road. And behold, an Ethiopian, a
eunuch, a minister of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of all her
treasure, had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning; seated in his chariot,
he was reading the prophet Isaiah. ’The Ethiopian Eunuch read the passage of Isaiah
53:3 that read thus: ‘As a sheep led the slaughter or a lamp before its shearer is dumb,
so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can
describe his generation? For his life is taken up from the earth.’ The Eunuch said to
Philip, ‘about whom, pray, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone
else?’Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this scripture he told him the
good news of Jesus. And as they went along the road they came to some water, and
the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water! What is to prevent my being baptized?’ And he
commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and
the eunuch, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of
the Lord caught up Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way
rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus.
• Curriculum Content
• The man Paul
• His religious backgrounds
• His fanaticism
• His encounter
• His conversion
• Learning Objectives
• Students should be able to do the following:
• THE CONVERSION OF SAUL (ACTS 9:1-31)
• Saul obtained letters of authority from the High Priest, undertook a
journey to drag down to Jerusalem all those who were on the Way (i.e.
the disciples and apostles of Jesus Christ) in the synagogues at Damascus.
On his way to Damascus for the same purpose, he looked up and behold,
an extra- ordinary light shown in the sky all around him. He fell down and
he heard a voice which said, ‘Saul, Saul why do you persecute me?’ Then
Saul asked, ‘who are you, Lord?’ Then the voice said ‘I am Jesus whom
you are persecuting.’ Saul was asked to go into the city and that he would
be directed on what to do. The men who accompanied him on the
journey were speechless and afraid when they heard the voice but did
not see the speaker. Saul became blind immediately and was led into the
city by his companions and for three days, he was without sight and
neither eats nor drink.
• Meanwhile the Lord appeared to Ananias in a vision and instructed him to meet
Saul in the house of one Judas and tell him what to do. Ananias replied by saying,
‘Lord, I have often heard about this man and all the harm he has done to your
people in Jerusalem and he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest
all who call on your name.’ After some words of protest from Ananias, the Lord
said him, ‘go your way for he is a chosen instrument of mine’. Then Ananias went
to the house of Judas, laid his hand on him and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus,
who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me to you so that you may
recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like
scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He was baptized, took food and
his strength returned. He spoke boldly in the synagogue at Damascus to the
surprise of the Christians who thought he was pretending to be a convert. Some
Jews sought to kill him at Damascus perhaps in revenge of his cruel persecutions
and murder of their friends, but some kind disciples let him down from the city
wall with a basket and sent him to Caesarea, from there, he went to Tarsus.
• BIRTH AND PARENTAGE OF PAUL
• The Hebrew name of Paul was Saul. Paul was his Greek or Hellenistic name. The
same person was being called by the two names. The names of his parents were
not known. His father who was of the tribe of Benjamin and a Pharisee was a rich
and an important man. Paul was born a Roman citizen in Tarsus, the capital of the
Roman province. A son of a Roman citizen was automatically a Roman by birth.
Thus, Saul was born a Roman citizen. Paul’s date of birth is not known but
probably at the beginning of the first century.
• PAUL’S EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
• Tarsus, where Paul was born was famous for its fine schools but Paul did not
attend any of them. He was brought up and educated in Jerusalem. We know
nothing about his elementary education but he studied law under a rabbi
Gamaliel. Gamaliel was described as a teacher of law who was held in honour by
all the people.
•  
• So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper
room.
• All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments
which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt
down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, ‘Tabitha, rise.’ And she opened her
eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. He gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then
calling the saints and the widows, he presented her alive. This became known
throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for many
days with one Simon, a tanner.

• ACTIVITIES OF BARNABAS, SAUL AND AGABUS IN ANTIOCH AND JERUSALEM (ACTS

11:19-30)
• Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen
travelled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except
Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to
Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
• And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed
turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God,
he was glad and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with
steadfast purpose; for he was a good man, full of Holy Spirit and of faith. And a
large company was added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for
Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year
they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in
Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians. Now in those
days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named
Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine
over all the world; and this took place in the days of Claudius. And the disciples
determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brethren
who lived in Judea; and they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of
Barnabas and Saul.
• Curriculum Content
• Peter at Lydda
• Peter at Joppa
• Peter in the house of Cornelius
• Learning Objectives
• At the end of the lesson, students should be able to do the
following:
• Identify the role of Peter in Lydda and Joppa
• Account for the conversion of Cornelius at Caesarea
• Describe the actions of Peter at Joppa in the house
 PETER’S ACTIVITIES IN LYDDA AND JOPPA (ACTS 9:32-43)

• Now Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the
saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been
bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus
Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.’ Immediately he rose. All the residents
of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at
Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works
and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had
washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the
disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him,
‘please come to us without delay’. Now in those days prophets came down from
Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by
the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world; and this took
place in the days of Claudius. And the disciples determined, every one according
to his ability, to send relief to the brethren who lived in Judea; and they did so,
sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
 THE CONVERSION OF CORNELIUS IN
CAESAREA
• At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a
devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms liberally to the people, and prayed
constantly to God. About the nine hour of the day, he saw clearly in a vision an angel of the God
coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius”. And he stared at him in terror, and said, what is it, Lord?”And
he said to him, ’Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. And now send
men to Joppa, and bring one Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose
house is by the seaside.” When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants
and a devout soldier from among those that waited on him, and having related everything to them, he
sent them to Joppa. The next day as they were on their journey and coming near the city, Peter went up
on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. And he became hungry and desire something to eat; but
while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heaven opened, and something
descending like a great sheet let down by four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals
and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him, 'Rise, Peter, kill and eat.’ But said, No,
Lord, nothing unclean or common has ever entered my mouth. And the came to him again the second
time, “What God has cleansed, you must not call common. This happened three times and the thing
was taken up at once to heaven. Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision which
he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s
house, stood at the gate and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging
there…………………………….
 PETER’S EXPLANATION OF HIS ACTIVITY IN CAESAREA (ACTS 11:1-18)

• Now the apostles and the brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles
also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the
circumcision party criticized him, saying, ‘why did you go to uncircumcised men
and eat with them?’ But Peter began and explained to them in order: I was in
the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw vision, something descending,
like a great sheet, let down from heavens by four corners; and it came down to
me. Looking at it closely I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and
birds of the air. I heard a voice saying to me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat’. But I said,
No, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ But the
voice answered a second time from heaven, What God has cleansed you must
not called common. 'This happened three times. and all was drawn up again
into heavens. He then told them of what happened in the Cornelius house.
When they all heard this they were silenced and they glorified God, saying,
‘Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance unto life.
• Curriculum Content
• Herod dynasty
• Persecution of Herod
• The death of James
• The arrest and release of Peter
• Learning Objectives
• Students should be able to do the following:
• Account for the Herod cruelty
• Discuss the death of James
• Arrest of Peter and release
 THE ARREST AND RELEASE OF PETER FROM
PRISON (ACTS 12:1-19)
• Herod Agrippa 1 joined in persecuting the disciples and the apostles of Jesus.
Herod killed James; the brother of John, one of the apostles. As he learnt that
it pleased the Jews, he ordered Peter’s arrest and he hope to kill him after the
Jewish Passover festival, which was then taking place. Peter was heavily
guarded by sixteen soldiers and was also chained. In the night, an angel of
the Lord came to him and asked him to put on his clothes and sandals and
follow him. Peter did as he was told, hardly believing that he was not
dreaming. He followed the angel who led the way out of the prison into a
street in the town. The chains with which his feet and arms were fettered
loosed and fell on their own accord, and the city gate opened of its own to
the angel and Peter. Having accompanied Peter so far into the main street of
town and having done his duty of liberating him, the angel vanished. Peter’s
slumbering thought cleared and he realized to his utter amazement and
immense joy that he had been liberated in reality from the prison.
• He joyfully said, ‘Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent his angel to rescue me from
the hand of Herod and from the expectation of the people of the Jews’. He made straight
for the house of Mary, John Mark’s mother where the members of the church were
praying to God for his release. On reaching the premises, he knocked on the door and the
maid, Rhoda, came to open it to him. When she recognized the voice of Peter, she ran
back for joy to announce to the congregation that Peter was the one knocking at the gate.
They said to her, ‘You are mad’. But she insisted that it was so. They said, ‘It is his angel!’
But Peter continued knocking; and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.
But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had
brought him of the prison. He later asked the information to be passed on to James, the
brother of the Lord. This incident made the young church to have more faith in God.
• THE DEATH OF HEROD (ACTS 12: 18-23)
• After the miraculous release of Peter, the soldiers were perplexed about the escape of
Peter and were commanded to be killed. Herod also was angry with the people of Tyre
and Sidon who came to him pleading with him to show mercy on them since they
depended on him for food.
• One appointed day, Herod put on his royal
robes, took his seat upon the throne, and
made an oration to them. The people
shouted, “The voice of a god, and not of
man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord smote
him, because he did not give God the glory;
and he was eaten by worms and died.
•
THE SENDING FORTH OF MISSIONARIES FROM SYRIA ANTIOCH) -ACTS 13:1-3

• The membership of the church in Syria Antioch was

cosmopolitan. The members were not only Jews, but Jews
and Gentiles. There were a large number of highly educated
men. Some of them were teachers and prophets. Some of
the members were Barnabas, Saul, Simeon called Niger,
Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen; a member of the court of Herod
the Tetrarch. One day, as they were worshipping and fasting,
the Holy Spirit said, ‘separate for me Barnabas and Saul for
the work which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and
praying, they laid hands on them, they sent them off.
 THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY (ACTS 13:4-5)

• After the missionaries have been sent out, they went down to Seleucia and they sailed to
Cyprus. At Salamis, they preached about God and Jesus Christ in the Synagogue of the Jews.
The missionaries were joined by John Mark at Salamis who later left them. From there they
went to Paphos.
• PAUL AT PAPHOS –ACTS 13:6-51
• When they got to Paphos, they met a certain Jew there who was a magician and a false
prophet, whose name was Bar-jesus. Meanwhile, the proconsul of the island, Sergius
Paulos had invited Barnabas and Paul to his house because he was eager to hear their
message from God. But Bar-jesus whose equivalent name in Greek was Elymas did not
want him to listen to them. So he distracted his attention from them, urging him to
disregard their message. Paul, who was filled the Holy Spirit, looked angrily at him. Then he
described him as the son of the devil and an enemy of righteousness who was full of every
deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord. After
warning him to stop the opposition to the Lord, he cursed him that the hand of the Lord
was upon him and he would be totally blind for a while. Immediately, mist and darkness fell
upon him and he became blind. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed
in the Lord. They later sailed Perga in Pamphilia.
• At Perga in Pamphilia, John Mark who had accompanied them as a servant or
attendant departed from them and returned to his mother in Jerusalem. They
passed on from Perga and came to Antioch of Pisidia. On Sabbath day they went
into the synagogue and sat down. After the reading of the law and the prophets,
the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Brethren, if you have any word
of exhortation for the people, say it.”So Paul stood up, and motioning with his
hand said: “Men of Israel, and you that fear God, listen. The God of this people
Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of
Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it…..”Paul preached a magnificent
sermon in the synagogue of the Jews. The Gentiles who heard it believed in Jesus
Christ, and then the envy of the Jews kindled because the gospel of salvation had
been extended to the Gentiles. From there, the Jews began to regard Paul as the
enemy of their religion and its rites. They traced his footsteps and stirred up
hatred against him wherever he went. They expelled him from their district but
they shook off the dust from their feet against them and he went to Iconium.
• PAUL IN ICONIUM (ACTS 14:1-8)
• In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas could not remain long for the Jews followed them and
roused hatred against them. They fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycanian and to the
surrounding countries, and they preached the gospel.
•  
• PAUL IN LYSTRA- ACTS 14:8-20
• In Lystra, there was a man who was crippled from birth. As Paul was preaching the gospel,
the cripple showed keen interest. When Paul noticed that he had faith, he ordered him to
stand upright on his feet. Instantly, the cripple stood on his feet and started walking.
When the people saw this miracle, they exclaimed in Lycanian language that the gods had
come to them in human form. They identified Barnabas with Zeus, the father of the gods
and Paul who was the chief speaker, Hermes. Then the priest of Zeus and Hermes whose
house was at the outskirts of the town brought a basketful of flowers to offer sacrifice
with the people. When Barnabas and Paul understood what was happening, they tore
their own clothes as an expression of surprise and disgust. They rushed out among the
crowd shouting, ‘Men, why are you doing this?
• We also are men, of like nature with you, and bring you the good news, that you should
turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the
sea and all that is in them. The y prevented them from sacrificing to them. But the Jews
came from Antioch and Iconium, persuaded the people, stoned Paul and dragged him
out of the city supposing that he was dead. When the disciples gathered about him, he
rose up and entered the city. On the next day, he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

• PAUL AT DERBE-ACTS 14:20-23

• Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel in the city of Derbe and made many disciples.
They later returned to Lystra, Iconium and to Syria Antioch their starting point,
strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and
saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. When they
had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting, they committed
them to the Lord in whom they believed. Then they passed through Pisidia, and came to
Pamphilia, Perga and Attalia and from there to Syria Antioch. This marked the end of the
first missionary journey.
 THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL- ACTS 15:1-35

• Inspite of the hostility of the Jews against Paul, he made numerous

converts in all towns visited during the first missionary journey. Most of his
converts were Gentiles who were happy to have been shown the way of
salvation. Certain envious Jews went down from Judea to Antioch in Syria
and mis- presented Paul to the Gentiles as a non-apostle of Jesus Christ
and without authority from the apostles in Jerusalem. They also
maintained that he was teaching false doctrines and they stressed that
unless the Gentiles were circumcised and observed laws and customs of
the Jews, they would never be saved. These teachings were so formidable
that the Gentiles Christians resolved to refer the points involved to the
apostles in Jerusalem. The council sat under the chairmanship of James,
the Lord’s brother. Peter, referring to his experience during his visit and
conversion of Cornelius showed that it was not necessary to impose the
rite of circumcision and other Jewish ceremonial rite on the Gentiles.
• He explained that Cornelius and his household received the gift of the Holy Spirit
without being circumcised. Many opposed the arguments before the apostles and
after a long deliberation, James the Lord’s brother in his capacity as the president
announced the unanimous decision of the apostles as thus:
• They approved the authority of Paul and his apostleship
• The Gentiles were to abstain from: fornication, eating of things sacrificed to idols,
eating blood and strangled animals/things. The apostles and the elders in
Jerusalem chose two men among them and sent a letter through them to Antioch
with Paul and Barnabas. The people sent were Judas called Barsabbas and Silas,
leading men among the brethren to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in
Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. The two apostles were to deliver the message of the
council to the church. Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, exhorted
the brethren with many words and strengthened them. After sometimes, they
were sent off in peace to Jerusalem and they left Paul and Barnabas in Antioch
teaching and preaching the word of God.
 THE SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY OF PAUL

• Some days after the first missionary journey, Paul told Barnabas that it would be proper for
them to revisit the brethren in those cities they had earlier touched in their first missionary
journey. But Barnabas wanted to take John Mark who deserted them during the first
missionary journey in Pamphilia. This caused a big controversy between Paul and Barnabas
and this led both of them separating from each other. Barnabas took John Mark along with
him and travelled through Cyprus while Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended
by the brethren to the grace of Lord. Paul took Silas and came to Derbe and to Lystra. In
Lystra, Paul picked Timothy and circumcised him. Timothy was the son of a Gentile father
and Hebrew mother. His mother’s name was Eunice and his grandmother’s name was Lois.
He was well spoken of by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium. Paul, Timothy and Silas went
through the churches and encouraged them and their members increased daily. They went
through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to
speak the word in Asia. They went down to Troas. In Troas, Paul had a vision in the night. A
man of Macedonia was standing beseeching him and saying ‘come over to Macedonia and
help us’. Immediately, he left with his companions concluding that God had called them to
preach the gospel in Macedonia.
• PAUL AT PHILIPPI (ACTS 16:11-34)
• Paul and his companions spent some days in Philippi preaching the gospel and many people
believed and began to follow the Lord, Jesus Christ. One of the women who were converted
was Lydia from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods. She allowed Paul and his
companions to stay in her house for the rest of their stay in Philippi. On Sabbath day, Paul
and his friends were going to pray outside the city at the place of prayer which was near a
river. They were followed by a slave girl. She was a strange girl because she had the gift of
seeing into the future. Her masters made a lot of money out of her gift of foretelling the
future. The slave girl followed Paul and Silas, shouting; ‘These men are the servants of the
Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation’. The girl did this for many days
until Paul got angry and turned to the girl and said to the evil spirit; ‘I charge you in the
name of Jesus Christ to come out her’. The spirit came out of the girl and she was freed
from evil spirit.
• The masters of the girl were angry because they could no longer earn money through her.
They turned the crowd against Paul and Silas and they were arrested and taken to the
magistrate. They made false charges against them saying; ‘These men are Jews and they
are disturbing our city.
• They advocated customs which it’s not lawful for us Romans to accept
or practice.’ They removed the dresses of the apostles and flogged
them on their back with canes. They were then thrown into prison.
• They keeper of the prison was told to guard them well. Therefore he
took them inside a cell and locked their feet in the stocks, so that they
would not escape. At night, Paul and Silas were praying and singing
praises and the other prisoners were listening to them. All of a
sudden, there was a great earthquake. The whole prison was shaken
by the Holy Spirit power in the name of Jesus. The doors flew open
and the chains binding all the prisoners were loosened. The keeper of
the prison awoke from his sleep. He was afraid when he saw the
prison doors opened because he thought all the prisoners had
escaped, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself.
• At this moment, Paul cried with a loud voice, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all
here’. The jailer called for light and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down
before the apostles and asked, ‘Men, what must I do to be saved?’They replied:
“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will all be saved, you and your household”. The
jailer washed and dressed their wounds. After that, the apostles baptized him and his
family in the name of Jesus. The jailer gave them food. The jailer and his family were
very happy for having received the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. PAUL IN
THESSALONICA- ACTS 17:1-9
• In Thessalonica, Paul spoke about Jesus Christ in their Synagogue for three weeks.
Many of the Jews and Gentiles were persuaded and not a few of the Gentiles joined
Paul and Silas because of the mass repentance and enthusiasm of the Gentiles. The
Jews became jealous. There was an open revolt against the apostles and the house of
Jason was attacked. Having failed to get the apostles, the Jews apprehended Jason
and some of the brethren were brought before the authority accusing them that,
•  
• ‘These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
and Jason has received them; and they are acting against the decrees of
Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.’ The people and the city
authority were disturbed when they heard this. When they had taken
security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. The brethren
immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea.
• PAUL AT BEROEA –ACTS 17:10-15
• When they got to Beroea, they went to the Synagogue of Jews. Now these
Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they received the
word with all eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see if these things
were so. Many of them believed, with not a few Greek women of high
standing as well as men. Later the Jews living in Thessalonica came and
stirred up the multitude against Paul, so he left there and went to Athens
leaving Silas and Timothy behind to continue the work in Thessalonica.
• PAUL IN ATHENS –ACTS 17: 16-34
• While Paul was waiting at Athens, he took a walk round the city. He saw
that the city was full of many religious buildings and images representing
the various Greek gods. There was also a Synagogue where the Jews
worshipped God. Paul went to the Synagogue and preached to the Jews.
He also spoke to the Athenian crowd in the market place about Jesus
Christ and the resurrection from the dead. The Greeks were highly
educated people. There were philosophers and scientists among them.
For example, there were the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. They like
to argue so that they might learn more. As a result, they were always
ready to listen to a new teaching. Many of them talked to Paul and later
brought him to one of their hills called Areopagus. This was the meeting
place of the Supreme Council and Supreme Court of the Athenians.
• Paul stood up on the Areopagus and talked to the Athenians. He said that they
were very religious people because he found many religious buildings and
images of Greek all over the town. He said he also came across an altar with
the words, ‘To an Unknown god’. Paul talked to them about this Unknown God
who they worshipped but did not know. He said it was the same God who
made the world and everything in it. He is the Lord of heaven and earth. We
are all his children as some great poets have confirmed when they said, ‘For
we are indeed his offspring’.
• However, Paul said we could not represent God in the image of gold or silver or
stone. Paul explained further that God was the judge of all men and h. He had
appointed a time when He would judge the world through Jesus Christ. He
therefore said all men must change from their bad behavior and become good
people before the Day of Judgment. Paul said the judgment would surely come
because God had given proof of it by raising Jesus Christ from the dead.
• When Paul spoke about the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, some of his hearers
laughed at him. They wondered how anyone could come back from the dead. But there were
some who believed; among these were Dionysius and Damaris.
•
• PAUL AT CORINTH (ACTS 18: 1-17)
• After leaving Athens, Paul went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of
Pontus, lately come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all
the Jews to leave Rome. He lodge with them and joined them in their profession of tent
making because he was of the like trade with them. He argued in the synagogue every
Sabbath and persuaded Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia,
Paul was occupied with preaching, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. And when
they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, ‘Your blood be
upon your heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’ He left there and
went to the house of a man called Titus Justus, a worshipper of God; his house was next door
to the synagogue. Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with all
his household; and many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
• The Lord appeared to him in a vision and he was encouraged to stay there for eighteen
months. The Jews became jealous of his preaching to the Gentiles and at the large
population of Gentile converts made. They riotously lodge their complaints against him to
Gallio, the Roman governor that, ‘This man is persuading men to worship God contrary to
the law” but did not listen to them but sent them out from the tribunal. And they all seized
Sosthenes, the ruler of the Synagogue and beat him in front of the tribunal but Gallio paid
no attention to this. Paul stayed many days longer and took Aquila and Priscilla and sailed
to Syria. At Cenchreae he cut his hair, for he had a vow and then came to Ephesus.
• PAUL AT EPHESUS (ACTS 18:18-23, 19: 1-20)
• Ephesus marked the end of second missionary journey of Paul and the beginning of the
third. After some days, Paul sailed to Syria Antioch taking Aquila and Priscilla. From Syria
Antioch, Paul went to Ephesus and was there for three years. There he met and baptized
twelve disciples of Apollos who have been previously converted and baptized into John’s
baptism. He then asked them; ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when they believed? They
replied that, they never heard if there is anything called Holy Spirit. He later asked by
whose baptism were you baptized.
• They said the baptism of John. He then laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in tongues and were prophesying. He preached in the synagogue of the
Jews for three months. When Paul found out that the Jews were stubborn and unbelieving,
he left their synagogue and began to do his preaching in the school of Tyrannus. Special
miracles were performed by him and the sick people were healed and diseases left by the
aprons and handkerchiefs taken from Paul, and evil spirits were cast out of many.
• Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to pronounce the name of the Lord
over those who had evil spirits. The Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish priest tried to imitate Paul
by asking the evil spirit to get out of a man saying; ‘I command you in the name of Jesus
whom Paul preached’. But the evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who
are you? The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, over- powered them, attacked
them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. This became known to all
residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the
Lord was extolled. Consequently, many Ephesians magicians and sorcerers brought out their
books of curious arts, burnt them in the sight of all; and they counted the value of them and
found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver and they turned to Christianity. So the word of
the Lord grew and prevailed mightily.
• THE THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY
• PAUL AT EPHESUS ACTS 19:21-41
• Now, after these events Paul resolved in the spirit to pass through
Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there,
I must also see Rome.” Having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers,
Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. About that time
there arose no little stir concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a
silversmith, who made silver shrines of ARTEMIS, brought no little business
to the craftsmen.
• In Ephesus, there was a great temple to the Greek goddess Artemis, the
same as the Roman goddess, Diana. She was the goddess of fertility and
barren women prayed and offered sacrifices to her so that they might bear
children. The image of Artemis had several breasts which symbolized
fertility.
• This image was believed to have fallen down from the skies and was kept in
the temple at Ephesus. Every year several worshippers of Artemis travelled
far and wide to worship at the temple of Artemis in Ephesus. These pilgrims
brought little silver images of Artemis to take home to their families. The
silversmiths who made images of Artemis realized a lot of money each year.
But then, they feared that the teaching of Paul might affect their trade.
• Demetrius, one of the silversmiths organized the other silversmiths against
Paul for destroying their profession and the worship of Artemis. He
addressed them saying: Men, you know that from this business we have our
wealth. And you see and hear that not only at Ephesus but also throughout
Asia, this Paul persuaded and turned away a considerable company of
people, saying that; ‘gods made with hands are not gods’. And there is
danger not only that our trade may come into disrepute but also that the
temple of the great goddess Artemis may count for nothing’.
• The crowd was enraged by what Demetrius said and cried out in the street ‘Great is
Artemis of the Ephesians’. They continued shouting for about two hours. And the whole
city was in uproar. In the confusion, two of Paul’s companions, Gaius and Aristarchus
were arrested. Paul wanted to go and speak to the people but he was prevented by the
Asiarchs who feared that he might be killed. Alexander, a Jew, tried to defend Paul, but
the crowd did not allow him to do so. After two hours, the town clerk came to the scene
of the riot. He told the crowd that they were breaking the law by their reaction. If the
Romans heard of the disturbance they might punish the city. If the silversmiths had any
case against Paul and his group, they should take it to the court. With these words of
warning and advice, the people dispersed quietly to their homes.
• PAUL IN MACEDONIA (Acts 20:1-4)
• After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples from Ephesus and went down to
Macedonia and from there to Greece. He spent three months and went back to Syria.
He was followed by a good number of brethren such as Sopater of Beroea, the son of
Pyrrhus, Aristarchus and Secundus, the Thessalonians, Gaius of Derbe, Timothy, and the
Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. They all went and waited for the apostle at Troas.
 PAUL’ S FAREWELL VISIT TO TROAS PAUL
FROM ASSOS TO MILETUS
• (Acts 2051-12)
• Paul had a very long discourse with the Christians and elders of the church. He intended to
depart on the morrow and he prolonged his speech until midnight. A young man named
Eutychus was sitting in the window of the upper chamber where they were gathered. He sank
into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer, and being overcome by sleep, he fell down from
the third story and died at once. The people present began to lamented and cry. Paul went
down and embraced him and said to the people “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him”.
The young man was made whole again to the joy of the Christian present.
• (Acts 20:13-38)
• Paul decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was
hastening to be in Jerusalem, if possible on the day of Pentecost. Therefore, he came from
Assos to Miletus. There he sent for elders at Ephesus and advised them. Paul recapitulated
his three years stay at Ephesus and pointed out that he was humble to the Lord in his service,
he was in constant danger of losing his life because of the violence of certain people. Paul
expressed his intention of going to Jerusalem, where he was sure, there was great affliction
awaiting him. But that did not matter to him for he is ready to be Christ’s witness till the end
of his life.
• He charged them that even though he would not see them again, it was their
responsibility to preach the gospel message as he had done. As overseers, they
should see to the spiritual welfare of the church, guarding it against fierce wolves
and their false doctrine. He committed them and the whole church to God, whose
grace build and nourish the church. He exhorted them to imitate his examples of
working willingly for Christ, working with their own hands as he did in order to be
self supporting economically, not converting the goods or money belonging to the
members of the church and helping others by their own hand-earned means
rather than depending on them. After speaking to them, he knelt down and
prayed with them all. And they all wept, embraced and kissed Paul for they would
not see his face anymore.
• PAUL’S JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM
• Paul left Miletus and came to the territory of Tyre. He sought out the brethren
there and stayed there for seven days. Through the Holy Spirit, they told Paul not
to go on to Jerusalem. They left the city and boarded a ship going to Caesarea.
 PAUL IN CAESAREA (Acts 21:8-15)
•
•
• When Paul got to Caesarea, he and his companions entered the house of Philip,
the Evangelist, who was one of the Seven, and stayed with him and his four
unmarried daughters, who were prophetess. There a prophet named Agabus
came from Judea. He took Paul’s girdle and bound his own feet and hands saying:
‘Thus says the Holy Spirit, so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns
this girdle and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles’. They begged Paul not to
go up to Jerusalem but he said to them: ‘what are you doing, weeping and
breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die at
Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus’. When the people could not persuade
Paul, they ceased and said, ‘The will of the Lord be done.’
• After some days they had spent at Caesarea, some disciples accompanied them to
the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple with whom they lodged and
from there, Paul and his companions went to Jerusalem.
 Paul in Jerusalem, his arrest and defence
• (Acts 21:17-21, Acts 21:27-26:32)
• When they got to Jerusalem, the brethren received them gladly. On the following day Paul
went in to James; and all the elders were present. After greeting them, he related one by
one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. When they
heard it, they glorified God and they said to him, ‘You see, brother, how many thousands
there are among the Jews of those who have believed; they are all zealous for the law and
they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to
forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or observe the customs.
• When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, who had seen him in the
temple, stirred up all the crowd and laid hands on him, crying out,” Men of Israel, help! This
is the man who is teaching men everywhere against the and the law and this place;
moreover he also brought Greeks into the temple, and he has defiled this holy place.” For
they had previously seen Trophimus, the Ephesian with him in the city and they supposed
that Paul had brought him into the temple. Then all the city was aroused, and the people
ran together; they seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gate was
shut .
• As they were trying to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all
Jerusalem was in confusion. He at once took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to
them; and when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
Then the tribune came up and arrested him, and ordered him to be bound with two
chains. He inquired who he was and what he has done. Some in the crowd shouted
one thing, some another; and as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he
ordered him to be brought into barracks. When he came to the steps, he was actually
carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd; for the mob of the
people followed, crying, ‘away with him!” As Paul was about to be brought into the
barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?”And he said, “Do you
know Greek? Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led
the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” Paul replied, “I am a
Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; I beg you, let me speak to the
people.”And when he had given him leave, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with
his hand to the people; and when there was a great hush, he spoke to them in the
Hebrew language, saying:
• “Brethren and fathers, hear the defence with which I now make before you,” And when
they heard that he addressed them in Hebrew language, they were the more quiet. And
he spoke of his backgrounds, his zeal and how he persecuted the Christians, his
conversion experience and the vision he had to go up to Jerusalem. Up to this, they all
listened to him: then they lifted up their voices and said, “away with such a fellow from
the earth! For he ought not to live.” And as they cried out and waved their garments and
threw dust into the air, the tribune commanded him to be brought into the barracks, and
ordered him to be examined by scourging, to find out why they shouted thus against him.
But when they had tied him up with the thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was
standing by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who was a Roman citizen, and
uncondemned?” When the centurion heard that, he went to the tribune and said to him,
what are we about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” So the tribune came and said
to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen? And he said, Yes.” The tribune answered, “I
bought this citizenship for a large sum. Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.” So those who
were about to examine him withdrew from him instantly; and the tribune also was afraid,
for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and he had bound him.
 Paul’s defense before Felix, Festus and
Agrippa

When the Jews plotted secretly by laying ambush to kill Paul and it was known to the
tribunal, he called two of the centurion and said; At third hour of the night get ready two
hundred soldiers with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as
Caesarea. Also provide mounts for Paul to ride, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”
And he wrote a letter to this effect: Claudius Lysias to his Excellency the governor Felix,
greetings. This was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, when I came
upon them with soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen
and desiring to know the charge on which they accused him, I brought him down to their
council. I found that he was accused about questions of their law, but charge him nothing
deserving death or imprisonment. When it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot
against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you
what they have against him. So they took Paul to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the
governor, they presented Paul also before him. On reading the letter, he asked of what
province he belonged. When he learned that he was from Cilicia he said, “I will hear you
when your accusers arrive”. He commanded him to be guarded in Herod praetorium.
• After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a
spokesman, one Tertulus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul; and
when he was called, Tertulus began to accuse him, saying: “ Since through you we
enjoy much peace, and since by your provision, most excellent Felix, reforms are
introduced on behalf of this nation, in every way and everywhere we accept this with
all gratitude. But to detain no further, I beg in your kindness to hear us briefly. For we
have found this man pestilent fellow, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the
world, and a ringleader of the sect of Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the
temple, but we seized him. By examining him yourself you will be able to learn from
him about everything of which we accuse him.” The Jews also joined in the charge,
affirming that all this was so. And the governor had motioned to him to speak, Paul
replied: Realising that for many years you have been judge over this nation, I
cheerfully make my defence. As you may ascertain, it is not more than twelve days
since I went up to worship at Jerusalem; and did not find me disputing with any one
or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues, or in the city.
• Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. But this I admit to you,
that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers,
believing everything laid down by the law or written in the prophets, having a hope in God
which these themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the
unjust. So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men.
Paul made his case known to the governor that his accusers have no basis for their
allegations. But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying,
“when the Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” Then he gave orders
to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but should have some liberty, And that
none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs. After some days Felix
came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess; and he sent for Paul and heard him speak
upon the faith in Christ Jesus. And as he argued about justice and self- control and future
judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, Go away for the present; when I have an
opportunity I summon you.”At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by
Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. But when two years had elapsed,
Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to do the Jews a favour, Felix left Paul
in prison.
• Paul before Festus
• Now when Festus had come into his province, after three days he went up to
Jerusalem from Caesarea. The chief priests and the principal men of the Jews
informed him against Paul; and . urged him; asking as a favour to have the man sent
to Jerusalem, planning an ambush to kill him on the way, Festus replied that Paul was
being kept at Caesarea, and that he himself intended going there shortly. “So he said,
let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong
with the man, let them accuse him. When Festus arrived, the Jews who had come
down with him brought many serious charges against Paul. In his defence, Paul
said ;”neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar
have I offended at all. But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favour , said to Paul, Do
you wish to go up to Jerusalem, and there be tried on thess charges before me? But
Paul said, “ I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried; to the
Jews I have done no wrong. As you know very well. If I am a wrong doer and have
committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death;
• But if there is nothing in their charges against me, no one can give up
to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, when he had conferred with
his council, answered, You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you
shall go.”After some days Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at
Caesarea to welcome Festus, and he laid Paul’s case before the
king ,saying; “There is a man left prisoner by Felix; and when I was at
Jerusalem, the chief priest and the elders of the Jews gave information
about him, asking for sentence against him. I answered them it was
not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused
met the accusers face to face, and had opportunity to make his
defense concerning the charges made against him. When therefore
they came together here. I made no delay, but on the next day took
my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought in.
• When the accusers stood up, they brought , they brought no charge
in his case of such evils as supposed; but they had certain points of
dispute with about their own superstitions and about one Jesus who
was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. Being at a loss how
to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wished to go to
Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. But when Paul had
appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I
commanded him to be held until I could send to Caesar.” And
Agrippa said to Festus; “I should like to hear him myself.”
“Tomorrow,” said he, “you shall hear him.” So on the morrow,
Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the
audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of
the city.
• Then by command of Festus, Paul was brought in. And Festus said, “ King Agrippa and
all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the the whole Jewish
people petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, shouting he ought not to live any
longer. But I found that He had nothing deserving death, and he himself appealed to
the emperor, I decided to send him. But I have nothing definite to write to my lord
about him. Therefore I have brought him before you, and especially, before you, king
Agrippa, that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write..For it
seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against
him.” Agrippa said to Paul, “Yu have permission to speak for yourself”. Then Paul
stretched out his hand and made his defence: “I think myself fortunate that it is before
you, king Agrippa, I am to make my defence today against all the accusations of the
Jews, because you are especially with all the customs and controversies of the Jews;
therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. Paul made his defence before King
Agrippa with laudable arguments, and as he made his defence, Festus said with a loud
voice, “Paul, you are mad; your great learning is turning you mad” But Paul said, ‘I am
not mad, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking the sober truth.
• For the king knows about these things and to him I speak freely; for
I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for
this was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the
prophets? I know that you believe” And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a
short time you think to make me a Christian!” And Paul said,
“whether short or long, I would not only you but also all who hear
me this day might become such as I am, except for this chains.”
Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who
were sitting with them; and when they had withdrawn, they said to
one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or
imprisonment.” And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have
been set free if ha had not appealed to Caesar.” Paul was later sent
to Caesar and later died as a martyr.