Saturday, September 8, 2012

Acts Chapter 13:6-41

13:6-12         Why did Paul get angry (v.8)? See also Acts 8:9-13. See also Exodus 7:8-12, 22; 8:7 (see also 8:18-19 and 9:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Matthew 24:23-25; Revelation 13:11-18.) What is the application of all these examples? How do we know a servant of God from a servant of Satan? (Consider also 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 with Deuteronomy 13:1-3). See also Galatians 1:6-10; 2 John 7-11; 2 Peter 2:1-2; 3:14-18.  Is there another way of salvation? Who would want us to think so?

What are St. Paul’s warning to the Galatians, St. John’s warning in his second epistle, as well as Peter’s in his second epistle? What might that teach us?

13:13-41 (read entire section)  Note Paul’s command of OT history and how he develops/applies/ bridges that history to NT theology. Remember St. Stephen's soliloquy in Acts 7. What does that suggest to us about the importance of having a working familiarity with Scripture?  See my essay (click here) for some recommendations.

13:15   Note the liturgical nature of synagogue worship -- including a reading from the Psalms and the homily (sermon). What might that suggest about worship in our churches today?

Verse 16  Paul is referring here to Gentile proselytes to Judaism. See also Luke 7:1-10. Note the Lord's comment in Luke 7:9. What lesson do you see here? What might that teach today's Christian?

Verse 18       God ‘put up with them’ in the wilderness. See Numbers 14:22-24, 27-33. See also Ezekiel 16:60-63 (it’s really important to read the entire chapter 16 for the impact of verses 60-63. See also Romans 11:1-5 & 25-29). What do these passages suggest about God’s relationship with Israel? What do these passages suggest about God’s relationship with YOU?

Is there a limit to God's patience?  Consider also 2 Chronicles 12:7-8. 

We will move further into this chapter next time.

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