Acts 28

Acts 28:1-31

Safely Ashore for 3 Months in Malta (28:1-10)
1. All 276 passengers arrived safely on the shores of Malta (28:1)
2. The Maltese people showed unusual kindness to their guests (28:2)
3. They first thought ‘justice’ was out to get Paul (28:3-4)
4. They soon speculated that Paul must be a god (28:5-6)
5. Paul healed the father of the Islands chief official (28:7-8)
6. The rest of the sick on Malta came and were cured as well (28:9)
7. The Maltese people sent Paul & his entourage off graciously (28:10)

Arrival in Rome (Acts 28:11-16)
1. Paul’s entourage traveled on an Alexandrian ship toward Rome (28:11)
2. They stopped in Syracuse, Rhegium & Puteoli en route to Rome (28:12-14)
3. Many ‘brothers’ from Rome came out to usher Paul in (28:15)
4. In Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself under guard (28:16)

Preaching in Prison (Acts 28:17-31)
1. Paul called for the Jewish leaders to assemble (28:17)
2. Paul, once again, declared his innocence (28:19-20)
3. The Jews in Rome had not heard anything negative about Paul (28:21)
4. They wanted to hear Paul’s views on the Christian sect (28:22)
5. Paul declared and explained the kingdom of God and about Jesus (28:23)
6. Some were convinced, others would not believe (28:24)
7. They meeting ended, once again, upon mention of the Gentiles (28:25-28)
8. Paul continued to preach & teach for the following 2 years (28:30-31)
9. Paul’s actual trial before Caesar is not recorded in Scripture

Malachi 3:16-4:6

We conclude our study of the Post-exilic books with the concluding Scriptures of the Old Testament. Despite the wickedness of the leadership and people of Israel, there were a faithful few who feared the Lord. God was going to act in judgment, but the 'treasured possession' would be spared. This sparing would demonstrate the distinction b/w the righteous and the wicked. The wicked will be burned in the judgment, but the righteous will escape. This will occur after God has sent 'Elijah' whose ministry will purpose to turn the hearts of Israel back to God.

Jesus, of course, declared that John the Baptist was the fulfillment of this 'Elijah' prediction. This would seem to indicate that AD70 was, at least the initial, fulfillment of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Surely the events of that time fit the imagery, as the unfaithful Jews remained in Jerusalem as it was burned to the ground, but the faithful few escaped the judgment.

Thus, in the 1st century events, John the Baptist played the role of Elijah. Jesus played the role of God. AD70 played the role of the Judgment Day. There is debate, within Christianity, as to whether these 1st century fulfillments were complete or partial. Some believe another 'Elijah' will appear before the '2nd Coming' of Jesus Christ and the future final 'Judgment Day.'

In any case, John did come. Jesus did declare that He was Elijah. The Jews, in large part, did NOT turn their hearts toward God and so, as the final verse predicts, the land was struck with a curse. Yet in the midst of the judgment, a community of those who feared the Lord and accepted the Messiah were delivered.

Malachi 2:10-3:15

The 2nd Section of Malachi deals with the 'Sinful People'
Beyond their bringing of 2nd rate sacrifices....
They were involved in 3 key areas of unfaithfulness

1) Unfaithful in their marriages (2:10-16)
2) Unfaithful in their trust in God (2:17-3:5, 3:13-15)
3) Unfaithful in their tithes & offerings (3:6-12)

Unfaithfulness in their marriages
Though some have argued that 2:10-12 refers specifically to idolatry, I think it's just another component of the marriage issue. They had broken faith with one another in two ways. First, they had entered into marriages with pagans despite being commanded not to do so. Second, they have broken off marriages to their Jewish wives. Despite these 2 wicked acts, the people were continuing to make offerings and sacrifices to God. But it was an empty religious ritual minus obedience. God hated their divorces (and perhaps even physical abuse was involved, v. 16). He commanded them to guard their marriages against temptations.

Unfaithfulness in their trust in God
The Jews in Malachi's day were making bold statements against God's justice. They were questioning whether He was involved in His creation or not. Would He come and do right? God's reply through Malachi isn't the response they were hoping for! God was going to send a messenger (John the Baptist) before He came to the temple. But God had a question for them. Was His coming good or bad news for the Jews? In fact, His coming would be BAD news for them since they themselves were wicked. But out of that judgment certain members will come forth as gold, refined.

Unfaithfulness in their tithes & offerings
One of the ways to 'return' to right relationship with God is to address the area of giving. The Jews in Malachi's day were 'robbing' God by not bringing their tithes and offerings to the temple. This resulted in the temple staff forsaking their work in order to meet their personal needs. God promised them that if they returned to Him in faithfulness in this area, He would bless them greatly.

Acts 27

From Setting Sail to Shipwreck (27:1-44)
1. Paul gained the respect of the Roman Centurion (27:1, 3, 43)
2. Paul was accompanied by multiple ministry partners (27:2-3)
3. The wind was against them (27:4, 7-8)
4. Paul warned them of the dangers ahead (27:9-10)
5. The pilot, owner & majority decided to press on (27:11-12)
6. A hurricane forced wind kept them from Phoenix (27:13-16)
7. After several days, the men gave up hope of being saved (27:17-20)
8. Paul shared his faith that God would save them all (27:21-26)
9. On the 14th night they approached land (27:27-29)
10. Paul urged the crew to remain united and to eat (27:30-38)
11. Though the ship came apart, everyone reached land safely (27:39-44)

Acts 25-26

Acts 25-26


Paul in Caesarea before Festus (25)
1. Felix left Paul in prison for the remaining 2 years of his term (24:27)
2. The Jewish leaders were still planning to murder Paul (25:3)
3. Festus had the leaders come to Caesarea to make their case (25:5)
4. Paul appealed to Caesar (25:12)
5. King Agrippa (Herod family) was the political leader of Jerusalem (25:13)
6. Festus didn’t know enough of Judaism to understand the charges (25:20)
7. Agrippa was interested in hearing Paul (25:22)


Paul in Caesarea before Agrippa (26)

Paul’s Testimony
~ He begins with polite introduction (26:1-3)
~ He tells where he comes from (26:4-11)
~ He tells what happened to him (26:12-18)
~ He tells what he’s been doing since (26:19-23)

1. Paul is, once again, interrupted upon mentioning the gentiles (26:24)
2. Paul appeals to reason and eye-witness accounts (26:26)
3. Paul became very direct with King Agrippa (26:27)
4. Paul would have been released except that he appealed to Caesar (26:32)

Malachi 1:1-2:9

A study of the post-exilic period concludes with the prophet Malachi (my messenger)

3 distinct sections emerge
1:1-2:9 (The Sinful Priests)
2:10-3:15 (The Sinful People)
3:16-4:6 (The Faithful Few)

The book contains a series (7) of questions & answers, usually in the following format
God: "You have (wicked thing)"
Israel: "How have we (wicked thing)"

The 1st of these questions is provoked by God's statement "I have loved you." It's upsetting just to recognize that Israel had the nerve to question this simple statement from God. It reveals the hardness of their hearts during this time period. "How have you loved us?" What an ungrateful question! God mercifully replies by pointing out the fact that He had not blessed the Edomites despite the fact that they were from the same family. Instead, he had turned Edom into a wasteland and promised to continue to demolish Edom throughout its existence.

In the 1st section there is a key statement variously interpreted:
"I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated"
A number of things should be pointed out
1. This seems to be about national election for God's sovereign purposes, not individual election for salvation. The passage isn't talking about the individual salvation of Jacob or Esau, but the national election of Israel vs. Edom. The election of Jacob was never about individual salvation (see Genesis 25:23). Paul isn't speaking of individual salvation in Romans 9 (where he quotes this verse) either. No, the passage is corporate in nature. Jacob is the representative of 'Israel' while Esau is the representative of 'Edom.'
2. We must be careful in how we understand the 'love' & 'hate' relationships in this passage. Biblically, 'hate' doesn't always mean the kind of bitter disdain of contemporary usage. Hate can simply mean to 'love less.' And 'love,' itself, has many meanings. In this case, it seems to me that love refers to blessing. God had blessed the Israelites while He had not blessed the Edomites nearly as much.
3. One clear point from this passage (and from Paul's usage) is that God's election is all of grace. It wasn't b/c of heredity since Jacob & Esau were twins. It wasn't b/c of works since Israel was chosen before he/they had done any good or bad. It was solely based on the sovereign choice of the Almighty God.

Next, God (through Malachi) focused specifically on the role of the priests in the present depravity. A son honors his father. A servant honors his master. But Israel (God's child) isn't honoring God (its spiritual Father). More specifically, they show contempt, or 'lightly esteem,' God. How? By defiling His altar. How? By bringing worthless sacrifices. It was actually the role of the people to bring sacrifices, but at this point in history they were bringing crippled & diseased animals that the politicians wouldn't even have accepted. God will rebuke the people later, but here He rebukes the Priests for accepting such offerings and going through with the sacrifices. God wondered why not one of them had the backbone to stand up against this 2nd rate (At best) worship. Because none of them had taken a stand for the Lord, God was going to go to the nations (gentiles) to receive proper worship (1:11). By offering 2nd rate worship the Israelites were not only damaging their relationship with God, but they were dragging His name through the mud before their neighbors (1:14). The spiritual lesson for the contemporary church, here, is obvious. While we no longer bring animals for sacrifice, we do bring a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15). Are we offering our best to God in all that we do? Or are we offering 2nd rate worship?

Because the Priests had allowed and participated in the degradation of worship, God was sending a curse on their blessings. He would rebuke their descendants. He would, metaphorically, spread the waste of the 2nd rate sacrifices all over their faces and then have them thrown in the trash. They had failed to be the kinds of leaders they were supposed to have been. They should have given true instruction, walked with God, preserved knowledge, but they had failed. Ironically, in their very effort to please the people (by requiring less), they actually brought about their own humiliation in that the people lost respect for them. In seeking to be loved by men, they became despised. That they showed 'partiality in matters of the law' probably implies that they were favoring the rich in worship matters.

Acts 22:22-24:27

Acts 22:22 – 24:27

* About 25 years after Christ’s resurrection

Paul Before the Sanhedrin (22:22-23:10)
1. Why was the crowd so upset in 22:22-23?
2. Why was the commander alarmed that Paul was a Roman citizen?
3. Do you think it was a coincidence that Paul was born a citizen?
4. Why did Ananias order those standing near to strike Paul?
“He was a great hoarder of money…had servants who were very wicked…took away the tithes that belonged to the priest by violence and no one was able to prohibit them for he was too powerful for the rest”
5. Does Paul’s aggressive language in 23:3 remind you of someone else?
6. Wouldn’t Paul have recognized the High Priest?
7. Why did Paul provoke a dispute in 23:6?

The Plot to Kill Paul (23:11-35)
1. Why do you think Jesus spoke directly to Paul in 23:11?
2. What was it about Paul the provoked the conspiracy of 23:12?
3. Do you think it was coincidence that Paul’s nephew heard the plot?
4. Why do you think the commander protected Paul?
5. How did Luke gain access to this letter so that we have it in ‘Acts’?
6. Who was Governor Felix?
7. Do you think the 40+ Jewish men kept their oath?

The Trial Before Felix (24:1-27)
1. What was Tertullus’s case against Paul?
2. Were all his ‘facts’ straight?
3. What did Paul deny?
4. What did Paul admit to?
5. Why was Felix well acquainted with The Way?
6. Why was Felix afraid in 24:25?
7. Why was Paul left in prison for 2 years?

Nehemiah 11-13

After re-committing to God, the leaders urged the people to move into the city. The leaders willingly moved, and some Jews volunteered, but 10% of the people had to be selected by casting lots. Apparently, not many were excited about another move, this time into the newly rebuilt and under-populated city. The remainder of chapter 11 provides a list of the people involved.

Chapter 12 begins with another list of men returning with Zerubbabel & Jeshua and ends with a description of the wall dedication ceremony. The ceremony entailed instruments and singing used in thanksgiving to God. The leaders of Israel divided into 2 groups and walked along the top of the wall until they had traveled all the way around and met before entering the temple for further worship. Throughout the celebration, a desire to return to the worship style of King David is evident. The service ended with delegation of important tasks.

Chapter 13 is said by most commentators to be later in chronology (after Nehemiah's 2nd return to Jerusalem, v. 6). In this chapter Nehemiah has to play the role of problem-solver once again. He deals with 4 key problems:

1. The "Israel" problem
The people were too connected with pagans, even including Nehemiah's enemies Tobiah & Sanballat. Eliaship, the priest, had given Tobiah a room in the courts of the house of God! Nehemiah threw Tobiah's belongings out of the room and purified the room. Israel was to be separate!

2. The "Temple" problem
Though they had committed to NOT neglect the temple, they were in fact, once again, neglecting God's house. The Levites had not been supported in Nehemiah's absence and had thus returned to their fields. Nehemiah rebuked the officials and re-stationed them to their posts. The temple was to be honored!

3. The "Sabbath" problem
Though they had committed to honor the Sabbath, they were in fact, once again, dis-honoring it by working, buying & selling each Saturday. Nehemiah made sure that foreigners trying to commercialize the day were dealt with (threatened violence against them!). Israel was to keep the Sabbath day holy!

4. The "Marriage" problem
Though they had committed to honor marriage, they were in fact, once again, dis-honoring it by marrying pagans. Many of the children from these marriages didn't even know the language of Judah. Nehemiah rebuked the offenders, called down curses upon them, beat them, and even pulled out their hair. Israel was not to allow pagan influence, as Solomon had done!

Throughout the chapter, and the book, Nehemiah consistently asks God to 'remember' (whether to remember him or what the wicked had done). By this, Nehemiah was not pretending that God was forgetful, but was asking God to apply justice to these situations. He was hoping that the righteous would eventually be rewarded and the wicked would eventually be punished. He must have been fairly frustrated with the fickleness of his people. The cycle of repentance and rebellion seemed never-ending. It becomes clear why Malachi (the next chronological book) is the last of the Old Testament.

Nehemiah 9:6-10:39

Nehemiah 9:6-9:37 is a long praise of God by Israel (directed by the Levites)
~It focuses on monotheism (exaltation of their God, the Creator)
~It focuses on covenant (choosing of Abram)
~It focuses on deliverance (from Egypt through signs and wonders)
~It focuses on law (commandments given at mt. sinai)
~It focuses on rebellion (of Israel from Egypt to Exile)
~It focuses on distress (that they were currently experiencing)

After this praise turned into a prayer request, the people made a binding agreement:
~To follow the Law of God given through Moses
~To NOT intermarry with foreigners
~To NOT buy and sell on the Sabbath
~To assume responsibility for the house of God
~To NOT neglect the house of God