Acts (11)

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24.27

Be sure to view the video introducing our study of Acts 12 (Lesson 11) by clicking here.

Read and meditate on Acts 12.25.
Saul and Barnabas had watched the unfolding of the horrible and wonderful events in Jerusalem. James was dead. Peter was gone. New leadership was emerging in the church in Jerusalem. And the people were well-supplied by the gifts Saul and Barnabas had brought from Antioch. So they headed home, back to Antioch.

For reflection
1.  But what must have been going on in their minds? Did they think about themselves being martyred for the Gospel? Were they encouraged to press on in the work? Should they just “lay low” for a while? If you had been in Jerusalem and witnessed the events of Acts 12, what might you have been feeling?

2.  The fact that John Mark accompanied them suggests either that they required some assistance in their return to Antioch or they had plans in mind for a young man who showed promise. They don’t appear to have been in the least deterred or distracted from the work of the Kingdom by what happened in Jerusalem. Stuff happens; the work of the Kingdom goes on. How should this counsel us concerning our own ongoing witness for the Lord?

3.  Barnabas and Saul are clearly a team at this point. They work together, and they will work together, as we shall see, until John Mark becomes a bone of contention and an issue between them. But even that, as we also shall see, works out for the progress of the Kingdom. Stay tuned. Meanwhile, what is it about Saul and Barnabas that makes them such a good team? Do we all need to be “cut” from the same chunk of wood in order to fulfill our callings in the Kingdom? Explain.

4.  Luke uses Acts 12 as a kind of bridge into the story of the Kingdom’s wider expansion. Jewish opposition and Roman power will not stop the Word from increasing. Old leaders die, but new ones – James, Saul, John Mark – are ready to rise. The foolishness of unbelief continues on course, but heavenly hosts and an exalted King are pursuing a different agenda, turning the world rightside-up for the glory of God. How might you summarize the events and teachings of Acts 12 in a prayer of praise and thanks to the Lord?

5.  In Acts we’re following the ongoing work of Jesus Christ. How would you describe that work to a new believer? What is it? What does it entail? How does it proceed? What is our role in it?

Summary
New leaders are emerging, and new horizons are opening up before the Lord’s faithful witnesses. What was true in Acts 12 remains true today. Is this the way you look at your church? Your Personal Mission Field? Explain.

Closing Prayer
The LORD reigns;
Let the peoples tremble!
He dwells between the cherubim;
Let the earth be moved!
The LORD is great in Zion,
And He is high above all the peoples.
Let them praise Your great and awesome name—
He is holy.
The King’s strength also loves justice;
You have established equity;
You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
Exalt the LORD our God,
And worship at His footstool—
He is holy.
Moses and Aaron were among His priests,
And Samuel was among those who called upon His name;
They called upon the LORD, and He answered them.
He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar;
They kept His testimonies and the ordinance He gave them.
You answered them, O LORD our God;
You were to them God-Who-Forgives,
Though You took vengeance on their deeds.
Exalt the LORD our God,
And worship at His holy hill;
For the LORD our God is holy.

Psalm 99.1-9

T. M. Moore

Each week’s studies in Acts are bound together into a free PDF that you can download for personal or group use (click here). Each week also features a video related to the studies of the week, which you may find helpful as you work through our studies in Acts.

Acts is the record of Christ’s ongoing work as King and Lord. This is the work of bringing the Kingdom of God to earth as it is in heaven. Read more about the implications of this work in our new book, The Kingdom Turn (click here).

Please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Or, you can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal.