GRACE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP | 恩道堂

Scripture Reading        : Acts 16:6-40

Theme                            : Mission Report

The human author of the Book of Acts was Luke. Up to this point, the narrative is in the third person pronoun (e.g. he, they), but from 16:10 onwards, Luke used the first person pronoun “we”, indicating that he joined Paul, Silas and Timothy in this journey.

1. Mission’s Observations. From Troas to Neapolis, the journey was by sea, with a night stop at Samothrace to avoid the perils of sailing in the dark. Philippi is an inland city 10 miles (16 km) from the port city of Neapolis. There was no synagogue in Philippi, likely due to a small number of Jewish men (at least 10 Jewish men were required to form a synagogue), so some Jewish women (including Lydia) gathered to pray.

2. Mission’s Obstacles. The slave girl was demon-possessed, and the demon recognized and proclaimed Paul as someone sent by God. Paul, the true servant of God, did not need the testimony of a demon, and so he cast the demon out. The owners of the slave girl lost their money-spinning tool, and they stirred up the city and beat Paul and Silas and imprisoned them.

3. Mission’s Objective. Because of the imprisonment, the Philippian jailer and his family were dramatically converted. Philippi was a Roman colony, which meant that Paul and Silas enjoyed protection from the Empire of Rome (16:37), so the local magistrates had to publicly apologize to Paul, or risked being removed from office by Rome. After being freed, Paul and Silas visited Lydia and encouraged the brothers. Paul’s objective was always to preach the Gospel to unbelievers and build up the believers.

Praying the Scripture

1. Lydia’s conversion is yet another illustration of God’s election and sovereignty over one’s salvation. Let us thank God for opening our hearts to pay attention to what is written in the Bible, like He did with Lydia.

2. Having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia, Paul was directed to Macedonia by a vision. However, God did not promise that as long as one obeys Him, the journey will be smooth and without hindrance. God did promise that He will be with His elect (Matthew 28:19-20). Let us pray that we will be faithful to obey God’s Word, like Paul, and depend on His strength to overcome difficulties.

3. In everything that Paul did, he was single-mindedly focused on preaching the Gospel and encouraging believers. Even when he was in prison, he was “praying and singing hymns to God” together with Silas. Pray that we will devote ourselves to serve God and His eternal purposes (e.g. share the Gospel, serve in church, encourage other believers.)

经文：使徒行传16:6-40

主题：宣教报告

使徒行传的人类作者是路加。直至这里，其叙述是以第三人称概括的（如他、他们），但从16:10起，路加使用了第一人称“我们”，表示他在这一个宣教旅程中加入了保罗、西拉和提摩太。

Scripture Reading        : Acts 15:36-41

Theme                            : Dispute in the Church

This passage about the dispute between Paul and Barnabas has caused no small dispute amongst Bible commentators! Unlike some views that neither Paul nor Barnabas was wrong (it was simply a matter of preference), it is more likely that Paul was right based on the following reasons:

1. Barnabas was John Mark’s cousin. Colossians 4:10 shows us that Barnabas and Mark were cousins. Barnabas could have given Mark preferential treatment.

2. Barnabas went home to Cyprus. Barnabas did not simply part ways with Paul and went elsewhere to minister – he actually went home (Acts 4:36).

3. Barnabas was not sent by the church (Paul was). Barnabas went home with Mark, but Paul was “commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord” (Acts 15:39).

4. Barnabas was no longer mentioned in the rest of the Book of Acts. From 15:41 till the end of the book, the narrative was on the ministry of Paul.

5. Barnabas should obey Paul, the Apostle. Paul was specifically chosen by God to be the Apostle to the gentiles (Acts 13:47), and Barnabas should have submitted to Paul’s leadership.

Praying the Scripture

1. There are some people who wants to serve in certain areas of ministry, but the leaders of the church and the congregation do not see the giftedness in them, and they end up leaving the church in anger. Pray that we will serve humbly and allow the church to recognize our giftedness.

2. Pray that we will be willing to serve God even if it means moving out of our comfort-zone, like Paul.

3. Pray that we will be submissive to the leaders of the church, whom God has appointed to give an account for our souls (Hebrews 13:17).

经文：使徒行传15:36-41

主题：教会的纷争

保罗与巴拿巴在这段经文所起的争执也在圣经解经家中引起了不少争论！有些人认为保罗与巴拿巴都没有错（这仅是个人的选择），但我们从下列几点能断定保罗较为有理：

Scripture Reading        : Acts 15:36 – 16:10

Theme                            : Mission Strategy

1. The right purpose. Paul had wanted to return to the places they had been to in order to encourage the believers there. He did not leave them alone after they believed the Gospel, because it is important for believers to be equipped (Eph. 4:11-16).

2. The right personnel. Silas was well-suited to be Paul’s partner in ministry because he was a Jew (he could access the synagogues), and a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37) like Paul (protected by Roman law). Timothy was chosen to join them because he was well-known to be a faithful believer.

3. The right preparation. Paul circumcised Timothy not because it was required for salvation, but because he was a half-Jew (his mother was a Jew). Circumcision would grant him full access to the synagogue, and Paul did that as long as it did not affect the Gospel message (1 Cor. 9:19-23).

4. The right persuasion. Paul delivered the decision of the Council of Jerusalem to the churches, so that they knew clearly that circumcision (works) was not required for salvation, and they must be set apart from the world and not stumble fellow believers.

5. The right prompting. Paul’s objective was to obey God to preach the Gospel, and the Holy Spirit directed him by forbidding him to go to Asia Minor (modern Turkey), and led him to Macedonia instead.

Praying the Scripture

1. Pray that we will serve God with the right purpose in our hearts – by edifying other believers in what we do.

2. Paul was willing to do whatever it takes to preach the Gospel, as long as the message of the Gospel was not compromised (1 Cor. 9:19-23). Pray that we will follow Paul’s example, and not only preach the Gospel when it is convenient for us.

3. There are many people who claim to want to know God’s will, when they clearly disobey God’s Word in many areas of their lives. Some are not serving God actively in the local church, yet claim that they want to do big things for God. Paul was not like that at all. Pray that we will first serve actively in the local church, and may the Holy Spirit guide us to do even more things for God’s eternal kingdom and glory.

经文：使徒行传15:36 – 16:10

主题：宣教策略

Scripture Reading        : Acts 15:1-35

Theme                            : The Council of Jerusalem

1. The serious difficulty. The men who came down from Judea were Jews who were Judaizers (those who taught that salvation is achieved by obeying the Old Testament Law e.g. circumcision). These Jews came from Jerusalem, but were false believers, because they taught a different gospel that was not endorsed by the Apostles (15:24).

2. The serious debate. Paul and Barnabas debated with the Judaizers, Paul was a Pharisee who kept the Law to the best of his ability, but would later come to full understanding that salvation is by faith alone in Christ. He was the best person to debate with the Judaizers. Nevertheless, a delegation was sent to the church in Jerusalem to verify with the Apostles regarding this matter.

3. The serious decision. The leaders of the church in Jerusalem gathered and discussed the matter and came to the decision that salvation is by faith alone is Jesus (15:11), firmly rebutting those who taught otherwise. Throughout the history of the church, church leaders have met to debate and settle on doctrinal issues, using the Bible as the authority. At this point in the Book of Acts, however, the Bible was not yet complete and the Apostles were the ones who had authority from God to decide on such issues. The things to be avoided were things polluted by idols, sexual immorality, animals that were strangled and blood. The first two were closely related to idolatry, while the latter two had to do with stumbling Jewish believers.

Praying the Scripture

1. The difficulty of salvation by works or by faith alone arose in those days, and would persist throughout history until today, when some churches still teach that Christians must obey the law (e.g. keeping the Sabbath, but on Sunday). Pray that we will fully recognize our spiritual poverty, that we cannot do anything to please God and earn our salvation.

2. Pray that we will read and know the Bible well, so that we can guard ourselves and the church against false teachings, because the church is “a pillar and buttress of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15).                                                 

3. Even though Christians do not need to obey the Old Testament law, we are actually “under the law of Christ” (1 Cor. 9:21). Pray that we will not abuse our Christian liberty, but will set ourselves apart from the world and not do anything that might stumble other believers.

经文：使徒行传15:1-35

主题：耶路撒冷的公会

Scripture Reading        : Acts 14:1-28

Theme                            : Lessons from Paul’s First Missionary Journey

1. Faithful preaching. As Paul and Barnabas went from city to city, they “continued to preach the Gospel”, even though there were people who wanted “to mistreat them and to stone them”. They did not change the message to please the hearers, but preached the true Gospel that challenges sinners to repent.

2. Fearing the one and only God. At Lystra, Paul told the people to turn to the one and only “living God” who made everything. It is because Paul feared the one and only God, not man, that he could preach the Gospel faithfully even though his life was under threat.

3. Persevering in suffering. When the Jews eventually did stone Paul at Lystra, to the extent that they thought he was dead and dragged him out of the city, he simply went to another city (Derbe) and continued to preach the Gospel.

4. Pastoring with love. Paul also came back to Lystra to preach again, even though he almost died here. This was certainly out of love for the Christians in Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, because they needed encouragement as they went “through many tribulations”.

Praying the Scripture

1. Pray for the pulpit ministry of our church, that the pastor will faithfully preach the Word of God, even though the audience may not like to hear the truth.

2. The congregation can turn to the pastor for counselling, but the pastor has nobody to turn to for counselling. Pray that the pastor of our church will fear the one and only God, and not fear man.

3. Thank God that we are in a country where there is no real persecution and suffering, like those in the Book of Acts. Also thank God that He gave us a pastor who loves Him, His Word, and His church.

经文：使徒行传14:1-28

主题：从保罗首次宣教行程所得教训

Scripture Reading        : Acts 13:44-52

Theme                            : The Hostility toward the Gospel

1. Receiving the message. Many people gathered to hear Paul preach, but just like the Parable of the Sower, the same message was heard but there were different responses. It is important to note that v48 clearly indicates that God is sovereign in the salvation of sinners; only those whom God has “appointed to eternal life believed.” Those who received the message responded in joy and glorified the Word of God, a mark of true salvation.

2. Rejecting the message. Many Jews who heard the same message rejected the Gospel. Whenever Paul entered a city, he would always enter the synagogue to preach the Gospel to the Jews first. As the Jews constantly rejected the Gospel, Paul declared that they would be “turning to the Gentiles”. From this point onwards, Paul focused on preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles.

3. Rejecting the messengers. Even when the Jews heard that the message that was first proclaimed to them would now be proclaimed to the Gentiles, they did not repent. Not only did they reject the message, they also rejected the messengers and “stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas”.

Praying the Scripture

1. If we are truly those who are “appointed to eternal life”, we would receive the Word of God gladly and respond in joy and thanksgiving. Pray that we will have the marks of a true believer, especially in rejoicing and thanksgiving to God.

2. Pray that we will not hear the Word of God (e.g. on Sundays) and reject it.

3. Rejecting God’s messengers is the same as rejecting God, since the messengers represent Him. In our context, God’s messengers are the pastors and elders of the local church who teach us the Word of God. Pray that we will not reject the messengers of God, and that we will submit to our leaders (Hebrews 13:17).

经文：使徒行传13:44-52

主题：对福音的敌意

用经文祷告

Scripture Reading        : Acts 13:13-43

Theme                             : Preaching Jesus Christ

1. Jesus is the promised Messiah. The Jews practised what was known as the “freedom of the synagogue”, a Jewish custom that permitted recognized visiting teachers to preach in the synagogue, using the Old Testament, by invitation of the synagogue leaders (v15). Paul, beginning from the Exodus from Egypt, proved that Jesus is the Messiah that was promised, a descendant of King David.

2. Jesus is the prophesied Messiah. Quoting from the Old Testament, Paul showed further that Jesus is not only the Messiah who is a descendant of David – Jesus is also the Son of God, the Holy One, according to Old Testament prophecy.

3. Jesus is the proclaimed Messiah. Jesus did not come to earth and lived a perfect life silently, died silently, and save sinners silently. He preached publicly the message of repentance, died a public death on the cross, and commanded His followers to proclaim Him to sinners. Paul was obeying the command and preached that “through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed” (v38).

Praying the Scripture

1. Acts 4:12 – “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Jesus is the Messiah according to God’s promise, and God does not have a Plan B. Let us thank God for showing the way clearly, so that sinners are not left to find the way on their own.

2. The Jews knew that the promised Messiah would be a descendant of David, but they failed to understand the Old Testament prophesies that He will be the Son of God. Let us thank God for sending His beloved Son, who is perfectly sinless, and not any man. Only because of His holiness (He is the Holy One) is He able to take away our sins.

3. Romans 10:14, 17 – “And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? … So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Pray that we will be faithful to proclaim Jesus as the only God and Savior of all mankind.

经文：使徒行传13:13-43

主题：传耶稣基督

Scripture Reading        : Acts 13:1-12

Theme                            : The Beginning of Missions

Acts 1-12 focused on the preaching and ministry of Peter. From Acts 13 to the rest of the book, the narrative focused on Paul.

1. Missionaries commissioned. There were still prophets at this time of the Book of Acts (also see 11:27-28), and they received direct revelation from the Holy Spirit that Saul (a.k.a. Paul) and Barnabas were to be sent to do the work that God intended. With the cessation of the temporary gifts, especially after the canon of the New Testament was completed, the role of prophets also ceased.

2. Missionaries challenged. There was a false-prophet who sought to mislead the governor (proconsul) and the false-prophet opposed Paul and Barnabas.

3. Missionaries championed. But the purpose of God cannot be thwarted and His Word cannot be stopped. With the authority given him by the Holy Spirit (God), Paul made the false-prophet blind, and the proconsul believed in the Gospel.

Praying the Scripture

1. There are no more prophets today, as in those who foretell the future. With the completion of the Bible, Christians have the entire counsel of God (2 Tim 3:16-17). Instead of praying for God to give direct revelation, Christians should read God’s Word to know God’s will. God’s will is for all believers to preach the Gospel (Matthew 28:19-20), so, instead of waiting for an audible voice from God that we are to become missionaries, let us begin by sharing the Gospel with people whom we meet daily. Pray that we will be faithful in little things, so that we can be faithful in bigger things.

2. Pray that we will not hinder the Gospel by our actions and words.

3. The role of miracles was to authenticate the Apostles’ message. Today, there is no more gift of miracles (though God can still grant miracles, according to His will, but not through the hands of a miracle healer). Pray that we will live holy and righteous lives, so that the Gospel message we preach will be effectively displayed through our lives.

经文：使徒行传13:1-12

主题：宣教的开端

使徒行传首十二章经文专注的是彼得的教导与事工。从13章起，保罗则是焦点人物。

Scripture Reading        : Acts 12:1-25

Theme                            : The Unstoppable God

1. The purpose of God cannot be thwarted. James was the first Apostle who was martyred (Stephen was the first Christian martyr). It is God’s will that James was martyred but He sent His angel to rescue Peter from prison. God wanted Peter to continue proclaiming the Gospel amongst the Jews. Whatever is in God’s will definitely come to pass.

2. The glory of God cannot be robbed. When Herod was praised by the people as a god, he did not give the true God the glory that He alone deserves, and God judged Herod immediately and he was eaten by worms and died. God will eventually judge the whole world, because unbelievers are all guilty of the same sin as Herod.

3. The Word of God cannot be stopped. Even though persecution of the church had begun (Stephen was killed by mob-action) and was getting more serious (James was killed by the king), the Gospel continued to spread. The people who were scattered due to the persecution preached the Gospel wherever they went (Acts 11:19). Now, the stage was changing from Peter to Paul, who would eventually bring the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Praying the Scripture

1. God’s specific will is different for different people. Stephen and James (along with many others) were martyred, but Peter and Paul would continue to suffer on this earth while preaching the Word of God to unbelievers. Let us pray that we will submit to God’s will and accept the purposes that He has intended for us.

2. Whatever achievements we might attain in the world are all granted by God. Pray that we will give glory to God in what we say and do, so that unbelievers around us will also see our good works and give glory to God (Matthew 5:16).

3. The Word of God cannot be stopped. We will either move together with it, or be left behind by it. Thank God that because He is unstoppable, the Gospel eventually came to us. Pray that we too will preach the Gospel to people we meet.

经文：使徒行传12:1-25

主题：锐不可当的神

Scripture Reading        : Acts 11:1-30

Theme                            : The Beginning of the Gentile Church

1. The vision of the Gentile church. When Peter was accused of associating with Gentiles, Peter recounted his vision to the church in Jerusalem, proving to them that the Gospel is also meant for the Gentiles. Peter’s recount here (which was not mentioned in Acts 10) clearly shows that Cornelius was not saved before he heard the Gospel. Because of God’s mercy and grace, God sent Peter to preach the Gospel to Cornelius that he might be saved (11:14).

2. The conformation of the Gentile church. The best testimony that the Gospel has also come to the Gentiles is the coming of the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles. Through the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Gentiles are now brought into the common salvation through Jesus Christ, together with the Jews. This is the “mystery of the church” (Ephesians 3:1-6).

3. The strengthening of the Gentile church. The church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch, where he encouraged the believers to be steadfast. Barnabas also found Saul, who returned to Tarsus after leaving Jerusalem when the Jews plotted to kill him (Acts 9:26-30). Together, Saul (Paul) and Barnabas taught the believers and strengthened the church.

4. The testimony of the Gentile church. Antioch was a major pagan metropolis and was the centre of major trade routes, making it a prosperous city. Persecution of the Gentile church had not started yet, but the church in Jerusalem was already facing persecution (Acts 8:1). When news came to the church in Antioch that there will be a famine throughout the world, including Jerusalem, the church in Antioch sent relief to the church in Jerusalem.

Praying the Scripture

1. Without the Gospel message, no one can be saved. Gentiles who may sincerely seek for God (like Cornelius) would do so in vain, unless they hear the Gospel. Let us thank God for giving us the Gospel, and pray that we will boldly share the Gospel with others.

2. The purpose of the church is not only to evangelize, but also to equip the saints. Paul and Barnabas did that when they taught the church in Antioch for 1 year. Pray for our elders and pastors, that they will faithfully feed the sheep by teaching them the Word of God.

3. We must not be inward looking as a church, but be willing to help other true churches of Jesus Christ who may be in need. Let us pray that we will be generous in giving our resources to the local church to help other Christians.

经文：使徒行传11:1-30

主题：外邦教会的开端