THE BOOK OF ACTS

SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

JAMES A. TURNER

STUDY QUESTIONS ON THE BOOK OF ACTS

Read all of the references given in the questions. They will give you a better understanding.

You may use your Bible to answer the Study Questions.

1. How do we know Luke is the author of Acts (Acts 2:1-2; Lu. 1:1-4; 24:44-53)?

2. What did Christ do during the forty days after his resurrection?

3. What charge did he give the apostles just prior to his ascension?

4. What question did they ask when he told them that they would "be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence"?

5. What reply did Jesus give?

6. About how many years does the book cover? Prove your answer (Acts 1:4-9; 28:30,31). See Turner’s Comments.

7. When were the apostles to receive power?

8. What was to come when the power came (Mk.9:1)?

9. The apostles were to be witnesses of Christ first in ____________and ____ - ____and then in ____________ _and then unto _____________________.

10. Give two things that the angels told the disciples after the ascension of Christ.

11..What did the disciples do during the time between the ascension and Pentecost (Acts 1:12-14)?

What does 1:14 tell us about how the brothers of Jesus had changed (Jn.7:3- 5)?

12. Give the details of the selection of an apostle to take Judas' place.

13. Pentecost followed what other annual feast of the Jews (Lev.23:4-21,39-44; Deut.16:1-17)?

14. By what names is the feast called in the Old Testament? Why the different names (Lev.23:9-21; Dt.16:9-12)?

CHAPTER 2

15. What does the word Pentecost mean in Greek? See McGarvey's Commentary on Acts. Show how the feast would always occur on the first day of the week (Lev.23:15-16).

16. What people had gathered together in Jerusalem to keep the feast?

17. How did the Holy Spirit come upon the apostles?

18. Give four things which show that the apostles were the only ones baptized with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 1:5, 1:29, 2:1-4, 2:6-7, 2:14; Jn. 14:26, 16:7-14).

19. What were some of the peculiar things about the manifestation of tongues?

20. What caused the multitude to come together (2:5-6)?

21. How does Luke describe the reaction of the multitude?

22. What did Peter tell them about the prophecy of Joel?

What is the meaning of "the last days" as used in this passage and a number of other passages (Isa.2:1-4, Micah 4:1-4; Heb. 1:2; I Tim. 4:1-3; II Tim.3:1-5)?

23. Why did Peter quote from Psa. 16:8-11?

24. What did he say about David's throne (Acts 2:29-35)?

25. What promise is he referring to in Acts 2:33? See the outline, Christ Is Now Reigning On David’s Throne.

26. Read: (IIS.7:12-17; Ps. 89:3-4, 89:28-37; I Chr. 29: 23; Amos 9:11-12; Acts 15:13-19; Isa.9:6-; Zech.6:12-13; Jer.23:5-6; Jer. 22:24-30; Mt.1:12; Lu.1:31-33; I Chr.29:23; Acts 2:24 35;Heb.1:13; Eph. 1:19-23; I Cor.15:22-26) and then list six things that the Bible teaches about the throne of David. See outline and tell passages that each point is based on. Question counts 6 points

27. What did some ask Peter after he said, "that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified?

28. What did Peter tell them?

29.Show that "for (KJV), or unto (ASV)" in Acts 2:38 does not mean "because of" as some teach (Mt.26:28). See Turner’s Comments.

30. How did Peter exhort the people?

31. What were the three thousand converts added unto?

32. In what things did they continue steadfastly?

33. On what occasion is it stated that the disciples were “having favor with all the people"?

Chapter Three

34. Give four of the main points concerning the miracle performed by Peter at the Beautiful Gate of the temple.

35. What seems to have been the primary purpose of the miracle?

36. What did Peter preach in this second sermon?

37. Why did the Jews crucify Jesus (Acts3:17)?

38. What interpretation did Peter give of the prophecy of Moses?

Chapter Four

39. Who arrested Peter and John and why (Acts 4:1-3)?

40. What were two of the results of Peter's second sermon?

41. What questions did the council ask Peter and John?

42. Give three points of Peter's reply.

43. What did the council say about the miracle (Acts 4:15-16)?

44. What did Peter and John say when they charged them "not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus"?

45. Why didn't the council punish them (Acts 4:21)?

46. Why did the disciples quote from the second Psalm in their prayer to God?

47. What were the two requests that they made in their prayer? 1.

48. What happened immediately after their prayer?

49. Were the disciples in Jerusalem commanded to sell their possessions? Why did they? What did they do with the money?

50. Why did the apostles change Josephs' name to Barnabas?

Chapter Five

51. What was the sin of Ananias and Sapphira?

52. Did the severe discipline tear up the church (Acts 5:14)?

53. Tell about the healing done by the apostles following the death of Ananias and his wife? Were any sent away unhealed?

54. Who arrested all of the apostles?

55. Who released them? Why?

56. What did the high priest ask the apostles?

57. What did he say about the blood of Christ? What had the disobedient Jews said about His blood (Mt. 27:25)?

58. What were the two main points of the reply given by Peter and the apostles?

59. Who kept the council from slaying the apostles? How?

60. What did the council do to them?

61. What was the reaction of the apostles?

Chapter Six

62. What complaint did the Grecian Jews make against the Hebrews?

63. What did the apostles tell their brethren to do about the complaint? What kind of men were they to choose?

64. What lesson should we learn from the statement of the apostles in Acts 6:2?

65. The seven appointed were all ________________ Jews.

66. Why did the apostles lay their hands on the seven (Acts 6:8, 8: 5-8, 8: 14-18, I Cor. 1:7, 12:4-11; II Tim. 1:6)?

67. Were any signs and wonders done by any except the apostles before the appointment of the seven? What does this indicate?

68. What charges did the false witnesses make against Stephen (Acts 6:13-15)?

Chapter Seven

69. Did he answer their charges? What did he do in his speech to the council?

70. How did he conclude his speech? How was his conclusion similar to Christ's speech to the scribes and Pharisees (Mt.23:29-36)?

71. What was the reaction of the council?

72. What request did Stephen make as they were stoning him to death?

73. List two things that Luke tells us about Saul in connection with the death of Stephen (Acts 7:58, 8:1-3).

Chapter Eight

74. What happened when the disciples were scattered abroad?

75. What signs and wonders were done by Philip at Samaria?

76. What three things did he preach to them about (Acts 8:12)?

77. Why did the apostles send Peter and John to Samaria? Why didn't Philip impart gifts of the Spirit to the Samaritans?

78. What did Simon try to buy from the apostles? Does this indicate that he had never been converted (Acts 8:18, 8:13; Mk. 16:15-16)?

79. What did Peter tell him to do? Why is Peter's command here called "God's second law of pardon?

See I Jn. 1:7-9.

80. Why did Philip leave Samaria and go toward Gaza?

81. Who told him to go and "join thyself to this chariot"'?

82. What was the Ethiopian eunuch doing when Philip ran to him?

83. List four things which indicate that the eunuch was a very sincere man, and wanted to know the Lord's will.

84. How do we know that there was sufficient water in this desert country to immerse the eunuch?

85.What happened to Philip after the conversion of the eunuch? The eunuch? Why?

86. Why didn't the angel of the Lord tell the eunuch what he needed to do in order to be saved (II Cor.4:5-7)?

Chapter Nine

87. Why was Saul going to Damascus?

88. Why did the Lord appear to him (Acts 9:15-16, 22:14-21, 26:15-20)?

89. What did the Lord tell him to do?

90. Why did God send Ananias to Saul, and what did he tell Saul to do (Acts 22:16)?

91. Why did the Jews in Damascus take counsel to kill Saul? How did he escape?

92. Where did Saul go before he went to Jerusalem (Gal.1:15- 17)?

93. Who carried him to the apostles? Why? How long was this after his conversion?

94. What miracle did Peter perform at Lydda? At Joppa?

95. What kind of woman was Dorcas?

Chapter Ten

96. What does chapters nine, ten, sixteen, and eighteen teach

about how God answers the prayers of alien sinners (Acts9:6- 11,10:3-5,10:25-33,16:8-15,18:8-9)?

97. Why didn't the angel of the Lord tell Cornelius what to do to be saved? What did he tell him (Acts 10:22-23)?

98. Why did Peter receive the vision of the sheet and all manner of four footed beasts?

99. Note that Cornelius sent messengers for Peter on the ninth hour Jewish time (three P.M.) of the day. They arrived at Joppa "on the morrow" at about the sixth hour or 12AM. Peter lodged

them and "on the morrow he arose and went forth with them." They arrived in Caesarea on the fourth day, on the same hour that they had started, making exactly three days as we count time. Question: Why did Cornelius say, "four days ago until this hour" (Acts 10:3-8, 9, 19, 23-24, 30)? See Turner’s Comments.

100. What had Cornelius done by the time Peter arrived at his house?

101. What did he do when Peter came to his house? What did Peter tell him?

102. What question did Peter ask Cornelius? What was his reply?

103. When did the Holy Spirit fall on Cornelius and those gathered at his house?

104. Were they baptized with the Holy Spirit? Give proof for your answer (ActslO:44-48,11:12-18).

105. What seems to have been the primary purpose of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on these Gentile people? See Turner’s Comments.

106. What did Peter command them to do ? Why?

Chapter Eleven

107. Why did "they that were of the circumcision" contend with Peter?

108. What was their attitude after Peter told them the full story (Acts 11:18)?

109. At what place were the disciples first called Christians? Why (Isa.56:4-5; 62:1-2; Hosea 2:23)?

110. Whom did the apostles send to Antioch? Why? What did he do when he got there?

111. Who assisted Barnabas in his work at Antioch?

112. What did the disciples do after they heard the prophecy of Agabus?

Chapter Twelve

113. What was Herod going to do with Peter? Why?

114. What happened to Peter? Why?

115. What happened a short time later to Herod? Why?

Chapter Thirteen

116. Why did Barnabas and Saul go on the first missionary journey?

117. Who accompanied them on this journey?

118. What two places did they visit on the island of Cyprus?

119. What did they do at each place?

120. Where did they stop after leaving Cyprus? What happened there?

121. Where did they go to do missionary work when they arrived at Antioch of Pisidia?

122. How did Paul conclude his sermon at Antioch?

123. What request did the people make of Paul and Barnabas?

124. Why did the Jews contradict the things spoken by Paul the next Sabbath?

125. What did Paul say to them?

126. What was the attitude of the Gentiles?

127. Comment on the statement, ----"as many as were ordained to eternal life believed" (Actsl3:48).

See Turner’s Comments.

128. Why did Paul and Barnabas leave Antioch so soon (Acts 13:50 51)?

Chapter Fourteen

129. What was the result of their teaching in the synagogue at Iconium (Actsl4:5-7)?

130. Why did they leave Iconium (Acts 14:5-7)?

131. At what place did the people attempt to sacrifice to them as gods? Why?

132. How did they later treat Paul in this city?

133. Where did they go after leaving Lystra (Acts 14:20-21)?

134. What places did they revisit on this first journey? What did they do at each church?

135. Why were they able to appoint elders so soon after the churches were established?

136. What did they do when they got back to Antioch of Syria (Acts 14:26-28)?

Chapter Fifteen

137. What kind of false teachers came to the church at Antioch some time after Paul and Barnabas returned from their first journey, and what did they teach (Acts 15:1-2; Gal.1:6- 8, 2:1-5)?

138. What did Paul and Barnabas do about the matter (Acts 15:2; Gal.2:1-5)?

139. Does the Jerusalem conference give authority for church conferences and councils to decide doctrinal questions today (Acts 15:28)?

140. List three main points of Peter's address at the Jerusalem conference. What is the meaning of Acts 15:10?

141. What application did James make of Amos 9:11-12 (Actsl5:13- 18)? Which James is he ? What did he recommend? See Turner’s Comments.

142. What two things did the church at Jerusalem do to try to solve the problem about circumcision and the keeping of the law?

143. Did it solve the problem? Why? What lesson should we learn from this (Gal. 1:6-7; 2:1-5; 4:17, 6:13; Phil. 3:2-6;3:17- 19;Col.2:8-12; 2:16-17; I Tim. 1:3-7; Titus 1:10-11; II Cor.11:10-15; 12:11-13; Rom.2:25-29; Rom. 16:17-18)? 1.

144. What caused the separation between Paul and Barnabas? Which one was wrong about the matter?

See Turner’s Comments.

145. Who did Paul choose for his second journey? What direction did they go?

Chapter Sixteen

146. How may we account for the fact that Paul had Timothy circumcised and refused to have Titus circumcised (Acts 16-.1-3; Gal.l-.1-5)?

147. What churches made up "the churches of Galatia"? See Turner’s Comments.

148. What did Paul and Silas deliver to the churches as they went on their way through the cities?

149. What places did Paul want to go on this journey that he did not go? Why?

150. What vision did Paul receive at Troas?

151. Who joined the company of Paul, Silas, and Timothy at Troas? Prove your answer (Actsl3:4, 13:14, 14:1, 14:7, 14:27, 16:6-8, 16:10, 16:12, 16:13). See Turner’s Comments.

152. Where did they do their first preaching at Philippi? Why didn't they go to a Jewish synagogue (Acts 16:12-15,17:1- 2)?

153. What indicates that there were no infants in Lydia's household? See Turner’s Comments.

154. What did she do immediately after her conversion (Acts 16:15; Phil.1:3-5)?

155. Why was Paul and Silas put in prison at Philippi?

156. List three notable things that happened at about midnight.

157. How has Acts 16:29-31 been used to teach false doctrine (Acts 16:31-34; Rom. 10:11-15)?

Is there any Bible proof of any one being saved by Faith alone?

158. How do we know that there were no infants in the jailor's household (Acts 16:32-34)?

159. Why did Paul and Silas refuse to leave the prison when the sergeants told them they could go?

160. What did they do after they were released?

Chapter Seventeen

161. Where did they teach at Thessalonica, and what were the results? What did the Jews accuse them of?

162.What were the results of their teaching in the synagogue at Berea? What good compliment does Luke pay them? Why did Paul leave Berea? What commandment did he send back to Silas and Timothy? 1.

163. Where is Luke at this time?

164. Why was Paul's spirit provoked at Athens?

165. What did he do at Athens? What were the results of his efforts?

166. Where did Paul go after he left Athens? Where was Timothy and Silas at this time (Acts 17:15; 1 Thess. 3:1-6; Acts 18:5; II Cor. 11:7-12)?

167. How did Paul begin his work at Corinth? Give some of the details about the city of Corinth.

168. Why did Paul leave the synagogue? Where did he teach after leaving the synagogue?

169. What epistles did Paul write during this stay at Corinth (Acts 18:5; I Thess. 3:5-8; I Thess. 1:1; II Thess. 1:1)? These are the first two of Paul’s Epistles. See the outline, Information About Paul’s Epistles.

170. What message did the Lord give Paul in the night by a vision?

171. What is the meaning of the statement, "for I have much people in this city"?

172. What happened when the Jews carried Paul before Gallio?

173. How was Paul received by the Jews in the synagogue at Ephesus (Acts 18:18-21)? See Turner’s Comments.

174. Acts 18:22-23 is telling about the end of ________________ and the beginning of the_________.

175. Who came to Ephesus in the time between Paul's second and third journey? What knowledge did he lack? What did Aquila and Priscilla do about it? Where did he go after leaving Ephesus?

176. What regions did Paul go through on his return trip to Ephesus? What did he do in these regions (Acts 18:23)?

Chapter Nineteen

177. What condition did Paul find when he returned to Ephesus? Why were the disciples baptized again? Why didn't Apollos or Aquila and Priscilla do this before Paul returned? See Turner’s Comments, and the outline, Six NT Baptisms.

178. Why did Paul lay his hands on the disciples at Ephesus (Acts 19:6)?

179. How long did he teach in the synagogue at Ephesus? Why did he separate the disciples from the synagogue?

180. List three notable things that happened during the two years that Paul taught in the school of Tyrannus.

181. What churches were evidently established during this period of time (Acts 19:10; Rev. 1:19-3:22)?

182. What further plans did Paul have before he sent Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia (Acts 19:21-22)?

183. What epistle did Paul write near the end of his long stay at Ephesus (Acts 19:22; I Cor.16:7-8)?

184. Why did Demetrius call a meeting of the silversmiths? What were the results?

185. How great was the danger for Paul and his companions in travel (Acts 19:29-31; II Cor.1:8-11)?

Chapter Twenty

186. When did Paul leave Ephesus and where did he go, and where was he when he wrote II Corinthians (Acts 20:1-2; II Cor.2:12-13; 7:5-7;9:3-4)? 1.

187. Why did Paul decide to return through Macedonia rather than sail to Syria?

188. Paul wrote ______________________ (II Cor. 9: 1-5; Rom. 15:22-33) and probably _______________ from ______________________ on his ______________ journey in about ______ AD. See Turner’s comments and outline on Pauline Epistles.

189. Who accompanied him as far as Asia? Who joined his company again at Philippi? They sailed from Philippi to Troas after what feast? How long had Luke been at Philippi? See Turner’s comments.

190. List three important things that happened on this visit at Troas.

191. Is every New Testament example binding? Discuss. See Turner’s Comments.

192. Why did Paul ask the Ephesian elders to come to Miletus?

193. Give four of the main points of his speech to the Ephesian elders. Describe their reaction.

Chapter Twenty-One

194. What did the brethren at Tyre say to Paul "through the Spirit"?

195. What did Agabus, from Judea, have to say to Paul at Caesarea? What did the brethren then do? What reply did Paul give?

196. How was Paul and the messengers of the churches received by James and the elders at Jerusalem? What did they advise Paul to do? Why? 1.

197. What happened when the seven days of purification were almost completed?

198. What request did Paul make of the chief captain as they were bringing him into the castle?

Chapter Twenty-Two

199. Give three of the main points of Paul's defense before the Jews. They listened to Paul until he mentioned what?

200. What did the chief captain intend to do to Paul after he was brought inside the castle? What question did Paul ask him? How did Paul receive his citizenship?

201. Why was the chief captain afraid when he learned that Paul was a Roman citizen?

Chapter Twenty-Three

202. What command did Ananias give after Paul told the council, "Brethren, I have lived in all good conscience until this day”? How did Paul respond?

203. How did Paul divide the council? Why did his statement divide the council? Who saved Paul from the council?

204. How was Paul encouraged the following night (Acts 23:11)?

205. What curse did about forty Jews bind themselves under? How did Paul and the chief captain learn about the plot?

206. What did the captain then do with Paul? What did he say about Paul in his letter to Felix (Acts 23:25-30)?

Chapter Twenty-four

207. What charges did the Jews bring against Paul in his trial by Felix?

208. Give the substance of Paul's defense. What was the out come of his trial (Acts 24:10-23,27)?

209. What did Felix do after hearing Paul "concerning the faith in Christ Jesus"?

210. Why did Felix continue to commune with Paul? Why did he leave him bound when he was succeeded by Festus?1.

211. How long had Paul been a prisoner when Festus became the next governor?

Chapter Twenty-Five

212. Why did the Jews ask Festus to send Paul back to Jerusalem? How did Festus answer them?

213. What was the outcome of Paul's trial before Festus?

Why did Festus ask Paul if he would go to Jerusalem for trial? How did Paul answer him?

214. Why did Festus want King Agrippa to try Paul? Why was Paul glad to make his defense before King Agrippa?

Chapter Twenty-Six

215. Give the substance of Paul's speech before King Agrippa (Acts 26:1-23).

216. What did Festus say to Paul as he was making his defense? How did Paul reply?

217. What question did Paul ask the King? How did he reply?

218. What was the reaction of all who heard Paul on this occasion (Acts 26:30-32)?

Chapter Twenty-Seven

219. Who had charge of Paul on the voyage to Rome?

220. How do we know that Luke went to Rome with Paul (Acts 27:1)?

221.How did Julius show kindness to Paul when they "touched at Sidon?

222. What advice did Paul give about the journey while they were at Fair Havens? Why did most of them want to coast along the island to Phoenix?

223.How bad was the storm that caught their ship? What did Paul tell them before the ship was wrecked? 1.

224. How long had they been fasting when Paul encouraged them to eat, and how did he encourage them (Acts 27:34-37)? How many were on the ship?

225. Why didn't the soldiers kill the prisoners when the ship wrecked (Acts27:42-44)?

Chapter Twenty-Eight

226. Give an account of their landing on the island of Melita.

227. How did the people of the island treat them? What did they say when Paul was bitten by a venomous viper? What did they later say about him?

228. What miracles did Paul perform on this island? How long did they stay at Melita?

229. What happened at Puteoli? Who met them at the Three Travens, and what affect did it have on Paul (Acts28:15)? 1.

230. What kindness was shown Paul when they reached Rome (Acts28:l5, 30-31)?

231. What was the substance of Paul's address to the chief Jews? How did they reply?

232. What were the results of his preaching to the great company of Jews that came to his lodging later? Why did he quote from Isaiah on this occasion?

233. How long did Paul remain in Rome, and what did he do during this period of time (Acts 28:30-31)? What else did he do during this period of time (Eph. 3:1; 4:1; Col. 4:7-11; Philemon 8- 10; Phil. 1:12-15; 2:23-24)? See outline about Paul’ Epistles.