 Acts Lesson 28 Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net e-mail: [email protected] Introduction: In Chapter 27, Paul and his fellow crew members faced the horrible storm Euroclydon which threatened the lives of every one aboard the ship. But the angel of the Lord came to Paul, and he told the captain and the men that all of them would be delivered if they all stayed in the ship. They did so, and the ship ran aground and came apart as we closed last week. Those that could swim swam to shore, while those who could not got on boards of the ship and floated in. All 276 men escaped to the island of Melita. That is where we pick up this week as we conclude our study on the book of Acts. The final chapter of Acts details the remaining portion of Paul’s journey to Rome. Included is a brief description of Paul’s ministry in Rome while he awaited his hearing before the emperor. I. Landing on Melita Acts 28:1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. Acts 28:2 And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. The island upon which the ship ran to ground and began to break up is noted here as Melita. Geographically, Malta, a small island between Sicily and north Africa. The reference “barbarous people” is an expression of that era in which all non-Greek speaking cultures were referred to. The were no doubt secluded and may have seemed strange to the ship’s crew and passengers. It is thought the Maltese people were originally Phoenicians whose native language was Punic (North African). In any event, they were hospitable to the survivors of the ship that wrecked on their island. It obviously was still winter. The persistent rain and northerly winds made the damp conditions quite miserable. The islanders helped the survivors simply by building a fire allowing them to warm themselves and dry out. Continue Reading in PDF: 
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 ACTS LESSON 15 Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net e-mail: [email protected] Memory verses for this week: 1 Th 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. Introduction: In Chapter 14, we saw Paul and Barnabas complete the work that they set out to do on their missionary journey. At the end of the chapter, they returned to their home church and reported what God had accomplished in their efforts. This week we see some men coming in from Judea and attempting to teach false doctrine concerning salvation. The first portion of Acts chapter 15 presents a major crisis which was coming to a head in the early church. The question at hand was whether Judaism, its rituals, rites, and ceremonial-ism should have any part in the early church and if so to what extent. A church council was convened in Jerusalem to deal with these matters. The leaders of the local New Testament Churches met to discuss the controversy. The latter portion of the chapter deals with the council at Jerusalem. It concludes with the churches, by acclamation, agreeing to send a delegation out with a letter clarifying the controversy. At the end of the chapter is the historic parting of the ways between Paul and Barnabas. Paul and Silas begin the second missionary journey. I. Men from Judea come to church in Antioch Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. Word reached the church at Jerusalem how the gospel had not only flourished among the gentiles at Antioch, but also continued through the missionary work of Paul and Barnabas. It is noteworthy that Paul and Barnabas did not report to the church at Jerusalem upon their return from their missionary journey. Though the church at Antioch likely had no pretense of becoming the leader of the churches, perhaps some in the Jerusalem church were nervous seeing that it might. It would seem that a question was looming, particularly for those in Judaea. Was Christianity to become primarily a gentile movement with some Jewish believers? Or would it remain as it originally had been constituted as a Jewish movement with a few gentile believers? It is clear there was a distinct party within the Jerusalem church who thought the latter. Recall the suspicion and reluctance of many in the Jerusalem church to accept the preaching of the gospel to the gentiles at Cornelius’ household at Caesarea. Continue Reading in PDF:
 John Chapter 21 Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net e-mail: [email protected] Introduction: In our last study, we saw Christ show Himself openly to Mary Magdalene and the disciples on two accounts after His resurrection from the grave. Thomas, who was not with the disciples when the Lord came to them the first time, doubted and said he would not believe unless he could put his fingers in the nail prints of his hands and thrust his hand into the wound on Jesus’ side. But one look at the Master when He came to them, and Thomas acknowledged him as “My Lord and my God.” This week we get into the last chapter of John. Chapter 21 is an epilogue in a way. There are three specific incidents in this chapter. The first is the fishing experience at the Sea of Galilee (also called the Sea of Tiberias.) It shows the Lord Jesus as the Lord of our wills and how He directs our service. The second incident is the breakfast on the seashore where the Lord presents to them that our love for Him should be our motive to serve God. Then the last incident is when Jesus announces the upcoming death of Simon Peter. It shows that Jesus is the Lord of our minds and teaches that lack of knowledge or circumstances in no excuse from service. The whole chapter reveals that the resurrected Jesus is still God. I. A Trip by Peter’s Own Choosing John 21:1 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise showed he himself. John 21:2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. These two verses seem to provide an overview of the event about to be described. The reference to Jesus showing Himself is a preview of the event which is recorded in verse four. The time is noted as “after these things”—the events of chapter 20—the resurrection and Jesus’ several appearances to the disciples in the upper room. The phrase “shewed himself” is translated from the word (fanerow) phaneroo and essentially means to manifest (oneself). During the interval of forty days between Jesus’ resurrection and His ascension, there are only ten appearances of Him recorded. He appeared (manifested Himself) only now and then according to His will and each appearance. How He occupied Himself otherwise, we are not told. At the event about to be described, John indicates that a total of seven of the disciples were at the sea of Tiberias (another name for Galilee). The sons of Zebedee were James and John himself. The two unnamed disciples are not known. Continue Reading in PDF:
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