Acts of the Apostles – Laura L. Zielke

This week we discussed various topics related to the church in Antioch, Syria. We learned the first instance a disciple was called “Christian” was in Antioch. A prophet came down from Jerusalem and predicted a severe famine that would spread over the entire Roman Empire, and we were able to pinpoint almost exactly when this... The post Acts 11:27-30 ~ Famine Felt 'Round the World appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

From the earliest days of the church, there has been one message uniting people across all human-made divides: love. That's the core of the gospel. Barnabas was sent to Antioch to make sure they were in compliance with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The post Acts 11:19-26 ~ Barnabas and the Hellenists appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we studied how the gospel spread north beyond Palestine into less Jewish-centric communities including Phoenicia, Antioch (in Syria) and the island of Cyprus. This section introduces us to the city of Antioch which will become the center of Christianity after the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and to the church who sends out... The post Acts 11:19-26 ~ Meanwhile in Phoenicia, Cyprus & Antioch appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

In our final discussion on this passage, we got down to where the rubber meets the road. As we focused on Peter’s defense of his experience in Acts 11, we learned that he had become convinced his vision had nothing to do with food and everything to do with people.  And so the real question... The post Acts 11:1-18 ~ Clean. appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

As part of our continuing discussion about Peter’s speech(es) in Acts 10 and 11, we stepped back to look at how Peter and the apostles adjusted their presentation of the gospel message to each audience based on their knowledge of the Scriptures and Jewish religious traditions. Through comparison and contrast, we identified key elements of... The post Acts 10:1-11:18 ~ The Core of the Gospel Message (Kerygma) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Who is “welcome” to join us in following Jesus? Who is not? Where do we draw the line? Should we even draw one? How do we know?  During the week prior to the Sunday when this lesson was originally taught, American citizens were mesmerized by two very different and highly publicized funerals: John McCain’s in... The post Acts 10:1-11:18 ~ Everyone Is Welcome. Every. One. appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

First we read of Cornelius’ vision. Then Peter’s. Then Peter mentions his to Cornelius, and Cornelius recounts his to Peter. Then Peter retells both visions to a new audience. But we’re reading it—so why all the repetition? What makes this event so special?  This week our discussion took us from analyzing Luke’s purposeful repetition to... The post Acts 10:1-11:18 ~ Emphatic Repetition appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

What happens when a hungry Jewish apostle has a vision about food? But not just any food! This vision involves certain “unclean” foods—the types of food he has avoided his entire life for religious reasons. What happens when during the trance he is commanded to eat the “unclean” food? Three times! What is the meaning... The post Acts 10:1-33 ~ Peter & Cornelius (Overview) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we expanded on the previous lesson about the miracles in Lydda and Joppa. We utilized a map of first-century Judea to help us have a more clear idea about distances traveled, geography, and topography of the area. We reviewed the Venn Diagram we created (see below) comparing and contrasting the healing of Aeneas and... The post Acts 9:32-43 ~ Mapwork, Miracles, Mathetria & a Riff about “Poor” Widows appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we studied two miracle stories in Acts 9 which have been preserved as a unit in ancient manuscripts: the healing of Aeneas and the raising of Tabitha (a.k.a. Dorcas) from the dead. We examined a variety of similarities and differences in each account and discussed why these two stories were juxtaposed. What truths... The post Acts 9:31-43 ~ Aeneas and Tabitha appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we continued our study in Acts picking up with Saul’s first-recorded visit with the apostles in Jerusalem after his decision to follow Jesus. Everyone was skeptical, except Barnabas, one of the seven Hellenists who were chosen to serve the growing Christian community in Jerusalem. He was the only one willing to hear Saul’s... The post Acts 9:26-31 ~ Welcome to Jerusalem… Now, Go Home! appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week, Craig Bondy (guest teacher) compared and contrasted three different accounts of Saul’s experience on the road to Damascus. We examined the narrative in Acts 9 as well as Paul’s testimony in Acts 22 and his witness in Acts 26. We focused our attention on what Saul was told about his future.  Click to... The post Acts 9, 22, 26 ~ What Was Saul Told? appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week Craig Bondy (guest teacher) guided us through a detailed review of the timeline of Acts chapters 1-9. He also brought local and empire history into the timeline to help form a more complete historical context for this section of Scripture. There’s also a homework assignment at the end, if you’d like to participate! ... The post Acts 1-9: Timeline Review appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we took a closer look at few passages that describe a time in Saul’s first few years as a follower of Jesus—particularly his time in Arabia (Nabatea). This journey is NOT mentioned in Acts at all; however, Paul mentions it in both his letter to the church in Galatia and his second (third?)... The post Acts 9:19b-25 ~ Saul & the Nabateans appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we worked on piecing together the evolution of Saul’s theology based on the account we have in Acts as well as his own testimony in Galatians. The more we reflected on the details of Saul’s life leading up to this moment, the more we saw how God had wired him with a passion... The post Acts 9:19b-30 ~ Wired with Wanderlust appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we took a close look at what happened when Ananias showed up at Judas’ house on Straight Street. We discussed how significant it was that Ananias greeted Saul as a brother, explained that the Jesus whom he saw en route to Damascus was the same One who sent him to restore his sight.... The post Acts 9:13-19a ~ The Other Ananias appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week slowed our pace to take a closer look at Saul’s Damascus Road experience. Rather than focusing on the details of the event, we zoomed out to discuss the story behind the story. We explored how Saul’s life was dramatically and forever changed following his personal encounter with the risen Christ: We examined Saul’s... The post Acts 9:1-16 ~ The “Bind-er” Becomes the “Bind-ee” appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we compared and contrasted three different accounts of Saul’s experience on the road to Damascus. We examined the narrative in Acts 9 as well as Paul’s testimony in Acts 22 and his witness in Acts 26. We looked at the setting of each account and discussed why certain details were presented in one... The post Acts 9, 22, 26 ~ Same Event. Different Details. appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week, we picked up where we left off with Saul (a.k.a. Paul). We examined his background, education, and training. We discussed his “status” as self-appointed protector of Pharisaic Orthodoxy, and his insatiable desire to crush “The Way” wherever he traveled. As we developed a clear picture of Saul’s character, we saw that he was... The post Acts 9:1-19a ~ Works-Based Worth appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week, we completed our study of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. We discussed the passage in Isaiah that the eunuch was reading, and we talked about this being the first time the Suffering Servant’s identity was applied to the Messiah. We also briefly discussed the eunuch’s response to Philip’s interpretation as... The post Acts 8:26-40 ~ Of Whom Does the Prophet Speak? appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week, we continued our study of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch by investigating what we know (and don’t know) about the eunuch: where he came from, what his place was in society, how he traveled, and why someone from so far away would have made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. We also imagined the story... The post Acts 8:26-40 ~ The Ethiopian Eunuch appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week, we began our study of a very familiar story about Philip the Evangelist and an official from Ethiopia (modern-day Sudan). We discussed God’s amazing timing in bringing these two men together at the perfect moment. We examined a variety of passages to determine whether the terms “angel” and “spirit” were interchangeable in this... The post Acts 8:25-40 ~ God’s Incredible Timing appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week, we finished up our study of the interaction between the apostles and Simon Magus. For real. We zoomed in on the final verses of the narrative where Peter apparently ‘curses’ Simon for his attempt to purchase the ability to bestow the Holy Spirit. We discussed the difference between “believing” and faith that leads... The post Acts 8:20-24 ~ Not For Sale appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we continued our discussion about Simon the magician and his desire to purchase the ability to bestow the gift of the Holy Spirit (which cannot be purchased). We were reminded that Jesus’ parable of the sower provides a way to understand the difference between an authentic conversion experience and one that has no roots,... The post Acts 8:14-25 ~ No Change? No Salvation. appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we were introduced to Simon (a.k.a. “Simon the Sorcerer” and “Simon Magus”), and according to Simon himself “Someone Great!” Although there is not a lot of information about Simon in the Bible, early church fathers wrote about him with enough detail that we are able to sketch his character and his beliefs and his... The post Acts 8:9-17 ~ “The Amazing Simon” is Amazed! appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we observed how the stepped-up persecution of Christians in Jerusalem served as a catalyst for the spread of the good news throughout Judea and into Samaria thus fulfilling part of Jesus’ prophecy in Acts 1:8. We focused in on the first non-Judean “missionary journey” post-Resurrection: Philip’s ministry in Samaria. We concluded that this was... The post Acts 8:4-8 ~ Philip the Evangelist in Samaria appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we focused on this brief, transitional passage that documents the first officially sanctioned persecution of Christ followers as well as what happened to Stephen’s body after his stoning (lynching) in chapter 7.  We looked at the structure of Acts noting that chapters 1-7 and 13-28 follow a single-thread narrative, whereas chapters 8-12 traces... The post Acts 8:1b-3 ~ Persecution Initiates the Christian Diaspora appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we finally finished our deep dive into Stephen’s speech in Acts 7 and witnessed his stoning (or lynching, depending on how you look at it). We discussed Stephen’s vision that he had prior to his stoning and the specific title he used for Jesus: Son of Man.  We observed the people take the law... The post Acts 7:54-8:1a ~ Stephen: The First Christian Martyr appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we got back to where we had left off with the “peroratio” (i.e., conclusion) of Stephen’s speech in Acts 7. It’s at this point the reason for his rehashing the history of Israel becomes crystal clear: Stephen has been building a case not merely to proclaim his innocence, but also to prove the... The post Acts 7:51-56 ~ Who’s Really on Trial Here? appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we continued our detour exploring questions about the purpose and origin of the temple. We did a cursory overview of temple history and discussed a number of Scripture passages for the purpose of better understanding whether the temple was something God desired or not. We have been looking into the possibility that God... The post Acts 7:45-50 ~ A House of Cedar (part two) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we took a slight detour to explore the question: Whose idea was Solomon’s Temple?! This is the first of two class times we spent digging into the question about whether or not the LORD commanded David and/or Solomon to build the Temple in Jerusalem. We are looking into the possibility that God (1)... The post Acts 7:45-50 ~ A House of Cedar (part one) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we continued our in-depth study of Stephen’s defense speech. He brought up the consistent problem of idol worship—both at the foot of Mt. Sinai and in the wilderness during the 40 years of wandering. He began laying the foundation for his argument (?) that the Temple should not have been built which we... The post Acts 7:39-48 ~ What Their Hands Had Made appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we continued our in-depth study of Stephen’s defense speech before the Sanhedrin. Once again, Stephen focused on leaders who worshipped God pre-Temple and outside of the promised land. As he recounted Moses’ defining moments, he made it clear that: he was not anti-Moses; Moses met with God outside the promised land; and Moses... The post Acts 7:17-38 ~ This is THAT Moses appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

As we examined the “inconsistencies” between Stephen’s words and the Genesis/Exodus narratives, as well as manuscript differences between the Hebrew scriptures and the Septuagint, we saw how multiple sources lend credence to the historicity of the accounts as recorded. And the “inconsistencies” aren’t that inconsistent after all.  >> Click to read this week’s passages in... The post Acts 7:1-7 ~ A Closer Look (Part Two) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

We circled back to take a closer look at the first part of Stephen’s speech to the Sanhedrin. Although some see no point to Stephen’s sermon outside of developing his character to provide the backdrop for his murder, we discovered that Stephen was actually laying out a perfect defense of himself and an offense against... The post Acts 7:1-8 ~ A Closer Look (Part One) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Have you ever wondered why Stephen reviewed Israel’s history with the experts in the Law? Did he not realize they already knew these stories? Probably by memory? Or was he doing something else? This week we read through Stephen’s entire speech, his murder, and what happened as a result of it. Because this was an... The post Acts 7:1-8:4 ~ More than Reviewing History appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Guest Teacher: David Pikett This week we continued our verse-by-verse study in Acts. We looked into the historical and religious setting of first century Jerusalem. We learned that in addition to the Temple, there were numerous synagogues in and around the city. We discussed why there might be a need for these synagogues, who would... The post Acts 6:7-15 ~ Stephen & Saul: Frenemies? appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Guest Teacher: David Pikett. This week we continued our verse-by-verse study in Acts. We discussed how the church should respond to changes and growth. We also looked more closely at the words used to describe Stephen including pairs of terms such as “faith/grace & power” and “wonders & miracles/signs.” “Faith” comes from the Greek word... The post Acts 6:7-15 ~ Stephen: Full of Faith & Power appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we cross-examined the “traditional” interpretation of this passage while we dug into the details of the text. For example, were the 12 apostles really neglecting the Hellenistic widows in the daily distribution of food? Does that make any sense at all? And were the Hellenists actually chosen to be the first deacons? What... The post Acts 6:1-7 ~ Hellenists, Serving Tables & Widows appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we started a new section of Acts where Luke turns our attention away what was going on in the Temple courts to the inevitable challenges of exponential growth and diversity. We evaluated internal evidence that Luke was possibly using a new source(s) for this section including the introduction of previously unused terms which... The post Acts 6:1-7 ~ Organic Growth of the Early Church appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we finished up with Acts chapter 5, and there was much rejoicing! We took a step outside the Christian bubble to look at this section from the angle of the Sanhedrin. We discussed the irony in their refusal to speak the name of Jesus and how Gamaliel’s response to the situation was probably... The post Acts 5:27-42 ~ The Ready Response of Rabban Gamaliel appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week our guest teacher, Craig Bondy, guided the class in a more accurate understanding of the high priesthood in the Old Testament versus that of first century Judea. Building on this, we looked up a number of passages in the Gospels and Acts which refer to the High Priest as either Annas or Caiaphas.... The post Acts 5:21-26 ~ High Priest(s) Annas & Caiaphas appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we retraced our steps in Acts 5:17-24 to more closely examine the second arrest story of the nascent church. We learned that Luke often uses a literary technique—the phrase “they/he rose up”—to emphasize a shift in the story line. We studied the motivation behind the second arrest and learned that it was more... The post Acts 5:17-24 ~ An Angelic Accomplice appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we compared and contrasted the arrest narratives from Acts 4 and Acts 5. Though some scholars have contended the arrest in Acts 5 is a doublet of Acts 4, when examined closely for similarities and differences, it’s clear that the arrests have completely different catalysts, circumstances surrounding the arrest, and final outcomes (see... The post Acts 4-5 ~ Arresting Differences appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week, we finished up the study of Ananias and Sapphira by comparing and contrasting their experience in Acts 5 to the story of Achan in Joshua 7. It seems as though each of these events took place at the beginning of the founding of a faith community. If the stories are indeed parallel, then,... The post Acts 5:11-16 ~ Shadows, Signs & Wonders appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Guest Teacher: Craig Bondy  This week, we continued in the study of the sudden deaths of Ananias and Sapphira. We looked at the similarities and differences of their individual experiences, and we discussed how each one had an opportunity to confess their deception but declined.  The punishment was exceedingly harsh. Why? They were testing to... The post Acts 5:7-10 ~ Ananias & Sapphira, Part Two appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Guest Teacher: Craig Bondy  This week, we studied the early church practice of selling possessions and handing the proceeds over to the apostles. We discussed how Ananias and Sapphira attempted to deceive the Holy Spirit, but their plan backfired in the worst way.  >> Click to read this week’s passage in KJV, CSB, ESV, NIV: Acts... The post Acts 5:1-6 ~ Ananias & Sapphira, Part One appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Guest Teacher: Craig Bondy  This week, we studied the unity of the early church and their willingness to be used by God minister to each other’s needs whether they be spiritual, emotional, relational, and/or physical. We were also introduced to a new character in the history of the early church: Barnabas. We learned that Barnabas... The post Acts 4:32-37 ~ One Heart and Soul appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

As you may or may not remember, I was out of town last Sunday, and due to unforeseen circumstances, the lesson taught by Craig Bondy was not recorded. So, in order to prevent gaps in our studies, my husband and I joined Craig and his wife Linda at their home to record a summary of... The post Acts 4:23-31 ~ Praying for Boldness appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we studied the stern “cease and desist” warning issued by the Sanhedrin to Peter and John following the healing of the lame man. Although they could not deny the fact that the man was healed—and his healing was permanent—in an effort to contain this emerging movement and control the damage that could result... The post Acts 4:14-22 ~ Warning Shot, Pt. 2 (Conclusion) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we practiced exegeting Scripture together as a class. We started with prayer, read the passage, and then began to dig into it one verse at a time. With the use of reference books and a variety of commentaries (see below for list), our study of the passage was enhanced and we walked away... The post Acts 4:13 ~ Uncommonly Bold appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.