Who was harassing the church at that time?
Who did he kill? How?
Who did he want to be his next victim? Why?
What festival was taking place?
How many soldiers were in charge of keeping Peter in prison?
When were they going to bring Peter before the people?
What was the church doing for Peter while he was in prison?
On the night before Peter was going to be brought out before the people for judgment, what was he doing?
How many guards were surrounding him?
Who stood by him? What did he do to Peter?
What did the angel tell Peter to do?
What did Peter think of the situation?
How did the iron gate open?
At what point did the angel leave Peter?
Then, what did Peter realize had happened?
Whose house did he go to? What were the people doing there?
Who answered the door?
What did she do when she recognized Peter’s voice?
Did they believe her? What did they think was the explanation?
What was Peter doing during this time?
When he finally got in, what did he tell the people in the house?
Did he stay in the house?
How did Herod react when he found out Peter was freed?
How did the people of Tyre and Sidon try to make up with Herod?
How did they react to Herod’s speech?
Why did the Lord strike down Herod?

Thought Questions

What did the members of the church do in response to Herod’s persecution? Was that enough? Are there times when we should act, and times when we should just pray? Find other examples in the Bible of how God’s people responded to persecution, and the results.
Why did the angel leave Peter alone in the street?
Why did God send an angel to release Peter from prison, whereas He allowed James to be killed with the sword?
The people had been praying earnestly for Peter’s release, but when it actually happened, they didn’t believe it (verse 15-16). Why? What would your response be? Should we be astonished when God answers our prayers, even the ones we think are difficult? Is anything difficult for God?
What was the one thing Peter told them before he left? Why is this important?
Why are humans so awed by other humans? Is there a human that you would be tempted to regard as a god? How can we protect ourselves from being swept away by another human’s awe-inspiring words or actions?
How do you respond when people praise you? What are your weaknesses in this regard? Does the example of Herod give you pause here?

My prayer is:
that I would know when and how to pray to seek God’s strength when faced with trials, and to have faith that He will actually answer those prayers according to His will;
that I would not lose heart, however, when faced with the question of God’s actions;
and that I would continually be reminded to praise God when praised for my words or actions, and not seek glory for myself.

What news did the apostles and brethren in Judea hear?
How did they react toward Peter when he came to Jerusalem?
What was their complaint?
Give a summary of Peter’s recounting of the story to the apostles.
What quote from Christ regarding John the Baptist came to Peter’s mind regarding the situation (vs 16)?
What conclusion did Peter draw from that reasoning?
What was the response of the apostles? What did they say?
After what event were the disciples scattered? Where did they go? Who exactly did they preach to up to this point?
Who spoke to the Hellenists? What city were they in?
What was the result?
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard this news, what did they do?
How did Barnabas react when he arrived in Antioch?
How is Barnabas described?
Who did Barnabas recruit to work with him in Antioch?
How long did Saul and Barnabas work in Antioch? What were these disciples called there?
Where did the prophets come from?
What was the name of one of them? What was his prophecy?
What did the disciples do in response?

Thought Questions

From verse 3, what does it appear that the apostles in Jerusalem had the biggest issue with? Why was this a problem for them? Did they have a good reason for it?
Have you ever had a perfectly logical reason for thinking a certain way, but God overruled it? Why did God overrule Peter’s Jewish way of thinking in this situation?
What can you learn from Peter’s response to their accusation? Would you have explained the situation calmly as he did, or reacted in a defensive, emotional way?
After Peter told the story, how did the apostles react? Did they still have an accusing attitude? Were they still trying to defend their position? What changed?
Why are so many people so unwilling to change their minds? Would you have praised God in this situation, or stuck to your original position?
What is the first word in verse 19? What is the connection of verse 19 and 20 to the rest of the narrative in the chapter? Do you think that there was a connection between Peter’s situation and the fact that the disciples started preaching to the Greeks at that time?
How did the church in Jerusalem react this time when they heard that the Gospel was being preached to the Greeks?
What were the three characteristics of Barnabas? Do they describe you?
What can you learn about how your church can work toward its goals from verses 19-26? What are some key components for church growth found here?
What was the purpose of Agabus’ prophecy?
Could the gift of prophecy spring from a well-established church that is filled with the Holy Spirit and is doing its job of preaching Christ to others? What would be the result?
Does a prophecy do any good if the church doesn’t react accordingly?

My prayer is:
that, like the apostles, I would always be open to God’s working, even when it contradicts my prejudices;
that I would be willing to share Jesus Christ with people that I don’t naturally think would be “His people” (because I might be surprised);
and that I would pray for the Holy Spirit, be willing to work with others, and listen to prophecy as the church in Antioch did, in order to more effectively work for God.

Who was waiting for Peter and the servants in Caesarea? Who else had he called together?
How did Cornelius greet Peter?
How did Peter respond to that?
What did Peter explain to Cornelius, first thing?
What did Peter ask Cornelius?
In his explanation, when was Cornelius visited by the man in bright clothing?
What was Cornelius doing at that time?
What did the man say to Cornelius?
What specifications did the man give to Cornelius regarding how to send for Peter?
What did Cornelius say they were all present for?
What remark did Peter make about God’s character?
What are the qualifications for being accepted by God?
What word did God send to the children of Israel? Through whom might they have peace?
Where was that word proclaimed? Where did it begin? Who preached it there?
Describe Jesus’ anointing. What did He do? Why?
What were they witnesses to? Who killed Jesus? How?
Who raised Him on the third day?
Who was He shown to?
What did Jesus command them to do?
What did the prophets witness? How do people receive remission of sins?
What happened while Peter was still speaking?
Who was astonished at this? Why?
How did they know that the Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit?
What did Peter propose?

Thought Questions

Why was Peter’s arrival such a big occasion for Cornelius? If a preacher was coming to your home to preach the Gospel to you, who would you invite? Or would you invite anyone?
Why did Cornelius fall at Peter’s feet? Whose feet would you be tempted to fall at? Why?
Could God give an angelic vision to someone who was not of your religion? Why?
Are you willing to immediately do what God might ask of you? Would you be willing to search out someone who could explain God to you more fully than your current comprehension?
Do you think Cornelius knew he lacked some knowledge of God? Do you?
Summarize Peter’s sermon in verses 34-43. Who is the Gospel for? What is the Gospel, according to these verses? How did Peter know all this?
How does a person receive the Holy Spirit? Is it just by hearing God’s Word? What is the difference between Acts 10:44 and Acts 7:54?
Is baptism important? Review our discussion of baptism from chapter 8.

My prayer is:
that I would be receptive to any further knowledge of the truth as it is in God’s Word, and would have the desire to share it with others as well;
that God would lead me to an authoritative source of that truth;
and that I would be willing, as well, to share the truth that I know with any fellow humans, without prejudice.

Where did Cornelius live? What was his position?
How is Cornelius described spiritually? What two actions did he do that supported his devotion?
When did he see a vision? Who came in and called him?
How did Cornelius initially feel about the vision? What did he ask?
Why had the angel come to Cornelius?
Who was Cornelius to send for? Where was he staying?
How many people did Cornelius send on his errand?
Meanwhile, as the servants were traveling, who went up to the housetop to pray? When?
How was Peter feeling as he fell into a trance?
What opened to him in vision? What came down?
Describe the animals in the sheet.
What were the instructions to Peter? What was his response?
What did the voice say the second time this happened?
How many times did this happen?
Who arrived at the gate as Peter was contemplating his vision?
Who did they ask for?
Who told Peter that the three men were looking for him?
What else did he tell him to do? Who sent them?
How did Cornelius’ servants explain their errand? What was Peter supposed to do?
How did Peter show hospitality to the guests?

Thought Questions

Can a person be a good person and do good things without a relationship with Christ? Is that enough from life? Even though he gave alms, and even prayed to God, why was Cornelius shown that he must meet Peter and learn more from him?
How would you respond if an angel came into your room and basically told you that you needed to learn more to complete your religion? Would you welcome him and do what he said, or argue that your religion was fine the way it was?
What was the message of Peter’s vision? Considering the context of the chapter, was it about food?
Why do you think God pronounced certain animal foods unclean in Leviticus 11? Was it simply a cultural, ceremonial regulation only for the Jews? (Read Genesis 7:2.) What does science know now about the health of using many of those animals for food? Do you think they were only unhealthy in Old Testament times, and something has changed since then?
What was Peter’s background? (Think about his upbringing as a Jew, his experiences through his discipleship with Jesus, including Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, and then his experience after the Pentecost.) Why would he protest associating with Gentiles?
Why were Jews so prejudiced against everyone else? (Read Deuteronomy 12:20, 30.) Is there a time to mingle with those who don’t follow God, and a time to avoid their influence? How did the Jews take this idea too far, and refuse all contact with them?
How can we, in our own lives, reach out and show love and Christ’s gospel of life to “Gentiles,” while avoiding being influenced by their actions?

My prayer is:
that I would look upon all of God’s children as equally worthy of receiving the gospel of Christ, and not show racial or nationalistic bias;
that, no matter what good works I might do, there is probably still more that I can learn about Christ, and that I would be open to learn from others about how to grow in my relationship with him.

What state were the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria in? What caused them to be multiplied?
Where did Peter make his way to? Who did he find there?
How long had Aeneas been paralyzed?
What words did Peter say to heal him? Who did he say heals him?
What was the result in Lydda and Sharon?
Where did Tabitha live? What was her other name? How was she characterized?
What happened to Tabitha? How did they prepare her body?
Why was it pretty easy for the disciples in Joppa to call for Peter?
What did the widows show Peter when he came to the room where Dorcas was laid?
What two things did Peter do first? What did he say to Tabitha? What happened?
What happened in Joppa when this became known?
Who did Peter stay with in Joppa?

Thought Questions

Go through the description of the churches again in verse 31. What is it about this verse that sets the tone for the rest of the chapter? Does your church fit that description? Which parts more than others?
What was the result of Aeneas’s healing (v. 35)? What idea does that give you about a good way to reach out to people who don’t know Christ?
Who healed Aeneas? Why was Peter careful to tell him that? Although medical work is a great way to reach people, who should physicians give credit to?
What can you learn from Tabitha’s example? Are you doing everything you can to ease the needs of those around you?
Why don’t we experience miraculous healing and raising from the dead in our churches today? Look back over everything we have studied so far in Acts. Did the church then have something your church is missing today? Did it have a special purpose then? Does your church have a special purpose now?
In your opinion, what is the most important result of a person being healed by God? Is it for that person, or that others might see it and believe (verses 35 & 42)?
If someone in our day started healing and raising people from the dead, would you automatically believe that they were from God? How can you be sure? (Read Exodus 7:11.)

My prayer is:
that my church would have peace and be edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they would be multiplied;
that I, like Tabitha, would make it a priority to serve the needs of the poor in any way I can;
and that I would give glory to God for any healing I see or experience.

What was Saul’s attitude toward the disciples of Christ at this time? Who did he go to?
What did Saul ask the high priest for? Where did he want to bring the disciples, bound, to?
What city was Saul approaching? What did he encounter all of a sudden?
What was Saul’s physical reaction to the experience? What did the voice say?
What question did Saul ask? What was the answer?
What was the next question Saul asked? Where was Saul asked to go? What would be told to him there?
What was the reaction of the people Saul was with? What had they observed?
What did Saul see when he got up again?
How did Saul find his way to Damascus?
How long was Saul blind? What else happened during that time?
What was the name of the disciple in Damascus who received a vision from the Lord?
What was his response? What was he told to do?
What did God tell Ananias that Saul was doing at that time?
What did God tell Ananias that Saul saw in a vision?
What was Ananias’ answer to God? What had he heard about Saul?
What did God say, in response, that Saul was?
What did Ananias do? What did he say to Saul?
What fell off of Saul’s eyes? What did he do next?
Who did he stay with while he was in Damascus? What did he do there?
What was the reaction of the people who heard him?
What did the Jews plot to do to him? Where were they watching for him?
What did the disciples do to get him out of the city?
Where did Saul go next? Who did he tried to join? But what was their reaction to him?
Who spoke up for Saul? What did he tell the apostles?
Who did Saul dispute in Jerusalem? What was their reaction to him?
Where did he escape to this time?

Thought Questions

What would be your reaction if you found out that someone like Saul was coming to your town, to bind and drag off all the followers of Christ?
What was Saul’s response to the voice from heaven? What was the response of other Bible characters who received a similar call? Read the following passages: 1 Samuel 3:8-10; Luke 1:11-12, 28-29, and 38; as well as Acts 9:10. How would you be prepared to answer that call?
Why do you think Saul, who was “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord,” was chosen for the job of being a great apostle? Do you think he had any choice? Do you think he had any background which might have softened his heart more that we know? (Read Acts 7:58). What does this tell you about people’s unknown potential, even though the situation might look completely hopeless?
Why do you think Saul was blinded? Do you think it was a kind of punishment, or another reason? (Hint: think about what he was doing and considering during the days he was blind.) Are there times when you could apply a kind of “blindness” (i.e. focus with lack of distractions) to your life?
How many things do you think you must suffer for Christ? Is a life of suffering a requirement for being a Christian? Is pleasure forbidden?
Do you think Ananias was out of line in his response to the Lord (v. 13-14)? Were his objections valid? How would you have responded?
What can we learn from how Ananias spoke to “Brother Saul” in v. 17?
What do you feel about Saul being baptized right away? (See our discussion from last chapter.)
What was the reason for Saul’s immediate change, and ability to preach Christ and confound the unbelievers? Do we all have that potential?
What did Barnabas see that the other Christians in Jerusalem did not? What would it take for you to be like Barnabas in that situation, rather than doubting like the other Christians understandably did?

My prayer is:
to be prepared for whatever call God has for me, even though it might involve completely turning around what I’m doing;
that, if called, I would answer, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” and be willing, with fasting, prayer, and “blindness,” to strive to discern the true will of God for my work;
and that I would be willing to accept that God can convert even my enemies for His work.

Who spoke to Philip? Where did he tell him to go? What was the description of this road?
What did Philip do in response?
Who was returning along that road? What is the description given of him?
What was he reading while in his chariot?
What did the Spirit tell Philip to do?
What did Philip ask the eunuch? What was his answer?
What points were made in the passage that the eunuch was reading?
What was his question about it?
What did Philip preach about to him? Where did he begin?
What did they find along the way? What did the eunuch ask for?
What was Philip’s answer? What was the eunuch’s response?
What happened next? What happened to Philip immediately afterward?
Where was Philip next found? Where did he preach?

Thought Questions

Considering the description of the Jerusalem-Gaza road as desert, would Philip have imagined that anything interesting or useful to his mission would happen there? Why did he go?
Has an angel or the Holy Spirit ever told you to do something? How do you know, or would you know, that it was a spirit from God? Schizophrenics have voices instructing them, too.
In Philip’s case, was the Spirit’s message supposed to benefit Philip himself, or someone else? How does this help answer the previous question?
How is the best way to preach Jesus to someone? Does it depend on the situation? How can we be aware of a person’s readiness to receive a message? Do you believe that all questions can lead to Christ?
How would you interpret the passage from Isaiah (Is. 53:7-8)? How would you use this text to tell someone about Jesus?
What are the qualifications for baptism? (We dealt with the same question earlier in this chapter.) Was Philip too hasty in baptizing people? Why or why not?

My prayer is:
that I would be open and willing to obey the Spirit of God’s leading, despite how unfruitful it sounds like it might be to me;
that I would be prepared and able to preach Christ from any question that might arise from a stranger I might happen to meet;
And that I would consider baptism, if I have not already been baptized as an adult, as the symbol of my commitment to Christ.

Who consented to Stephen’s death?
What happened to the church in Jerusalem at that time? What was the result?
Where were they scattered to? Who stayed behind?
What were some of the things Saul did to the church?
What did the scattered disciples do as they went out to different places?
Where did Philip go?
Did the Samaritans listen to him?
What kind of miracles did Philip do there? What was the result?
What did Simon do? What did he claim?
Who paid attention to him? What did the people say? Why?
Who else did they pay attention to now? Concerning what? What did they do as a result?
Did Simon believe? What did he do? What was he amazed at?
Who learned that the Samaritans had received the Word of God? Who did they send to them?
What did Peter and John do when they arrived?
What kind of baptism had the Samaritans received? What had they not yet received?
What did the apostles do for them to receive the Holy Spirit?
When Simon saw this, what did he offer them? For what?
What was Peter’s response?
Why did Peter say that Simon had “neither part nor portion in this matter”?
What did he suggest Simon do?
What did Peter say that Simon was poisoned and bound by?
What was Simon’s prayer?
After they had testified and preached the Word of the Lord, where did they return to? Where else did they preach?

Thought Questions

Is persecution ever a good thing? What was the fortunate result of the persecution of the church in Jerusalem in this case? Do you think the disciples would have had as much motivation to go to places like Samaria otherwise?
Why do you think Samaria was a logical safe place for an enemy of the Jews to go?
Verse 13 says that Simon believed, although later in the chapter Peter points out that he was “poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” What do you think was really going on inside Simon’s mind? How would you compare your faith to his?
Do you think Philip knew if Simon truly believed the Gospel in his heart? Why did he agree to baptize him, and allow Simon to follow him? What should be the qualification for baptism?
When a group of people receives the Word of God, what next step needs to be done in follow-up? What can we learn from vs. 14-15?
What does it mean to you to receive the Holy Spirit? How is this different from simply being baptized in the name of Jesus?
From verse 19, explain the root of Simon’s sin. Where do you see this principle today, maybe even in your own life?
Was Simon really repentant? What does his request for the disciples’ prayer tell you? Could he have been forgiven?

My prayer is:
that, if facing persecution, my response would be to go out and tell others the wonderful things God has done;
that my desire for accepting the gospel and receiving the Holy Spirit would be motivated by love for the One who loved me, not for personal power;
and that my repentance for sin would truly be motivated by sorrow for rebelling against the One who loved me, not for avoidance of consequences.

What did Moses say God would raise up?
What does verse 38 say this Prophet’s roles with Moses and the wilderness congregation were?
How did their fathers react to him? What did they want to do?
Whose works did they rejoice in then?
What did God do with the people as a result?
What did their fathers have with them in the wilderness? Whose pattern was it built according to?
What events took place between the time of Moses and David? (vs. 45)
What did David want to do for God? Who ended up doing that?
Where does God dwell?
Why does Stephen, at this point, call his audience “stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears”? What have they always done?
How many of the prophets did their forefathers kill? Who else did they kill?
Who did they receive the Law from? Did they keep it?
How did Stephen’s audience react to his sermon?
How did Stephen respond? Why?
Where did Stephen see the Son of Man?
What did the council do to him at this point? Where did they take him?
Who was watching the witnesses’ clothes?
What was the last thing Stephen said?
How does it describe his death?

Thought Questions

Does this half of the sermon give you more insight into why the council who was listening to Stephen reacted they way they did? Was Stephen saying anything untrue? Do you think he was out of line to be that bold? What would you have done in his situation, knowing the murderous potential of the people who had just killed his Master, Christ?
Summarize the story of the children of Israel as Stephen states it, from the time of receiving the Law until Solomon built the temple. How does this compare with human nature as you see it around you? How about you–in your heart, would you rather humbly submit to God’s Law and worship as He commands, or worship the creation of your own hands?
What does “stiff-necked” mean? What does “uncircumcised in heart and ears” mean? What was circumcision intended to symbolize?
Do you think the council understood exactly what Stephen was telling them? What does it mean that they were “cut to the heart”? Has there been a time when you simply heard the words of the Bible, and were cut to the heart, but felt more like responding as the council did, rather than humbling yourself and admitting wrongdoing? How did you end up reacting?
This is where Saul (Paul, to the Gentiles) comes into the story. How is this tiny mention of him significant? (read also 8:1) What does it tell you about him? How do you think he reacted to the sermon at that time? How about later, as he possibly reflected on it further?
Do you think Stephen will be surprised to see Saul in heaven–and even more so, to hear of the work he did in establishing the church? Has there been a time when you have shared Christ with someone and felt like it had fallen on deaf ears, maybe even with disastrous results? What does this tell you about “planting seeds”?
What do you think a martyr’s death is like to them? From the description in vs. 55-60, does it sound like Stephen was suffering, or rejoicing? Does this give you strength in case something like this might ever have to happen to you?

My prayer is:
that I would have the boldness, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to speak the truth despite the consequences, with faith that hearts can eventually be changed without my knowledge;
that I would be “cut to the heart” by God’s words, but not “stiff-necked” or “uncircumcised in heart and ears,” but rather would be humbled and receptive to the Holy Spirit;
and not to fear death by martyrdom, rather, to know that the glory and comfort of Christ would be with me in any emergency.

What did the high priest ask? What things? (from chapter 6)
Where did Stephen begin his story?
Where did the God of glory appear to Abraham?
What did God tell Abraham to do?
What places did Abraham live in?
What inheritance did God give Abraham? What about his children?
What was destined to become of his ancestors?
What covenant did God give Abraham? Who were the first few generations after him?
Summarize Joseph’s story.
Where did Jacob die? Where was he buried?
What happened near the time when God’s promise for deliverance drew near?
Which character was born next? Summarize his story.
Who did Moses kill? Why? What was the reaction of his fellow Hebrews?
Where did Moses flee to? What did he find there? How long was he there?
What did God say to Moses? How did he respond?
What irony does Stephen point out in verse 35?

Thought Questions

Why do you think Stephen was telling the priests this story? Don’t you think they were already quite familiar with it?
Do you think it is important to study and understand what God is trying to say through the historical record in the Old Testament? All of it, or just parts of it?
Read Acts 6:11-14 again. What are the charges that these particular people were blaming Stephen with? How does the telling of this story answer the high priest’s question in verse 1, “Are these things so?”
Is there a certain spiritual theme that Stephen emphasizes in his retelling of the story of the patriarchs?
What are some ways Stephen points out the faith that the patriarchs had in unseen things?
What are some ways Stephen points out the difficulties and oppression the patriarchs faced due to their actions of faith?
Read verse 35 again. Why is this an important statement for what Stephen was trying to get across? What are some similarities between Moses and Christ?

My prayer is:
that I would better understand Christ’s work as recorded in the New Testament by knowing how He worked during the times of the Old Testament;
that, like the Patriarchs, I would have faith in unseen things,
and that, like the Patriarchs, I would receive God’s strength to overcome difficulties, even persecutions, as a result of that faith.