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.

What was happening with the number of members of the church in those days?
Who had a complaint? Who were they complaining against? Why?
Who summoned the disciples? How were the disciples described in verse 2?
What did they say they didn’t want to leave doing?
How many men were they supposed to seek out? What characteristics were they looking for?
What were the apostles going to do instead?
Did the church members (disciples) accept this idea?
Name the seven men they chose.
What two things did they do for these seven men?
Then, what three things happened? Where were the disciples multiplied? A great many of what specific group of people were obedient to the faith?
How is Stephen described? What did he do?
From what groups of people were there those who disputed with Stephen?
What were they not able to resist?
What did they secretly induce others to accuse him of?
Who did they stir up? What did they do to Stephen? Where did they bring him?
What did the false witnesses accuse Stephen of saying?
What did Stephen’s face look like then?

Thought Questions

Is your church big or small? What organizational problems do you feel the church faces? Do you think they have done a good job in trying to solve them? What solutions would you propose?
Do you believe everyone in the church should do the same thing, or have different jobs? What role do you think you are best at? Are you fulfilling it? Are some roles better or more important than others?
Is feeding the hungry more important than preaching, or the other way around? Or are they equal?
When your church chooses officers, what requirements do they look for?
Read verse 7 again. What were the results–including some possibly unexpected ones–of this action? Do you think there was a direct correlation? How can you put this example to work in your church?
Why do people dispute with Christ’s followers? Have you seen examples of this personally? Did the words in verse 10 apply in that situation?
What would you do if someone falsely accused you of saying something you didn’t say, or twisted your words?
Why do you think Stephen’s face looked like the face of an angel? Could yours?

My prayer is:
that the Holy Spirit would give power to the people in my church to be able to solve problems of organization in an effective way;
that God would show my my role in the church, and that I would carry it out faithfully and contentedly,
and that I would always reflect Christ even when falsely accused.

Where were the apostles found? What were they doing there?
Who brought them back again? Were they forced violently? Why?
Who were the apostles brought to stand before?
What did they say to them? What were their accusations?
Who did Peter and the others say that they ought to obey?
What did Peter have to say about Jesus this time?
Who are the witnesses Peter mentions in verse 32?
Who does God give the Holy Spirit to?
How did the council react to Peter’s words?
Who was Gamaliel? What did he command?
Who was the first character Gamaliel mentioned? What did he claim? How many followers did he have? What was his end?
Who was the second character? What was his end?
What did Gamaliel advise the council to do with the apostles?
According to Gamaliel’s advice, if the apostles’ plans or work were their own, what would happen to them?
But, if the apostles’ were sent by God, what would happen?
Did the rest of the council agree with Gamaliel? What three things did they do?
How did the apostles feel about this experience?
Did they quit teaching? What did they do, and where?

Thought Questions

What kind of mindset did the priests have to have, to arrest the apostles again right after they had mysteriously and miraculously been released?
How would you respond in that type of situation? What might have given the apostles courage?
Do you think you ought to obey God or men? What if there is a conflict? Under what circumstances, that you might face in your own life, would you be willing to obey God rather than men, regardless of the punishment you might face from men? Can you think of any conflicts between the law of God and the laws of men in your society?
Read verses 30-32 again and list the main points. How does Peter’s short statement encapsulate Christ’s ministry? Would you be able to come up with such a profound, short summary under those circumstances? Where did Peter find the words and the courage? (Again, compare John 18:25-27, from just a few weeks before.)
Read verse 32. Are there some things you need to change, if you want to truly receive the Holy Spirit?
What kind of person do you think Gamaliel was? What do you think of his advice? Do you think he will be saved?
As you think through the history of various religious movements, do you see Gamaliel’s principle applying? Why do you think Christianity and Judaism has survived so many centuries? Is every long-standing religious movement true?
Are there some things in your life that you are fighting against? Are they from God or from human invention, whether your own or others’? Have you applied Gamaliel’s principle to those things?

My prayer is:
that I would have the boldness to go right back to the work God has called me to do regardless of the threats of humans;
that I would have the courage to obey God rather than human law if there is a conflict;
that I would obey, in order to receive the Holy Spirit and His power to stand up under such conflict;
and that I would have the wisdom to apply Gamaliel’s principle to the things in my life that I am fighting against–that is, if they are from humans, to know that they will pass away on their own, but if they are from God, to know that I cannot fight against God.

How were the signs and wonders done among the people?
Where were they assembled?
How did the people feel about the apostles?
Were there very many believers?
What did the sick to to be healed?
Where did a multitude of people come from? Why?
Who was filled with indignation?
What did they do to the apostles?
Who opened the prison doors and let them out?
Where did the angel want the apostles to go? What did he want them to do?
Is that what they did?
Who did the high priest call together in response?
Where did the priests go to look for the prisoners?
What did they discover when they went to the prison?
How did the priests respond to the news?

Thought Questions

What does it mean that “through (by) the hands of the apostles” these miracles were performed? Where did the miracles originate? Why is this important to know, and how can we apply this for God’s work in our lives?
Why didn’t the rest dare to join them? Would you have joined them?
Although “none of the rest dared to join them,” the next verse says that there was a multitude of believers. How do you explain that? (read verse 15) Would you be a believer despite the risks, or just for the healing?
Why did the angel release the apostles? Why does God not always release His people from prison?
Was there a risk in doing what the angel asked them–to go right back under the priests’ noses? Why did they obey anyway?

My prayer is:
to have the willingness to do God’s works through my hands;
to have the boldness to preach Christ wherever He leads me to, despite the risks;
and to know that God will make a way for me to do His works for Him, no matter how impossible the situation may seem, even if He has to send an angel to help.