Bent Oak Church

We are continuing to look at the major themes of Acts. This week we look at Christ's calling to bear witness. The church sent missionaries to the world, but each also took responsibility for bearing witness wherever they were. We look at what it means to be participants in that work today.  

We are concluding our Acts study by looking back at the major themes of the book. This week, we are looking at the prominence of food and meals. The church ate together, and it was at the table that the church grew in unexpected ways. Why do meals together still matter for the church today?

As we wrap up our study of Acts, we are taking a few weeks to look back at the major themes of the book. This week, we look at the prominent work of the Spirit, and why it is significant that the Spirit is not just poured out on leaders or apostles, but on all flesh: young and old, male and female, influential and common people.

Paul finally arrives in Rome. But for all the difficulty in arriving, the final image is humble. Paul does what he has done in nearly every city before. Instead of a dramatic ending, Acts concludes with an image of faithfulness and the promise that nothing can hinder the gospel from going forward.

Shippwrecked on the island of Malta, Paul still faced danger. Bitten by a snake, Paul was again saved by God's power and used it as an opportunity to bear witness to those on the island. Pastor Barry Kinzer walks us through the passage. 

Paul finally set sail for Rome, but it did not take long for him to run into more trouble. This time it was a major storm at sea. Though experienced, the crew was overwhelmed and hopeless, believing there was no chance of survival. But Paul had heard from the. He and all who stayed with the ship would be saved. 

Before Festus and Agrippa, Paul made another defense. But this time, Paul spent the majority of his speech explaining once again how he had encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus and how Jesus had called him to take the gospel to the Gentiles. Paul offers us two ways of looking at life: our own attempts to build the life we want and a submission to the leading and calling of God to follow his plans. 

Paul had been told that he would bear witness before kings and rulers. As Felix was removed from power, Paul found himself transferred to the control of Festus, who was soon joined by Herod Agrippa II. Luke takes a whole chapter to set up the scene, complete with royal robes, processionals, and palaces. We see why that setting mattered to Luke and why it still matters today. 

Held before Governor Felix, Paul once again offered a defense against the Jewish charges. But Felix made no decision. For two years, he held Paul, continuing the conversation. Felix even felt the conviction of Paul's preaching, but he would not decide. By contrast, Paul gives us an image of courage and faithfulness, motivated by his own clear conscience. We look at how courage and conscience are related. 

A plot was discovered to assassinate Paul. But overnight, Paul was moved to Caesarea. His case would be heard by the Judean Governor. Paul must have wondered what God was doing as he found himself locked up in a Roman cell. But his suffering became a path to greater witness. While it's easy to draw conclusions in our own lives, faith teaches us to recognize more of what God might be doing. Who knows what God might be doing in our own loss, struggle, and discouragement?