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Acts Chapter 28

Deborah Akins 

WOW Lesson 22

April 29, 2026

The Five P’s: Navigating the Wild Ride of Faith

I. Introduction: The Wild Ride

• The Acts Thriller: Acknowledging the "action-packed" nature of the book (riots, jailbreaks, shipwrecks).
• The Global Impact: The Gospel reaching the Gentiles and changing the world.
• The Framework: Introducing the four P’s as a way to categorize the book.

II. People

• The Cast of Acts:
   
  • Leaders: Peter, Stephen, Barnabas, Ethiopian Eunuch, Publius, Paul.
  • Officials: Felix, Festus, Agrippa, Cornelius.
  • Laypeople: Lydia, Tabitha, Paul’s nephew, Apollos, Aquila, Timothy, Natives of Malta.
• Life Review: Recognizing that God uses, appoints, and assigns people in our own lives to encourage, challenge, or test us.

III. Places & Plans

• Places: From Jerusalem to Samaria; to Rome by land and sea.
• Plans:
  • The Father’s plan: Sending the Holy Spirit.
  • Plans to execute Peter or Saul’s plan to wipe out "The Way."

IV. Problems

• The Formula: People + Places + Plans = Problems.
• Transition: Acts as a book of transitions (Jesus to Apostles; Old Covenant to New Covenant).
• Problems: Neglect of widows, prejudice, shipwrecks, and snake bites.
• Personal Transitions: From home to independence, singleness, marriage, widowhood, aging, and career changes.
• The Pivot: Have we "kicked against the pricks" or listened and cooperated like Cornelius?

V. The Malta Ministry: (Acts 28:1-11)

• Survival at Malta: 276 people making it to shore (even the non-swimmers).
• The Snake: Paul shaking off the viper and the natives’ changing perspectives.
• The Healing of the Leader’s Father: Healing the leader’s father.
• Focus: "Set your mind on His purposes, not the persecutor" (Keen) (and not the problem).

VI.  Providence (Acts 28:12-16)

• The South Wind: Learning to rely on God’s hand rather than deceptive "south winds."
• The Arrival in Rome: Meeting the believers at Appii Forum; Paul taking courage.
• The Hallelujah Moment: Paul in his own rented house, guarded but free to preach.

VII. The Bonus P

• The Jewish Leaders in Rome (vv. 17-29): Paul’s final appeal and the warning from Isaiah 6.
• Two Types of Peace:
  • Peace WITH God: Repenting of self-righteousness; submitting to Christ’s blood (Romans 10:3).
  • Peace OF God: Cooperating with the People, Places, Plans, and Problems God allows.
• The Surgical Consult Analogy: The absurdity of "running the show" during God's spiritual surgery.
• Final Call: It is God’s providential plans that bring us to Peace.

VIII. Closing Prayer

Notes:

The law and the prophets speak of the Messiah’s coming

Genesis 3:15; 26:4

Psalm 2:6-12; 40:6-8; 110:1-4

2 Samuel 7:12,13

Job 19:25

Jeremiah 23:5-6; 33:14-17

Ezekiel 17:22-23

Isaiah 4:2; 7:14; 9:6-7; 11:1-5; 53:10-12

The Hope of Israel — “More than a resurrection, it meant fulfillment of the Old Testament promises to Israel. Paul firmly believed Jesus is the Messiah of Israel who will return someday and establish Himself as the King of Israel and Lord of the nations” (Walvoord & Zuck).

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Lecture Notes-Acts 27; Lesson #21

Kelly Keen 4/22/26

DIVINE DETOUR

Main Truth: The sovereignty of God is the believer’s anchor in the storms of life.

1. DELAYED SAILING: Paul’s commitment is anchored in God’s plan.  Acts 27:1-13

Principle: God’s purposes and plans cannot be thwarted by the failures of man.

2. DEADLY STORM: Paul’s courage is anchored in God’s promise.  Acts 27:14-26

Principle: God uses the storms in our lives to teach us to rely on His promises and encourage others to do the same.

3. DEVASTATING SHIPWRECK: Paul’s confidence is anchored in God’s providence.  Acts 27:27-44

Principle: God providentially carries us through all the storms of life and brings us safely to our final destination. 

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Amy Anthony

April 15, 2026, Lesson 20

WOW Acts 25:13-26:32

Before Gentiles, Kings, and the Children of Israel

1. RECAP: Chapter 25 opens with Paul in chains in Caesarea  (25:1-12) 
   1. Felix is out, Festus is in. 
   2. The Jews want Paul brought to them 
      1. “It is not likely that the new governor knew anything about the original plot or even suspected that the Jewish leaders were out for blood. Since a Roman court could meet in Jerusalem as well as in Caesarea, transferring Paul would be a normal procedure. Festus would probably not demand a large retinue go with him, so an ambush would be easy. Finally, since it was a matter involving a Jewish prisoner and the Jewish law, the logical place to meet would be Jerusalem.” Warren Wiersbe
   3. Festus says no, you come to me 
   4. Paul appeals to Caesar 
2. The neighbors, King Agrippa II and Bernice, stop by to say “hi” (25:13-27) 
   1. Festus shares his dilemma 
   2. Herod jumps at the chance to hear Paul’s case 
   3. *Side note-”Herod Roundup” 
   4. Festus has no charges against Paul 
3. Paul before he met Jesus (26:1-11) 
   1. Paul shares about his early life as a Pharisee-he’s Jewish to the core, and God’s promises were the source of his hope. 
   2. “This hope was the hope that God would keep the promise which He made to the fathers of the nation long ago; it was this hope which gave life and meaning and purpose to the ordinances of divine worship, faithfully maintained by the twelve tribes of Israel generation after generation, especially to the unceasing services of morning and evening sacrifice and prayer. It was the hope that God would one day come down to deliver His people as He had done when they were slaves in Egypt, that HE would raise up for them “a horn of salvation…in the house of His servant David, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old.” F.F. Bruce 
   3. “It was because of his Jewish heritage, not in spite of it, that he believed and preached what he did. The Jewish hope finds fulfillment in the Christian gospel. It was, therefore, ironic that the Jews, of all people, should have charged him with disloyalty.” Dr. Thomas Constable 
4. Paul’s conversion experience (26:12-18) 
   1. Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus 
   2. He was on the road to do one job, but left with another-to go to the Gentiles and open their eyes. 
5. Paul after he met Jesus (26:19-23) 
   1. Obeying and proclaiming 
   2. The REAL reason the Jews wanted to kill him 
6. Agrippa after Paul (26:20-32) 
   1. Not persuaded to faith, but persuaded of Paul’s innocence.

Frank Robinson, a successful Major League Baseball player famously said, “Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” Agrippa was soooo close to being persuaded, to accepting the truth of who Jesus was, that he even makes a joke about it. But it’s no laughing matter. If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, let today be the day that changes. Please, if you don’t know Jesus, but you want to know more, we’d love to talk with you.

If you DO know Jesus as your Savior, maybe it’s time to make sure your faith doesn’t look like that faith of the Herods. Don’t be Christian-ish. If your life was the only Bible a non-believer read, what would they learn about your Jesus? And whatever conviction just struck you when I asked that? That’s your application. 

Perception might be reality for the person...“For the rest of the notes
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Stephen Davey 

WOW April 8th 2026

Topic: “Stump the Pastor” Question and Answer session with Stephen Davey

Below are synopses of the spontaneous questions that were asked, with the approximate time on the recording that each question was answered by Pastor Davey:

1. (7:40) What does the bible say about cremation?
2. (13:45) How and when did Jewish Christians learn that animal sacrifices were not required?
3. (21:51) What happens to a child who dies without an understanding of the gospel or before professing faith?
4. (33:15) Explain free will. Does free will give us the choice to believe or not? Does the Lord take over my mind to say yes to him?
5. (39:15) How to handle musical groups and people who are Apostates?
6. (43:15) In 1Corinthians 6:9-10 regarding adultery, homosexuality, fornication.  What is the statement mean you will not inherit the kingdom of God.  Does does the kingdom mean?
7. (46:25) What significance is there in changing the reference from Christ Jesus to Jesus Christ?
8. (51:44) When we ask other to pray for us do their prayer outweigh our prayers?
9. (56:09) Praying thy will be done?
10. (57:42) Ask what every you want and you will receive it if you believe it? 
11. (1:00:55) Can you explain the reason and spiritual significance of this portion of scripture in Mathew 27:52-53 where these resurrected saints went into Jerusalem?
12. (1:03:02) When Lazarus was raised from the dead wouldn’t it have been disappointing to Lazarus?

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WOW April 1, 2026  Terri Brady  Acts 23

1. 23:1-10 Paul is struck in front of the Jewish Council, then pulled out of the mayhem and jailed by Roman Commander.
   • Principle: Sometimes what feels like prison is truly His protection.
   • Application: Where are we looking at something as prison, but could be trusting the Lord for His protection? He could be either saving you from something or saving you for something.
2. 23:11-22 Inside jail: Jesus visits Paul and tells his future. Outside jail: A conspiracy to kill Paul is thwarted by commander.
   • Principle: Jesus still talks to His followers today. – His Word.
   • Application:  What Bible verses could you keep close at hand, for when you need to hear His voice in the midst of the mayhem?
3. 23:23-34 The commander takes Paul with escort to Governor Felix who says he will deal with the matter when Paul’s accusers arrive.
   • Principle: Kings – even unbelieving ones – are in the hands of God. They don’t have to believe in Him to be used by Him.
   • Application:  Where are WE limiting our thinking as if God only moves the hearts of believers?

Timeline of the Apostle Paul

Early Life and Education

• c. 6 AD: Born as Saul in Tarsus, Cilicia (modern-day Turkey). He was born a Roman citizen to Jewish parents.
• c. 20–30 AD: Educated as a Pharisee in Jerusalem under the prominent teacher Gamaliel (Acts 22:3).
• c. 33–34 AD: Present at the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7:58), where he approved of the execution. Shortly after, he began persecuting Christians (Acts 8), causing "havoc of the church".

Conversion and Early Ministry

• c. 34 AD: Converted on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) following a divine encounter with Jesus Christ.
• c. 34–37 AD: Spends time in Damascus and Arabia receiving revelations (Acts 9).
• c. 37 AD: First visit to Jerusalem post-conversion (Acts 9); meets Peter and James. He later escapes a plot on his life and returns to Tarsus.
• c. 43–44 AD: (Acts 11) Barnabas brings Paul to Antioch, Syria, where they minister for one year. It is here that believers are first called "Christians".
• c. 45 AD: Paul and Barnabas deliver famine relief to the Jerusalem church. (Acts 11)

The Missionary Journeys

• c. 46–48 AD (First Journey: Acts 13-14): Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark preach in Cyprus and southern Galatia. Paul survives a stoning in Lystra and appoints elders in new churches before returning to Antioch.
• c. 49 AD: Attends the Council of Jerusalem to address whether Gentile converts must follow Jewish law. The council decides they are not required to follow the Mosaic Law.
• c. 49–52 AD (Second Journey: Acts 15:36-18:22): Travels with Silas through Syria, Cilicia, and Galatia. Timothy joins in Lystra. Paul settles in Corinth for 18 months and writes 1 & 2 Thessalonians.
   
  • c. 50 AD writes Galatians likely from either Antioch or Corinth to address the issue of Judaizers during that second journey.
• c. 52–55 AD (Third Journey: Acts 18:23 – 21:16): Spends two years in Ephesus, writing 1 Corinthians (and possibly 2 Corinthians). He later writes Romans from Corinth.

Imprisonment and Later Years

• c. 57–59 AD: Arrested in Jerusalem after a temple riot. He is imprisoned in Caesarea for two years under Felix and Festus.(Acts 22 – 26)
• .c. 59–60 AD: Appeals to Caesar, travels to Rome, surviving a shipwreck en route. (Acts 27-28)
• c. 60–62 AD: Under...“For the rest of the notes
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LECTURE: Acts 18:23-19:41          Kelly Keen 3/11/26

VICTORY IN EPHESUS!

The enduring and powerful Word of God cannot be defeated!

1. Completes our faith: Acts 18:23-19:7

Truth #1- The Word of the Lord brings our faith to a glorious finish.

1. Conquers the darkness: Acts 19:8-20

Truth #2-The Word of the Lord conquers the strongholds in our lives.

1. Crushes idolatry: Acts 19:21-41

Truth #3- Idols lose their power when the Word of God is given its rightful place in our hearts.

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Heather Johnson

WOW Bible Study

Paul Shares Jesus.  Will You?

March 4th, 2026

1. Teachable Thessalonians (Acts 17:1-9)

(Philippians 4:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 2:18)

• We need to reason, explain and show evidence of the gospel when sharing our faith.
• Be a red carpet and not a roadblock in someone’s faith journey.

When you share your faith, do you tend to reason patiently or rush the conversation?

1. Bible Believing Bereans (Acts 17:10-15)

(1 Thessalonians 5:19-22)

• Be like the Bereans and examine the scriptures for yourself.
• Test what you are taught.

What practical step could you take to study Scripture more intentionally?

1. Always Anticipating and Awaiting a new God Athenians (Acts 17:16-34)

(Psalm 139:7; Romans 2:4; Romans 1:18-25)

• Our citizenship this side of Heaven doesn’t matter in eternity.
• God is always near and in control…even in the chaos.
• We should remove idols from our hearts, not just our cities.

Who in your life thinks very differently from you? How can you relate to them without compromising truth?

1. Conflicted Corinthians to Anchor of Antioch (Acts 18:1-23)

(2 Corinthians 11:9; Matthew 28:19-20; Numbers 6; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23; Galatians 6:9)

• We are responsible to share the gospel, but not responsible for the response.
• Faith requires our obedience despite our circumstances.
• We need to hold our life with an open palm rather than a clinched fist saying, “If the Lord wills….”

Reflection Questions:

Am I willing to learn about other cultures for the gospel?

Am I willing to adapt my approach for the gospel?

Am I willing to trust God with the results?

Do Something  By Matthew West...for lyrics email WOW@Shepherds

Other song recommendations:

Who Else by Abbie Gamboa and Gateway Worship

I Thank God by Housefires, Maverick City Music

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 Women of Wisdom Bible Study

February 25, 2026

Acts 15.36 – 16.40 Early Days of Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey

1.Setting out: A really tough decision – to take John Mark or to leave him behind 

(15.36-40; cf. 13.5, 13)

2.The initial stage: ministering to churches in SYRIA & CILICIA 

(15.41; cf Ac 9.26 – 30; Gal 1.21-23)

3.Ministering to the Galatian churches established on the 1st Missionary Journey

(16.1-5)

a.At Lystra, young Timothy is recruited [cf. John Mark on MJ1] (16.1-3)

b.Through the churches delivering “the decree” [cf. 15.22-29] (16.4-5)

4. Not to the north, but rather to Macedonia/Europe [ cf. 1 Pet 1] (16.6-10)

5.By ship to Neapolis, and then to Philippi, “the chief city of that part of Macedonia, a colony”

(16.11-40)

a.On the sabbath, to Lydia by the riverside (16.11-15)

b.A slave girl delivered and a jailer converted (16.16-40)

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1. Conflict over Circumcision (Acts 15:1-5)
   1. The main thing stayed the main thing.
   2. Who?
      1. “Certain men”(15:1) but Galatians 2:4 in parallel account calls them “false brothers”
      2.  “Circumcision party” (not an event, a type of people)
   3. What?
      1. Disagreement over Circumcision – they argued that it needed to be done in order to be a believer.
   4. Where?
      1. Still in Antioch
      2. Then they go up the mountain to Jerusalem
   5. When?
      1. After those Jews tried to stone Paul, now the fellow believers are in disagreement too.

Principles

• It’s easy to get steeped in traditions and lose sight of Truth.
• It’s easy to get surrounded by the World and lose sight of the Word.
• “Legalism will always lead to more legalism”- Chris Brady

Applications: Is there anywhere in my life where tradition has eclipsed Truth?

1. Council in Jerusalem (Acts 15:6 – 29)
   • Who? “apostles and elders”
   • What?
     • A meeting
     • Topics:
       • “…and they reported all things that God had done with them.” (Acts 1:4)
       • Circumcision debate
         • Not as in “Should we put the new guy through what we went through?”
         • But, “Don’t they HAVE to be circumcised to be saved?
     • Where?
       • “up” in Jerusalem
     • Why?
     • To become in agreement on a serious matter: “What must one do to be saved?”

Peter:

• God already acknowledged Gentiles with the Holy Spirit, who are we to add a requirement to that to test God?(15:10)
• The Law was a yoke we couldn’t bear. [There’s a new yoke we need to attach. Matt 11:28-30]

 Every sincere Christian is struggling for balance between these two extremes: license and pseudo-legalism; liberty and responsibility. – Stephen Davey

James:

• Four requests of James:
  • Abstain from things contaminated by idols.
  • Abstain from fornication.
  • Abstain from what is strangled.
  • Abstain from blood.
• Why rules?? I thought the point was grace??
• Charles Swindoll: Wishing to avoid needless and often unintentional offense, James wanted to remind the Gentile Christians to love their Jewish brothers and sisters by voluntarily restricting their liberty in these kinds of practices.  “Don’t flaunt your freedom,” James was saying. Restricting one’s liberty is a burden – but limiting our freedom for the sake of others shows maturity. Harmony in the body of Christ often depends on our willingness to forego a privilege. This is not capitulating to legalism, it is a sign of maturity and love.

1 Corinthians 7:23 LSB, Gal 2:20-21

• You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men

Principle: Reading God’s Word leads us to God’s advice.

• We are saved by faith alone – that’s what Peter is saying.
• God’s Word says Gentiles will be saved – that’s what James is saying.

Applications:

• Would I know the Word enough to answer biblically if confronted?
• Do I look at people who ask questions as “enemies” or as “slaves under the wrong yoke”?

1. Continuing the Message (Acts 15:30-35): The men continue to preach, keeping the main thing the main thing.

Titus 1:13-14 LSB

This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, [14] not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.

Principles:

• Know the Word, Show the Word and Go with the Word.
• Grace...For the rest of the notes email WOW@Shepherds