Christian Religious Studies (CRS) Lesson Notes JSS3 Second Term
Lesson Note on Christian Religious Studies (CRS) JSS3 Second Term – Edudelight.com
SCHEME OF WORK JSS 3 SECOND TERM
PAUL’S EARLY LIFE AND HIS CONVERSION
1. Paul’s Nativity and Education
2. Paul’s Persecution of the Early Church
The Conversion of Paul
Exercises
THE MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES OF PAUL
3. Paul’s First Missionary Journey
4. The Church Council at Jerusalem
5. Paul’s Third Missionary Journey
Exercises
SOME OF PAUL’S TEACHING
6. Paul’s Teaching on: The Dignity of Labour
7. Paul’s Teaching on Obedience to Constituted Authority
8. Paul’s Teaching on Love
Exercise
PAUL AND HIS TRIALS
9. Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem and His Arrest
10. Paul Before the Jewish Council (Sanhedrin) and the Plot to Kill Him
11. Paul Before Roman Governors
Exercise
WEEK 1
PAUL’S NATIVITY AND EDUCATION
Paul was born in Tarsus in Cilicia to a Jewish Family. Tarsus in the city of Cecilia is in Asia Minor, which is present day Turkey. He was brought up in Jerusalem by a Greek teach called Gamaliel. Paul was a Jew and at the same time a Roman citizen. His father purchased Roman citizenship. This citizenship allowed one to have access to certain right. For example, anyone with Roman citizenship could not be molested or flogged when arrested.
Paul was a Jew by birth, but Roman by citizenship. Therefore he had two names, Jewish name called Saul and the Roman name known as Paul. He spoke Hebrew language fluently and also spoke Greek language fluently. As at that time, Greek language was widely used to communicate in Aramaic.
The family of Paul was a disciplined Jewish family who obeyed the rules and regulations of the Jewish religious laws. They trained their children in the way of the Lord. Paul learnt obedience and discipline as he was growing up and lived a disciplined and obedient life.
Paul’s father was a Pharisee of the Pharisees’ party. The Pharisees were member of one of the religious groups among the Jews who observed the laws of religious very strictly so that people could see them, but they did not practice the spirit of the religion. Therefore, they were described as hypocrites or self righteous people. Paul was trained to become a Pharisee. Paul confirmed this himself, he said: “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisee”. At the age of twelve, Paul went to the synagogue school and spent a year there. He was taught about the history and religion of Israel and also taught how to read in Hebrew. At the end of the course, he attended a special synagogue ceremony and wore a Cap and Talith which is prayer shawl and read the scripture. This graduation conferred on him the title of the son of the law and became a full member of the synagogue.
Paul later went to Jerusalem to further his studies. He studies the Jewish religion and law under the great Greek teacher called Gamaliel. Paul referred to this himself during his defense, he said: “I was brought up in this city (Jerusalem) at the feet of Gamaliet, educated according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being Zealous for God as you all this day”.
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WEEK 2
Paul’s Persecution of the Early Church (Acts 7:57-58; 8:1-3; 9:1-2)
After the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the apostles were spreading the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit was at work. Many Jews were converted to Christianity and the church kept on increasing.
Paul was among the Jews who did not believe that Jesus was the messiah. They did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They believed that God would send the messiah to them and save them. They saw that the Gospel Message about the resurrection of Jesus Christ was dangerous and must be stopped.
These people believed that what the Christians were doing was not right in the sight of God and that God would back them up for punishing them. It was some of these Jews who arrested Stephen and stoned him to death.
When Stephen was being stoned, Paul was present. The Bible referred to him as young man whose feet the witness laid down their clothes. That is, Paul was the ring leader of the mob. Paul’s plan was to eradicate Christianity and therefore consented to Stephen’s death. He himself said: “I persecuted this way (Christianity) to death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the council of elders bear me witness”. (Acts 22:4)
The death of Stephen resulted to mass persecution of Christians in Jerusalem and Paul was among the great persecutors of the disciples of Jesus Christ. He imprisoned many of them. He went to the high priest and took letter of permission to arrest those Christians who had fled from Jerusalem to Damascus and bring them in chain to Jerusalem for trial.
The Significance of Paul’s Early Life: Paul succeeded as a young man because of his attitude of obedience, discipline and hardworking. This helped him to succeed in his studies to graduate with a good grade.
Paul also took his religion very seriously. He was a devoted Jew who faithfully defended his religion by attacking those who he thought opposed it.
ASSIGNMENT
State Paul’s former name, nationality and religion
The Conversion of Paul (Acts 9:1-19)
Conversion simply means changing from one religion to another Paul was converted from his religion, Judaism (the Jewish religion) to Christianity when he encountered Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. Paul persecuted the Christians in Jerusalem and later heard that many of them had run to Damascus, in Syria. He also got the information that the Christians had made converts, established churches had made converts, established churches and got settled down. Paul was sad at the development because his purpose was to eradicate Christianity.
He therefore went to the high priest and took letters of permission to arrest Christians in Damascus and bring them bound to Jerusalem for punishment. The high priest supported the idea and gave Paul a letter of introduction to the synagogue in Damascus.
Paul and some of his colleagues left Damascus the following day to execute his plan against Christians. As he w as about to get to the city of Damascus in the afternoon, something strange happened to him that was to transform his entire life.
As Paul was riding on his horse, a bright light from haven shinned on him and got him blinded. When this happened, he fell on the ground and heard the voice of Jesus Christ that said: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” then Paul looked up and asked: Who are you, Lord?”And the voice answered” I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”. Jesus Christ asked Paul to enter the city of Damascus and that Paul would be told what to do.
Those people travelling with Paul were silent and became afraid because they heard the voice speaking, but did not see anybody. When Paul rose up from the ground, he could not see anything because the light from heaven had blinded him. He was led by his companion into the city of Damascus; he stayed in the city for three days without food and water.
There was one of the Christians who lived in Damascus called Ananias. The Lord appeared to him and said to him: “Rise and go to the street called straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul: for behold, he is praying, and he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias said: “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to thy saints in Jerusalem, and here he has authority form the Chief priests to bind all those who call upon thy name.” but the Lord replied him: “Go for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel: for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
Ananias left for the house of Judas and saw Saul. He laid his hands upon him and said: “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit”. Immediately after this, something like a scales fell from his eyes and Saul regained his sight. Then he got and was baptized, and when he ate, he strengthened. Saul then became a Christians and preached his first message in the city of Damascus.
The Significance of Paul’s Conversion: when Paul met with Jesus and was filled with the Holy Spirit, his life was transformed. He did not persecute the Christians any longer. Rather, he committed the rest of his life to Christian service. Through him, many people were converted to Christianity. The most interesting thing is that the chief persecutor of the church became one of the greatest shepherds of the church he formerly persecuted and defended it to the point of death.
Paul’s call and how he worked tirelessly in the vineyard of God brings to mind the call and work of great people of old like Abraham, Moses, David, Samuel, the apostles of Jesus and those committed and dedicated Christians of today.
Their work proofs their faithfulness and trust in the living God.
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WEEK 3
Paul’s First Missionary Journey (Acts 13 and 14)
Shortly after Paul encountered Jesus and was converted to Christianity, he started preaching the Gospel in Damascus and confirming that Jesus Christ was the son of God. The Jews who were in Damascus was not happy that Paul had joined the Christians and was preaching that Jesus was the son of God. They planned to kill him, but some Christians in Damascus put him in a basket in the night and let him down over the walls of Damascus and he escaped to Jerusalem.
When he got to Jerusalem, he wanted to mix the Christians but they were afraid of him. Then Barnabas went to the people and explained to them how Paul met Jesus and was converted on the road to Damascus. When some Jews later saw that Paul was preaching about Jesus Christ, they attempted to kill him. Se this, the Jerusalem church took Paul to Caesarea and from there to Tarsus where he was born. After he had spent two years there, Barnabas brought him down from Tarsus to Antioch in Syria.
It was while Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch that one of the prophets from Jerusalem named Agabus came to Antioch. Through the Holy Spirit, Agabus prophesied that there would be a famine all over the world. This prophecy came to pass during the reign of the Emperor Claudius. The Christians in Antioch raised money among them and sent it down through Paul and Barnabas to the church in Jerusalem and Judea.
After the return of Paul and Barnabas from Jerusalem to Antioch, certain teachers of God’s word and prophets of the church in Antioch gathered together and were engaging in fasting and the work of ministry. They were Barnabas, Simeon, who was caller Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen and Paul. The Holy Spirit spoke to them to: ‘set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work which I have called them’.
When the apostles had prayed and fasted, they laid hands on Paul and Barnabas and sent them forth. After this, Paul and Barnabas embark on their first missionary journey. The place they went to were Paphos, Perga in Pamphilia, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe.
ASSIGNMENT
Why is Paul having two names and two citizenship
PAUL AND PAPHOS (ACTS 13:6-12)
From Seleucia, Paul and Barabbas sailed to the town called salamis which is on the island of Cyprus. They brought John Mark along with them as their assistant. They went to many towns on the island and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people. They later came to Paphos and met the ruler of the island named Sergius Paulus. They preached to the ruler about Jesus, but a certain man who was a Jewish sorcerer and a false prophet tried to discourage the ruler so that he would not listen and be saved.
Bar-Jesus thought he would not be reckoned with anymore if the ruler should be converted to Christianity. This made Bar-Jesus to speak against the apostles’ preaching. Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit looked intently at him and said: “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time”.
Immediately Paul declared these words, Elymas could not see again and began to look for somebody to lead him by the hand. When the ruler, Sergius Paulus, saw what had happened, he believed the Gospel message of Paul about Jesus Christ and he was converted to Christianity.
Paul in Perga in Pamphilia (Acts 13:13)
After Paul and his companions planted the church in Paphos, they sailed to the mainland and arrived at Perga in Pamphilia. When they reached there, John, Mark left them and wet back to Jerusalem.
Paul in Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:14-52)
Paul and Barnabas left Perga in Pamphilia and came to Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath day, they went to the Jewish synagogue. After the scriptures were read, Paul was called upon to preach to the people. Paul spoke to them about the history of the people of Israel right from the time they were enslaved in the land of Egypt and got delivered through Moses. He told them how the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years and how they were led by Joshua to conquer the land of Canaan.
After they settled down Canaan, the people were ruled through Judges until the time of Prophet Samuel. When they demanded for a King and God gave them Saul as their first King. God then removed Saul and enthroned David as the next king of Israel. Paul continued by telling them that from the descendants of David, God had been ginning them a Saviour as he had promised and that the Saviour was Jesus Christ.
Jesus was condemned to death and crucified but was raised from the dead by God. Paul quoted from the book of psalm 16:35 to establish the resurrection of Jesus Christ: “thou will not let thy holy one see corruption”.
Paul further said that forgiveness of sins was given through Jesus Christ and by him those who believed was freed from the bondage of the Law of Moses. Paul also told them the consequences of not accepting the message of salvation.
When Paul finished speaking, the congregation liked his preaching so much that they demanded that he should repeat it on the following Sabbath. On the following Sabbath, when the Jews saw that many people came to listen to Paul, they were filled with envy and began to contradict and blaspheme. They opposed the things spoken by Paul. Some people supported Paul and other rejected his message. Paul was able to convert both the Jews and Gentiles. Later, there was riot, and then Paul and Barnabas fled to Iconium.
Paul in Iconium (Acts 14:1-7)
When Paul and Barnabs got to Iconium, they went to the Jewish synagogue on the same day and preached. Many people in the congregation accepted their message and as a result many Jews and Gentiles believed in the Gospel message and they were delivered. Meanwhile some Jews did not believe their message and poisoned the minds of some the gentiles against Paul and Barnabas. The apostles stayed there for a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, performing sings and wonders among the people. Later, a violent attempt was made by both the gentiles and Jews, with their ruler to persecute them, when they became aware of it; they fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia.
Paul in Lystra (Acts 14:8-20)
Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel of Jesus to the people of Lystra on a certain day, as they were preaching; there was a certain man who was crippled from him mother’s womb who had never walked. The man listened attentively to Paul as he was preaching the word of God voice: “stand up straight on your feet”. When the people saw what had happened, they said their gods had visited them in the form of human beings and healed the crippled man. They shouted in Lycaonian language: “The gods come down to us in the likeness of men”. They called Barnabas, Zeus (or Jupiter). They called Paul, Hermes (or Mercury) because he was chief speaker. Zeus or Jupiter was the father of the Greek gods while Herms or Mercury was the messenger of their gods.
The priest in-charge of the temple of Jupiter brought out oxen and was ready to make sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas who they thought were gods. Immediately Paul and Barnabas saw this, they felt bad and quickly restrained the people by saying: “Men, why are doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, sea, and all things that are in them”.
Pauls and Barnabas admonished them to turn from their superstition to the living God. They continued by telling them that God who crated them was merciful and the supplier of their needs. When the apostles had finished their admonition, the Jews who persecuted them in Iconium and Antioch appeared and poisoned the minds of the people against the apostles. They therefore stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he had died. However, when the enemies had left him, the disciples (Christians) gathered around him, he then rose up and went into the city. And he departed with Barnabas to Derbe the following day.
Paul in Derbe (Acts 14:21-28)
The apostles left Lystra for Derbe the following day. When they got to Derbe, they preached the Gospel to the people of the city and got many people converted to Christianity. They later returned to Antioch through Lystra and Iconium, where they strengthened the faith of the Christians, exhorted them to continue in the faith. They also appointed elder in every church they got to which they established.
The Significance of Paul’s First Missionary Journey
The first missionary journey of Paul caused the church outside Jerusalem to grow and expand rapidly. Also, through Paul’s ministry,, many gentiles and some Jews were converted to Christianity.
The work of God is a difficult task. The apostles encountered much opposition from Satan and his agents. They faced persecutions in their attempt to win souls for Jesus. The apostles were able to overcome the opposition because of their faith in CHRIST JESUS. They often pray and fast for God to crown their efforts with success. To be successful in the work of God, those who are called should follow the steps of the apostles. They should have strong faith in Jesus Christ, be fervent in prayer and fast often.
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WEEK 4
The Church Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-35)
Paul’s first missionary journey gave room to the conversion of many Gentiles who became members of the church. Some of the Jewish Christians who came for Judea taught that unless the foreigner were circumcised according to the Law of Moses they would not be saved. They tried to resolve the matter in Antioch but the matter could not be solved then a delegation was sent to the church in Jerusalem which included Paul and Barnabas. On their arrival some of the Jewish Christians who were among the Pharisees’ party said that the gentiles should obey the Law of Moses in order to be save.
But the apostles agreed together and concluded that one could only be saved by the grave of our Lord Jesus Christ and not by circumcision or the Law of Moses. The whole issues that was causing confusion and the Law of Moses or by grace. When they did not agree, there was a controversy and division among the church. In order to solve the problem, the first Christian council was set up in Jerusalem.
The Jewish Christians sent their representatives. The apostles and elders were also present for deliberation. James, the brother of the Lord Jesus Christ presided over the meeting.
The council was first addressed by Peter who rejected the idea that the gentiles should be circumcised and must obey the Law of Moses before they could be saved. He brought to their understanding how God had sent him to Cornelius who was a gentile and how he and the people with him received the Holy Spirit as they themselves had on the day of Pentecost. He therefore concluded that salvation could only come by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and not by circumcision or the Law of the Moses.
After Peter’s speech, Paul and Barnabas also addressed the council. They explained how God had called them to minister to the gentiles without considering circumcision or the Law of Moses.
When it was the turn of James, who presided over the council to speak, He condemned the attitude of imposing the Jewish traditions, laws and customs on the gentiles. He therefore suggested that it would be okay to ask the gentiles who had been saved to careful of certain things which were:
- Not to eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols.
- To abstain from blood i.e. not to murder.
- To avoid meat that had been strangled which still had blood in it.
- To avoid sexual immorality.
James said, if the gentiles should observe these things, they would become member of the church without obeying the laws of Moses or undergo circumcision.
These suggestions of James were writing down in a letter which included apology to the gentiles for what had happened and the letter was sent through Paul, Barnabas, Judas and Silas to the churches in the Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.
James further said that the Jewish Christians who decided on his own to follow circumcision and the Law of Moses could do so complement their faith in Jesus Christ.
The Significance of the Jerusalem Council
The Jerusalem council signifies that controversies could happen even in the work of God. The important thing is to resolve controversies by dialoging with one another not to destroy one another character, life and property through violence. The council discussed the issue in a peaceful manner that made them to arrive at a conclusion acceptable to all. The conclusion they arrived at helped to unite the church that was about to disintegrate.
Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36-18; 22)
On the second missionary journey, Paul separated from Barnabas because of John Mark who wanted to follow them again. John Mark left Paul and Barnabas and came back to Jerusalem on their first missionary journey. There was argument between Paul and Barnabas because Barnabas wanted John Mark to accompany them but Paul refused him because he left them on the way on their first missionary journey. Paul and Barnabas therefore went differently.
Paul chose Silas, traveled through Syria and Cilicia to Derbe and Lystra. When they got to Lystra, Paul met with Timothy and made him his disciple after he had circumcised him. On second missionary journey, Paul went to Philippi, Athens and Corinth which was cities located in Europe.
Paul in Philippi (Acts 16:11-34)
Paul had a vision to go to Macedonia while he and his companions were still at Troas. In the vision, a man of Macedonia appeared to him and said:
“Come over to Macedonia and help us”. Immediately Paul and his people went to Macedonia and from there to the city of Philippi.
The city of Philippi was found by Philip of Macedonia who was the father of Alexander the great. Philippi was a Roman town which had temples which had temples dedicated to the Greek gods. The people of the city practiced magic and fortune telling.
There was no synagogue in the city of Philippi. The few who were there only worship outside the city.
Paul and his companions stayed in Philippi for some days. They preach the Gospel and got many people converted to Christianity. One of the people who received salvation through them was a woman called Lydia who was from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple. She hosted Paul and his companions in her home for the rest of their stay in Philippi.
One day, Paul and his people were going for prayer outside the city. A slave girl who was possessed with the spirit of divination followed them. This salve give was a fortune – teller who made a lot of money for her masters. The slave girl followed Paul and his companions saying: “these men are the servants of the most high God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation”. The girl did this for many days. Then Paul was greatly annoyed. He turned and said to the evil spirit using the girl: “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her”.
The spirit came out of her immediately. But when the masters of the girl saw that their hope of making money had been dashed, they got angry and arrested Paul and Silas. They turned the crowd against them and dragged them to the magistrates. They made false accusation against them saying: “these men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city, they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe”.
The magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded the people to beat them with canes. After Paul and Silas were beaten, they were thrown into prison. The keeper of the prison had been instructed to guard them well. Having received such an instruction, he put them into the inner prison and locked their feet in the stock to keep them from escaping.
At mid-night, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them suddenly there was a great earthquake that shook the foundation of the prison. Immediately all the doors of the prison were opened and everyon chain were loosed.
The keeper of the prison woke up from sleep. He was afraid when he saw the doors of the prison opened. The thought that the prisoners had escaped. The therefore drew out his sword and wanted to kill himself. Paul then cried with a loud voice saying to him: “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here”.
The jailer fell down trembling before Paul and Silas asking them: “sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied him: “Believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household”.
The apostles then spoke the word of Lord to him and to all who were in his house. The jailer was exceeding happy and he washed and took care of their wounds. The apostles baptized him and his family. Afterwards, he set food before the apostles. The jailer and his household rejoiced for the salvation of their souls.
The significance of Paul’s visit to Philippi
The quick response of Paul to the vision that asked him to go and help them in Macedonia showed his zeal for the work of God and his willingness for others to be saved without minding the difficulty he would face.
Lydia was a source of help to Paul and Silas because she supported the apostles by offering them her home in Philippi to stay. Through the event that happened to Paul and Silas in the prison, the jailer life and that of his family were changed. They were saved and converted to Christianity. In order to reciprocate, they help and provided for the apostles.
ASSIGNMENT
State the composition of the Jerusalem council
Paul in Athens (Acts 17:16-34)
When Paul and his companions left Philippi, they went to Thessalonica. Paul was warmly received by the people. But some of the Jews who did not believed in Thessalonica raised persecution against Paul and his companions. The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. But the Jews from Thessalonica came to Berea and stir up the crowds against the apostles. Therefore, Paul left Berea and went to Athens to wait for Silas and Timothy. As Paul was waiting at Athens, he discovered that the people of the city worship idols because he could see many building where idols were being worshiped and different images representing their gods.
Paul was not happy at this. He therefore went to synagogue and preached the Gospel to the Jews. He also went to the market place to speak to the Athenians. Some of the people who encountered him said: “what does this babbler want to say?” Other said: “he seems to be proclaimer of foreign gods”.
Among the people were highly educated people among them. There were the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers among them who were always willing to argue to learn new things. Therefore, they always wanted to listen to a new doctrine. They took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus which was one of their hills. This hill was the place where the supreme council and supreme court of the Athenians were meeting for hearing. The people of Athens asked Paul: “may we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak”. Paul then stood up on the Areopagus and spoke to the Athenians. He said he perceived that Athenians were very religious people because he saw as he was passing through the town, the object of their worship like their religious building and images of their gods all over the places. He said also saw an altar with the inscription: “to the unknown God”.
Paul then preached to them about this unknown God whom they ignorantly worshipped. He said it was the same God who made the world and everything in it. He does not dwell in the temples with hands and could not worship with men’s hands because he is Lord of heaven and earth. We are all his children for in him. We live, move and have our being.
And that some of their own poets have said it that: “for we are also his offspring”. But Paul told them that the image of gold, silver or stone could never represent God.
Paul explained further that God was the judge of all men and that he had appointed a time when he w as going to judge the world through Jesus Christ whom he raised from died. He told them that God had overlooked the time of ignorance and commanded all people in everywhere to repent of their sins. Paul assured them that the judgment would certainly come.
When Paul talked about the resurrection of Jesus from dead, some of them laughed and mocked him. They did not understand how someone could come back to life after death. But some of them believed him. Among them who believed him were Dionysius, the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris.
The Significance of Paul’s Visit to Athens
Though the Athenians worshiper other gods, but Paul did not condemn them. He rather took the advantages of their knowledge of God as the creator and sustainer of life to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them.
ASSIGNMENT
Give four reasons why we must love our neighbours.
Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:1-22)
When Paul came to Corinth, he stayed in the house of a jewish couple, Aquila and Priscilla. This couple and Paul worked together as tent makers. Paul went to synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia to meet Paul, Paul was preaching among the Jews telling them that Jesus was the Christ. The Jews opposed him and Paul shook his garments and said to them that henceforth he would go to the Gentiles. When Paul left the Jews, he went and stayed in the house of Titus Justus who was a Greek and worshipper of God whose house next to the synagogue.
Crispus was the ruler of the synagogue. He and his entire household accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour together with some people of Corinth. They were all baptized by Paul. In a vision one night the Lord spoke to Paul saying: “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city”. After Paul received this vision, he stayed in Corinth for one year, six months teaching the word of God among them.
But the Jews later came together and attacked Paul when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia. Paul was brought before the tribunal. They accused Paul of persuading people to worship God contrary to the Jewish law. Gallio told the people if it was a case of crime or wrong doing he would have looked into the matter. But he refused to look into the matter because it was connected to their religion. Galllio acted this way because the Roman Government had given the Jewish community freedom to worship God according to their own ways and manner. He then drove them out of the tribunal. The ruler of synagogue called Sosthenes was arrested by the Jews and was beaten in front of the tribunal, but Gallio did not pay attention to it.
After this had taken place, Paul still stayed in Corinth for a good while but later took leave of the members and sailed to Syria in the company of Aquila and Priscilla. Paul had his hair cut off Cenchrea because he had taken a vow. He then came to Ephesus and entered into the synagogue and argued with them. He told them: “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem, but I will return agains to you, God willing”. He then left them.
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WEEK 5
PAUL’S THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY (Acts 18:23-31;6)
Paul in Ephesus (Acts 18:23-28; 19:1-4)
Paul visited Ephesus during his third missionary journey. Paul first visited Caesarea and greeted the church members. When he left there, he went to Antioch, Galatia and Phrygia. A man called Apollo who was a Jew came to Ephesus to preach the Gospel to the people. When Aquila and Pricilla saw him speaking boldly and eloquently they took him to themselves and educated him more on the way of the Lord. He later went to Achaia from Ephesus and the members of the church received him well. He greatly helped those who had believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. He publicly condemned the Jew showing them from the scripture that Jesus was the Christ.
Paul came again to Ephesus for the second time to fulfill the promise he made to them during his second missionary journey. This second visit of Paul to Ephesus began his third missionary journey. Paul continued in Ephesus for years and got many Ephesians converted. He came across twelve Christians who had never heard of the Holy Spirit. Paul then laid his hands on them and they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. They all spoke in tongues and prophesied. Paul taught a great number of people which comprised both Jews and Greek the word of Jesus Christ. God also performed unusual miracles of healing by the hands of Paul. Through Paul’s preaching many magicians were converted to Christianity and became followers of Jesus. These people brought their magic books out and burned them in public.
There was a great temple in Ephesus built for the worship of their goddess named Artemis in Greek language and Diana in Roman language. Artemis or Diana as the goddess of fertility. The barren women worshipped this goddess by praying and offering sacrifices to her in order that they might give birth to children. The image of this goddess was mad in such a way that it had several breast which symbolized fertility. The people believed this image fell down from Zeus that is skies and was put in the temple at Ephesus. Every year, people went on pilgrim to the temple of Artemis in Ephesus to worship her. The pilgrims came back home with little silver images of Artemis.
Each year, the silversmiths who made images of this goddess realized lots of money. When Paul preached to the Ephesians to stop worshipping idols, this silversmiths was afraid that Paul teaching might paralyze their business. Therefore, one of the silversmiths named Demetrius called the silversmiths together for a meeting against Paul. In his address he said: “men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. Moreover, you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed whom all Asia and the world worship.”
The people were angry by the speech of Demetrius and they shouted: “great is Artemis of the Ephesus”. So the whole city was filled with confusion and rushed into the theater altogether at once, they dragged along with them Gaius and Aristarchus who were Paul’s travelling companions. Paul wanted to go and address the people but the disciples did not allow him and also some of his friends who were Asiarchs prevented him from entering into the theater. A Jewish man named Alexander wanted to defend Paul, but the crowd refused.
The town clerk came to the crowd and addressed them that what they were doing was not lawful. As a result of the uproar, the city might be punished. If Demetrius and his co-silversmiths had any case against Paul and his people, they should go to court. The crowd were dispersed as a result of his words of advice and warning. Later from Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. When they came, he delivered his farewell address to them.
The significance of Paul’s stays in Ephesus
Demetrius and his co-silversmiths opposed the Gospel because of financial gain. They worshipers of Artemis opposed the Gospel because of their culture. The opposition means that financial gain and culture can hinder the spread of Christianity. Those who are called preach the Gospel must take these things into consideration.
Also, the conversion of the magicians and the burning of their magical books show clearly that magic is the work of Satan and cannot save in anyway. Only Jesus has power to save from sin.
ASSIGNMENT
State three activities carried out during crusade or revivals.
Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesians at Miletus (Acts 20: 1-21; 6)
When the riot of the Ephesians came to an end, Paul left Ephesus and travelled to Macedonia. From there he went to Greece and spent three months there. When the Jews were planning to kill him, he departed there and came to Philippi, and then to Troas.
At Troas, Paul delivered a speech which lasted till midnight. There was a young boy named Eutychus sited by the widow who fell asleep during the speech and later fell to the ground and died. Paul went to him stretched himself over the boy and prayed over him and he came to life. After this, Paul left Troas for Miletus. When he came to Miletus, he visited the elders the Ephesians church and delivered his farewell message to them.
Paul started his message by reminding the elders of the Ephesians church of how he serve God among them in all humility. The fact that there were threats to his life did not stop him from preaching the Gospel message of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul told them of his visit to Jerusalem and how the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that would face persecution and hardship in Jerusalem. But he was willing to go to Jerusalem because his assignment was to preach the Gospel. He told them they would not see him again. He then advised the elders to take care of the members of the church that had been committed to their care by the Holy Spirit. He said that enemies would rise up among the members of the church after his departure to divide and destroyed the church. Therefore they should watch out.
Paul then commended the elders of the church to the grace of God. He reminded them of how he did not relied on them for his needs but rather worked with his hand to provide his needs and also took care of the weak among them. He advised them to also work hard so that they could support the weak in the church because the Lord Jesus himself confirmed it when he said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive”.
After this address, Paul prayed with the elders of the Ephesians church. These elders embraced him and kissed him. They became sad because he told them they would not see his face any longer. They accompanied Paul to the ship that brought him to Cos. He left Cos and came to Rhodes, and to Cyprus and from there to Tyre. He spent seven days in Tyre with the members of the church. Prophecy came to Paul not to travel to Jerusalem but Paul decided to go to Jerusalem. The people bade him farewell and he boarded the ship to Jerusalem.
WEEK 6
Paul’s teaching on: the dignity of labour (2Thessalonians 3:6-15; Colossians 3:23)
Dignity is defined as the quality that earns or deserves respect and labour means work. Dignity of labour therefore means that all labour respect. The teaching of Paul on the dignity of labour was connected with his teaching on the second coming of Jesus to the church of God of Thessalonica. After Paul’s visit, some of the members of the church thought Jesus second was near. They thought there was no need to work any longer if Jesus would soon arrive. They expected the church to supply all their needs until Jesus comes and they refused to work.
When this message got to Paul, he wrote to them a letter warning them that their belief was wrong and that their idea was born out of laziness. He then advised them to work and earn money. He also told them to keep away from anyone who refuses to work in order that he might be ashamed. But he should not be seen as an enemy rather he should be encouraged to work.
Paul told them that they should not eat with anyone who is lazy and refuses to work. He used himself as an example that he was able to provide for his need by being hard-working. He said he did not eat anybody’s bread without paying for it. He did not depend on others for sustenance. He wanted the church to imitate him.
The significance of Paul’s teaching on the Dignity of Labour
Paul’s teaching on the dignity of labour was meant to condemn laziness among the children of God. All Christians should refuse to be lazy because laziness brings lack, makes somebody to be an instrument in the hands of the devil, takes somebody to crime, turns somebody to a servant, takes away happiness and joy from people.
ASSIGNMENT
Enumerate three ways of showing respect to constituted authority.
Edudelight.com lesson note
WEEK 7
Paul’s teaching on Obedience to constituted authority (Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 6:5-8)
Paul’s teaching revealed that for law and order to be maintaining in the society, people should be subject to the governing authority. Paul was referring to the government of the country as the constituted authority. He therefore admonished every Christians to be subject to the governing authorities for them to live in peace for there is no authority except from God. Every authority in existence is instituted by God. And that, anyone who resists them is resisting God. To go against them is to go against God. Anyone who resists or disobey the authorities will bring God’s judges on himself.
According to Paul, those in the position of authority are not terrors to good behaviors but to bad behavior. Good people should not fear unnecessarily about the people in authority so far they are obedient to the rulers and behave very well. If they do the right thing that God. If they should do what is wrong that disrupt people peace, they should be afraid and be ready for the consequences. The person would experience the wrath of God. Christians are expected to have clear conscience in order to live as good citizens and maintain peace with others. They should respect constituted authority and make sure they are faithful in the payment of their taxes.
The significance of Paul’s teaching on obedience to constituted authority
The teaching of Paul on obedience to constituted authority is mainly for us to obey our rulers and carry out our civic responsibilities. When we are obedient to our rulers, there will be peace among us which will result to progress. To obey the constituted authority is to obey the laws, rules and regulations of the land. When we pay our taxes, levies and rates we carry out our civic responsibilities. Our civic responsibility also include during the elections as an adults, being counted in a census, enjoy our rights, etc. we should not be involved in any secret society. We should take part in ay programme organized by the government that is meant for development and also take part in any programme organized by the government to eradicate danger like hard drug peddling, abortion, human ritual, killing, cheating, stealing, bribery and corruption, etc. We should join those organizations that build lives or take part in their activities. Such organizations are scripture union, boys brigade, student Christian movement, Girls guides, boys scout, etc. We must be God fearing and live our life to please God. We must make sure we train in our family members in the way of the Lord when we grow up as adults. We must be contented with what we have and must not cheat anybody.
Edudelight.com lesson note
WEEK 8
Paul’s teaching on love (1Corinthians 13:4-8 &13)
In the letter of Paul to the church of Corinthians, he wrote the qualities of love so that Christians can understand what love is really all about. He wrote thus: ‘love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never ends.’ (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). We can see from the scripture quoted above that the qualities of love are; patience, kindness, humility and faithfulness.
Love is Patient: another name for patient is long-suffering that is the ability to endure suffering, insult, delay, etc. it is a quality that empowers someone to be tolerant in everything it guides against impatience.
As a Christians and a well trained child, when you refuse to join bad group and your friends call you all sort of bad nams and you ar not angry or fight with them. You can be referred to as patient.
When you are in need and your patients could not answer you on time and you don’t behave somehow, it shows you are patient. When you want to fetch water and somebody tamper with your bucket and you did not abuse him or her, your are patient.
When you don’t join others to cheat during examination but take time to study hard in order to pass, you are patient.
On the other hand, impatience is the lack of patience. Anyone who is impatience can easily spoil things. Such a person can be angry or annoyed with anybody; with his or her parents, teachers, friends, himself or anybody in the community. People don’t like to relate with somebody who is impatience because such a person will be seen as somebody who does not have love for others. Therefore we should learn to be patient in all things and deal with our impatience.
Love is kind: Kindness is the ability to wish others well and be help to them. Anyone with his quality will always want to help those in need whether he or she knows them or not. You are kind when you help your parents to do household work like washing, cooking, ironing, fetching water, running errands, etc.
You are kind when you render assistance to those who are in need whether your friends, neighbors, teachers or ever strangers.
You are kind when you give part of your money to beggars, handicapped and those who are desperately in need.
You are kind when you use your time for the benefit of others. When you show hospitality and are concern for the welfare of other, you are kind. When you visit the motherless children and the handicapped and take good care of them, you are kind.
You are kind when you wish your friends or those around you success. Those who are kind will always be considerate will never take any action that will affect others. They will think before they act.
Selfishness is ht opposite side of kindness. It is also the opposite of love. When you only think of yourself and others don’t matter to you, you are selfish. When you have the means and refuse to help the needy but only concentrate on your needs alone, you are selfish. You are selfish when you don’t worry whether your actions will hurt or affect others. People try to avoid selfish people. They don’t want to relate with them in any way because people see them as somebody who don’t have love in them. We should therefore kill the attitude of selfishness in us and learn to be kind in every way.
Love is Humble: To be humble mean to be modest and moderate in whatever we do. It can also mean to be decent. It is the ability to be submissive. A humble child will be submissive to his or her parents, teachers, friends and elders in the community. You are humble when your behaviour is nice to people you know and the ones you do not know.
You are humble when you respect people especially your parents, teachers and the elderly ones. You are humble when you obey your school’s rules and regulations.
You are humble when you don’t discriminate against people but see them as your brothers and sisters.
When you are not boastful of what you have or look at others somehow, your are humble. When you are decent in the way you talk and in your dressing, you are humble.
The opposite side of humility is pride, arrogance and rudeness. A proud person does not behave nice to the people he or she knows and the ones he or she do not know. You are arrogant when you disregard people in authority and disobey the rules and regulations of your school. You are proud when you see yourself as better than other or discriminate against the people from other tribes. You are proud when you show off you have to provoke your friends who don’t have the same.
When you are not decent in the way you talk and address people, you are rude. Nobody wants to associate with proud, rude and arrogant people. People want to avoid them at all cost because they are seen as people who do not have love for anybody. You must be humble and do away with pride, rudeness and arrogance.
Love is Faithful: to be faithful means to be loyal and truthful in our dealing to God, country, parents, friends and strangers.
You are faithful when you obey the law of the land and shun bribery and corruption, fraud, tribalism, drug peddling, favoritism and nepotism.
You are faithful when you obey your parents, pastor and teachers.
You are faithful when you promise people and always keep to your promise. When you marry and refuse to have sexual contact with another woman or man, you are faithful to your wife or to your husband.
You are faithful when you are disciplined in your behaviour, and do your work very well both at home and at school.
Unfaithfulness is the opposite of faithfulness. Anyone who is unfaithful will be disloyal in his or her dealings to God, country, parents, friends and strangers. When you go after other gods and worship them, you unfaithful.
You are unfaithful when you refuse to obey the commandments of God as revealed in the
Bible. When you refuse to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour as a Christians are unfaithful. When you engage in the activities that are forbidden by the law of your country during examination, you are unfaithful. You are unfaithful when you refuse to respects and obey your parents, teachers and elders. When you fail to keep your promises made to people you are unfaithful. When you are involved in sexual intercourse after you have married with another person who is not your partner, you are unfaithful. When you refuse to do assignment well both at home and school and are not disciplined in your behaviour, you are unfaithful.
WEEK 9
Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem and his arrest (Acts 21:17-40)
When Paul got to Jerusalem, the Jews arrested him and brought him before the Jewish Council to try him. Some Jews conspired together to kill him but he was rescued and taken to Caesarea. Paul was later tried before tow Roman governors, Felix and Agrippa.
Paul went to the elders and told them in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. When the elders heard it, they glorified God for his efforts. The elder said to him that some Jews who had been converted accused him of preaching against the people who were under a vow in order to clear himself and show the Jews that he was not against their religion (Judaism). The elders of the church also told him that they have sent letters of the decision of the church council in Jerusalem to some Gentiles churches.
Paul did according to the advice of the elders. The following day he purified himself together with four men. He then went to the temple authorities to find out when the days of the purification would be over and do the necessary offerings. The temple authorities told him seven days.
When the seven days were almost ended, some of the Jews who had formally met Paul in Asia Minor stirred up the crowd and spoke against him accusing him of speaking against the people, the temple and Law of Moses. They also said he had brought gentiles into the temples because they had formally seen Paul with Trophimus who was a Greek from Ephesus and thought that Paul had taken him into the temple. Because of this accusation made against him, the Jews seized Paul, dragged him out of the temple and shut the gates of the temple and mad an attempt to kill him. But the Roman may officer with some soldiers Paul. The army officer commanded that Paul should be bound with chain and later him into the barracks.
As Paul was about to be led into the barracks, the army officer accused him of being an Egyptian who sometimes led a rebellion.
Paul denied the accusation and said he was a Jew form Tarsus in Cilicia. Paul then spoke to the assembly in Hebrew language.
WEEK 10
Paul before the Jewish Council (Sanhedrin) and the plot to kill him (Acts 22:27-30; 23:1-35)
The roman army officer took Paul and brought him before the Sanhedrin to know the reasons why he was being accused by the Jews. Paul spoke first, as he began his speech he said he had live in good conscience before God. The moment he uttered these words, Ananias, the high priest ordered those who stood around Paul to him. Paul cursed him and when he was told that he was the high priest, he then apologies.
Paul later noticed that a part of the assembly were Pharisees, he shouted that he was a Pharisee; and that he was being tried in respect to the resurrection from the dead. This brought disagreement between the Pharisees and Sadducees because the Pharisees believed in the resurrection from the dead while the Sadducees did not believe such. Then the scribes of the pharisees’ party protested and said they did not find anything wrong with Paul. When the disagreement became so hot, the Roman army officer was afraid that Paul might be harmed and ordered the soldiers to take him by force from the Jews and bring him to the barracks.
The significance of Paul’s trial before the Sanhedrin
The trial of Paul before the Sanhedrin reveals how those who are sentimental and emotional can prevent a fair trial. Also, the order given by the high priest to abuse Paul was totally wrong. It shows that the Sanhedrin was partial and bias against Paul.
WEEK 11
Paul Before Roman Governors
Paul’s trail before Felix (Acts 24:10-23)
Paul stood before Felix, the Roman governor to defend himself against the accusation leveled against him by the Jews. They said Paul was a trouble maker who had cause rebellion among the Jewish people all over the world. They also accused him of being the ring leader of the Christians who tried to profane the temple.
When Felix allowed Paul to make his defense against the accusation brought against him by the Jews. Paul told Felix, the governor that all the accusations were false. He said he did not commit any of the offences he was charged for. Paul confessed that he was follower of Jesus Christ and a Christians by religion. But, he did not go against the Jewish religion and their law. He said the Jewish religion itself believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead of both the righteous and unrighteous on the Day of judgment. He said his accuser could not proof what they have accused him of. He ended his defense by saying he was beings tried because of his belief in the resurrection from the dead.
Though Felix did not find Paul guilty in any way, but he did not allow him to be set free. He said would decide on Paul’s case when a commander called Lysia, come around. What Felix actually wanted was a bribe from Paul before he could set free. But Paul did not do what Felix expected and therefore he was left in prison till another governor called Porcius Festus came to power and succeeded Felix.
Paul trial before Festus (Acts 25:1-21)
After the new governor, Pontius Festus came to power; he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. While he was in Jerusalem, the high priest and the chief men of the Jews brought up the case of Paul before him. They asked him to send Paul to Jerusalem for trail. They had already planned to kill him on the way. But Festus answered them that Paul should be accused in Caesarea that he himself was going there.
When he came to Caesarea, Festus sent from Paul and Paul and brought out of prison for trial. The Jews who had come from Jerusalem laid many serious accusations against Paul which they prove. While Paul was defending himself, he declared that all the charges brought against him were false. He said: “Neither against Caesar have I offended in anything at all”. But Festus wanted to do the Jews a favour by trying to take him to Jerusalem. He asked Paul this question: “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these thing?”
Paul knew that he would get a fair trial in Jerusalem. But Paul, being a Roman citizen used his right to appeal to Caesar. He said: “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar”.
Festus could not stop Paul from appealing to Caesar because he knew that he was a Roman citizen and had the right to appeal to Caesar. Festus then held a meeting with the council. They came out with the decision that Paul must appear before Caesar. Festus said to Paul: “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go”.
Paul’s trial before Agrippa (Acts 25:23-27; 26:1-16)
King Herod Agrippa visited Caesarea to welcome Festus who was the new governor. Then Festus informed King Agrippa about Paul who was left in prison by Felix, the former governor. King Agrippa said he would like to listen to Paul himself. Paul was brought before Festus and King Agrippa the following day.
Festus mentioned the case of Paul before the king. He told the King that Paul was not guilty of any of the charges made against him by the Jews. He therefore urge the King to listen very attentively to Paul’s defense to find out if he could bring any charges against him for record purposes. Then King Agrippa permitted Paul to speak.
Paul started his address by speaking about his early life. He told the king that he was a strict Jew right from youth and that he belong to the sect of Pharisee. He said he was being tried because of his belief in the resurrection of dead.
Paul referred to how he had persecuted the Christians in Jerusalem in order to defend the Jewish religion. He mentioned how he used to punish the Christians, compelled them to blaspheme and persecuted them to foreign cities. He said while he was on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christians, he was converted to Christianity.
Paul aid that his preaching was in obedience to the vision he received from heaven. He first preached the Gospel in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout the entire region of Judea and to the gentiles, that the people should repent and turn to God. Paul said the Jews seized him in Jerusalem and wanted to kill him because of his relationship with the gentiles but God delivered him from their hands.
Paul continued to tell the King that he did not say any other things than what Moses and the prophets said would happen. That Jesus Christ would suffer, that they would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the gentiles.
Festus said with a loud voice that Paul was beside himself and that much learning was driving him mad. But the king was moved by what Paul said concerning the resurrection and told Paul: “you almost persuade me to become a Christian”.
Paul then replied him: “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today. Might become both almost and together such as I am, except for these chains”.
When Paul had ended his defense, the king, the governor and all who sat with them stood up and discussed together and agreed that Paul had not done anything wrong that can warrant death or imprisonment. Then the King said to the governor: “this man have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar”.
The significance of Paul’s trial before Roman governors
Paul defended himself before Felix, the governor of the land. It means that Christians have right to defend themselves through their speech publicly whenever they are brought the civil authorities. The desire of Felix to take bribe from Paul in order to influence the course of justice is evil. Every Christians should shun bribery; and corruption and condemn the perversion of justice.
Paul’s trial before Festus shows that the civil authority can be influenced to perverse the justice even when the person that is being tried is innocent. The governor knew that Paul was not guilty, but he tried to please the Jews in order to kill him.
The civil authorities later gave Paul a fair trial. This show that the human rights can still be respected and people can still get fair trial.
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