Quizzing the New Testament : Acts

Answer: 50

Pentecost is the Greek name for the Jewish Feast of Weeks, which celebrates the harvesting of barley. The Greek word from which Pentecost derives actually means fiftieth. Jesus had told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for "in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1 v. 5). On the day of the Pentecost festival, they were gathered together praying when the Holy Spirit was manifested in phenomena such as a mighty wind, tongues of fire and speaking in different languages (Acts 2 v. 1-4).

Answer: John

"Then Peter said, 'Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.' Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong." (Acts 3 v. 6-7)

Peter had preached a sermon to the assembled crowds on the day of Pentecost and this miracle gave him the opportunity to preach another. The result was that he and John were brought before the Jewish authorities and asked to account for themselves. On this occasion they were released with threats as to what might happen in the future.

Answer: Stephen

"This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism." (Acts 6 v. 5)

We don't learn much more about Stephen before his arrest and execution but, from what we're told, he doesn't seem to have been your everyday administrator. He is described as doing "great wonders and miraculous signs among the people" (Acts 6 v. 8).

Answer: Philip

"On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria." (Acts 8 v. 1)

Philip is recorded as going to a city in Samaria where he proclaimed the gospel and accompanied it with exorcisms and healings. Many people believed and were baptised. He met the official, a eunuch, on a desert road as the man was sitting in his chariot grappling with the Old Testament book of Isaiah. Philip explained the text to him in the light of Jesus' death and resurrection and the man underwent a roadside baptism (Acts 8 v. 26-40).

Answer: Ananias

In chapter 7, Saul is noted as being present at the stoning of Stephen. Witnesses lay their coats at his feet and he gave his approval to the killing. By the following chapter, he is described as going from house to house rounding up Christians (Acts 8 v. 3).

At the beginning of chapter 9, he was carrying letters of authorisation to Damascus, seeking to arrest even more Christians, when he experienced a dazzling vision. Ananias was told to go to the house where the blinded Saul is staying but baulked, initially, having heard of Saul's reputation. But, he went and Saul's sight was restored.

He became a Christian; changed his name to Paul and the rest, as they say, is history.

Answer: A sheet

This happens while Peter was sleeping on the roof of a house. Three times, Peter saw the sheet being lowered from heaven full of animals deemed unclean to eat under the Jewish Law. Each time a voice commanded Peter to eat but he refused. The voice's response was to say, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean" (Acts 10 v. 15).

The following day, Peter was called to the house of a Gentile centurion named Cornelius. He interpreted his dream by saying:
"I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right" (Acts 10 v. 34-35).
Then, as if to confirm the truth of this statement, the Gentiles present were baptised in the Holy Spirit.

Answer: James

"It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword." (Acts 12 v. 1-2)

Judging this to have improved his popularity rating, Herod also had Peter arrested. Peter was miraculously sprung from prison by an angel but then had some humorous problems trying to persuade the disciples that it really was him knocking at their door. The real losers were those soldiers responsible for guarding Peter. They were executed (Acts 12 v. 19).

Answer: Barnabas

"While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off." (Acts 13 v. 2-3)

Chapter 11 relates that Christians first reached Antioch in the persecution that followed the stoning of Stephen. The church there expanded to such a degree that the leaders in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to keep an eye on things. He, in turn, brought Paul. It is also noted that it was in Antioch that the term "Christian" was first used (Acts 11 v. 26). Previously, Christians had been known as "Followers of the Way", of which there is evidence at Acts 19 v. 9; 19 v. 23 and 22 v. 4.

Answer: Macedonia

"During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them." (Acts 16 v. 9-10)

Macedonia was a Roman province on the other side of the Aegean sea. Paul and his companions had previously been trying to preach in Asia but felt that the Holy Spirit was blocking every opportunity. Having made the journey, they had immediate cause to regret the decision. The first significant town they stopped in was Philippi where they were thrown into prison!

Answer: That the Jews would hand Paul over to the Gentiles.

"After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, 'The Holy Spirit says, "In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles."'" (Acts 21 v. 10-11)

Paul was staying at the home of Philip, one of the seven appointed as helpers (Acts 6), and his four prophesying daughters. He had already felt compelled to travel back to Israel even though he suspected that things would be tough there (Acts 20 v. 22-23). The concluding chapters of Acts chronicle Paul's arrest, his demand to plead his case before the Roman emperor and the fulfilment of his desire to travel to Rome and preach the gospel.