Acts 16:35-40
ACTS STUDY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What stood out to you in the text and during our study of Acts 16:35-40?
What do Lydia and the jailer immediately invite the missionaries to do after receiving the gospel in Acts 16:15 and 16:34? How does this contrast with what the magistrates do in Acts 16:22, 35 and 39? Hospitality (i.e. table fellowship, opening our homes, and opening our lives) is a major theme in Acts and something Luke regularly points to as evidence of conversion. Why do you think that is? How does welcoming someone in, rather than casting them out, give evidence Jesus has taken up residence in our hearts? How can we grow in hospitality as we grow in Christ?
In Acts 16:19, Paul and Silas are accused of “disturbing” (i.e. disrupting and destabilizing) Roman culture and “advocating” customs and practices Romans could not accept. How might declaring one God, one savior, one way of salvation, one faith, and one body disturb and disrupt a pluralistic and relativistic society? What irony exists in accusing the gospel of Jesus of destabilizing society?
What do you notice about Paul and Silas’ response to being accused, beaten, and humiliated in Acts 16:19-24? What tactics do they use to defend their name or honor in Acts 16:19-24? Why is their silence so surprising?
What does their response in Acts 16:19-24 and specifically vs. 25 say about where their trust is located and whose name and kingdom they are most concerned about? How does their response follow in the footsteps of Jesus (cf. Is 53:7; Matt. 26:63; Mark 14:61; John 19:9; 1 Pet. 2:23)? What is our only means of responding to such attack with grace (cf. Phil 4:13; Lk 21:10-15)?
Though our earthly citizenship is not ultimate (cf. Phil 3:20), it is a privilege. How does Paul use his earthly citizenship strategically for God’s glory and Kingdom purposes in Acts 16:35-40? What are some ways we can use our earthly citizenship and other privileges for God’s glory and Kingdom purposes?
Magistrates were tasked with keeping the peace, administering justice, maintaining order, and defending the rights of Roman citizens. What does Acts 16:19-23 reveal about the magistrates and their actions, and how does Paul and Silas declaring their Roman citizenship humble and condemn the magistrates?
In Paul’s statement in Acts 16:37, the magistrates receive a trial of sorts, evidence is presented, and they stand condemned. But unlike Paul and Silas, who were humiliated and imprisoned, what do the magistrates receive? Why is this so remarkable? What does it teach us about the good news of the gospel, our own story, and forgiveness and grace?
How does having the magistrates publicly walk Paul and Silas out of prison exonerate the name of Jesus and the Christian faith? What does it say to the watching public about these men and, more importantly, who they proclaimed? Why is the innocence of Jesus and the Christian faith so important to the Gospel writers and throughout Acts?
How does Paul model in Acts 16:35-40 what he preaches in 2 Timothy 2:24-26 and Titus 3:1-2? What similar wisdom does Peter give in 1 Peter 2:11-12 and 3:13-17? Why is this so hard, and how is it possible for us to respond in gentleness, respect, and grace (see again last question in #5 above)?
What attitudes, actions, or affections need to change as a result of our study of Acts 16:35-40?
