Kingdom's Quest (24 page)

1. By now, Paul has traveled to Philippi in Acts 16:12.

2. Paul's imprisonment at Philippi (he was thrown into prison because he cast out a demon of divination in a servant girl in Acts 16:16–24).

3. God's intervention to free Paul and Silas through the dramatic event of an earthquake (Acts 16:25–26).

4. Timothy traveling with Paul (Acts 16:4).

1. Answer based on personal experience.

2. Athens, Greece (Acts 17:15).

3. The Athenians' Mars Hill, where there were altars to many gods including “the unknown god” (Acts 17:23).

4. 1 Corinthians 9:22–23. At this point in Christianity's history, the gospel of Jesus Christ was just being introduced to many cultures. Without compromising righteousness, Paul adapted to each culture to establish credibility so he could tell others about Jesus.

5. The Athenian pursuit of wisdom and understanding through intellectual and scholarly debates (Acts 17:21.) Just as the Athenians use their words—the Thecians' swords of nobility)—Paul uses the Word of God—Gavinaugh's sword of the Prince (Hebrews 4:12).

1. The entire biblical event when Paul disputed in the synagogue and the marketplace, including when the prominent philosophers brought him to them to discuss his “new doctrine” (Acts 17:16–34).

1. Acts 21:4, 11–12. Paul says that he is ready to die at Jerusalem for Jesus' sake.

2. Leisel represents the Jewish people just as Keanna represents the Gentiles.

3. “False concept of nobility” symbolizes a faith built on one's works and the law for salvation instead of on simple faith in Jesus Christ.

4. Answer based on personal experience. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18.

1. Kifus represents other leaders in Jerusalem at the time of Paul's captivity, specifically Governors Felix and Festus, and King Agrippa, as found in Acts 24–26.

2. Kifus might have understood the truth, but he realized that he would have to give up everything in order to become a follower of the Prince. His selfishness and pride kept him from submitting to the truth. Understanding the truth is not enough. Jesus requires us to give Him lordship of our lives as well. James 2:19 says, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”

3. The Romans.

1. The mighty storm that Paul's ship endured for many days.

2. The sword always represents God's Word, and in Acts 27:24, God sends an angel to Paul to tell him that he and the entire crew will make it through the storm.

3. Answer based on personal experience. One pertinent Bible verse is Hebrews 13:5: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

1. Malta in Acts 28:1.

2. God told Paul that he would make it safely to Rome because he was to give his testimony before Caesar. God's Word protected Paul from even a poisonous snakebite (Acts 28:3–6).

3. This represents when the father of Publius becomes ill (Acts 28:7–8). Lord Malthos represents disease and sickness. Malthos is derived from
malady
and
pathosis
.

4. Paul's healing of Publius's father and others who had diseases (Acts 28:8–9).

1. Paul's fervent desire to see the Gentiles' hearts turn to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

2. Answer based on personal experience. Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself also in the L
ORD
, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Often we must be patient, but remember that God is faithful and knows your heart.

3. 1 Peter 3:15: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”

4. Matthew 13:3–23, the parable of the sower. Verse 19 says that the wicked one “snatches away what was sown in his heart.”

1.
Tarmuwth
is Hebrew for “deceit.” Without the truth of Jesus Christ, the world is under the power of Satan's deception. Satan is often referred to as a dragon in the Bible.

2. Gavinaugh overcomes this stronghold by once again using the sword, God's Holy Word. It is powerful. Second Corinthians 10:3–4 says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.”

3. Keanna became confident and found courage to fight against her foes when she put her trust in the Prince and believed. As Christians, we receive our strength from the Lord and can do battle against the evil one. Psalm 31:24 says, “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the L
ORD.”

4. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 11:13–15 that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light to deceive people. A close relationship with the Lord through Bible study and prayer will allow the Holy Spirit to give us great spiritual discernment.

1. Paul is eventually killed for his faith in Jesus Christ. The fruit of his work—the gospel being spread throughout the world by the Gentiles—continues through us today.

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ
.

Philippians 1:6