When Paul is on his way to Rome as a prisoner, he warns his captors of the dangers ahead and cares for their well-being. Why would he do that? In this episode of Guide Through the Bible, host Anthony and guest teacher Arlin look at Acts 27-28, tracing Paul’s journey to Rome and the many calamities he encountered. Paul experiences a violent storm at sea, a shipwreck on the island of Malta, a snake on that island, and house arrest in Rome. Yet he chooses to care for the people around him, testifying of God’s kingdom and the gospel. Along the way, Anthony and Arlin unpack what it looks like to trust God’s sovereignty without becoming passive, and how Paul’s relentless witness challenges us to carry the message forward today.
In Acts 24-26, Paul stands trial before three powerful figures, yet he always steers the conversation back to Jesus. In this episode, Anthony High and guest Bible teacher, Arlin Horst, unpack the political backdrop of Roman-controlled Judea, and the significance of each of Paul’s trials. Paul stands before the governors Felix and Festus, and King Agrippa. He proclaims the gospel of Jesus, and each of these rulers have different responses to the gospel. This Bible study challenges us to make Jesus the focal point of our lives.
Paul faced many hardships in his journey of following Jesus, and in this episode, we learn about one of them. In this episode, Anthony High steps into the role of Bible teacher, switching seats with Arlin, who hosts this conversation about Acts 21-23. In this study in Acts, Paul goes to the temple in Jerusalem, encounters a mob, and is arrested. Through these events, Paul experiences both the high cost of following Jesus and the comfort Jesus provides amid hardship. We also examine the role Paul’s Roman citizenship played in his trial, and what role heavenly citizenship plays in our lives.
Anthony High and guest Trevor Drudge jump back into Acts, digging into Acts 19-20. In these chapters, we see how the gospel brings transformation, which sometimes leads to a disruption. We see the sons of Sceva’s failed fake exorcism and a citywide burning of magic books. We explore how Paul’s preaching caused a riot to erupt in the goddess Diana’s temple, Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders, and are inspired by Paul’s resolve to finish the race God set before him. Join us this episode to learn about how God can bring transformation to our hearts and lives.
In this episode, Anthony High is joined by Trevor Drudge to look at Acts 16-18: Paul’s Second Missionary Journey. We explore why Paul and Barnabas parted ways over John Mark, and how the Holy Spirit redirected Paul and Silas through closed doors in Asia and Bithynia to the Macedonian call. We see God opening doors and hearts throughout the journey: Lydia’s heart opens to the Gospel, an earthquake opens a prison door and leads to the Philippian jailer’s salvation, and Paul takes the Gospel to the philosophers in Athens. Along the way, we discuss what closed and open doors can look like in our own lives, and how God uses even our times in the wilderness to help advance his kingdom.
What did the early church in Acts do when controversy and cultural clashes came up? Joined by guest Trevor Drudge, we begin Part 3 of our series in Acts, where we look at the gospel spreading to the uttermost parts of the earth. Trevor walks us through Acts 13-15, looking at Paul’s first missionary journey and focusing on the pivotal Jerusalem Council. As the church started including Gentiles, there arose a conflict between the Jews and the Gentiles about whether Christians needed to follow Levitical law. This episode walks through Peter’s and James’s responses at the Jerusalem Council, examines the four prohibitions James proposes, and closes with a reflection on how the early church’s example of reaching unity amid disagreement applies to cross-cultural ministry and Christian living today.
How do we respond when God says “no” to our prayers? We’re joined by Trulan Martin one final time as we close out Part 2 of our Acts series. Trulan unpacks the historical background of Acts 12, studying who Herod was and how his rule threatened the early church. We look at James’ execution, Peter’s miraculous escape from prison, and the believers’ startled response when their prayers were answered. Along the way, we wrestle with what it means when God says “yes,” “no,” or stays silent. Acts 12 leaves us with powerful lessons on fervent prayer, humility, and the danger of taking glory for ourselves.
In this episode, host Anthony High welcomes Bible teacher Trulan Martin to share his findings on Acts 10–11. The focus returns to Peter, who has several experiences that guide him to understand that the Gospel is for the Gentiles as well as the Jews. The Jews had many strict laws regarding cleanliness that created a clear divide between themselves and the Gentiles, but God was about to break down those walls. Peter’s vision at Simon the Tanner’s house, his encounter with Cornelius, and the Holy Spirit falling on the Gentiles all confirm that God shows no partiality. Even so, Peter faced criticism from the circumcision party back in Jerusalem, which showed how deeply ingrained those divisions were. Trulan reflects on the miracle of salvation extended to the Gentiles and the truth that God’s plan is far bigger than we can imagine.
As we continue our study in Acts, a new influential figure emerges: Saul, later known as Paul. In this episode, Trulan Martin and host Anthony walk us through the remarkable event of Saul’s conversion. Once a persecutor of the church, Saul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. He went from hunting down Followers of the Way to becoming a pivotal voice in proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God. Together, we explore what it means to “call on the name of the Lord” and why God called Saul home to wait nearly a decade before his ministry to the Gentiles could begin. Along the way, we reflect on how God’s timing is perfect, even when it requires seasons of waiting.
How does the Gospel break down walls? Joined by guest Trulan Martin, we begin Part 2 of Acts, looking at Acts 8. We see how the persecution led by Saul scattered the early church and propelled the gospel beyond Jerusalem. They follow Philip the evangelist as he preaches the Gospel in Samaria and to an Ethiopian official. Along the way, we dig into the history of the Samaritans, examine the strange account of Simon the Sorcerer, and see how God strategically used Peter and John in Samaria to tear down centuries of hostility between two people groups. This episode helps us reflect on the walls we put up in our lives and how the Gospel breaks those divisions down.
