Lessons

The lesson on February 28, 2021 was part 6 of the “Acts – When and Why?” study. We reviewed a portion of the last lesson and then proceeded to look at three clues looking at another date in Acts 18:1-23 Gallio (12 deputy of Achaia) – which is a significant date in the life of Paul. When and where did Paul write the “ACTS” epistles? Then, specifically, when did Paul write “Galatians”? Wayne took us through the three recorded missionary journeys of Paul. When Paul journeyed from Jerusalem to Rome (Acts 22:1-28:22) we get recorded events in history with Claudias Lysias Acts 23:29, Festus: Acts 25:25, King Agrippa (governor and Bernice with him): Acts 26:31 synchronizing with Paul’s own statement: Acts 28:17,18. A key piece of these travels was the the Romans saw in him “nothing worthy of death”. In Acts 18, we read specific events in history that were recorded: Acts 18:1-3 KJV “1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.” In Acts 18:11 it’s recorded that Paul taught them for three and a half years. Tacitus says the Jews were banished from Rome in AD 52. The Reign of Claudius was from AD 41 – 54. So, pulling it all together, when dating Galatians, there are two major issues: 1 What is Galatia? (at least two visits Gal. 4:13) , Northern view: Late date necessary (after acts 18:23) or Southern view: No need for late date – Acts 16:6 is a revisiting. 2 Was Galatians written before or after Acts 15 and the Jerusalem council? Wayne answers these issues and explains why. The scripture reading was from Acts 18:12-17 KJV

“12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, 13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. 14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: 15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters. 16 And he drave them from the judgment seat. 17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.”