Lesson 12: Herod, Elymas, Sergius Paulus

Introduction: This lesson concerns three men mentioned in the book of 
Acts: Herod, the king of Palestine; Elymas, a magician; and Sergius 
Paulus, the Roman proconsul of Cyprus.


I. Herod Agrippa I  (Acts 12)
   A. Herod Agrippa I was the grandson of Herod the Great.
   B. Secular history records that while living in Rome, he became a 
      favorite of Emperor Caligula who gave him a kingdom subsequently 
      enlarged by Claudius to include all of Palestine.  Apparently to 
      please the Jews, (vs. 3) he joined his government to the persecution 
      of the church.
   C. Herod the persecutor (vss. 1-19)
      1. He had the apostle James beheaded.  This occurred about ten 
	 years after the death of Jesus.
      2. He then arrested and imprisoned Peter under heavy guard.
      3. The church prayed fervently for Peter.
      4. Unknown to the soldiers, an angel led Peter from the prison.  
	 This caused no small disturbance among the soldiers.
      5. Peter presented himself to the brethren and departed to another 
	 place.
      6. Herod ordered the execution of the soldiers (12:19).
   D. The death of Herod (vss. 20-23)
      1. At Caeserea, Herod celebrated a festival in honor of Emperor 
	 Claudius.
      2. He addressed the people (clad in a garment fashioned of 
	 silver-Josephus).
      3. The people exclaimed that "he is a god."
      4. An angel struck him because he did not give God the glory. 
	 He was eaten by worms and died. Josephus wrote that this death 
	 took five days.

Principles:
1. The prayers of the righteous avail much.
2. We must give God the glory.
3. God humbles the proud.
4. God's ways are not man's ways.


II. Elymas (Acts 13:6-11)
   A. Elymas was a magician, a Jewish false prophet, whose name was 
      Bar-Jesus.
   B. Elymas opposed Barnabas and Saul seeking to turn Sergius Paulus 
      from the faith.
   C. Paul rebuked him and struck him with temporary blindness.  This 
      is the only recorded miracle wrought by an apostle to the injury 
      of a person.  Paul said that he was:
      1. Full of guile and fraud
      2. A son of the devil
      3. An enemy of righteousness
      4. A perverter of the right ways of the Lord


III. Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:7-13)
   A. A Roman proconsul of Cyprus at Paphos.
   B. A man of understanding.
   C. Sought to hear the word of God from Barnabas and Saul.
   D. Believed after Paul struck Elymas with blindness for hindering 
      the gospel.
   E. Saul now called Paul ( a name which he used thereafter)
   F. Paul now recognized as the dominant member of his company.


Questions:

1. Comment on the death of James and the statement of Jesus in 
   Matthew 20:22-23.
2. Why did Herod take such elaborate precautions to prevent Peter's 
   escape (See Acts 5:17-23)?
3. Considering Acts 12:15, did the disciples expect their prayers to 
   be answered?
4. What two options were open to Herod to explain Peter's escape?  
   What alternative did the soldiers have?
5. Why did God strike down Herod?
6. Why did Elymas oppose Barnabas and Saul?
7. Why did Paul strike him blind?  What other opposer of the gospel was 
   struck blind?  Does Paul's action agree with his teaching in 
   2 Tim. 2:25?
8. What was Sergius Paulus' nature?  Why were there good men such as 
   Sergius Paulus and Cornelius among the Gentiles?
9. Why did Sergius Paulus believe?  Did he become a Christian?