Welcome to Catholic apologetics, led by Dr. Jim Dobbins, Author of Take My Hand: A personal retreat companion. In these lessons we look at the different truths of Catholic doctrine and why we know they are true. We also discuss spiritual growth, examine the liturgy of the Catholic Mass and do scripture studies. Please encourage your friends to listen. I also encourage you to leave a comment about our podcasts.

These are our questions for tonight:
In John 17, we find in the prayer of Jesus to the Father His desire "that they may all be One..."
1. After reading the accusations brought against Paul by Tertulius (24:2-8) and Paul's response (24: 10-21), what dynamic do you think is happening here? What is Paul's objective and how is he being received? Do you think Paul has unity in mind when he preaches in the synagogue or the Temple in Jerusalem? Why do you think Paul seems to get the Jew stirred up whenever he preaches in the synagogue?

2. How does the above relate to the statements in the Catechism on Christian Unity (The Church is One) (813-822), particularly the section on wounds to unity 817-819)?

3. Do you think Paul had unity of Jews and Christians in mind when he preached? Why do you think some of the Jews could not come to terms with this unity as expressed in the continuing Revelation from God in the person of Jesus Christ? Did they see The Way as something distinct from Judaism, and ddi Paul see it as a continuation of Judaism?

4. We saw in earlier chapter that Paul had a yearing to go to Rome (19:21), and we also saw in 23:11 that Jesus appeared to Paul and told Paul he must bear witness to Jesus in Rome. During his tribunal before Festus, Paul appealed his case to the emperor, as he had a right to do as a Roman citizen(25:11-12). But after his tribunal before Agrippa, Agrippa says to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar." What would have happened if Paul had not appealed to Caesar? Would he have gotten to Rome?

5. Looking back on the entire book of Acts, what do you think are the most important things we learn from Acts of the Apostles? What is is value to the body of scripture?

I also invite you to visit Meg Jaworowski's bible study class which can be found at http://www.catholicbiblebootcamp.com and http://catholicbiblebootcamp.podomatic.com.

Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is a particular topic you would like to see addressed.