How does someone become a Christian? How do they ‘get in’ to the family of God, into the kingdom of God? What is it that makes someone a genuine Christain we might ask? Acts 15:1-35 sees this question considered and decided upon. Some Jews believed that circumcision was required along with faith in Jesus. Others […]
Acts 13 takes us on to the first missionary journey by Paul. As Paul delivers a sermon to the Jews we pick up a useful model for what and how we might also share the gospel. We also ask why we do evangelism as we consider the heart of God for mission, the opposition to […]
In this chapter, Luke brings out the comparison between Peter and the church with Herod. We see the seemingly powerless church meet divine rescue. To all intents and purposes, the church is powerless in comparison to the might and power of Herod. Yet the church is mighty through prayer. Herod we find to be powerless […]
The passage reveals some remarkable turnarounds! Some truly, ‘I never saw that coming’ moments. People saved and healed. We consider how Jesus is proclaimed by Saul as the Son of God, that Jesus can save even the most unlikely people and finally how Jesus can heal and do what is humanly impossible. All of it […]
Acts 8:26-40 stands in contrast to the first part of the chapter from last week. In Samaria, Phillip evangelised ordinary citizens in large crowds. This week he evangelises one Ethiopian palace official. The method and the people were very different, but the result was the same, that they were saved! We are encouraged to remember […]
Following on from Stephen’s sermon, we see the result, as he is put to death by the Jews. The Jews do not see the error of their ways this leads to Stephen seeing Jesus and finally, we now see the fulfilment of Jesus’ words. The disciples are scattered into Judea and Samaria just as Jesus […]
After being chosen as one of the seven, Stephen continues to declare the good news. Stephen is a man Submitted to God in every way. As a result, he is Seized and then Slandered. We see how so much depends on eth words that Stephen speaks that are twisted. Despite the opposition and persecution, lives […]