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 […]
What Peter was saying was that Jesus is the Holy One of God. Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus was the suffering Servant. All of these words evoke images in the minds of any true Israelites. All their hopes had been in the one who would be their king and now Peter was saying that they […]
Judges ch9 paints a pretty bleak picture of what human beings are like when left to their own devices. In a chapter where God is not mentioned we see what a society without God might look lie but also ask, is he absent? But God is not absent then or now and has been acting […]
Paul has spent the best part of chapters 1 and 2 building up a case of guilt, of sin against, first the gentiles and then the Jews. So that he can get to the key verse of chapter 3. Verse 9 says all are under sin. The weight of the realisation that this includes and […]
The familiar cycle in judges continues. Except this time before sending a judge God first sends a prophet. The question is asked whether God will always just be merciful, no matter what? But then what about his judgement and wrath against sin? Or will he eventually just give up and abandon his people? But then […]
Often in life we regret things but how is that different to repentance? Which is the Christian response to committing sin, be it against God or a fellow human being? Worldly sorrow goes along the regret line and leads to death says the Apostle Paul. Godly sorrow leads to life!
It isn’t that we initially said “no” to God and then said “Yes” to God and proved that by our obedience. The point is that our works prove our faith as genuine. Words can be cheap but they are not always cheap. They are only cheap if there is no “obedience” or no “action” to […]
Church discipline is important, and love should be at its root. Not saying something to someone who is living in a way that is not in accordance with the will of God is not loving. That is akin to watching someone walking over a cliff and doing nothing to stop them. It is the duty […]