Acts 16 introduces Paul and Barnabas in the Roman colony of Philippi. This city did not include a Jewish population large enough to necessitate a synagogue, but some Jews or Gentiles who practiced Judaism existed. Where did they gather for worship? The text shares: 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to... Read more
Act 15 offers an insight into how the early church dealt with making major decisions. Non-Jews were becoming Christians and now Jewish Christians were divided on whether these converts should be commanded to follow Jewish customs. They prayed, discussed, consulted Scripture, and made a decision together. This example offers a helpful approach for leaders of any church (or other organization). Jesus has called us to pray, to dialogue in community with other believers, consult His Word, and make a decision.... Read more
When we serve Christ, some people will misunderstand. Paul and Barnabas experienced this effect when they taught and performed miracles in a city called Lystra. Acts 14 shares: 11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the... Read more
Fasting. The very idea of living any period of time without food is almost unthinkable in our culture. Yet to the earliest Christians, life was unthinkable without fasting. To abandon food while praying and worshiping God was a normal action, even among the leaders of the Antioch Church in Acts 13. There, the chapter begins: 1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up... Read more
The persecution of Christians had begun with Stephen in Jerusalem. Now it had spread to the apostles. James was put to death. Peter was arrested and imprisoned. The remaining believers in Jerusalem gathered behind locked doors to pray. The situation had become dire. When the situation had turned to total dependence on God, God intervened. For Peter, God sent an angel to rescue him only hours before his planned public execution. For Herod, God caused a quick death. The end... Read more
Have you ever wondered, “Where did ‘Christians’ get their name?” Acts 11 offers a direct answer. First, it came during the first generation of the church. In fact, Acts 11 happened by the 40s, just a decade from the resurrection itself. Second, it started in a city called Antioch. This city became one of the early centers of Christian activity, especially missionary work. It only makes sense the name began here, too. Third, it took place when Paul and Barnabas... Read more
Cornelius, a non-Jew, received a vision from God while praying that told him to have Peter come to his home. He obeyed, and Peter came. When Cornelius retold his story, Peter responded: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” There’s much more to this story, but here I simply wish to highlight Peter’s initial response. Peter had focused his... Read more
Saul knew all about God. He had studied the Torah since childhood and was the equivalent of a PhD in religion. Then God showed up. The account in Acts 9 reveals: 1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take... Read more
Churches in our culture tend to lean heavy on either Spirit or Scripture. Spirit churches are the emotion-driven, charismatic experiences-stereotype. Scripture churches are the “teaching” churches, focused almost solely on education and information. Individual Christians also often land more toward one side of this spectrum that the other, depending on personality, background, church affiliation, and other factors. But is this a good thing? In one sense, God has provided a variety of gifts. Yet in another way, Scripture offers examples... Read more
It is easy to claim discrimination in our time when someone makes fun of us for celebrating Christmas or going to church on Sunday. A fresh look at the first Christian martyr, however, is a powerful reminder of what it means to truly suffer for Christ. In Acts 7, we read: 54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to... Read more
Holy Writ
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