Acts 19:23-22:16

Acts 19:23-20:16  -  Read verse 28: ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians’. Remember Exodus 20:3 - ‘You shall have no other gods before Me’. Remove all pretenders from God’s throne. Rededicate yourself to the Lord - ‘King of my life, I crown Thee now, Thine shall the glory be’ (Redemption Hymnal, 165). People could not …

Words of unbelief – and words of faith

"Isn’t it enough that you (Moses) have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness?" (Numbers 16:13). These are words of unbelief. The people couldn't see past Moses - and that's why they couldn't see past the wilderness. When we can't see past the preacher, we'll …

Acts 17:1-19:22

Acts 17:1-34  -  Notice the importance of the Scriptures for both public ministry - ‘reasoning with them from the Scriptures’ and private devotion - ‘examining the Scriptures every day’ (2,11). We need the Word of the Lord on the Lord’s Day. We need the Word of the Lord every day.  God is not the ‘unknown …

Acts 15:1-16:40

Acts 15:1-35  -  The Gospel is for all nations.  In the Old Testament, we catch a glimpse of this (Genesis 12:1-3; Psalms 96:1-3;100:1; Isaiah 45:22).  Here, we have the Gospel made clear.  Peter says, ‘We shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus’ (11).  Paul says, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you …

The Name of Jesus is the Name of our salvation.

"Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Joel 2:32: Romans 10:13). From the prophet Joel and the apostle Paul, we have this great promise of God. Between the prophet and the apostle, there is Jesus, the Saviour. The prophet points forward to Him. The apostle looks back to Him. The name, Jesus, was …

Acts 11:19-14:28

Acts 11:19-12:25  -  Barnabas ‘was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord’ (11:24). Let’s be like Barnabas, giving ourselves to the Lord and asking Him to make us more useful in His service. Great things can happen when ‘earnest prayer’ is …

Acts 9:1-11:18

Acts 9:1-43  -  Saul the persecutor become Paul the Apostle (13:9). What a great turning-point this was in the life of the early Church! When we read of Paul’s missionary journeys (13:1-28:31), we may be tempted to think, ‘What a great man Paul must have been’. In his letters, Paul insists that we must not …

Acts 6:8-8:40

Acts 6:8-8:3  -  In life and death, Stephen was Christlike. In life and death, he made a great impact. In life, we see him, ‘full of grace and power’, doing ‘great wonders and signs among the people’. People noticed that ‘his face was like the face of an angel’. Even his enemies took notice of …

Speaking To The People And Speaking To God

"When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down and prayed with all of them" (Acts 20:36). We are to speak to the people for God. We are to speak to God for the people.

Acts 1-3

ACTS 1:1-26  -  We read, in John 7:39, that ‘the Spirit’ would not be ‘given’ until Jesus was ‘glorified’. Now, as Jesus was about to be ‘taken up... into heaven’, He tells His apostles, ‘the Holy Spirit’ will ‘come upon you’ (11,8). He gives them His Word of promise: ‘I send the promise of my …

The child died, but the love of God did not cease.

 2 Samuel 11:1-12:31; Acts 4:1-22; Psalm 71:1-8 “David pleaded with God for the child”, born of his adultery with Bathsheba, but “the child died” (2 Samuel 12:18). David prayed that “the Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live” (2 Samuel 12:22). The child died, but the love of God did not …

Raised, with Christ, to eternal life

2 Samuel 7:1-8:18; Acts 2:22-47; Proverbs 14:5-14 “The Lord gave David victory wherever he went” (2 Samuel 8:14). The victory, given to Jesus, was a greater victory than any victory given by God to David. Concerning David, Scripture says, “David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day” (Acts 2:29). Concerning …

God’s love, God’s Son, God’s command, God’s purpose

Easter Sunday Morning: Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Colossians 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10 God’s love, God’s Son, God’s command, God’s purpose ‘When the Holy Spirit comes on you... you will be My witnesses... to the ends of the earth’ (Acts 1:8). This great advance of the Gospel …

Restore us, O Lord God Almighty.

2 Kings 10:1-11:21; Acts 24:1-27; Psalm 80:8-19 How important it is to make a covenant to be the Lord’s people (2 Kings 11:17). In our faithfulness to God, we “believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets” (Acts 24:14). We do, however, move beyond this to the fulfilment of …

Many questions and one very important question

How can I possibly make sense of life? Many people are asking this kind of question. They're trying their best to make sense of life in this world, but they're getting nowhere quickly. Everywhere they look, there seem to be more and more things that leave them feeling confused. How can I possibly make sense …

Jesus reigns – forever and ever.

2 Samuel 3:22-5:5; Acts 1:1-22; Psalms 69:13-28 David ascended to the throne of Israel – “they anointed David king over Israel” (2 Samuel 5:3). “He reigned for forty years” (2 Samuel 5:4). Jesus ascended “into heaven” (Acts 1:11), to the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. There, He reigns forever and ever. As we …

Impossible?

But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him (Acts 2:24). This turns the world's way of thinking on its head. It's the exact opposite of what the world says to us. The world tells us that people don't …

What about God? What about what he says to us?

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path (Psalm 119:105). Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens (Psalm 119:89). We live in a world of "this is what I think." What about God? What about what he says to us? What about Christ? What about what he says …

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Here, Peter is speaking about his Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is exalting the name of Jesus. This is what we must do. We must exalt the name …

In the name of Jesus, by the power of Jesus, for the glory of Jesus

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer, at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, …

There is a choice to be made.

2 Kings 14:23-15:38; Acts 25:23-26:23; Proverbs 16:18-27 Here, we have the record of seven reigns – five in Israel, two in Judah. The five in Israel “did evil in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Kings 14:24; 2 Kings 15:9,18,24,28). The two in Judah “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Kings …

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing …

Moving forward with God

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42). We preach Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23). Some things were important and they're still important! Make sure that you're devoted to the right things and preaching the right message! Have we outgrown the priorities, described for us …

Filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking the Word of God with boldness

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly (Acts 4:31). Where does powerful preaching come from? Does it come from the strength of the preacher's personality? No! There's something more than the preacher's personality. There's the power of God.

Faithful witnesses for Jesus

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29). But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of …

A Wonderful Story – But Not The Greatest Story

Acts 9:1-22 This was the great turning-point - for both Saul's salvation and the Gospel mission. Saul's life was transformed by Christ's love. The persecutor became the preacher. "It is no longer I that live, but Christ who lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). This was a personal call - "Saul, Saul" (Acts 9:4). It was …

Our High Calling

2 Kings 4:38-6:23; Acts 21:27-22:21; Psalm 79:1-13 Elisha was known as “the man of God” (2 Kings 4:40,42; 2 Kings 5:8,14-15,20; 2 Kings 6:9,15). What a marvellous description - “the man of God.” To Paul, the call of God came - “You will be His witness” (Acts 22:15). Called to be a “man of God”, …

Human comfort helps us so much – but it can only take us so far.

"Comfort, comfort my people, says your God" (Isaiah 40:1). We are comforted by the words and actions of good friends. We know the truth of the saying, "A friend in need is a friend indeed." Human comfort helps us so much - but it can only take us so far. We need more than human …

Learning from Romans (16): The Word of the Lord, speaking to us in the power of the Holy Spirit

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s …

Human Situation, Divine Guidance

"During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the Gospel to them" (Acts 16:9-10). Paul's guidance came through …

How are we to die? Dying in shame, or dying in glory?

2 Samuel 16:15-18:18; Acts 7:20-43; Psalm 72:1-20 How are we to die? This is an important question. There’s a difference between dying in shame and dying in glory. The death of Absalom (2 Samuel 18) is a shameful death. The death of Stephen (Acts 7) is a glorious triumph. Stephen’s death is preceded by a …

Look Beyond The Servants Of God – To The God Whom They Serve.

Peter points away from  himself to Jesus (Acts 3:12-16). What he's emphasizing is this - This is more than what I say about Jesus. It's what the prophets said about Him. This was God speaking through the prophets (Acts 3:18). "The power of Jesus Christ" (Acts 4:10) - This is more than the healing of …

On The Way To Rome

"You must tell the truth about me in Rome" (Acts 23:11).  God is looking beyond our here and now - where we are and what we're doing. He's looking at what lies ahead of us, what he has planned for us. "The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath …

Encouraged by the Holy Spirit

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers (Acts 9:31). We need the encouragement that comes to us from the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit comes to us in power, …

We Ask Our Question. God Gives His Answer.

Our Question And God’s Answer (Acts 2:37-38) The question is our question: “Brothers, what shall we do?” The answer is God’s answer: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Where Does …

No ordinary day

Acts 3:1-26 'Laid daily at the gate of the temple', the 'man lame from birth' had seen plenty of 'ordinary' days (2). This was no 'ordinary' day. This was a day for 'walking, and leaping, and praising God' (9). Jesus Christ can do for us what 'silver and gold' cannot do (6). He is 'the …

God works through those who give faithful testimony to the Gospel of His grace.

2 Kings 1:1-2:25; Acts 20:1-38; Psalm 78:40-55 "Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?" (2 Kings 2:14). With each succeeding generation, God is looking for those who will commit themselves to the task of testifying to the Gospel of God's grace" (Acts 20:24). "He brought His people out like a flock; He led …

Our faith is not based on our own ideas. It is grounded in the Word of God.

When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to …

The Name of Jesus Christ is the Name of our salvation.

More notes can be found at my One Year Bible blog. 2 Samuel 11:1-12:31; Acts 4:1-22; Psalm 71:1-8 “David pleaded with God for the child”, born of his adultery with Bathsheba, but “the child died” (2 Samuel 12:18). David prayed that “the Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live” (2 Samuel 12:22). The …

Words Of Encouragement

"Paul ... spoke many words of encouragement to the people" (Acts 20:1-2). Encouragement - What an important ministry this is! We are to encourage one another in the Lord. Our  words are to be upliftings words - words that say, 'Lift up your eyes. Look to Jesus. See how great He is. See how much …

Spiritual power

What is spiritual power? Where does it come from? Does spiritual power come from within ourselves? Jesus tells us that it comes from somewhere else. He tells us that it's "power from on high" (Luke 24:49). He tells us that it's the "power"of "the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:8). "The day of Pentecost" was not about …

Christlike in life, Christlike in death

Acts 6:8-8:3 In life and death, Stephen was Christlike. In life and death, he made a great impact. In life, we see him, 'full of grace and power', doing 'great wonders and signs among the people'. People noticed that 'his face was like the face of an angel'. Even his enemies took notice of him. …

Raised From The Dead!

“God raised Jesus Christ from the dead” (Acts 2:24). Did this become true only because a lot of people said that it was true? Has it become false because many people refuse to believe that it’s true? No! It’s God’s great miracle. Death has been defeated. There is hope. Death will not triumph over us. …

The Holy Spirit – God’s gift, not His reward

Acts 1:1-26 We read, in John 7:39, that 'the Spirit' would not be 'given' until Jesus was 'glorified'. Now, as Jesus was about to be 'taken up...into heaven', He tells His apostles, 'the Holy Spirit' will 'come upon you' (11,8). He gives them His Word of promise: 'I send the promise of my Father upon …

Authority and power

"Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, …

Prayer and blessing

+ Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas …

Preaching the Word of God in the power of the Spirit of God.

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly (Acts 4:31). Preaching the Word of God in the power of the Spirit of God: that's what we have here. This is what our preaching should be: "filled with the Holy …

We have many teachers. We have only Saviour, and we have only one Lord. His name is Jesus.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).  Jesus is …

People can be changed by the love of God.

In Acts 19:23, we read about a riot in Ephesus - "a serious disturbance concerning the way of Christ broke out in the city of Ephesus." Thank God for Ephesians 2:1-5 - "You were once dead because of your failures and sins. You followed the ways of this present world and its spiritual ruler. This …

The Love Of God – Reaching Us And Changing Us

Acts 2:37-38 At the heart of the Gospel, there is the love of God. This is the story told by Peter on the Day of Pentecost – the story of God’s love for us. In love, God offers to us the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (v. 38). These blessings …

The world can still be changed by the love of Jesus.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Love had reached Jesus' disciples. Love had changed them. Now, they would take the love of Jesus with them. Now, they would share …

The better way

2 Kings 21:1-22:20; Acts 28:17-31; Proverbs 16:28-17:4 The rediscovery of the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22) revealed the standard from which Israel had fallen, the standard to which Israel was called. The apostolic preaching had the same twofold effect, speaking of both sin (Acts 28:26-27) and salvation (Acts 26:28). “Better a dry crust …

What happens when God hears and answers prayer?

2 Samuel 20:1-21:22; Acts 8:1-40; Proverbs 14:25-35 “God answered prayer on behalf of the land” (2 Samuel 21:14). At the heart of all the confusion of many events involving the nations, there is God – the God who hears and answers prayer. What happens when God hears and answers prayer? – People hear and believe …

Many stories, one Story

2 Samuel 15:13-16:14; Acts 6:1-7:19; Psalm 71:19-24 The Bible contains many stories. The readings in 2 Samuel and Acts tell us about events that took place a long time ago. Stephen’s message, in Acts, stresses that all of the stories are part one Story – the Story of God in action. Take away God, and …

Let God speak – through you!

Acts 21:15-22:16 Here, we focus on two brief phrases - 'the things that God had done' (19) and you will be a witness for Him' (22:15). In the work of God we must learn to hold these two things together - divine power and human witness. Without the power of God, no one will come to faith in Christ: 'It …

We need the Holy Spirit, and we need the Holy Scriptures.

Seventh Sunday of Easter: Acts 1:15- 17, 21-26; Psalm 1 (or Jeremiah 10:1-10a); Psalm 108; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19 We need the Holy Spirit. We read, in John 7:39, that ‘the Spirit’ would not be ‘given’ until Jesus was ‘glorified’. Now, as Jesus was about to be ‘taken up... into heaven’, He tells His …

Three Great Gifts

Three Great Gifts – Jesus, Forgiveness, And The Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) Through faith in Christ, we put the old life behind us. Our sins are forgiven. We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Through faith in Christ, we receive the strength we need to live as men and women who love God. Through …

Jesus, working in us; Jesus, working through us

"I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). These words of Jesus call us to think about what we're doing. Is there too much of ourselves, and not enough of Jesus? There is work for us to do - but there's something that's more important than our working for Jesus. It's Jesus, working in us, and …

The Real Thing – And The Counterfeit

"But the evil spirit answered them, I know Jesus, and I’m acquainted with Paul, but who are you?” (Acts 19:15). There will always be a difference between the real thing and the counterfeit. There's no doubt about that. The question is: Can we tell the difference between the two? May God give us wisdom to …

Give all the glory to God.

Herod ‘did not give God the glory’. He accepted the praise of the people - ‘This is the voice of a god, not of a man’. Herod’s sudden death - ‘an angel of the Lord struck him down’ - is a warning (Acts 12:22-23; Proverbs 29:1). ‘Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for …