Category: Acts

Acts 17:1-15 – Are You Open Minded?

Read Acts 17:1-15

Do you feel a little like you are accompanying Paul on his missionary journey? Does the way Luke writes this account make you feel like you are right there? We also see a little of life in Thessalonica to see what kind of believers there are and what their challenges may be. As you may know, Paul writes two letters to that community of faith as part of our New Testament.

What struck you most about this leg of the men’s journey? Do you want to see a map so that you truly picture the countryside being covered? I like picturing Paul teaching the Bible to folks. Of course, stories about Jesus were not part of the Scriptures Jews were familiar with. In those early days, it was writers like Luke who were also keeping track of Jesus’ life and impact on the world. Our New Testament was living out loud as it was written. Continue reading “Acts 17:1-15 – Are You Open Minded?”

Acts 16:16-40 – God Uses Our Pain

Read Acts 16:16-40

It’s helpful to remember that Philippi was a Roman colony for all that happens to our missionaries in this reading. Did it surprise you that Paul and Silas would have been thrown into prison for preaching the Good News? Roman law would have required that new religions be recognized and approved. The real reason the men were mad at Paul was because of their greed and how Paul’s deliverance had hurt their business. The masters had to think fast, realizing a personal vendetta would not anger the authorities.

The persecution Paul and his companions faced was intense. We shouldn’t rush past what they endured. Spreading the gospel was not always a “walk in the park” for them. Still today, Christians find themselves at odds with non-believers. When I think of what is happening to fellow believers in Nigeria, my heart shatters. Despite all the killing and fears persecution brings, God’s people remain faithful. Have you ever thought about how you would stand up for Jesus if put in a threatening position? Continue reading “Acts 16:16-40 – God Uses Our Pain”

Acts 15:36-16:15 – Are You Listening?

Read Acts 15:36-16:15

Luke, our author, stayed with Paul. We see a parting of ways now for Paul and Barnabas. They had had such a good run on the first missionary journey. But their vision for what was next or who would be included did not align. We’ve probably seen rifts between ministry leaders before, but this was a complete change of direction for these traveling companions. Paul thought highly of Silas, his new partner, and now they begin a new adventure together.

Early on, Paul meets Timothy, who will have an important role in Paul’s ministry of spreading the gospel. I was a little surprised after all the talk about circumcision we read in Galatians that Paul would put Timothy through that. But Timothy was considered a Jew, even if he was only half Jewish. The towns mentioned here, Lystra and Derbe, are both found in southern Galatia. Paul is now meeting the people for whom he writes the book of Galatians. Continue reading “Acts 15:36-16:15 – Are You Listening?”

Acts 15:1-35 – Spread the Word

Read Acts 15:1-35

What did you learn from today’s passage? Was it realizing what the “sticking points” were for accepting Gentiles? Was it seeing how the new believers navigated difficult discussions and decisions? Was it wanting to follow Paul’s example of faith and acceptance?

The whole notion of circumcision, while I understand its significance, still seems a bit odd to be such an important “requirement.” It was this issue that ended the first missionary journey abruptly, sending Paul and Barnabas back to Jerusalem, back to the “headquarters” of the new believers to meet with the elders and apostles. Already we have a good example of problem solving. Continue reading “Acts 15:1-35 – Spread the Word”

Acts 14:1-28 – A Divided Audience

Read Acts 14:1-28

Good things were certainly happening for the kingdom, but certainly not without peril to the lives of our missionaries. From the way our author, Luke, describes it, Paul wasn’t phased by the threat of being stoned; he just kept on with his message elsewhere. People were listening and believing in what Paul and Barnabas were preaching about. How could you want to stop that momentum?

However, we’re seeing a pattern develop here. Division. Not everybody is on board with what’s being preached. Those in opposition are turning to violence. Are they perhaps feeling threatened or think they can shut down this Jesus rhetoric if they harm the source? The truth will never be silenced. Continue reading “Acts 14:1-28 – A Divided Audience”

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