Acts – Page 3 – Be Still…

Acts 1:1-26 – In Those Early Days

To get our heads right to walk through the Book of Acts, we need to put ourselves back into the story. Luke picks up right where his gospel leaves off. We’re in those early days following Jesus’ resurrection when everything was just a little unclear. Jesus had been teaching one day and then killed the next. Just like he said, Jesus was brought back to life and spent more time with his friends.

The Book of Acts will take us on a journey through the early days of the Christian church as Jesus’ followers spread the news just as He told them to do. The whole mission relied on one thing for success—the coming of the Holy Spirit. Continue reading “Acts 1:1-26 – In Those Early Days”

Acts 15:1-35 – Gentiles Welcome!

Read Acts 15:1-35

Have you ever been on the ground floor of something new in your community? Our reading today is about one of those early meetings of church leaders to discuss issues facing new believers. Church leadership wanted to be on the same page about what the “new” laws would be. Christ-followers could now be Jew or Gentile, and that whole dynamic was huge in those days.

You’re a Gentile if you’re a non-Jewish person. Jewish believers had to really stretch to allow Gentiles to worship Jesus, too. It’s helpful to know the context here. The issue focuses on tradition and what should be expected of new followers who have no idea about Jewish traditions and laws. For generations, the Jews had done things a certain way according to the law of Moses. Their neighbors, the Gentiles, lived their lives in a totally different fashion. Continue reading “Acts 15:1-35 – Gentiles Welcome!”

Acts 2:1-47 – When the Holy Spirit Came

Read Acts 2:1-47

This passage describes the time the Holy Spirit made quite a splash with Jesus’ followers and those looking on. This was a pivotal moment, and the Christian church was born! Pentecost is still celebrated today by Christians around the world, and the Jews now celebrate the 50 days after Passover as Shavuot.

Jesus had promised he’d send a Helper, and this is the moment. Don’t you wish you could have been a fly on the wall as the Holy Spirit entered that place? What a memorable experience to see tongues of fire and hear the mighty wind and people speaking in different languages for the first time. Peter’s sermon would have been powerful to hear firsthand, witnessing Peter’s boldness and determination to share Jesus’ life-changing message. Continue reading “Acts 2:1-47 – When the Holy Spirit Came”

Acts 9:1-9 – Whom God Chooses

Read Acts 9:1-9

God doesn’t always choose the people you expect. Look at me! I’m a retired paralegal from the Midwest now serving as a missionary in Mexico and writing Bible devotions to help people connect with God. But Saul’s story is extraordinary, and it’s one we should pay attention to.

We’re not told here what becomes of Saul after he’s blinded by the light. Saul’s conversion story is powerful, and you can read more about it and how God uses other people to help Saul here in Acts 9. But for our reflection today, let’s consider what this tells us about our theme of listening to God’s Word. Continue reading “Acts 9:1-9 – Whom God Chooses”

Acts 2:1-4 – Pentecost

“On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.” (Acts 2:1-4)

I love imagining this Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came powerfully upon the believers. The Christian church was born that day. Along with the commotion, there would have been awe and wonder. It’s a day to remember and celebrate. Growing up Lutheran, we always made it a big deal by wearing red to commemorate the fire of the Spirit.

Context (Acts 2:1-41): This particular day of Pentecost would have been the first one without Jesus for his followers. Jesus had promised he’d send the Holy Spirit and had told his friends to wait expectantly. Did they imagine anything like the actual events of this day? Multitudes of people heard them speaking in other languages. Peter was filled to overflowing and preached like never before. Thousands of those hearing the message about Jesus dedicated themselves as followers. Continue reading “Acts 2:1-4 – Pentecost”