THE BOOK OF ACTS – THE CHURCH AT REST

THE CHURCH AT REST “Things calmed down after that and the church had smooth sailing for a while. All over the country — Judea, Samaria, Galilee, — the church grew. They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God. The Holy Spirit was with them, strengthening them. They prospered wonderfully.” Acts 9:31 (The Message). Whew! What a relief! …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – THE TABLES ARE TURNED

THE TABLES ARE TURNED “After this had gone on quite a long time, some Jews conspired to kill him, but Saul got wind of it. They were watching the city gates around the clock so they could kill him. Then one night the disciples engineered his escape by lowering him over the wall in a basket.” Acts 9:23-25 (The Message). …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – CONVINCED AND CONVERTED

CONVINCED AND CONVERTED “Saul spent a few days getting acquainted with the Damascus disciples, but then went right to work, wasting no time, preaching in the meeting places that this Jesus was the Son of God. They were caught off guard by this and, not at all sure they could trust him, they kept saying, ‘Isn’t this the man who …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – HE COULD SEE AGAIN

HE COULD SEE AGAIN “But the Master said, ‘Don’t argue. Go! I have picked him as my personal representative to Gentiles and kings and Jews. And now I’m about to show him what he’s in for — the hard suffering that goes with this job.’ “So Ananias went and found the house, placed his hands on blind Saul and said, …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – A MAN FROM TARSUS

A MAN FROM TARSUS “There was a disciple in Damascus by the name of Ananias. The Master spoke to him in a vision: ‘Ananias.’ “‘Yes, Master?’ he answered. “‘Get up and go over to Straight Avenue. Ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus. His name is Saul. He’s there praying. He has just had a dream …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – STONE BLIND!

STONE BLIND! “His companions stood there dumbstruck – they could hear the sound, but couldn’t see anyone – while Saul, picking himself up off the ground, found himself stone blind. They had to take him by the hand and lead him into Damascus. He continued blind for three days. He ate nothing, drank nothing.” Acts 9:7-9 (The Message). We tend …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – SAUL MOVES TO CENTRE STAGE

CHAPTER 9 SAUL MOVES TO CENTRE STAGE “All this time Saul was breathing down the necks of the Master’s disciples, out for the kill. He went to the Chief Priest and got arrest warrants to take to the meeting places in Damascus so that if he found anyone there belonging to the Way, whether men or women, he could arrest …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – WHY CAN’T I BE BAPTISED?

WHY CAN’T I BE BAPTIZED? “As they continued down the road, they came to a stream of water. The eunuch said, ‘Here’s water. Why can’t I be baptized?’ He ordered the chariot to stop. They both went down to the water and Philip baptized him on the spot. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of God …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – HE PREACHED JESUS

HE PREACHED JESUS “The passage he was reading was this: “As a sheep led to slaughter, And quiet as a lamb being sheared, He was silent, saying nothing. He was mocked and put down, never got a fair trial. But who can count His kin since He’s been taken from the earth?” “The eunuch said, ‘Tell me, who is the …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – THE GOSPEL GOES TO AFRICA

THE GOSPEL GOES TO AFRICA “Later God’s angel spoke to Philip, ‘At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza.’ He got up and went. He met an Ethiopian eunuch coming down the road. The eunuch had been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was returning to Ethiopia, where …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – THE GOSPEL GOES NON-JEWISH

THE GOSPEL GOES NON-JEWISH “And with that the apostles were on their way, continuing to witness and spread the Message of God’s salvation, preaching in every Samaritan town they passed through on their return to Jerusalem.” Acts 8:25 (The Message). At last the apostles were getting it! Jesus’ instruction to take the message beyond the confines of Jewish geography and …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – TO HELL WITH YOUR MONEY!

TO HELL WITH YOUR MONEY! “Peter said, ‘To hell with your money! And you along with it. Why, that’s unthinkable — trying to buy God’s gift! You’ll never be a part of what God is doing by striking bargains and offering bribes. Change your ways, and now! Ask the Master to forgive you for trying to use God to make …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – SIMON THE SORCERER

SIMON THE SORCERER “Previous to Philip’s arrival, a certain Simon had practised magic in the city, posing as a famous man and dazzling all the Samaritans with his wizardry. He had them all, from little children to old men, eating out of his hand. They all thought he had supernatural powers and called him “The Great Wizard.” He had been …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – ENTER SAUL

ENTER SAUL “And Saul just went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house after house, dragging men and women off to jail. Forced to leave home, the believers all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus. Going down to a Samaritan city, Philip proclaimed the Message of the Messiah. When the people heard what …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – GOD HAS HIS WAYS!

CHAPTER 8 GOD HAS HIS WAYS! “The ringleaders took off their coats and asked a young man named Saul to watch them…Saul was right there, congratulating the killers. “That set off a terrific persecution of the church in Jerusalem. The believers were all scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. All, that is, but the apostles. Good and brave men buried Stephen, …Continue reading →