THE BOOK OF ACTS – A TRAGIC TRADE

A TRAGIC TRADE “When Paul and Barnabas finally realised what was going on, they stopped them. Waving their arms, they interrupted the parade, calling out, ‘What do you think you’re doing? We’re not gods. We are men just like you, and we’re here to bring you the Message, to persuade you to abandon these silly god-superstitions and embrace God Himself, …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – THE WAR INTENSIFIES

THE WAR INTENSIFIES ‘”But then there was a split in public opinion, some siding with the Jews, some with the apostles. One day, learning that both the Jews and non-Jews had been organised by their leaders to beat them up, they escaped as best they could to the next towns — Lyconia, Lystra, Derbe and that neighbourhood — but then …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – CONFIDENCE WORTH HAVING

CHAPTER 14 CONFIDENCE WORTH HAVING “When they got to Iconium they went, as they always did, to the meeting place of the Jews, and gave their message. The Message convinced both Jews and non-Jews — and not just a few, either. But the unbelieving Jews worked up a whispering campaign against Paul and Barnabas, sowing mistrust and suspicion in the …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – IN THE EYE OF THE STORM

IN THE EYE OF THE STORM “Some of the Jews convinced the most respected women and leading men of the town that their precious way of life was about to be destroyed. Alarmed, they turned on Paul and Barnabas and forced them to leave. Paul and Barnabas shrugged their shoulders and went on to the next town, Iconium, brimming with …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – OUTSIDERS IN – INSIDERS OUT

OUTSIDERS IN – INSIDERS OUT “Paul and Barnabas didn’t back down. Standing their ground they said, “It is required that the Word of God be spoken first of all to you, the Jews. But seeing that you want no part of it — you’ve made it clear that you have no taste or inclination for eternal life — the door …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – POWERFUL NONSENSE!

POWERFUL NONSENSE! “When the service was over, Paul and Barnabas were invited back to preach again the next Sabbath. As the meeting broke up, a good many Jews and converts to Judaism went along with Paul and Barnabas, who urged them in long conversations to stick with what they’d started; this living in and by God’s grace.” Acts 13:42-43 (The …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME? “‘David, of course, having completed the work God set out for him, has been in the grave, dust and ashes, for a long time now. But the One God raised up — no dust and ashes for Him! I want you to know, my very dear friends that it is on account of this resurrected …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – CRIME SCENE WITH A DIFFERENCE

CRIME SCENE WITH A DIFFERENCE “After they had done everything the prophets said they would do, they took Him down from the cross and buried Him. And then God raised Him from death. There is no disputing that — He appeared over and over again many times and places to those who had known Him well in the Galilean years, …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – WHO DID IT?

WHO DID IT? “From out of David’s descendants God produced a Saviour for Israel, Jesus, exactly as He promised — but only after John had thoroughly alerted the people to His arrival by preparing them for a life-change. As John was finishing up his work, he said, ‘Did you think I was the One? No. I’m not the One. But …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – THE APOSTOLIC MESSAGE

THE APOSTOLIC MESSAGE “On the Sabbath they went to the meeting place and took their places. After the reading of the Scriptures — God’s Law and the Prophets — the president of the meeting asked them, ‘Friends, do you have anything you want to say? A word of encouragement perhaps?’ “Paul stood up, paused and took a deep breath, then …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – QUITTER

QUITTER “From Paphos Paul and company put out to sea, sailing on to Perga in Pamphylia. That’s where John called it quits and went back to Jerusalem. From Perga the rest of them travelled on to Antioch in Pisidia.” Acts 13:13-14a (The Message) John Mark threw in the towel after the first leg of the journey. Why? Luke gives no …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – REALLY BLIND BLINDNESS

REALLY BLIND BLINDNESS  ‘The governor invited Barnabas and Saul in, wanting to hear God’s Word first-hand from them. But Dr Know-It-All (that’s the wizard’s name in plain English), stirred up a ruckus, trying to divert the governor from becoming a believer. But Saul (or Paul), full of the Holy Spirit and looking him straight in the eye, said, ‘You bag …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – CALLED AND COMMISSIONED

CHAPTER 13 CALLED AND COMMISSIONED “The congregation at Antioch was blessed with a number of prophet-preachers and teachers: Barnabas, Simon nicknamed Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manean, an advisor to the ruler Herod, and Saul. “One day, as they were worshiping God — they were also fasting as they waited for guidance — the Holy Spirit spoke. ’Take Barnabas and Saul …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – HEROD’S STICKY END

HEROD’S STICKY END “At daybreak the jail was in an uproar. ‘Where is Peter? What’s happened to Peter?’ When Herod sent for him and they could not produce him nor explain why not, he ordered their execution. ‘Off with their heads!’ Fed up with Judea and the Jews, he went for a vacation to Caesarea.” Acts 12:18-19 (The Message). Judgment …Continue reading →

THE BOOK OF ACTS – FAITH AND UNBELIEF

FAITH AND UNBELIEF “Still shaking his head, he went to Mary’s house, the Mary who was John Mark’s mother. The house was packed with praying friends. When he knocked on the door to the courtyard, a young woman named Rhoda came to see who it was. But when she recognised his voice — Peter’s voice — she was so excited …Continue reading →