Category Archives: Uncategorized

Saul’s conversion doesn’t just affect him personally: it changes the world. A verse comes to mind: If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).. Meeting Christ radically … Continue reading →

Since the church was being persecuted, the members scattered, so the message and miracles went further. Simon the sorcerer also believed, but he misunderstood that it wasn’t magic he was seeing and he couldn’t buy the power of the Holy … Continue reading →

Now those who were scattered abroad went about preaching the word” (8:4). It is ironic that the violence that was supposed to put the early Christians in their place put them in Samaria to fulfill Christ’s great commission preach the … Continue reading →

Stephen offends the people by telling them they are stiff necked and missing the Holy Spirit and disobedient. He sees a vision of Jesus, and— That’s It. Gnashing teeth and pulling ears, they drag Stephen out of town and stone … Continue reading →

Stephen gives a good summary of the first 5 books of the Old Testament (the Pentateuch). Resistance to the Holy Spirit is nothing new to God‘s people, and it’s pretty bold for Stephen to admit that. We can look back … Continue reading →

People judge Christianity by Christians, unreasonable as that is. (I’ve heard Christians are the#1 reason people reject Jesus). I think Methodists like to think we model love and don’t get too explicit with the Gospel words. I’ve often thought if … Continue reading →

Acts 6:1-7 is about leadership in the midst of change. When a ministry grows we must adapt, or else it becomes unmanageable. Then it is more work and less spirit led ministry. Greek-speaking widows are being neglected. “It is not … Continue reading →

It’s a troubling story, but there is something natural about the lies of Ananias and Sapphira in 5:1-11. When we struggle with covetousness, acquisitiveness, and insecurity, do we rationalize and excuse it? “I’m not really all that well off,” “I … Continue reading →

Peter silenced the Jewish leaders. He was bold. He knew the Scriptures, which surprised people since he was not an educated man. They noticed he had been with Jesus, and they saw the lame man standing. We can be bold. … Continue reading →

Peter and John are released from jail and they go home. The response is to pray. They praise God for his power and foreknowledge of the rebelliousness of the leaders. They also ask for God to continue reassuring the faithful … Continue reading →