Acts
Peter Meets Corneilius
As we read this passage, we must remember that the Jews believed that other nations were outside the mercy of God. The strict Jew would have no contact with a Gentile, or even with a Jew, who did not observe the Law. In particular, he would never have a guest nor ever be the guest of a man …
Paul Warned By the Christians
It was hard for Paul to leave the Ephesian Elders. Luke implies that he had to literally tear himself away from these dear friends (v.1). He found a ship going to Phoenicia, so he got on board and sailed off (v. 2). From there he headed south. The voyage itself was uneventful and probably took …
God’s Message to Peter through a Vision
Before Cornelius could be welcomed into the Church, Peter had to learn a lesson. Strict Jews believed that God had no use for the Gentiles. Sometimes they even said that help must not be given to a Gentile woman in childbirth, because that would only bring another Gentile into the …
Persecution Scatters Believers
The death of Stephen brought on a wave of persecution against the Jerusalem church (vv. 1-2). One of the chief perse¬cutors was Saul, from Tarsus (Acts 22:3), a “Hebrew of the Hebrews” (II Corinthians 11:22), the “son of a Pharisee” (Acts 23:6) and a Roman citizen (Acts16:37). In fact …
A Glimpse of Home
It is interesting to note that people who deify human leaders often turn on them when those leaders do not submit and fit into the mold they have in mind for them. This is what happened as the crowd, which had just tried to make Paul and Barnabas gods, turned against them (vv. 19-20). They …
Peter’s Defense to the Legalists
Peter wisely had taken some Hebrew Christians with him when he went to Cornelius’ house, because it was not long before he was to be confronted for ministering to Gentiles (vv. 1-3). When he returned to Jerusalem he was met by members of the strong legalistic party in the church of …
Boldness At the Barracks
Just as Paul was about to be taken into the barracks, he asked the commandant, May I say something to you (v. 37). The chief captain was surprised to hear Paul speak in the cultured Greek language. He had thought that Paul was perhaps the Egyptian who had led a group of bandits t …
The Urgency of Giving the Gospel To the World
As this book comes to a close, Paul’s hired house in Rome became the headquarters for world evangelism. He was under house arrest and could not go, but others could. People flocked to him. He led people to Christ, inspired others to go, won members of the Roman guard (Phil …
Lydia?“Conversion to Christ and Hospitality Offered
Next, Paul and his party traveled from Troas to Neapolis, a distance of about 150 miles (v. 11). From there they traveled another 10 miles to Philippi (v. 12), which was strategically located on the Roman road. One of the ways Rome ruled the world at this time was through her col …
Paul’s Salvation Testimony
Paul gives his personal testimony of the appearance of the Lord to him on the road to Damascus (vv. 6-7). So far as we know he had never known Jesus in the flesh. His first glimpse of Him was a blinding vision from heaven, and this became the driving, motivating force of his life. When he …