“They put forward false witnesses who said, ‘This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy
“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message” (Acts 10:44). When we read verbs like “fell upon” to describe the Spirit's activities, we all too easily think about the Spirit of God in terms of a non-personal force
“Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him” (Acts 8:2). It may sound morbid, but I often think about my funeral. I wonder who will be there and who won't. I wonder what will be said about me. I wonder if there will be any tears shed.
“Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake” (Acts 9:15-16). Who wants to be a “chosen instrument” in the hands of
“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:1-2). Often times
“Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them” (Acts 8:5). For Jewish and Samaritan followers of Jesus, the gospel brought with it a radical change of heart and mind, a willingness to set aside a centuries' old racial and political conflict. Philip's journey to
“Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord GOD! Surely You have utterly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, ‘You will have peace’; whereas a sword touches the throat.' … My soul, my soul! I am in anguish! Oh, my heart! My heart is pounding in me; I cannot be silent, because you
“While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are looking for you. But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.' … The Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings” (Acts 10:19-20; 11:12). I
“Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem….
“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Tim 2:3-4). One of the more unifying aspects of life in Israel
“But when it came to the king’s attention, he commanded by letter that his wicked scheme which he had devised against the Jews, should return on his own head and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows” (Esth 9:25). Well-known is the fact that the book
“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim 2:1). Paul, who has completed his race, is giving final instructions to Timothy, his beloved son in the faith. Paul urges Timothy to be “strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” Sad
“If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their forefathers, in their unfaithfulness which they committed against Me, and also in their acting with hostility against Me — I also was acting with hostility against them, to bring them into the land of their enemies — or if their
“But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time. On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family was disclosed to Pharaoh” (Acts 7:12-13). Stephen's sermon comes in response to the accusation that he was speaking
“Then Saul immediately fell the fullness of his great height to the ground and feared exceedingly from Samuel's words; also there was no strength in him because he had not eaten food all day and all night” (1 Sam 28:20; translation my own). I'm a firm believer in the need
“Let everyone be on guard against his neighbor, and do not trust any brother; because every brother deals craftily, and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. Everyone deceives his neighbor and does not speak the truth, they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity….
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