Acts 6 - Six Applications from the Seven Servants
Here in Acts 6, we are introduced to the proto-deacons. Let me share six practical applications that we could all apply....
Keep ReadingActs 18 - August 18
Today we see Paul’s missionary trip to Corinth. It is here where Paul meets the famous Priscilla and Aquila people mentioned a few times in the New Testament. They had come from Italy (shout out to the Loverde’s). What we have in this passage are normal things that we have seen in other passages. We see Paul pleading with the Jewish community, making his case from the scripture that Jesus is the Christ and that he came, died, and rose again and all those who repent and believe in Him will be saved. Paul was faithful in going to each synagogue from each city that he visited to plead with the Jews to believe in the gospel. There is one distinction that we have here that we do not see in other prior chapters of Acts. Verse 6 “And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, ‘Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’” The distinction is that we see Paul become discouraged with trying to reason with the Jewish people that he says, “From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” It was just in chapter 16 that Paul and Silas were singing hymns to the Lord in prison....
Acts 19 - August 19
Growing up in a Pentecostal church, many times people would refer to the miracles of Paul where they would take his handkerchiefs or aprons and touch other people with it to be healed. Which is what we see in this chapter. They would try to reenact those very things. There are two issues with that; Firstly, Paul and the twelve disciples had apostolic authority that was given to them for their time to promote the preaching of the gospel. We no longer have apostles or people who can do those types of things (perform miracles). Secondly, the miracles that we see through the book of Acts are not the main point of the chapters, but they are a means to an end. The point of the miracles is to providentially make a way for the proclamation of the gospel. This is what we see from verses 11-41. In this scene what we have is God using the apostle Paul powerfully. Demons are being cast out, people were being healed, people were being made well. As stated previously, the miracles that were happening were making a way for Paul to be able to powerfully proclaim the gospel. ...
Acts 20 - August 20
Has there ever been a time where you had to say goodbye to a person you would never see again? The emotions that come with that are overwhelming, and that is what we find in verses 17-36. Paul is being led by the Holy Spirit to return to Jerusalem and he calls the Ephesian elders to come meet him at Miletus. Keep in mind that from the time that Jesus departed from the disciples in Acts 1 till now has been about 20 years. So, Paul has been laboring for a long time already, and it is here that Paul feels that life is about to change for him. Verse 22-23 “And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.” Just from this alone you can see how little Paul regarded his own life. Someone could easily say, if the Holy Spirit is telling me that I will go through trials there I am going to go somewhere else. Paul takes the opposite approach, even though there is knowledge that he will go through trials and tribulations he puts himself in the hands of God and follows the instruction of the Spirit. So instead of taking the path of least resistance, he continues on the rugged path knowing that if God is with him, he is safe. Paul rightfully prepares the people he is leaving to be well aware of the dangers that will come. He instructs the elders to always be watchful, to care for the flock, to guard those disciples to not be led astray. ...
Acts 15 - August 15
Paul and Barnabas had just returned from their first missionary journey and were giving reports to the church in Antioch that had sent them out. In verse 1 of chapter 15 it says, “But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’” This verse is the beginning of a lon...
Keep ReadingActs 16 - August 16
Today we are covering Paul’s trip to Macedonia. Many events have taken place in this chapter but, if I can sum it up in one sentence it would be God’s providential plan for our lives is much better than what we can plan. Brian Davis, a pastor at Del Ray Baptist church, in the opening of his sermon on this chapter says, “God often says no to very good things.” Which...
Keep ReadingActs 17 - August 17
Today we will be focusing on verses 16-34. Paul is now in Athens, the capital city of Greece. Athens was a city known for its religious idols and devotion, for its intellectualism, and as you can guess its philosophical culture. According to Paul there were many statues of gods and goddesses all around. This was an extremely pagan city that Paul was in. There are a few thi...
Keep ReadingActs 18 - August 18
Today we see Paul’s missionary trip to Corinth. It is here where Paul meets the famous Priscilla and Aquila people mentioned a few times in the New Testament. They had come from Italy (shout out to the Loverde’s). What we have in this passage are normal things that we have seen in other passages. We see Paul pleading with the Jewish community, making his case from the ...
Keep ReadingActs 19 - August 19
Growing up in a Pentecostal church, many times people would refer to the miracles of Paul where they would take his handkerchiefs or aprons and touch other people with it to be healed. Which is what we see in this chapter. They would try to reenact those very things. There are two issues with that; Firstly, Paul and the twelve disciples had apostolic authority that was giv...
Keep ReadingActs 20 - August 20
Has there ever been a time where you had to say goodbye to a person you would never see again? The emotions that come with that are overwhelming, and that is what we find in verses 17-36. Paul is being led by the Holy Spirit to return to Jerusalem and he calls the Ephesian elders to come meet him at Miletus. Keep in mind that from the time that Jesus departed from the disc...
Keep ReadingActs 9 - Transformation Results in Proclamation
Today we read about one of the most consequential moments in the history of the church – the conversion of Paul. However, I want to consider several other aspects of this chapter that surround the main story that may serve as an encouragement to you....
Keep ReadingActs 7 - Be a Witness
Let’s consider five applications from this bitter-sweet passage about the first martyr....
Keep ReadingActs 5 - Ananias and Sapphira
Today we read the chilling account of the death of two members of the early church. There are several aspects that I would like to note that will hopefully bring both clarity and comfort. First, notice that Ananias and Sapphira both had opportunities to repent. Ananias could have come clean as he was presenting the money to Peter. And in verse 8 Peter also he asked Saphira...
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