Acts 10:23b-11:18 (AD 44) Again we have complementary descriptions of what becoming a Christians looks like: God “accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right” (10:35) “All the prophets testify about [Jesus] that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (10:43) “even to Gentiles … More Day 163: Even to the Gentiles
Acts 10:1-23a (AD 42) Verse two is not a comprehensive statement of what it means to be a good Christian, but neither is it incidental. The Roman Centurion Cornelius was a “devout and God-fearing” man (not just him, but also his family). Furthermore, “he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly” … More Day 162: Living for God for People
Acts 9:23-31 (AD 34-37) Even at this early point in Paul’s ministry we can see lessons about spreading God’s Word. For example: Don’t wait to share the gospel, just get on with it. For many people healed by Jesus, their immediate reaction was to praise God and tell people what Jesus had done for them. … More Day 161: Paul, the Baby Christian, Obeyed His Calling from Day One
Acts 9:32-43 (AD 34) At roughly the time of Paul’s conversion, Peter was travelling around Israel preaching the message of Jesus, and encouraging the Christians. His status as an apostle – a specially commissioned disciple of Jesus with supernatural authority – was evident from verse 38. Some Christians (at that time they were all referred … More Day 160: God’s Special Concern for the Vulnerable and Neglected
Acts 9:19-22 (AD 34) “Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And … More Day 159: Ignorance is not a Barrier to Usefulness
Acts 8:26-40 (AD 31) It might seem random that Luke mentions that the Ethiopian (modern-day Sudanese) official was a eunuch. But being as this is the Bible, it’s not random at all. Back in Deuteronomy 23:1, around 1400BC, God spoke of the assembly of worship in ancient Israel, which was to be a symbol of … More Day 157: Eunuchs
Acts 8:9-25 (AD 31) This looked like it was shaping up to be a great conversion story. Then it wasn’t. And we don’t even know how it ended. By avoiding a neat narrative, God emphasised that the lessons are elsewhere. For example: No-one is so far gone that God can’t reach them (v.13) People who … More Day 156: Holy Spirit as Marketing Tool
Acts 7:54-8:8 (AD 31) In his big sermon (chapter 7), Stephen told hard truths to an unfriendly audience. Truths that he knew – barring a miracle – they would not accept. Truths that he further knew would enrage them. There had not yet been a Christian martyr, so most likely he wasn’t expecting that their … More Day 155: Where is home?
Acts 7:37-53 (AD 31) Stephen gave it to the Sanhedrin as bluntly as Peter had given it to the general population of Jerusalem. Stephen was not even one of the apostles – he was ‘merely’ a newly-minted deacon But he was given boldness and wisdom from God to deliver these stinging rebukes to any notions … More Day 154: You murdered God
Acts 6:8-7:38 (AD 31) A short devotional today, because it’s a long reading and getting that done is, of course, the priority. Two things for us to focus on: 1. Hate-filled opposition is inevitable. We don’t want it, we don’t court it, and we certainly shouldn’t deliberately provoke it. But as if the example of … More Day 153: Of Hate & History
Paul T Reynolds 