In this teaching, we learn how Stephen’s martyrdom began a frenzy of Christian persecution to which God used as a launching pad to spread the Gospel outside the city of Jerusalem to Samaria and Judea. Persecution divides the church necessarily cutting away the dross and strengthening what is left. In the fury of persecution in which Saul of Tarsus played a leading role,…
Dedicated to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ
Dedicated to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ
Sermons on Acts (Page 7)
In today’s passage, we see the Apostles appointing spirit-filled men to serve (Greek – deacon) the growing church by solving a dispute about equitable food distribution to both Hebrew-speaking and Greek-speaking widows. Taking this dispute off the Apostles plate allowed them to give themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. The example of servants being used to free…
Within just the first few weeks following the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, those in Jerusalem saw multiple manifestations of the Holy Spirit’s power in the Apostles to perform miracles and to boldly testify of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. “And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women” (Acts 5:14 NKJV). In today’s passage, we…
In today’s study of Acts Chapter 4, the religious leaders challenge the apostles, “being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead” (Acts 4:2 NKJV), demanding to know “By what power or by what name have you done this” (Acts 4:7 NKJV)? Quoting Psalm 118, the Apostle Peter shows that their rejection of Jesus fulfills…
Following the birth of the Church in Acts 2, God continues to pour out His spirit upon His disciples, authenticating their authority as His witnesses by imbuing them with the power to perform miracles and preach with boldness. In today’s passage, Peter, in the name of Jesus, heals the lame man at the Beautiful Gate to the temple. As the people marvel,…