Let’s return to the beginning of Acts for just a moment. Luke was writing to Theophilus (literally “lover of God”) and reminded him of “the first book… (that) dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up…” (Acts 1.1-2). That “first book” referred to what we... Continue Reading →

When the Lord instructed Ananias to go to Saul, He revealed that this former persecutor of the church would “carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9.15). Paul had spent years fulfilling the Lord’s words, until he arrived in Jerusalem and was attacked by a Jewish mob. But... Continue Reading →

Paul had defended the Way before his countrymen (Acts 22), but more trials were in store. In this lesson we will see Paul defend the Way before a Roman governor, all in prelude to his eventual journey to Rome itself. “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so... Continue Reading →

When the Jews from Asia first seized Paul in the temple, they made three charges against the Lord’s apostle: they said he spoke against 1)the people, 2) the law and 3) this place (see Acts 21.28). In Acts 22 we see Paul make his defense (apologia) before the mob who had just tried to kill... Continue Reading →

“You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” (Acts 11.3) Such was the criticism aimed at Peter when he preached the gospel to the Gentiles, and while he was able to help his critics understand and accept God’s plan (Acts 11.18), a divide would remain between Jew and Gentile converts. That came to the... Continue Reading →

One of the great “I am” statements of Jesus is His proclamation that “I am the good shepherd” (John 10.11). As our shepherd He knows us (vs. 14), gives us direction (vs. 27), gives us security (vs. 28), and He gave His life for us (vs. 11). He remains our good shepherd! However, before His... Continue Reading →

In the Old Testament many battles were waged between Jehovah and the false gods worshipped in the ancient near east. The Lord triumphed over the gods of Egypt during the Exodus, over the Philistine gods when the ark was captured and over Baal during the days of Elijah. However, as the gospel ventured into new... Continue Reading →

Most of us wouldn’t think of Las Vegas as being a city primed to receive the gospel. After all, who in “sin city” would be interested in repentance and holiness? Likewise, who in Manhattan would forsake the pursuit of material gain and “hunger and thirst for righteousness” instead? Or what citizen of Tehran would forsake... Continue Reading →

Hundreds of years before Jesus lived on the earth, the Lord foretold that His Kingdom was going to be established (see Psalm 2; Isaiah 2.1-4; etc.) However, there have always been numerous kingdoms on the earth at any time, so what’s one more? But the Lord declared to the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar that when His... Continue Reading →

Throughout history kingdoms have sought to expand. Often their conquests have resulted in the deaths and enslavement of those in conquered territory. But sometimes the conquerors are viewed as liberators. Our study of Acts has seen the Kingdom established and expand through the proclamation of the gospel. But others still needed liberating; they needed the... Continue Reading →