Archive for the ‘Acts--BibleTrekToday’ Category

Scripture reading for June 21st: Acts 13:42-14:7

Even when the preaching got them expelled from the region, the missionaries left with joy knowing that the Lord was using them to bring light into the darkness!  The people who were usually behind the persecution were the religious Jews who were threatened by the message and its power to draw people.

Paul and Silas were invited back to the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch.  During the week, their message stirred up the people and the whole city was on hand to hear them again.  (Acts 13:44-45)  This made the Jews who ruled the synagogue jealous and they talked abusively about the missionaries.   “Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first.  Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.  For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”" (Acts 13:46-47)

The Gentiles who heard this word of rebuke, gladly believed and were saved.  The word of the Lord spread quickly throughout the whole region but the Jews were upset and pushed back against it.  “But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city.  They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.  So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.  And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 13:50-52)

The disciples had been taught by Jesus how to respond–shake the dust off as a witness against these people!  (Matthew 10:14-15)  Jesus had promised that it would be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town or people.  Jesus sent his disciples out as sheep among the wolves and they needed to be shrewd and know that not everyone would accept their message!  It would offend some.

Even as they were expelled, a fullness of joy and the Holy Spirit marked these followers.  It is a blessing to be used by God for the purpose of bringing eternal life to those who will be saved!  There is no joy quite like it!  Have you experienced this joy for yourself?  Why not ask the Lord for opportunity today?

Scripture reading for June 20th:  Acts 13:16-41

The Book of Acts contains over twenty messages from various ministers of the Gospel in the early church.  If you are a preacher or like to share the Gospel, it is helpful to study these messages and see how the Holy Spirit inspired these early men of God to share.  Their preaching was certainly not ‘ear-tickling’ and often got them into trouble because it stirred up people who were under conviction. It also brought salvation to those who listened!

Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the Holy Spirit on their first missionary journey.  As they went to the city of Pisidian Antioch, they went to the Jewish synagogue on the Sabbath day.  The synagogue rulers invited them to give a message of encouragement to the people.  Paul stood up, himself a former Pharisee, and addressed the people who were gathered.  In the back was a bench for ‘God-fearing’ Gentiles who were addressed as well.  Paul began his message by going back through the Old Testament and recounting Jewish history to show them that Jesus Christ was a descendant of their forefather Abraham and then through King David.  This Jesus was the Savior who was promised. (Acts 13:16-23)

Paul then told them the Gospel message that was for them, Jew and Gentile!   Jesus Christ was crucified and buried.  God raised Him from the dead!  He was seen by many who are now witnesses of Jesus Christ.  All these events were to fulfill Scripture promises that God had made to Israel!  Paul cited Psalm 2:7: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.” He also sited Isaiah 55:3 and Psalm 16:10 to prove that Jesus would be resurrected according to the Scripture.  “I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.”  “You will not let Your Holy One see decay.” (Acts 13:33-35)

Paul concluded his message with an altar call and a warning!  “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.  Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the Law of Moses.  Take care what the prophets have said does not happen to you: “Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you so.” (Acts 13:38-41) (Habakkuk 1:5)

Scripture reading for June 19th:  Acts 12:24-13:15

We see the Holy Spirit deeply involved in the missions effort of the early church.  At Antioch, the church met with various prophets and teachers gathering together for worship and fasting.  During a worship service, the Holy Spirit spoke through one of the prophets, giving a word of knowledge and instruction.  “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2)  The church continued the time of fasting and worship and then laid hands on these men and sent them on their journey.  The Holy Spirit had already been leading them and this word confirmed that now was the time to go.

They went by boat to the Island of Cyprus.  They went to the Jewish synagogues and preached to the Jews the word of Christ.  As they traveled, they met a Jewish false prophet and sorcerer named Elymas, who was an attendant to Sergius Paulus, the Proconsul of the island.  Sergius Paulus sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.  They were opposed by Elymas and he tried to hinder their ministry.  The Holy Spirit rose up in Saul (Paul), and he looked at this sorcerer and rebuked him: “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right!   You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery.  Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?  Now the hand of the Lord is against you.  You are going  to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.” (Acts 13:10-11)  This blindness came on Elymas immediately and when the Proconsul saw this happen, he believed!

These missionaries traveled from city to city, led by the Holy Spirit.  Their pattern was to go first to the Jews and preach Jesus Christ.  When opposition arose from the Jews and religious spirits, they went to the God-fearing Gentiles who were open to be saved.  (Acts 13:42-48)  This was the word of the Lord that they followed and God through the Holy Spirit brought a harvest  among the Gentiles!  When persecution came up against them, they did what Jesus had taught them, shaking the dust from their feet they went to another city!  (Acts 13:51-52)  Even with the persecution, these disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit!

Scripture reading for June 18th:  Acts 12:1-23

The church experienced times of peace, but also went through times of conflict.  The church could grow in times of peace but did not stop growing because of conflict!  God is able to use even the wickedness and wrath of man to bring Him praise and nothing will stop Him from accomplishing His program of winning the lost from the whole world!

King Herod began to persecute the church and arrested James, the brother of John and had him put to death.  He also seized Peter during the Jewish celebration of unleavened bread following Passover.  He wanted to gain some political capital with the Jews.  The church began fervent prayer for Peter, who was imprisoned by being chained to guards in a locked cell.

In the night, Peter was awakened by an angel.  He was told to get up and dress.  As he obeyed, the chains fell off his wrists and he followed the angel out of the prison past the sleeping guards and having locked doors swing open before them.  (Acts 12:9-10)  Peter went to Mary’s house and knocked on the door.  The disciples were there praying and a slave girl answered the door.  When she heard Peter’s voice, she ran and told everyone but they thought she was crazy!  Peter kept knocking and they finally let him in to tell his amazing story!

Why James died at the hands of Herod and why Peter was spared is not answered by God’s word.  We do know that after James’ death, when Peter was seized the church began to pray fervently. (Acts 12:5)  God heard and answered!   Prayer moves the hand of God and can open closed doors.

Herod seemed oblivious to what God was doing.  He questioned the soldiers guarding Peter and then had them  put to death for allowing Peter to escape.  God was not mocked, however.  Herod was sitting on his throne sometime later giving an address and the people were worshiping him as a god.  Herod was soaking in the worship instead of giving praise to God.  An angel of the Lord struck him down and he was eaten by worms.  (Acts 12:21-23)

Through all of this persecution and spiritual conflict, the word of God increased and continued to spread.  (Acts 12:24)  Conflict purifies and unites the true church for prayer and ministry.  Be prepared for the battles that are coming!

Scripture reading for June 17th: Acts 11:1-30

Without a vision, people cast off restraint.  (Proverbs 29:18)  Spiritual vision is the ability to see with the eyes of the heart what God is doing and where He is taking you.  Accurate spiritual vision will always line up with the Word of God, which never changes.

The leadership of the early church was overwhelmingly devout Jews who had come to Christ.  Their understanding of God’s plan was filtered through their religious training and traditions.  There were parts of the Holy Scriptures that they were not open to and God had to help them.  God worked with Peter first, helping him to see the need to go to the Gentiles.  When the others in Jerusalem heard that Peter went to the Gentiles, they did not understand and criticized Peter. (Acts 11:1-3)

Peter explained how God had helped him to see that the Gentiles were also to be saved.  (Acts 11:14)  God worked in such a miraculous and supernatural manner, that their eyes were opened to God’s bigger plan.  When these Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of tongues, all doubt was removed!  (Acts 11:15-17)  Those who heard the testimony began to praise God for granting the Gentiles repentance to eternal life!

With this new vision, the scattered church began to preach to the Gentiles in distant lands.  Some went to Cyprus and Cyrene and Antioch preaching to the Greeks there.  “The Lord’s hand was on them and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” (Acts 11:21)  God’s grace brought salvation to all who would believe!  The disciples in Jerusalem sent Barnabas who found Saul and both went to preach in Antioch and instruct the believers there.  Great numbers of people were brought to the Lord as these apostles taught in Antioch for a whole year together.  It is recorded that Christ’s followers were first called “Christians” at Antioch!  (Acts 11:26)

New vision, expanded ministry, and great numbers of people being saved brought excitement and joy to the early church.  Men and women, full of the Holy Spirit preached and taught, bringing the Word of Jesus Christ to Jew and Gentile alike.  God saved all who believed!  This simple program is still in effect today!  God wants to use you to reach the world you live in!  Are you full of vision and equipped with the Holy Spirit?

Scripture reading for June 16th:  Acts 10:24-48

Peter got out of his comfort zone, and went with the men to the house of Cornelius.  He found a large crowd of people awaiting his arrival and explained to them how God had helped him overcome his religious fear of becoming unclean in the house of a Gentile.   (Acts 10:27-28)

Peter asked Cornelius why he had sent for him. Cornelius told Peter and the crowd about the vision he had and instructions to send for Peter.  “Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” (Acts 10:33b)  This invitation opened the door wide for Peter to preach the full Gospel message!

After telling the people that God accepts people of all nations who fear God, Peter preached Jesus Christ. “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.  You know what happened through out Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached–how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him. (Acts 10:34-38)   He then told them about the crucifixion and resurrection on the third day and Jesus’ command for the disciples to preach that Jesus is the judge of the living and dead.  Peter told about forgiveness of sins for all who would believe in Jesus’ name.

As Peter was preaching, the Holy Spirit came on all who were listening.  Peter and his Jewish Christian companions who had been baptized in the Holy Spirit at the first Pentecost now heard these Gentiles also speaking in other tongues and praising God!  God was no respecter of persons or nationalities!  Peter ordered them baptized in water and stayed to instruct them.

Have you experienced Pentecost?  Don’t just read about it and think it was nice for them!  It is for today!  “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–fr all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39)

Scripture reading for June 15th:  Acts 10:1-23

Has God ever asked you to do something that was beyond your ‘comfort zone’?  Did you struggle to really know that it was God speaking?  In today’s reading, we see how God speaks to believers and Gentiles to bring them together so that His will and purposes will be established.  God is not so concerned with our comfort as with our obedience!

At Caesarea, a Roman Centurion named Cornelius was know as a God-fearing man who gave generously to the poor.  One afternoon, he had a vision in which an angel of the Lord appeared to him and called his name.  He responded and the angel spoke to him: “Your prayers and gifts to the poor  have come up as a memorial offering before God.  Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.  He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” (Acts 10:4b-6)  It is interesting to note that our giving comes before the Lord and gets His attention.  God misses nothing.  Because of his giving, God instructed the angel to go and have Cornelius send for the apostle Peter.  He told him exactly where to go.  God also knows right where we live!  He doesn’t need a GPS!

As the men went to get Peter, he was on his roof praying as he awaited his meal.  He experienced a vision from God.  “He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.  It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds of the air.  Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” (Acts 10:11-15)  Peter initial refused because he believed that these foods were unclean.  The voice spoke again, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” Peter saw and heard this three times before the vision ended.

As the men arrived at Peter’s house and the Spirit spoke to Peter telling him to go down and greet them and go with them.  Peter’s comfort zone had been enlarged by God to enable him to go and share the Gospel with these Gentiles!  Are you open to have God enlarge you ‘comfort zone’?  He wants to take you to some new places of witness!  Pray and wait for the vision!

Scripture reading for June 14th:  Acts 9:26-43

God’s Kingdom is always in conflict with the kingdoms of this world and of the devil.  We are told to stand in the full armor of God in this conflict.  But even in conflict, God grants times of peace where He also works in the hearts of men to bring about His purposes.

“Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace.  It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.” (Acts 9:31)  After Saul was converted, the wave of persecution caused by his misguided zeal subsided and a time of peace settled over the church.  The Holy Spirit strengthened and encouraged the believers.  The Father’s gift was invaluable in each of these new disciples.  They found boldness and power to share the Gospel and see the church grow in numbers.  Their proper respect for God, the fear of the Lord, helped them to stay focused and living holy lives.

In this atmosphere, Peter traveled about the countryside ministering to the saints.  He visited Lydda and there was used to heal a man who was bed-ridden for eight years.  This miracle brought many new believers into the church there.

In Joppa, a disciple named Tatitha who was a faithful worker in the church became ill and died.  The church sent two men to find Peter who was near there.  Peter came and found a number of widows mourning Tabitha’s passing.  Peter knelt down by the bed where her body was laid and spoke to her, “Tabitha, get up.”  She immediately opened her eyes and they helped her up.  This miracle brought many others to faith in the region around Joppa!

Good news travels fast and God promised to confirm His word with signs and miracles.  This early church did not just sit around during the time of peace, but continued in faith and good works.  Their lives were marked by expectation of God’s supernatural power and intervention.  They were sharing their faith with those outside and seeing people come to faith!  They lived in the fear of the Lord and holiness brought God’s presence.   May your life and church family be marked by a time of peace like this one!

Scripture reading for June 13th:  Acts 9:1-25

What was you conversion like?  I remember going to an altar at the little Methodist church on a Thursday night youth meeting in response to the Gospel.  I heard the message and knew I needed to make a commitment.  I remember the feeling of change and the excitement of knowing sins forgiven.  We should all think back and remember our time of change!  God saw fit to record the change in one of His servants, Saul, that we read about today.

Saul was a Pharisee, zealous for the Jewish tradition.  He saw in the Christians a threat to His traditions and became very zealous to rid the world of them.  To his way of thinking, these people needed to be eliminated.  He went to the high priest and got letters authorizing him to arrest any of this sect he called ‘the Way’.  (Acts 9:1-2)

“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.  He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul why do you persecute Me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.  “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied.  “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:3-6)   Saul was confronted by Jesus, Himself as he went to round up more Christians.  Jesus told him who He was and that his actions were against Him!  The revelation of Jesus was in a bright light that flashed like lightning around Saul.  When he got up to go, he was blind and those with him had to lead him into the city by the hand, where Saul prayed and fasted for three days.

In Damascus, another disciple named Ananias was given a vision of the Lord.  As he responded, the Lord told him to go to the house where Saul was praying and lay hands on him to restore his sight.  Ananias told the Lord his concerns, but he was reassured and sent to Saul. “Go! This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.  I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.” (Acts 9:15-16)  Saul’s sight was restored and he was filled with the Holy Spirit and baptized in water.  The miraculous conversion would change the world!

Scripture reading for June 12th:  Acts 8:14-40

Some in today’s religious community teach and believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was only for the days of the early church.  The apostle Peter stated in his opening message in Acts 2:38, that the gift of the Spirit was for them, their children and all who were far off–all the Lord our God would call.  This promise of the Holy Spirit was initially fulfilled on Pentecost after the resurrection.   Luke records the spread of this gift from Jerusalem to Samaria and then to the Gentiles. Today’s reading is about the Samaritans receiving the gift!

Luke tells us that after Stephen’s stoning, persecution caused the apostles and believers to spread out.  Saul was behind some of this persecution for he was enraged at the church and sought to destroy it.  He went from house to house and found believers and had them killed or imprisoned.  But God is not stopped by man’s anger!  In fact, during times of persecution, the light of the Gospel shines brighter through those whose faith is strong and secure!

Philip went to Samaria and proclaimed Christ there.  He did many miracles and cast out evil spirits, bringing healing to cripples and paralytics.  There was much joy in the community.  A man called Simon was a sorcerer and boasted that he also had great power.  He did magic and many had followed him, but when Philip came doing miracles, many believed in Jesus and were baptized.  Even Simon believed and was baptized and followed Philip everywhere. (Acts 8:9-13)

The apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of Christ, and Peter and John came for a meeting.  While there, they prayed for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit and many were baptized as they laid their hands on them.  Simon saw this demonstration of power, most likely he heard them speaking in tongues.  He tried to offer money to the apostles so that he could get that ability.  Peter rebuked him sharply, calling on him to repent of his wickedness, bitterness, and sin.  Simon asked for prayer then as well.  (Acts 8:20-24)

God’s gifts are just that–gifts!  They can’t be bought, only received by faith with thanksgiving.  God is no respecter of persons either.  He will pour out His Spirit on all who seek!