October 6, 2013
After the first sign of persecution, the believers met to pray as one to the one true Ruler (4:24). The thing they prayed for was not God’s vengeance, but for the opportunity to “continue to speak.” God delivers and protects not so that we can go silent, but so that we can proclaim widely (5:30–32).
September 22, 2013
What God provides must be received by faith. What is received by faith must be announced in faithfulness. Only as this gospel is proclaimed and the Lord opens the eyes of the lost are people converted. The power is not in our presentation, but in our Savior.
September 15, 2013
Satan not only tried to attack with threats from outside the church, but from corruption from within. Persecution could scatter a community of believers, but wrong teaching or values could fracture an assembly. The purity of the church is important to God.
September 8, 2013
When persecuted, the church gathers with the company of saints (v. 23) and gives thanks to the God who is working through it all (vv. 24–31).
September 1, 2013
The greatest opposition you will face in giving the gospel may not be from secular sources, but from those who are devoted to a dead religion. This chapter tells Christ’s body what they can expect and how they are to respond.
August 25, 2013
The same Jesus the Jews delivered to die was raised by the Almighty and must be believed by every sinner.
August 18, 2013
Like Peter, we must know who we are witnessing to, Who we are witnessing of, and what the goal of this witnessing is.
July 14, 2013
Jesus was launching the next step in his eternal plan, the Church for which he died. He did this in the heart of Jewish territory, Jerusalem, that they might marvel at his plan. God made a glorious statement at Pentecost. The Lord was alive and working through his Spirit in his Church!
June 23, 2013
Jesus appeared to his disciples and taught them about their upcoming mission. Jesus also promised to return, answering their question about the timing of his kingdom.