Sleeping during preaching? In Troas, Paul faced another difficulty as a young man fell asleep and fell from an upper window to the ground below. He was taken up dead to the great distress of the church there, but the story was not over.
Sleeping during preaching? In Troas, Paul faced another difficulty as a young man fell asleep and fell from an upper window to the ground below. He was taken up dead to the great distress of the church there, but the story was not over.
How do you get a crowd going? The final scene in Ephesus is a confused mob. They were incited by the silversmiths, but most don’t know why they’re there. One thing is certain–they are upset.
How do you preach to people who have no knowledge of the Bible? Paul gave a message before the council at Mar’s Hill. On the surface, it sounds different from one he gave in the Synagogue. However, closer inspection reveals all the same elements of Gospel preaching are there.
Can that really happen? Peter and his companions were surprised by events in Caesarea, but God wasn’t. Peter faced objections back home with the church in Jerusalem. He retells the account, highlighting the work of God and the Spirit, in order to bring them along to the conclusion he reached.
What is the Gospel to the Gentiles? This passage gives Peter’s message at Cornelius’ house. The Gospel message is the same to the Gentiles it is to the Jews. Salvation is in Jesus Christ alone through faith in his name, accompanied by repentance.
How could two enemies become friends? Saul of Tarsus was the last man Christians in Damascus wanted to see. He was persecuting Christians with exceptional zeal and had now gone outside Jerusalem. He was converted just outside Damascus, but Ananias’ reluctance was understandable. Saul showed the fruit of a completely changed life and became a…
Didn’t the Samaritans and Jews hate each other? Yes they did. The Jews and the Samaritans had no dealings with one another and the animosity between them was long standing and deep seated. So, did the Samaritans have to become Jews in order to be saved? No they did not. Philip came from Jerusalem and preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ freely…
What do you have to say for yourself? Stephen was arrested and charged with blasphemy. His experience was paralleling Jesus’ experience before this same council. As Stephen begins to answer the charges, it becomes clear he is not interested in pleading his own defense. He has a message to deliver to the council.
Faithful in Little and Faithful in Much Stephen was one of the seven chosen to serve tables. Soon after, wider ministry opportunities opened up for Stephen. He preached Jesus in Jerusalem and Jews disputed with him about Jesus. He spoke in the synagogues and they couldn’t answer the wisdom of Stephen in showing that Jesus…
Who’s distracted? We live in an age of distraction. We think this is unique with technological advancement, but Christians were distracted in the first century. Martha was distracted by serving others and Mary not helping her (Luke 10:40). Peter was distracted by the Apostle John and what John’s path would look like (John 21:20-22). Before…