January 21 Acts 12 (ESV) James Killed and Peter Imprisoned 12:1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of … More January 21 Acts 12
The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, (Acts 11:22-23, read Acts 11:19-30 today) John Piper preached a … More The grace of God in spreading the good news through persecution
January 20 Acts 11:19-30 (ESV) The Church in Antioch 19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch … More January 20 Acts 11:19-30
January 19 Acts 11:1-18 (ESV) Peter Reports to the Church 11:1 Now the apostles and the brothers [1] who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began and explained it … More January 19 Acts 11:1-18
John Piper, in a sermon, “Exalting Jesus so the Spirit Falls”– gives many ways in which Peter exalted Jesus in Acts 10:24-48, our reading today. Here is just one point: Peter lifts up Jesus as the Lord of all. Verse 36 (at the end): “You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good … More Lord of all
January 18 Acts 10:24-28 (ESV) 24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27 And as he talked … More January 18 Acts 10:24-28
John Piper helps us understand our Bible reading passage for today, Peter’s vision in Acts 10, in a sermon, “What God Has Cleansed Do Not Call Common”: Let me try to sum up the whole story for us. Cornelius is a Gentile, not a Jew. But he feared God as best he knew him and … More No barriers
January 17 Acts 10:1-23 (ESV) Peter and Cornelius 10:1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day [1] he saw clearly in … More January 17 Acts 10:1-23
John Piper in a sermon, “Jesus Still Turns Things Around” brings this encouragement from Acts 9, our reading for today: Luke drives this home by showing the persecutor becoming the persecuted. First, in verse 23 Luke tells us that the Jews in Damascus plotted to kill him. The hunter becomes the hunted. And he escapes … More Jesus turns things around
January 16 Acts 9:20-43 (ESV) 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to … More January 16 Acts 9:20-43
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 