One of the benefits of a Bible reading plans that draws from different sections of the Bible each day is that there are times when you are struck with similarities between passages. Today is one of those days. In Matthew 1 yesterday, we read that Mary was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. … More The Holy Spirit and Birth
I have the privilege to be married to a man like Luke, who wrote the book of Acts. A man whom John Piper describes in a sermon, “What Jesus Did After the Beginning” Acts 1:1–3 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until … More More than medicine
After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper … More John Piper: Beware of human polls.
Bob Deffinbaugh comments on the ending of the book of Acts: One final word about the supposedly “sudden and abrupt” ending of the Book of Acts. Many have noted the unusual ending of Acts. Some have explained this ending by suggesting that Luke intended to write yet another volume. I think that the ending of … More No happily-ever-after ending to Acts
In recent years, BASE Institute has been involved in painstaking research into Luke’s amazingly detailed account of Paul’s voyage and shipwreck off the coast of Malta, as recorded in Acts 27-28. This is exciting confirmation of the accuracy and truth in the Bible. In approximately 60 A.D., a ship carrying 276 men and a cargo of … More Anchor from Paul’s Shipwreck Found off Malta?
Bob Deffinbaugh (Bible.org) comments on Paul and the shipwreck of Acts 27: Two full weeks had passed, and the storm showed no sign of weakening. No one had seen the sun, the moon, or the stars for many days (verse 20). Since ancient sailors navigated by the heavens, this meant they had no idea where … More Why does God love impossible situations?
Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. … More A heavenly messenger whispered words of encouragement
Bob Deffinbaugh comments on Paul’s testimony before Agrippa: Paul did not describe his conversion as some kind of evolution, but rather as a radical transformation, a change from darkness to light, from death to life, a change from persecuting Christianity to practicing and promoting it. He was actively opposing the church when Jesus stopped him dead … More Radical Transformation
In our Bible reading passage for today, we come to Paul’s testimony before Agrippa in Acts 26. In a message, “Christ’s Purpose in Evangelism,” Dr. John Piper said: When Jesus looked into the future and predicted what would happen to his disciples, he said something very sobering, but also very encouraging. He said (in Luke 21:12–13), … More Strategic opportunity for witness
Bob Deffinbaugh comments on Acts 25 at Bible.org: At the time of Paul’s conversion, God revealed that he would bear testimony of the gospel “before the Gentiles and kings” (Romans 9:15). Paul has already stood before Claudius Lysias, and Felix, and now Festus, and in the next chapter of Acts (26) he will stand before … More God always keeps His promises.
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 