In Acts 21, we read about Paul being arrested in Jerusalem at the Temple. Here is Bob Deffinbaugh’s commentary, from Bible.org, on this passage: Paul’s Skillful Use of Language Acts 21:37—22:2 37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commanding officer, “May I say something to you?” The … More Paul’s use of vernacular languages
Pastor Steven Cole discusses discerning God’s will, based on Acts 21:1-12, our passage for today’s Bible reading plan. Here is an excerpt from “Discerning the Will of God” But, then, how do we discern God’s will? The bad news (or good news, depending on how you look at it) is that there is no simple, … More Cole: no simple, mechanical formula in Scripture for discerning God’s will in specific situations.
A commentary on our Bible reading for today, Acts 20:18-35, from D. A. Carson’s “For the Love of God” Volume 1, August 1— PAUL’S ADDRESS TO THE EPHESIAN ELDERS (Acts 20:18-35) can be broken down into three parts. In the first (20:18-24), Paul talks about his own ministry in Ephesus and his own future. In … More D. A. Carson on the features that characterized Paul’s ministry.
Steven Cole, in a sermon from Acts 20:1-16, “HOW ONE MAN CHANGED THE WORLD” The apostle Paul changed the world as few other men have ever done. He lived in a day before jet airplanes or cars and paved highways. He had to go everywhere by foot, on donkeys, or by sailing vessel, none of … More Paul changed the world through his commitment to establish and strengthen local churches.
Steven Cole comments on Acts 19:21-41 Demetrius and his fellow-workers should have asked, “Is the message that Paul and others are proclaiming true? If it is true, we’re in big trouble before the Creator of the universe, because we’ve not only worshiped this stupid idol; we’ve helped thousands of others to do the same! If Paul’s … More Implications of the Gospel
Ray Stedman comments on Acts 19:18-20 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand … More Ray Stedman: Deadly delusions and burning of books
Pastor Steven Cole asks some good questions about the passage for today, Acts 18:18-28, and encourages us to look for ways we see God using “people in process” to accomplish His work. Our text shows us God’s work and God’s workers in process.It’s a passage of Scripture where I wish that the Lord had seen … More Steven Cole: God’s work and God’s workers in process.
And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” Pastor Coty Pinckney shared these reflections on … More When you are in a tough place, remember Paul in Corinth
John Piper comments on Paul’s message at the Areopagus (Acts 17:16-34), in a sermon “Why God Cannot Be Served But Loves to Serve”– In that message, two verses stand out as the essence of why Paul had hated this message and felt so threatened by it. Verses 24-25: “The God who made the world and all … More Piper: Christian gospel – is not a “help-wanted” sign, but a “help available” sign.
Here is an except from a sermon based in our reading for today, Acts 17:1-15 “Rabble and Nobles” by Ray Stedman, preached in 1970 We are told here that the Jews were jealous. They were unable to win against the power of the Scriptures and the logic of the apostle, and so they revealed the … More Ray Stedman: Upside down and right side up
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 