January 13 Acts 8:1-25 (ESV) Saul Ravages the Church 8:1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was … More January 13 Acts 8:1-25
We read today: Acts 7:39-60 Did you notice the repetition of the word “hands?” In 7:41, he mentions how in the incident of the golden calf, Israel rejoiced in the work of their hands. In 7:48, “However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands.” In 7:50, “Was it not My … More Hands and hearts
January 12 Acts 7:39-60 (ESV) 39 Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, 40 saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of … More January 12 Acts 7:39-60
Today we come to the first half of Acts 7, the story of Stephen. Here is a sermon from Acts 7, The Story of a Stiff-Necked People by John Piper. So in Acts 7:1 the high priest gives Stephen a chance to defend himself, “Is this so?” he asks. And Stephen does a very strange … More History as a defense
January 11 Acts 7:1-38 (ESV) Stephen’s Speech 7:1 And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” 2 And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,3 and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and … More January 11 Acts 7:1-38
January 10 Acts 6 (ESV) Seven Chosen to Serve 6:1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists [1] arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we … More January 10 Acts 6
Today we read 5:17-42 in our Bible reading plan. But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors … More God’s power- not ours
January 9 Acts 5:17-42 (ESV) The Apostles Arrested and Freed 17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and … More January 9 Acts 5:17-42
Today we read about Ananias and Sapphira in Act 5:1-16. Here are insights from John Piper, in a sermon “Be Like Barnabas, Not Like Ananias!” Ananias and Sapphira stand for the exact opposite, namely, people who have not really been changed on the inside by being satisfied with all that God is for them in … More John Piper: faking faith in the presence of God is a fearful thing.
January 8 Acts 5:1-16 (ESV) Ananias and Sapphira 5:1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan … More January 8 Acts 5:1-16
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 