Bible Thoughts

                                        This latest entry examines the challenges of a multicultural church and the persecution of Stephen. ……………………… Verse 6:1 “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.” The first, great interior conflict of the Acts church involved culture. Notice that both groups were Jews, but some were Hellenized Jews (those who had been living in Greek/Roman cultures and were adapted to their customs) and traditional Jews. Not everyone was treated equally by culture. The first church provided for the needs of the members who were destitute, so that no person “lacked.” One of these groups was widows and the Grecian widows were now being left out. The following commentary from the Apostolic study Bible is helpful: “The Gr...

  This entry deals with Ananias and Sapphira, and perhaps the greatest recorded revival in the book of Acts. Feel free to read along with your Bible (not every verse is addressed). ……………………………….. Verse 5: 1-2 “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet” To give background to this, the believers (the NKJV 4:24 says “all”) were selling their lands and houses and laying the money at the feet of the Apostles. It was both a beautiful moment of spiritual unity and solidarity but possibly also a moment of recognition for those who were giving of their wealth. It does not seem that the Apostles demanded this money, but that people willingly came forward and gave it. Perhaps Ananias and Sapphira felt under pressure to do it as well or they were craving the public recognition of such a public offering. --As someone mentioned to me a ...

This entry deals with religious perspectives, civil disobedience and the first conflict of the Book of Acts church. Feel free to read along with your Bible (not every verse is addressed). .......................................................................................... Acts Verse 4: 1-2: “And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.” This is the beginning of the conflict between the followers of Jesus and the religious leaders. The term “Christian” was not yet in use. Up until this point, the followers of Jesus had been “in favor” with the people. So…What caused the change? Could it be that the religious leaders were just learning of the doctrine of the Apostles? Perhaps… But I would say that many religious leaders were alarmed to see this doctrine being taught in the temple area (which they considered to be ...

Verse 3:2 “And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;” This brings to mind the blind man whom Jesus healed earlier. The disciples asked who sinned, the blind man or his parents and Jesus answered “…but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” Whether it is through the miraculous, or through living an overcoming testimony, God desires to shows His works in the lives of believers. Verse 3: 3-4: The man saw Peter and “Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.” Contrast the perspectives between Peter and the lame man. Peter is looking with spiritual eyes and the lame man with the physical perspective. Oh- the difference looking at the spiritual made on that day! Verse 3: 7: “he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up…”. God did the healing but Peter helped to lift him up. Sometimes people need a...

This is the second part of Acts chapter Two. This is quite lengthy, but if you are interested in understanding the Apostolic model of the early church…I would urge you to read. ………………………………………………. Verse 2:39: “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Peter is saying that the promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost is to the whole world. Yet later in the book of Acts, Peter shows resistance to non-Jews (Gentiles) being preached to (Acts chapter 10). Most likely Peter preached something under the influence of the Holy Ghost that he, himself, had not even fully rationalized. Many a preacher, still today, says things over a pulpit with prophetic significance that is only later revealed in its fullness. Also the gift of the Holy Ghost is “for all whom the Lord our God will call.” It is still for people today! God has the exclusive right to call people into this wonderful gift. Someone may have preached to yo...

Hello everyone! During the “shelter-in-place,” I’m doing a chapter by chapter commentary on the Book of Acts. Feel free to read along with your Bible (not every verse is addressed). There is a LOT of things to address in Acts Chapter 2, so I am splitting it into two parts. I’m doing a separate commentary on Acts Chapter 2: 39-47 …………….. Verse 2:1: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” There are strategic moments on God’s calendar. It was a (1.) holy day, (2.) the people of God were together, (3.) they were unified, and (4.) Jerusalem was full of Jews from all over the world due to Pentecost. All four factors were significant! There is a synergy here, the right ingredients for revival: the significance of the Jewish feast Pentecost to prophetic symbolism, the gathering of people’s from all over the Roman world and the unified attitude of the followers of Jesus. Verse: 2:4: “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to s...