Acts Bible Study: Day 12 Today’s passage: Acts 7:51 to Acts 8:4 Focus verse: On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. (Acts 8:1) Everyone listens, without rancor, to what Stephen says in his sermon. Then he starts meddling. He […]
Acts Bible Study: Day 11 Today’s passage: Acts 6:8 to Acts 7:50 Focus verse: Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?” (Acts 7:1) The requirements for the seven deacons are that they should be full of God’s Spirit and of wisdom. Of the seven deacons, Stephen stands out. Luke writes that Stephen is […]
“Be Still and Know that I Am God” In the Bible, God says, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). In our busy world that never stops and seldom lets us rest, the idea to be still is a challenging one. To be still is an instruction to stop all activity, remove […]
Celebrating Holy Spirit Power We’ve talked about the four main Christian holidays. These celebrate that Jesus came to earth (Christmas), died so we could live (Good Friday), overcame death to prove his mastery of it (Easter), and having completed his mission, he gave us a gift (Pentecost). Pentecost is the conclusion of the Easter story. […]
Acts Bible Study: Day 8 Today’s passage: Acts 4:32 to Acts 5:11 Focus verse: Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?” (Acts 5:9) In Acts 2:42–47, we read about a biblical model for church. Remember that this is a description of what happened and not a command for […]
The Promised Gift of the Holy Spirit Today’s passage: Acts 1:4–5, along with Luke 24:49 Focus verse: “John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5) After Luke concludes his introduction to the book of Acts, straightaway he shares a story about Jesus and his […]
Missionaries for Jesus Today’s passage: John 20:21–23 Focus verse: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21) Jesus again says, “Peace be with you!” He’s already said this twice (Luke 24:36 and John 20:19). And he’ll say it a fourth time to Thomas in one week (John 20:26). Jesus says this […]
Acts Bible Study: Day 4 Today’s passage: Acts 2:42–47 Focus verse: And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:47) After Jesus’s followers receive Papa’s gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Luke describes what happens next. It’s huge. First, they dedicate themselves to learning more about Jesus from his […]
Acts Bible Study: Day 3 Today’s passage: Acts 2:1–41 Focus verse: When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. (Acts 2:6) Just before Jesus returns to heaven, he tells his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for a present that Papa will send: the gift […]
Acts Bible Study: Day 2 Today’s passage: Acts 1:9–26 Focus verse: So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. (Acts 1:23) After Jesus tells his followers to wait for the Holy Spirit, he rises into heaven. Though Jesus tells them to wait, he doesn’t say to do nothing. They spend […]