Faithful to the End

As Peter continues to describe the false teachers, he states here that their judgment is certain. They will stand before God in judgment and give account. Peter uses four examples to verify this truth. God can keep the righteous and will punish those who reject him! In his letter, likely to the same group to which he wrote 1 Peter, Peter encourages believers to continue to grow in their understand...

Luke continues the account of Cornelius, the Centurion, in Caesarea and records the sermon of Peter to these God-fearing Gentiles and the ensuing response. Peter first addresses the reality that God is impartial and offers the grace of salvation to all peoples. This is significant, as it demonstrates the uniqueness of the gospel message to each group throughout Acts. There are obvious similarities...

In one of the most significant texts of Acts, Luke continues to track the ongoing advance of the gospel, to Lydda, Joppa and Caesarea. Luke first records two miracles in Lydda and Joppa and then transitions to Cornelius and Caesarea. Cornelius is a God-fearing Gentile, a centurion in the Roman army. While praying, God tells Cornelius to send messengers to Peter and ask him to come to Caesarea. He...

Peter continues his letter with the desire for these believers ongoing growth and godly living. He now very specifically and pointedly addresses false teachers and their actions throughout chapter 2. As he introduces this subject, he first addresses the certainty of false teachers and then describes their approach, listing several characteristics that will be more fully developed throughout the ch...

Luke moves from Philip back to Saul, the persecutor of the early church, and his conversion to Jesus. Saul is so intent on destroying this "new sect" that he travels 135 miles north to Damascus, with letters from the chief priests which authorize him to take any men or woman who are part of "The Way" and bring them back to Jerusalem. As he approaches Damascus, a light as bright...

Paul is challenging Timothy to endure to the end through the power of the Word. The Word of God can encourage and strengthen us to endure in this life. We must be faithful to the Word, to speaking it faithfully and hearing it faithfully. "The Word must fuel your walk." Paul endured to the end because of the Word and its powerful impact in his life and his personal commitment to it. May God give us...

Luke continues the ministry of Philip and his interaction with the Ethiopian Eunuch. The Holy Spirit continues to guide the spread of the gospel and the advance of the early church. Here the Spirit direct Philip to go south of Jerusalem and there he intersects with the eucuch, in his chariot, reading from the prophecy of Isaiah. He does not understand and Philip asks him if he can help him underst...

As Peter continues, he first asserts the importance of reminders - they are essential to aid in our recall. The truths asserted by Peter are not myths and they are not because Peter and the apostles were there with Jesus and are eyewitnesses of his life, ministry, death and resurrection. They witnessed the transfiguration personally and it stands as an example of the certain word of God regarding...

Luke records the first account in the second movement of the book of Acts. Here Philip goes to an unnamed Samaritan city and preaches the gospel, doing miracles, healing and casting out demons. A man named Simon, who practiced magic, was recognized by all and upheld as one from god or somehow empowered by god. As Philip preaches, the city responds to the one true and living God, accepting the trut...

As Peter continues his second letter, he continues with his discussion of adding the divine characteristics to our daily living. Transformed living like this comes only from knowing God more and more and adding the effects of that knowledge to your daily living. Peter calls us to put on the characteristics that should be added increasingly to our faith. Those characteristics include: goodness, kno...

Following the accusations brought against Stephen, the high priest asks if they are true and Stephen proceeds to offer an extended sermon on the history of Israel. Stephen addresses the misconceptions of the land, the customs of Moses and the temple. Stephen presents the historic rejection of the Word of God by the people of God, at times, lacking understanding, but often flatly resisting and rebe...

Peter begins this second letter by grounding his readers in their position with God through Jesus. Believers possess all that we need for both salvation and our ongoing sanctification. God, through Jesus, has given us all that we need for growth in godliness. In salvation, we become partakers of the divine nature, putting on characteristics that are lost in the fall. By his grace, believers can an...

Here in Acts 6, Luke gives us insight into the focus of the early church both the necessity of serving the daily needs and serving the disciples through the word of God. Serving is an important theme, especially related to the new leaders chosen by the congregation of disciples. Christian leaders must always be characterized by a desire to serve others. Are you quick to serve others? Service is a...

As Peter concludes his letter to believers scattered because of persecution, he culminates with another statement of hope offered through the all-sufficient grace of God. The grace of God is available for you as you suffer, as you endure hardships that are just part of life. This is our greatest source of strength in times of difficulty and hardship - the grace of God. Peter in these concluding wo...

Luke records the ongoing and what will become an increase in opposition and persecution even from the religious leaders of Israel. They persecuted Jesus, they now continue with his followers. Several fascinating interactions occur in this passage. The response of the Sadducees, the council to the apostles, but also the apostles response to them. Peter, speaking for the apostles, tells the religiou...

Peter continues his letter to believers scattered because of opposition and persecution by challenging elders, pastors to continue teaching the Word to his people. He addresses the character and approach of elders as they lead the church. Peter also challenges believers to respond to leadership and concludes with an important exhortation for all - engage one another with humility, literally clothe...

Easter is known and celebrated for the Resurrection of Jesus, but for all believers, this truth is actually what we celebrate every single Sunday! In Acts, a book that has been called the Gospel of the Resurrection, the apostles focus on this theme repeatedly. From the introduction in chapter 1 throughout, this theme is repeated. It is theme of the apostles' preaching throughout the book: 2:24...

Peter continues his encouragement and exhortations for these believers who have been scattered abroad because of opposition. They have experienced hardship and suffering, and Peter now reminds them that this is to be expected. This is a hard truth for us in a Western world largely defined by comforts and a longing for ease. Peter begins with the reminder that suffering is an unfortunate reality in...

As Luke continues the story of the early church, he presents a very negative account within the early church. This account is framed by the selfless love and care for one another in the church (4:32-37) and the miraculous working of the apostles and unity of the congregation (5:12-16). The sacrificial giving for others climaxes with the account of Barnabas giving the money he had made in a sale of...

Peter continues to connect the suffering of Jesus to the suffering these believers are facing. As followers of Jesus, we are to take on his attitude and put off the former way of living. Peter characterizes this former way of living with several descriptions of out of control responses. A lack of self-control often defines unbelievers, but it is not supposed to define followers of Jesus. Instead,...

Acts 4 continues the healing of the lame man from chapter 3, but we now have the first opposition to the apostles. Here Peter and John come before the rulers and elders and defend the power of the name of Jesus to heal a lame man. Despite the best efforts of these human rulers and authorities - they cannot deny or thwart the power and authority of Jesus. The name of Jesus frames this entire sectio...

Peter continues again to remind these believers who are facing opposition and suffering that there will be vindication in the end, just as Jesus was vindicated following his suffering. One of the most important things to remember about a difficult text is the overall context in which it occurs. Here Peter begins by making a point of the suffering of Jesus, that provides forgiveness of sins for us...

Luke again records an account of the apostles and their ongoing action and teaching following the ascension of Jesus. This account spans both Acts 3-4. Here Peter and John are going to the temple and come across a lame man begging. Instead of giving him any financial or physical resources, Peter heals him and the lame man is leaping and worshipping God. This man would have been easily recognized b...

As Peter continues to encourage and exhort these believers who have been scattered because of persecution, he turns now to address their interaction with one another. In spite of opposition and suffering, Peter calls these believers to compassionately and humbly engage one another. He continues his theme of maintaining good conduct before those who are outside the church. Our conduct or way of liv...

Peter concludes his sermon, the first in Acts, with the strong application - God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified . The people in the audience respond with great emotion and ask, Brothers, what should we do .  Peter responds with a formula that will occur throughout Acts - Repent  and be baptized. It is important to note that Peter begins with  repent...