Through the Bible for Skeptics and Seekers

In light of the controversy in the Roman church, what’s the advantage in being Jewish? The Jewish people were entrusted with the words of God through which we are all made aware of our sin and our need for God! Paul emphasizes that both Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin and stand guilty before God. Paul quotes several Old Testament passages to emphasize the universality of hum...

Have an open mind about faith and spiritual things? Whether you have walked with God for a long time or you are not event sure if there is a God, I want to invite you into an adventure! Let’s read 1 chapter a day and 5 chapters a week. Pray: "God, if you are real, show me who you are" OR "God, help me grow to understand you more." Read one chapter of the Bible. Watch or listen...

Just after the list Paul writes describing the ways we have fallen short in our thoughts and our actions, he writes in Romans 2 about not judging others. He points out that it was God’s kindness in our lives that led us to turn to him. In other words, when we understood God loves us in spite of our sins, we willingly repented. We asked him for forgiveness. As followers of Jesus it should be our ki...

Paul writes to the Romans about his desire to come and visit and his calling as an apostle to the Gentiles, a messenger and witness that Jesus is the Son of God as demonstrated by his death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. This “gospel” or “good news” is that we can be made “right with God” by faith. In other words, when we try to follow all the rules in order to get to God, we will al...

We meet Saul in the book of Acts. He begins as someone who opposed Christianity but becomes known as Paul and starts multi-ethnic churches throughout the Roman Empire. His letters were passed around from church to church and have become part of the New Testament. Understanding the context of his letters helps us understand what was happening so we can apply what we read to our lives. Having been e...

With John Burke, founding pastor of Gateway Austin As we conclude the BLESS Challenge, have you been able to see God at work in your life and through your life as you’ve looked for ways to begin to pray, listen, engage, serve, and share your story with your neighbors, co-workers, family, and friends? What we see in the life of the apostle Paul is someone always looking to advance Jesus’ Kingdom to...

With Kenny Green from Gateway Central Austin Paul and others set sail from Caesarea to Rome, and despite the warnings from Paul about the dangers ahead, the centurion in charge of the voyage decides to continue. The journey becomes treacherous as they encounter strong winds and a violent storm. During the storm, the ship is severely damaged, and the crew fears for their lives. However, Paul receiv...

With Austin Gillis from Gateway Austin Paul stands before King Agrippa, passionately defending his faith and ministry. Paul recounts his encounter with Jesus, explains the alignment of his teachings with Jewish Scriptures, and emphasizes the hope of resurrection. The chapter showcases Paul’s unwavering commitment to sharing the message of Jesus and his desire for all to experience the same transfo...

With Theodore Venter of Gateway Austin The Apostle Paul has been imprisoned in Caesarea. Festus, the new governor, learns about Paul’s case and travels to Jerusalem. Paul stands before Festus, and his accusers present their case against him. Paul defends himself against the accusations, stating that he has done nothing wrong according to Jewish law or the temple. Festus, realizing that the charges...

With Natali Banuelos from Gateway Central Austin Paul stands trial before the Roman Governor Felix and defends himself against the false accusations. Felix and his wife Drusilla listen to Paul talk about faith in Christ, righteousness, and the coming judgment; however, Felix becomes afraid and ends the conversation without making a decision keeping Paul in custody. There are some places in this wo...

With Jeff Stapleton from Gateway Austin In Acts, Paul is resting on a general promise of a better life with Jesus. He also has a specific promise he’s been holding onto. In Acts 9:15, Paul is promised that he would one day share the message of Jesus to Kings. God’s promises are not like ours. They aren’t hopes or dreams. They are guarantees. In Acts 23, Paul is talking to the Jewish religious lead...

With Norman Garcia from Gateway Dripping Springs The apostle Paul risks everything to share the story of how he came to receive the Good News of God’s grace, forgiveness, and love. As Paul speaks to the violent crowd, he tries to meet them where they are. They are with him until he mentions including the Gentiles, and then they turn on him. If you are a follower of Jesus, are you willing to pray f...

With Barbara Maureen from Gateway North Austin Paul and his traveling companions leave Ephesus in order to go to Jerusalem. His friends warn him not to go. Just as Jesus made his way to Jerusalem in spite of the danger, Paul had the same attitude. He was willing to die for his faith if necessary. The leaders in Jerusalem celebrate with Paul as he shares the news of so many Gentiles coming to Chris...

The writer of Acts also wrote the book of Luke, and in Acts 20, we see elements and events that mirror certain events in the book of Luke. Paul was on his way to Jerusalem just as Jesus had done. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Paul prays and Eutychus comes back to life! As Paul bids farewell to the Ephesians, he summarizes his life goal: “I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is...

With Isaiah Struve from Gateway North Austin Acts 19 tells the story of Paul's ministry in the city of Ephesus. Paul arrives in Ephesus and encounters some disciples who had only received the baptism of John the Baptist and were not yet aware of the Holy Spirit. Paul explains to them the full message of Jesus and baptizes them in the name of Jesus. As they are baptized, the Holy Spirit comes u...

With Jeff Stapleton of Gateway Austin Paul follows a pattern - teach - change a few lives - make the rest of the town angry - get beaten - jailed - released then sent somewhere new. He lives in this powerful but beautifully chaotic rhythm. In Corinth the rhythm changes, God asks Paul to stay, and he finds community and invests in his community. #newtestament #acts #faith #spirituality #jesus #chri...

Matt McHugh from Gateway North Austin Paul’s life is in danger after sharing the message of Jesus in Thessalonica. Paul finds a much more receptive group in Berea. He then travels to Athens where the philosophers are asking Paul to share about this “new teaching.” Paul notices that everyone worships lots of gods in the city including “an unknown god.” He points out how God puts each of us in the e...

Acts 16 continues Paul and his companion Silas travel to Asia, but the Spirit of God stops them. Paul has an open heart and open mind eventually sensing God guiding them to Macedonia. They come to a city called Philippi, where they meet a woman named Lydia, who is a worshiper of God. As Paul speaks to her and the other women gathered by the river, Lydia's heart is opened, and she and her house...

With Julia Carlisle from Gateway North Austin A significant meeting takes place among early Christian leaders. Some are teaching that non-Jewish believers need to follow Jewish customs, such as circumcision, in order to be saved. This causes confusion and controversy within the early Christian community. The apostles and elders gather in Jerusalem to address this issue. During the meeting, the apo...

With Phil Wright, a Gateway Austin spiritual overseer Paul and Barnabas are in Iconium teaching about Jesus. Great numbers believe Paul’s compelling message, but some reject it. Not satisfied to simply disagree, they spread poisonous rumors and plot to harm Paul and Barnabas. Thankfully they escape unharmed and continue to teach about Jesus and heal in His name. The religious establishment stir up...

With Natali Banuelos from Gateway Central Austin Paul and Barnabas are set aside for the first missionary journey. In one stop, there is a false prophet spreading lies and saying he is the truth. In this dynamic moment and with an almost cinematic showdown, Paul rebukes him and says he is full of deceit and lies. The sorcerer is blinded and one of the political leaders is amazed and believes in Je...

Acts 12 with Peter Shenk.

In Acts 11, the more devout Jewish men who followed Jesus want to know why Peter would go into the home of a Gentile family to eat with them. Peter explains the visions and the Gentiles being filled with the Spirit, and they were no longer resistant. Persecution of the church leads to the church spreading to a new part of the world and the message of Jesus spread among the Jews and Greeks. #newtes...

With Al Alonso, a Gateway Austin Spiritual Overseer A God-fearing Gentile and Roman Centurion named Cornelius has a vision to reach out to a man named Simon Peter. At the same time, Peter has a vision three times that what had been considered unclean was no longer unlcean. All of this leads to Peter leading Cornelius and his household to follow Jesus, and they experience the presence of the Holy S...

With Katelyn Rogers from Gateway Buda Saul is on his way to persecute followed of Jesus when he is blinded on the road to Damascus and hears the voice of Jesus! Ananias reluctantly follows the lead of the Holy Spirit to pray for the one coming to persecute them. Miraculously, Saul is healed and begins proclaiming Jesus is the Son of God! Soon he’s being persecuted for his new faith. As Peter is tr...