Acts 4:32-5:16 Dear RTB’ers, Today we have two sets of “transition verses” (Acts 4:32-27 and Acts 5:12-16), sandwiched around the story of Ananias and Sapphira. In these transition sections time passes, but we don’t know how much. In chapters 1 and 2 Luke had definite time intervals – the Ascension occurred 40 days after Jesus’ …
Monthly Archives: April 2024
April 28 / Acts 4:1-31
Acts 4:1-31 Dear RTB’ers, Acts 4, following the healing incident and Peter’s sermon. We have arrived at the passage that I had pointed to back on April 2: Jesus speaking: “But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will …
April 27 / Acts 3
Acts 3 Dear RTB’ers, Today, a healing incident and a long sermon. The healing incident in today’s reading continues tomorrow in Chapter 4. As for the sermon, we see exactly what I posted about two days ago, “My Study Bible pointed out some general Acts speech items that we will see again in similar fashion …
April 26 / Acts 2:37-47
Acts 2:37-47 Dear RTB’ers, The Acts of the Holy Spirit. Yes, definitely, in this chapter! In that room where He first appeared (Acts 2:1-4); in Peter’s transformation – his bold, confident preaching (Acts 2:14-36); in the gospel message received by Peter’s listeners and their repentance (Acts 2:37-41); and in the believers’ fellowship (Acts 2:42-47). Yes, …
April 25 / Acts 2:14-36
Acts 2:14-36 Dear RTB’ers, Today, Peter’s first speech, this one to the Pentecost crowd. A quick clarifying note and a bit of “theological geography” – in verse 14 Peter speaks to “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem…” We celebrate today’s reading as the feast of Pentecost. The root word, “Pente” refers …
April 24 / Acts 2:1-13
Acts 2:1-13 Dear RTB’ers, The Holy Spirit makes His presence known! Get the full sense of His arrival. The eleven (or more) who were gathered together were hearing a sound from heaven like a mighty wind (v. 2), seeing tongues like fire on everyone’s head (v. 3), and speaking in different languages (v. 4). Put …
April 23 / Acts 1:12-26
Acts 1:12-26 Dear RTB’ers, Continuing in Acts 1. Many writers refer to the formal name of this book as “Acts of the Apostles”. [NOTE: This name was first used by Irenaeus in the late 2nd century. It is not known whether this was an existing name for the book or one invented by Irenaeus; it does seem …
April 22 / Acts 1:1-11
Acts 1:1-11 Dear RTB’ers, One of the men in white clothing speaking, “This Jesus, Who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.” (v. 11) The angels tell the disciples that Jesus will return in the same way that He left. To me, …
April 21 / Psalms 11-12
Psalms 11-12 Dear RTB’ers, I have seen over and over again in Scripture, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, that God has a special place in His heart for the poor and needy. I had a lot to say yesterday about other stuff and did not focus on David’s comments in …
April 20 / Psalms 9-10
Psalms 9-10 Dear RTB’ers, A header in my NASB translation referred to Psalm 9 as “Thanksgiving for God’s Justice”. And when we see wickedness and righteousness set against each other in Psalm 9 (much like yesterday’s Psalm 7), then that sounds like a good title. The header for Psalm 9 is followed up by my …