Acts 7:37-43 …and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. (v. 41b) I may not have made a golden calf, but I have too often “rejoiced at the work of my hands”. Not literally – my hands are better for typing than for most any other skill – but for what “I” have done. …
Author Archives: Fred
January 27 / Acts 7:30-36
Acts 7:30-36 …this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer… (v.35b) and This man led them out, performing wonders and signs… (v. 36a). Stephen is building his case, clearly looking forward to Jesus in these two sentences. His “this man” in both sentences is referring to Moses, but it is also clear to Stephen …
January 26 / Acts 7:17-29
Acts 7:17-29 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds. (v. 22) I had never thought of parallels between Moses and Daniel before, but David’s message from last week resonates with this verse. Both Moses and Daniel were “exiles”, both were instructed in …
January 25 / Acts 7:9-16
Acts 7:9-16 …but God was with him and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. (vv. 9-10) I couldn’t help but notice increasing levels of grace given by God to Joseph: (1) with …
January 24 / Acts 7:1-8
Acts 7:1-8 We’ve got almost a week of Stephen’s speech, broken down into smaller chunks. He is telling Israel’s history. There is confusion in verse 2, where Stephen says that Abraham was called out from …Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran. When you first read the account in Genesis 11:26-12:1 you see that Abraham was called …
January 23 / Acts 6:8-15
Acts 6:8-15 Prior to today’s reading it has been only the apostles’ ministry that led to healings and other signs and wonders. Now with the prayers and the laying on of hands on the deacons (v. 6) we see “great wonders and signs” (v. 8) being performed by Stephen. Later another deacon, Philip, will also …
January 22 / Acts 6:1-7
Acts 6:1-7 I’ve known it already, but it always strikes me nicely that the Greek widows were complaining and that the deacons chosen all had Greek names. But further today I noticed that (it may have been that) the apostles stepped back from that decision. The apostles had said, “Therefore, brethren, select from among you… …
January 21 / Acts 5:33-42
Acts 5:33-42 Gamaliel said it all – vv. 35-39! My main reflection is to our current state of affairs at St. Andrew’s and the difficulties from the past year. If the Lord is with us, we will move on and succeed and grow! My only other comment is that the Council’s beatings and commands do …
January 20 / Acts 5:22-32
Acts 5:22-32 The high priest’s speaking: We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. (v. 28) You know what’s strange here – two phrases: “this name” and “this man’s blood”. The high priest is …
January 19 / Acts 5:17-21
Acts 5:17-21 So, yesterday I got ahead of myself – What does it take for the Jewish leaders to believe? All these signs and wonders and healings taking place – that’s a good thing, right? But the leaders have the apostles arrested. Why? Verse 17b tells us that they were “filled with jealousy”! JEALOUSY??!! What …