Acts 10-12 The story of Cornelius’ conversion is pivotal for the development of the Church. It is so significant that Luke gives us lots of details to fully establish the facts. For example: Then Luke emphasizes the significance of these events by telling the story all over again as Peter conveys the details to those …
Author Archives: John S.
November 24 / Acts 8:4-9:43
Acts 8:4-9:43 God has a way of turning things upside down. Following the murder of Stephen, strong persecution arises against the Church in Jerusalem. Although the persecutors’ intent is to squelch the Gospel message, the actual effect is just the opposite. As believers flee, scattering across Judea and Samaria, they preach as they go. (Acts …
November 23 / Acts 6:1-8:3
Acts 6:1-8:3 Stephen, the first named Deacon of the Church, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5), becomes the first Martyr for Christ. Our word “martyr” comes straight from the Greek, “μάρτυς” (“mártys”), which simply means “witness”. It is because so many Christians have subsequently borne witness to Christ in like …
November 22 / Acts 3-5
Acts 3-5 As we saw in the Gospels, Jesus warned His followers that they would face opposition, that since the world hated Jesus, the world would hate them (us), too. (John 15:18-19) Today we see that opposition rising against the Apostles, and — surprise, surprise — it comes from the same source, the religious leadership …
November 21 / Acts 1-2
Acts 1-2 We’ve read through all four Gospels. We’re half way through the New Testament. Today we start “the rest of the story”. Recalling Luke 1:1-4, we can see from Acts 1:1-3 that the Book of Acts (or “The Acts of the Apostles”) is a sequel to Luke’s Gospel, a sequel in which Luke chronicles …
November 20 / Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:12-20; Luke 24:13-53; John 20:19-21:25
Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-49; John 20:19-31;Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:14-18; John 21;Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:50-53 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing …
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November 19 / Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18
Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-13;Matthew 28:9-15; Mark 16:9-11; John 20:14-18 If you have not already read the passages of Scripture we have for today, please do so now. I’ll wait… Now, consider honestly: what is your reaction to this reading in this current moment? I’m guessing that “surprise” is not part of …
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November 18 / Matthew 27:32-66; Mark 15:21-47; Luke 23:26-56; John 19:17-42
Matthew 27:32-56; Mark 15:21-41; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:17-37;Matthew 27:57-66; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this He breathed His last. Luke 23:46 (cf., Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:37, John 19:30) Is this the final whimper of …
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November 17 / Matthew 27:1-31; Mark 15:1-20; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28-19:16
Matthew 27:1-26; Mark 15:1-15; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28-40;Matthew 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-20; John 19:1-16 Jesus answered, “… Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” John 18:37-38 Though coming from a wildly different background, Pilate is just like the Pharisees in that He cannot perceive Truth. The Truth …
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November 16 / Matthew 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-72; Luke 22:54-71; John 18:12-27
Matthew 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-72; Luke 22:54-71; John 18:12-27 And He said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 Today’s reading, as dark as it is, should shed some light on the above verse, giving us a graphic illustration of …
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