Category: 260 Devotional

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acts 19      English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul in Ephesus

19 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. ² And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” ³ And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” ⁴ And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” ⁵ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. ⁷ There were about twelve men in all.

⁸ And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. ⁹ But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. ¹⁰ This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

The Sons of Sceva

¹¹ And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, ¹² so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. ¹³ Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” ¹⁴ Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. ¹⁵ But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” ¹⁶ And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.¹⁷ And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. ¹⁸ Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices.¹⁹ And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. ²⁰ So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.

 

Reflection

• Paul’s ministry in Ephesus was blessed by God with miracles and wonders. Some seeing this tried to imitate Paul’s ministry by using Jesus’ name to cast out evil spirits.  But they failed miserably.  But then, wonderful things continued to happen among many of the believers.  The word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
• The practice of magic was common in the first century, and especially in the cult centre of Ephesus. The goal of magic was to manipulate supposed supernatural powers to protect oneself, or gain an advantage over another person. Apparently, the family of Sceva, a Jewish priest, made a good living in Ephesus by the practice of magic. When Paul came along, and began to heal and cast out demons in the name of Jesus, the family decided to go with the more powerful name.
• But it didn’t work. Uttering or chanting the name of Jesus is no key to supernatural power. The key is accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. Our goal is to be available to Him and see how He is at work. God uses us to accomplish his purposes, not ours.
• Do you use Jesus’ name lightly? If so, are you willing to honour God and ask him to help you off this bad habit?
• Is there still anything in your life that belongs to the idols or witchcraft? Are you willing to get rid of them all?  Do you want to honour God by getting rid of these objects?  Ask God to give you peace and strength for it.  (It’s best you consult your pastor or church leader for this decision and ask for their prayer and direction.)

 

Prayer:

Pray and ask God to reveal any part of your life that you have yet to submit to Him. Ask God to provide you with the power to overcome them and seek for sincere surrender.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acts 18      English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul Returns to Antioch

¹⁸ After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. ¹⁹ And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. ²⁰ When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. ²¹ But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.

²² When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. ²³ After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

Apollos Speaks Boldly in Ephesus

²⁴ Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. ²⁵ He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶ He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. ²⁷ And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, ²⁸ for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.

 

Reflection

1. Apollos probably came to believing the Way and learn about Jesus in Alexandria. Basically, he was still waiting for the arrival of the Messiah just as John the Baptist.  His baptism was based on repentance but not on believing the finished work of Christ. 
2. Priscilla and Aquila realized the problem with Apollos, they graciously invited him over and explained to him the way of God more accurately and clearly.
3. When you see someone making mistakes, what is your reaction? Do you have the love and wisdom to correct and to teach?
4. Read this slowly and meditatively.

“When we meet some people we know immediately and instinctively that they are different. We are anxious to learn their secret. It is not the way they dress or talk or behave, although it influences these things. It is not that they have affixed a name tag to themselves and proclaimed themselves the adherent of a particular religion or ideology. It’s not even that they have a strict moral code which they faithfully follow. It is that they know Jesus Christ, and that he is a living reality to them. They dwell in him, and he dwells in them. He is the source of their lives and it shows in everything they do.

Not merely in the words you say,
Not only in your deeds confessed,
But in the most unconscious way
Is Christ expressed.

Is it a beatific smile?
A holy light upon your brow?
Oh no! I felt his presence
When you laughed just now.

To me, ’twas not the truth you taught,
To you so clear, to me still dim,
But when you came you brought
A sense of him.

And from your eyes he beckons me
And from your heart his love is shed,
Till I lose sight of you and see
The Christ instead.

         (http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/webfm_send/276)

 

Prayer:

Pray that God may help us to develop the wisdom to teach others and the humility to do so with grace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acts 17      English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul in Athens

¹⁶ Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. ¹⁷ So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. ¹⁸ Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. ¹⁹ And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? ²⁰ For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” ²¹ Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.

Paul Addresses the Areopagus

²² So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.²³ For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. ²⁴ The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, ²⁵ nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. ²⁶ And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, ²⁷ that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, ²⁸ for

“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;

as even some of your own poets have said,

“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

²⁹ Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. ³⁰ The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, ³¹ because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

³² Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”³³ So Paul went out from their midst. ³⁴ But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

Reflection

• Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill (Areopagus) began by drawing on pagan Greek poets to establish a point of contact, and then went on to proclaim God’s truth. There are often connecting points in people’s religion and culture to that of Christianity. However, people still need to be pointed to the God of the truth. So Paul’s quotes connected Him with the Athenians and set the stage for his teaching. 
• What are the “points of truth” from which you can start to communicate the gospel to those in your world?
• Majority of the people today still don’t know the true God. How do you need to better prepare yourself to effectively communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ to those to whom God has called you to minister?  Ask God’s help to prepare you to be his witness to unbelieving folks around you.

 

Prayer:

Pray and ask the Lord to help you to grow in your knowledge so you may use it to preach the gospel and defend sound doctrine. Ask the Lord to provide you with the time and energy to develop your mind to face the various challenging questions in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acts 16      English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul and Silas in Prison

¹⁶ As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. ¹⁷ She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” ¹⁸ And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

¹⁹ But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. ²⁰ And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. ²¹ They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” ²² The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods.²³ And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.²⁴ Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

The Philippian Jailer Converted

²⁵ About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, ²⁶ and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. ²⁷ When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸ But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” ²⁹ And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” ³¹ And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” ³² And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. ³³ And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. ³⁴ Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And here joiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

³⁵ But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” ³⁶ And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” ³⁷ But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” ³⁸ The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. ³⁹ So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. ⁴⁰ So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.

Reflection

• The slave owners had Paul and Silas jailed. However, their response to arrest and being beaten was prayer and praise, a powerful witness to the other prisoners. How does your response to opposition to and suffering for the gospel compare and contrast to that of Paul and Silas?
• An earthquake was so great that prison doors were opened and chains fell off the prisoners. The jailer’s terror at finding his prison doors open, and his narrow escape from suicide, created a readiness for salvation. And he asked: “Sirs,what must I do to be saved” (v30)?
• The jailer was so affected by Paul and Silas’ behavior that he made his prisoners feel at home with his family, Paul and Silas baptized the family, they ate a festive meal together while nobody had any idea what would happen to Paul and Silas the next day. What an amazing outcome out of suffering and injustice.
• Paul and Silas speak the truth of the gospel as well as living it out. Very often, we associate living as witnesses to Jesus with doing good works. However, we see that Paul and Silas lived in a way that reflected their trust in God that even in suffering, they continue to glorify God. How can you live in a way that glorifies God and teach others about Him?
• Ask God to give you courage as you step in faith to obey him, to tell those around you about the good news that has transformed your life. Continue praying for your Oikos.
  • Lord, I pray that you draw ___________ to yourself.
  • I ask you, Lord, to prevent Satan from blinding ___________ to the truth.
  • Holy Spirit, I ask you to convict ___________ of sin and the need for Christ’s redemption.
  • I ask that you send someone who will share the gospel with ___________.
  • Lord, I pray that ___________ will confess Jesus as Lord, grow in faith, and bear fruit for your glory. Amen.

 

 

 

Acts 15      English Standard Version (ESV)

The Jerusalem Council

15 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” ² And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. ³ So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. ⁴ When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. ⁵ But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”

⁶ The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. ⁷ And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. ⁸ And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, ⁹ and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. ¹⁰ Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? ¹¹ But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

¹² And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the gentiles. ¹³ After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me.¹⁴ Simeon has related how God first visited the gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. ¹⁵ And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,

¹⁶ “‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
     and I will restore it,
¹⁷ that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,
    and all the gentiles who are called by my name,
     says the Lord, who makes these things ¹⁸ known from of old.’

¹⁹ Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the gentiles who turn to God, ²⁰ but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.²¹ For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

 

Reflection

• In this report of the critical Jerusalem council, the surface issue is whether one must first be a Jew in order to be Christian. The deeper issue is how Jewish and gentile believers can share fellowship. Jews maintained a strict lifestyle and were generally suspicious of gentiles, as gentiles were of the Jews.
• Therefore, the church gathers, representatives of different viewpoints speak, and a decision was reached in which gentiles do not have to be circumcised, but they must avoid idolatry and unchastity and not eat strangled animals or those with blood (from blood can also be understood as keep from violence). The gentiles have been asked to observe these two moral and two ritual rules that will make fellowship with Jews possible. Church unity is maintained across a great cultural divide in an example of compromise.
• In your church’s history, has there been any problem or conflict? How was it handled? Are there any great cultural divides? Has there been a time recently when you were in conflict with someone?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Pray to God about the problems and conflicts that you have encountered lately. Ask God to let his peace and compassion wash over you as he teaches how you may face conflict in both the church and in your personal life from the scriptures.

.

 

 

 

 

Acts 14      English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul and Barnabas at Lystra

⁸ Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.⁹ He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well ¹⁰ said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking.¹¹ And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”¹² Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. ¹³ And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. ¹⁴ But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, ¹⁵ “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. ¹⁶ In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. ¹⁷ Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” ¹⁸ Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

Paul Stoned at Lystra

¹⁹ But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. ²⁰ But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. ²¹ When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, ²² strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. ²³ And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch in Syria

²⁴ Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. ²⁵ And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, ²⁶ and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. ²⁷ And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the gentiles. ²⁸ And they remained no little time with the disciples.

 

 

 

Reflection

• There was a legend in Lystra that Zeus and Hermes once visited an elderly couple who lived there. It’s likely that this legend stimulated the wild excitement at Lystra when Barnabas and Paul healed a cripple there. The gods Zeus and Hermes had returned! The enthusiastic populace was determined to do them honour. They were ready to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods.
• When the two failed to meet the crowd’s expectations, as the crowd realized that Paul and Barnabas were only messengers of the one true God and not gods themselves, the mob became hostile, and were easily moved to stone Paul.
• Don’t be surprised when some who acclaim you one moment are ready to stone you the next.
• If Satan cannot derail Christian witness with persecution, he will try praise. Too much persecution has destroyed many preachers, and too much praise has ruined many others. One of the problems with miracles is that they often draw more attention to the miracle worker than to God.
• Consider the qualities you see in Paul and Barnabas that made them effective in their ministry. Which of these qualities do you want God to develop in you to make you more effective in communicating the gospel?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Pray that God would continue to develop strong gifts in you for ministry. Pray that as a church, we would use our gifts to serve God and one another. 

 

 

 

 

 

Acts 13      English Standard Version (ESV)

Barnabas and Saul Sent Off

13 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. ² While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Barnabas and Saul on Cyprus

⁴ So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. ⁵ When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.⁶ When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. ⁷ He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. ⁸ But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. ⁹ But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him ¹⁰ and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? ¹¹ And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. ¹² Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia

¹³ Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, ¹⁴ but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.¹⁵ After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.”¹⁶ So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:

“Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 

 

Reflection

• In this passage, worship, prayer and fasting are integrated into the selection and installation of Barnabas and Saul as missionaries. Today worship and prayer are common in the ordination of pastors and installation of missionaries, but fasting is not.  Why has fasting been dropped from the preparation for these times of consecration? 
• Is fasting a spiritual practice endorsed throughout scripture? If so, how can we practice it in today’s Christian life? If not, what are the reasons? Are there similar practices to fasting today?

 

Prayer:

Pray that God’s standards will be followed in the selection of leaders in churches, community, cities and even nations.

 

 

 

 

 

Acts 12      English Standard Version (ESV)

James Killed and Peter Imprisoned

12 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. ² He killed James the brother of John with the sword, ³ and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread.⁴ And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. ⁵ So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

Peter Is Rescued

⁶ Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. ⁷ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. ⁸ And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” ⁹ And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.¹⁰ When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. ¹¹ When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

¹² When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.¹³ And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. ¹⁴ Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. ¹⁵ They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” ¹⁶ But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.¹⁷ But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.

¹⁸ Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. ¹⁹ And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

 

 

Reflection

• New persecution under Herod Agrippa is aimed at Christian leaders in Jerusalem. James is the first of the twelve disciples to be martyred.
• What does the church’s response to James’s death and Peter being in prison demonstrate about prayer (vv. 2, 5)? Why do you think the praying Christians reacted as they did to Peter’s return?   
• Recall a time when God answered one of your prayers. Thank him for the joy and encouragement you received from his gracious blessing upon you.
• Think of an “impossible” prayer request or need that you have. Is this something you believe that will further God’s kingdom and bring greater glory? Or is it completely selfish? Place it before God and have the faith that He will answer accordingly.

Prayer & Journaling:

Pray that God will help you to learn how to pray to Him. Ask God to help you see His power in answered prayers whether big or small.

 

 

 

 

Acts 11      English Standard Version (ESV)

Peter Reports to the Church

11 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the gentiles also had received the word of God. ² So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, ³ “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” ⁴ But Peter began and explained it to them in order: ……

……¹⁵ As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. ¹⁶ And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ ¹⁷ If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” ¹⁸ When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

The Church in Antioch

¹⁹ Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.²⁰ But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. ²¹ And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.²² The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. ²³ When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, ²⁴ for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. ²⁵ So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶ and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

²⁷ Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). ²⁹ So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. ³⁰ And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

 

Reflection

• Peter defends his ministry to Cornelius to the church at Jerusalem. He convinces them of God’s work in the gentiles as they were given the gift of the Holy Spirit. They demonstrated it by speaking in tongues. As the gentiles had been given the same gift that was given the Jewish believers, they had obviously been accepted by God. So, “who was Ithat I could stand in God’s way” (v17)?
• When a predominantly gentile church was established, Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem to find out what was happening. He was an excellent choice, for he “was a good man,full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (v24). He may have been one of the few Jewish Christian leaders sensitive enough to sense what God was about, and able to resist the temptation to impose a Jewish lifestyle on these gentile converts. He was also the one who encouraged the church leaders in Jerusalem to accept Paul (9:27) and began an itinerary ministry with Paul. 
• Who in your life has impacted you most deeply? Who was like Barnabas that has believed in you, supported you when you sorely needed it? Who, as Barnabas did, “urged (you) to remain faithful to the Lord, to maintain an enduring, unshakable devotion” (v23)?
• In a society that is largely self-focused, what helps you focus on the needs of others rather than dwelling on your own needs? How have you met God in a new way through your service to others?
• How can you imitate Barnabas as an encourager of others, seeing their potential, and spurring them on in proclaiming the good news of Jesus?

 

Prayer:

Pray that God will help you to be an encouragement to someone in your life. Ask God for you to also find someone who is able to guide and encourage you.

 

 

 

 

 

Acts 10      English Standard Version (ESV)

Peter’s Vision

⁹ The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. ¹⁰ And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance¹¹ and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. ¹² In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. ¹³ And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” ¹⁴ But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” ¹⁵ And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” ¹⁶ This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

¹⁷ Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate ¹⁸ and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. ¹⁹ And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. ²⁰ Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” ²¹ And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” ²² And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” ²³ So he invited them in to be his guests.

The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. ²⁴ And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.²⁵ When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. ²⁶ But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” ²⁷ And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. ²⁸ And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. ²⁹ So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”

 

Reflection

• The Jews did not want to interact with the gentiles, they don’t go into their homes, or touch their things, or eat at their table, etc. This is mainly because what the gentiles ate what was forbidden by Jewish laws. They were ceremonially unclean. In interacting with the gentiles, the Jewish people may become unclean.
• However, while Cornelius’ messengers were on their way to Peter, God used the vision to change Peter’s view toward the gentiles.
• Is there anything (of culture, background, custom, habits, education, and interests) that have limited or prohibited you of true fellowship or reaching out to others?
• What are some of the social and cultural barriers that you need to break through as you seek to reach out to your friends for the gospel?

 

Prayer:

Pray for God to show you some of the unjust barriers that you have set against others. Pray that God may help to break them down and begin to build bridge towards reconciliation.