Focal Passage: Acts 8:26-39  In this week’s study, we find that Stephen has been martyred and a great persecution had broken out against the Church.  The Apostles were driven out of Jerusalem by the Jewish authorities and scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. But not all of them were forced to leave Jerusalem. It seems that many of the Jewish believers were allowed to stay, but the Hellenists Jewish believers were

Focal Passage: Acts 6:1-15  Being in ministry and pastoring for over 40 years has given me many opportunities to experience the vast number of ways you can serve in the church. One such opportunity was a small congregation in Middle Tennessee where I was pastor. Being a small congregation created significant financial challenges. It also created some major campus maintenance issues as well. When our sanctuary heating and air conditioning

Focal Passage: Acts 5:29-42  The word “worthy” is defined by the dictionary as having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in a specified way. When used biblically, it characterizes a believer who walks in a manner worthy of the calling with which he has been called and is one whose daily living corresponds to his blessed position as a child of God and fellow heir with Jesus

Focal Passage: Acts 4:36-5:11  As we begin our study this week, we see two stories about two similar events. Neither gives a great deal of information about the details, but only a summation of the very different outcomes.  In Acts, Luke, as with his gospel, was more interested in his readers understanding the “why” rather than get caught up in the minutia of the particulars. We can assume that there

Focal Passage: Acts 4:8-21  Sometimes I must admit that I really don’t understand the thinking of some people. Some will cling to a lie even though truth is staring them right in the eye. They would rather hold on to their preconception regardless of the evidence to the contrary.  Mark Twain once quoted, “No amount of evidence will ever persuade a fool.” We may find this quote somewhat humorous, but

Focal Passage: Acts 3:12-26  In our study today one might read this passage and say, “Wonderful story about a man getting healed. But how is that fulfilling the Great Commission?” The answer is context.  You see we may think we are the ones that have to create our own opportunities to share Jesus. And we should be looking for those opportunities and be ready to give people a reason for

Focal Passage: Acts 2:41-47  On the day of Pentecost, God establishes the early Church with the coming of the Holy Spirit.  And after Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, the group of disciples present, estimated to be 120, exploded to more than 3,000 in a single day.  One would think that kind of growth would produce mass chaos and monumental logistical problems within the Church. Luke emphasizes in our study this week

Focal Passage: Acts 2:5-16, 36-38  In this week’s study we examine probably one of the most discussed phenomena’s in the New Testament. When the Holy Spirit came upon the believers it marked one of the most remarkable events in the life of a follower of Jesus. Until this time, the Holy Spirit made His appearance in specific instances and only for certain period of time.   However, this time His

Focal Passage: Acts 1:4-11, 23-26  The book of Acts is wonderful and powerful piece of literature. It combines divine power evidenced in factual history in a story narrative. Most scholars believe that Luke is the author and the style is most definitely familiar with his.  There are also internal references as well. Take for instance the fact the book is addressed to Theophilus. We know that Luke’s Gospel was also

Focal Passage: Genesis 50:15-26  One of the mountain top verses of the Old Testament is “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good, the saving of many lives.” A transformative verse for me.   A brief story. In the fall of 1983, I was 26 and a student at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky. Having completed my master of divinity in the spring, I had begun my