Reading: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:41 Part of my seminary training involved reading Hamilton’s History of Presbyterianism in Ireland. In that book Hamilton recalls the details of the Ulster Plantation and the arrival of many godly [...]
Reading: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Acts 2:36 The Jews were a self-righteous people. They prided themselves in having Abraham as their father, boasted of their special relationship to God, and reveled in ceremony and customs. [...]
Reading: “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:4 Professional recruiting agencies are big business. Multi-million-dollar companies want executives with top academic qualifications, vast experience, drive, energy, and proven track records. No company wants fearful, timid, and untested leaders. But the church of Christ is refreshingly different. The disciples of Christ who [...]
Reading: “And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all [men], shew whether of these two thou hast chosen.” Acts 1:24 Last year America was gripped with election fever. The prize at stake was the Oval Office—a prestigious position by any standard. However, Acts 1 records an election that involved something [...]
Reading: “For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.” Acts 1:17 There are certain characters in Scripture that are shocking examples of wickedness, duplicity, and hypocrisy. At the forefront of that infamous group stands Judas Iscariot. His name has become synonymous with betrayal and treachery. He is known the world [...]
Reading: “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.” Acts 1:14 A key characteristic of the early disciples was that they were “with one accord in prayer.” The word accord comes from two Greek words, which mean to “rush along” or to be “in unison.” There is in this word the idea of [...]
Reading: “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.” Acts 1:14 When I was a young believer, I decided before God that I would attend the public prayer meeting in my church on alternate Wednesday evenings. In my immaturity I reckoned this every-other-week arrangement with God was a fair deal. However, when the [...]
Reading: “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.” Acts 1:14 Prior to His ascension Christ told His disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel. But before that they were to wait in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. That latter instruction was difficult—it took [...]
Reading: “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11 Christ really knows how to encourage His people. Even as He left His disciples and returned to heaven He made sure they were given promises, perfectly suited [...]
Reading: “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” Acts 1:8 Left to itself the church of Christ is powerless and helpless. Instead of being majestic and militant it cowers in fear and dread in the midst of an unbelieving world. But the church is not left to itself. Prior [...]