In today’s Bible reading, we come to Stephen’s defense. He has just been asked if the (false) allegations are true. (Acts 6:11-15) Stephen then spends the next 49 verses recounting the faithfulness of God throughout the history of God’s people. No one in the room, including the High Priest, can disagree with anything Stephen has…
In today’s Bible reading, we see a very wise, well-respected religious leader, Gamaliel who advises the other religious leaders to back off in persecuting the followers of Jesus. He says that if this is like the other times with other radical leaders, the movement will die off in time. However, he says, if this is…
In Today’s Bible reading from Acts 4, we see Peter and John responding to an accusatory question from a room full of Jewish leaders, “By what power or by what name have you done this? (Acts 4:7) The question reminds me of the same question posed to Jesus by perhaps the same people. Jesus responded…
I didn’t point this out in yesterday’s devotional, but Acts 1:8 is the key to seeing the entire book of Acts. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would empower believers to tell people about Him. In today’s Bible reading, we see the beginning of the fulfillment of that promise. Jesus said that his followers would…
I am amazed at how often a Bible teacher will come along, trying to convince God’s people that he knows the day or the hour when Jesus will return. I am also amazed how often these Bible teachers will “fleece the flock”, convincing them that he needs money to get the word out. As they…
Today’s Bible reading from Mark 11 includes Jesus cleansing the Temple (Mark 11:15-17). To understand what’s going on, it helps to get an idea of the general layout of the Temple in the First Century, which was divided into several parts. The High Priest was the only man allowed into the Most Holy Place (Holy…
