For a good, First Century Jew, I’m sure there was not much more detestable than going into the home of a Gentile. But in today’s Bible reading*, Peter did just that. Both Peter and Cornelius had a vision from God and both acted on what they heard. Cornelius sent men to where Peter was and…
Today’s Bible reading is about Saul’s conversion. The man who had authority from the High Priests to persecute Christians (Acts 9:2) becomes a Christian. So miraculous and radical is his conversion that he begins to preach that Jesus Christ was Who He claimed to be: God’s Messiah. Other Christians weren’t convinced. They had heard that…
I want to bring out a couple of things from today’s Bible reading*. First, in Acts 8:9-25, we see the miracles performed through the hands of Philip. In addition to many others, Simon the Sorcerer (a man who got his magical power from the occult/demonic influence) was saved. When Simon saw that people received the…
Preachers are always concerned about how their sermons will be received. We agonize over the Biblical text, wanting so much to be true to what God says. We want our hearers to receive the Word as good soil. (Matthew 13:23) “You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit….
In today’s Bible reading*, the Apostles come to a point where they realize they can’t do it all. And that’s a good thing! People began accusing the Apostles of overlooking the Hellenistic (Gentile) widows and giving preference to Jewish widows. That may or may not have been the case, but the accusation was made. Rather…
In today’s Bible reading*, we see how people respond to the miraculous signs and wonders they witness at the hands of the Apostles. “As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on…
