Today’s reading: Acts 8:14-40

[And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] - Acts‬ ‭8:37‬‬‬

One of the infamous [bracketed] verses in the New Testament. There are sixteen of these verses in total. Some translations put them in the margins because they weren’t found in the earliest manuscripts (there are over 5800 that comprise our NT). There is a lot to love in these verses, because we get to see what the earliest Christians (1st and 2nd century) believed and practiced.

Here we see that intelligent belief in Jesus needs to come before baptism. Infant baptism and sprinkling came much later to the church. Philip and the Eunuch went “down” into the water and before his baptism, the man declares, “I believe!”

It is so powerful to remember your baptism first-hand. The African would now have a lifetime memory of rejoicing in God’s salvation.

We dedicate our babies so that someday they can personally decide to follow Jesus.

Today’s reading: Acts 7:51-60, 8:1-13

“But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.” - Acts 8:4‬‬‬

Stephen is martyred in cold blood, and now an intense persecution breaks out among the Christians (non-apostles). The means the six remaining table-waiters and other “ordinary” followers of Jesus. Yet there was anything but ordinary about what happens when Philip proceeds to the bi-racial Samaritans.

The miraculous unfolds. Demons were cast out and paralytics were walking. The people were joyful as a result (8:8). But this wasn’t just a sideshow. This was yet another stage being set for many more to come to have faith in Jesus. People were believing and being baptized (8:12).

They bled...

Then fled...

And it was God’s intention that, from this persecution, His gospel would spread.

What unlikely scenario is God setting up in your life in order to spread the gospel to people you’ve yet to meet? Even persecution is setup to lift His name up.

Brace yourself for what God may do!

Today’s reading: Acts 7:30-50

“However, the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands.” - Acts‬ ‭7:48‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The one true God isn’t limited by time and space like we are. We are constantly reminded of our limitations. If we stay up too late and wake up too early, we feel it all day long. We can only go so long without eating before feeling hungry.

God had never actually asked David or Solomon to build a temple in His honor. The beauty of the tabernacle is that it was ever mobile, just like the pervasiveness of God’s presence throughout the earth (see Isaiah 6:3).

Now this is a God worth worshiping. He isn’t a god that any of us fashioned. He doesn’t play by our rules. In fact, his thoughts are not our thoughts (see Isaiah 55:9).

Stephen has purposefully crossed a line here, deconstructing their need for a temple with a sentence and a quotation from the hard-hitting Amos.

Father, you are a God worthy of our praise. You are unlimited in power and presence, able to pull us up and over any mountain.

Today’s reading: Acts 7:1-29

“Moses was taught in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he became mighty in both speech and action.” - Acts 7:22

First, it is amazing that Stephen refuses to answer their question (7:1). Instead, he launches into a Spirit-led history of Israel.

When Stephen comes to the beginning of his nod to Moses (the ultimate Israelite hero), he has this description to offer in regards to the first 40 years of this one who started as a “beautiful” baby.

This description of Moses’ education isn’t found in the Old Testament, but only by Stephen (here) and by a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher named Philo (25 BC to AD 40). How does a Hellenistic table-waiter become on par with a famed philosopher?

God made Moses mighty in speech and action. Greek for might is dynatos, and it can also mean to be “possible” or “fit for service” or “able”.

May we believe that God will do the same for us, making us fit for service when we may feel the squeeze of inadequacy and the seeming impossibility before us.

Today’s reading: Acts 6

“And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” - Acts‬ ‭6:7‬ ESV

Acts 6 is a chapter that starts with internal conflict and then we see that conflict go external, again.

Verse 7 is so encouraging and hopeful, but we don’t get to enjoy verse 7 until we properly navigate verse 1 — “there arose a complaint”. Complaints and conflict have the ability to suck the life out of any momentum. This complaint, however, had to do with giving justice to those who were being dismissed for their acceptance of Greek culture and language (Hellenistic).

The apostles’ answer? To decentralize the leadership, and allow others to help them lead through this conflict. They chose 7 guys with Greek names (probably also Hellenistic). Coincidence? Probably not.

All are needed to lead well. (see Ephesians 4:16)

The way the church handles conflict can translate into growth and influence.

Today’s reading: Acts 5

“The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.” - Acts‬ ‭5:41‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Most of us would probably see imprisonment and beatings as a distraction for being able to share the message of Jesus to those who actually want to hear it.

The apostles thought differently. They viewed it as an honor to suffer for the name of Jesus. This is the same name that healed a man who couldn’t walk in chapter three. Now this name of Jesus had allowed them to suffer painful and humiliating beatings.

Many of us wear out the question, “Why?”

We don’t see this question being asked here. The apostles knew why they were suffering and they counted it as an honor. Jesus had promised them trouble (John 16:33). They were both expecting it and turning it into an opportunity for a strong witness to the authenticity of their faith.

May we join our first century forefathers in their perspective on what it looks like to follow Jesus.

Today’s reading: Acts 4

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” - Acts‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Peter and John now find themselves before the same Jewish hierarchy that pushed Jesus’ crucifixion through on that infamous Thursday night. They are on trial for clinging to the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. Imagine the surprise of these leaders to find that the claim on the healing of the crippled man was the very name of the man they crucified.

Peter claimed that this powerful name of Jesus can alone save.

Today, this statement is deemed as insensitive and intolerant. How can we believe there is only one name that can save? What about all the other religions and all the other good people in the world? Are they doomed without Jesus?

If we could honestly say they were blameless, without fault — then no. But if the entire world has fallen into sin, then we are in need of a Savior. Jesus is the only One who can atone for sin.

“For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.” - Hebrews‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

For more, see Hebrews 10:1-25.

Today’s reading: Acts 3

“Peter saw his opportunity...” - Acts 3:12

Soren Kirkegaard once said, “A possibility is a hint from God. One must follow it.”

Peter and John were on their way to spend time in prayer in the Temple. Were they planning to be used by God to heal a man who couldn’t walk? Probably not. It does seem that most of the incredible “opportunities” that God gives us were not on our daily agenda. Usually what we set out to do is really a setup for God to do something immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine (see Ephesians 3:20).

What possibilities have we dismissed because we didn’t want God to disrupt our plans?

This man ended up “walking, leaping, praising” — all three words indicate continuous action. It was so continuous that he kept it up all the way IN to the Temple, a place he was previously excluded from entering because of his disability.

Are you ready to see your opportunity?

Jesus’ name will do all the heavy lifting. We just need to be ready and willing to be used.

Today’s reading: Acts 2

“Those who believed what Peter said were baptized...” - Acts 2:41‬

If you were only allowed to have one chapter available to you as you shared the Good News of Jesus, which would you choose? Acts chapter two would be an excellent choice.

In it, we see God at work (tongues of fire). God is always at work in the heart of unbelievers (though they may not know it, see John 16:8). The work of God sets us up to play our part.

Peter steps up to the plate and delivers the first sermon of the church, Pentecost Sunday as it’s called today. Peter spoke to what they already knew about God, meeting them where they were (Joel 2). He even sang their own songs to them (Psalm 16, 110). Yet he wasn’t afraid to confront them in their sin (2:23).

The entire message hinges on the resurrection (2:32-33), as does our faith.

The message inspires belief and a primitive confession (2:37), then Peter calls them to action (2:38). He calls them, at length, to legacy (2:39-40) and 3000 respond (2:41).

Who will you reach?

See more about how to share the gospel (and baptism) here: https://csfiupui.com/baptism

Today’s reading: Acts 1

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” - Acts‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Greek word for witnesses here is martys and can also be translated as ones who testify or (as in Revelation 2:13,17:6) martyrs — those who die because of their witness.

Jesus isn’t starting a business initiative that would lead to the prosperity of His disciples. He is calling them into a dangerous lifestyle of testifying to who He was and what actually took place while He was on the cross.

It would start local (Jerusalem) and would eventually go global (ends of the earth). The rest of Luke’s second work of art (Acts) will unpack this historical witnessing that the first Christians engaged in.

How is your witness?

Who are you reaching with Jesus’ unconditional love?

As you can see, maybe now more than ever, our world is in desperate need of this kind of selfless, sacrificial witness.

🖤✝️🤍