Today’s reading: Acts 21:18-36

And the crowd followed behind, shouting, “Kill him, kill him!” - Acts 21:36‬

The darkness that lies within jealously is deep and finds its root in a feeling of being threatened. When people of influence feel threatened, they instinctively work towards neutralizing the threat by whatever means necessary.

Here, we see that some Jews from Asia Minor make a false assumption about Paul bringing Trophimus (from Asia Minor as well) into the Temple.

So all the rioting was predicated on a lie.

Haven’t we all done this same thing when we hear gossip about someone else that is unconfirmed? The truth is found in approaching the accused, but we are already offended and shocked at the mere thought of them acting in such a way.

Maybe we haven’t beaten someone with our fists, but we may have done more with our slanderous tongues. May we always do the hard work of seeking truth over the easy (and sometimes inaccurate) path of assumption.

Paul, per usual, will use this madness as an opportunity.

Today’s reading: Acts 21:1-17

“The next day we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven men who had been chosen to distribute food. He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.” - Acts 21:8-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It has now been around 25 years since Philip was chosen as one of the Hellenistic Deacons at Jerusalem to help ensure the widows were all getting enough to eat (see Acts 6:1-7). He went from waiting on tables to becoming an evangelist, baptizing the first African Christian (see Acts 8:29-39). Apparently he ends up 53 miles northeast of Jerusalem, up the coast.

It is easy to see the stages of leadership that God had moved Philip into. There is no greater honor than to witness your children serving Jesus, especially alongside you.

This is Acts 2:39 in full effect:

“This promise is for you, your children, and all who are far off.”

“This is added for the commendation of Philip, not only that we might know that his house was well ordered, but also that it was famous and excellent through the blessing of God.” - John Calvin

SIDE NOTE: It may be one of your biggest fears to be unmarried as an adult. Here we see an example these women serving Jesus faithfully and living fulfilled lives. Maybe they married later or maybe not. Regardless, they didn’t waste their singleness. Instead, they made good use of it for the Kingdom of God.

Today’s reading: Acts 20

“My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” - Acts‬ ‭20:24‬

What does a successful life look like, one we will look back on with minimal regrets?

Will it be a meaningful and lucrative career? Will it be a happy and healthy family? Will our success be dependent upon us staying healthy till we are 95? What about reaching a pinnacle of wealth and respect from others?

As Christians, we know that all of these ideas of success, even if excellently achieved, will be a failure if we haven’t told as many people as possible about the Good News of Jesus. 

20:21 lays it out:

1) Tell them that the best life is one that turns from sin.

2) Tell them that the best life is the one where we trust completely in Jesus for all things: finances, family, career, etc.

Paul ends his time with the Ephesian elders on their knees in prayer. This is where we need to be as well.

Today’s reading: Acts 19:13-41

“A team of Jews who were traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus.” - Acts 19:13

Seven Jewish sons of a man named Sceva tried to use the name of Jesus like you use an air compressor, but their plan backfired. The demon immediately recognizes them as frauds. They lost their clothes and some of their blood in the process.

We cannot use Jesus like another product that gives us benefits toward what we want. God desires a relationship with us through Jesus.

“God reveals himself in personal relationship and only in personal relationship. God is not a phenomenon to be considered. God is not a force to be used. God is not a proposition to be argued. There is nothing in or of God that is impersonal, nothing abstract, nothing imposed.” - Eugene Peterson

Do we want to use Jesus, or do we want Jesus to use us?

This has the potential to radically change how we pray, how we read the Bible, and how we attempt to help those in need around us.

Today’s reading: Acts 18:23-28, 19:1-12

“God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases...” - Acts 19:11-12‬

There was a well known magic in the first century called mana. It was the belief that healing could come from the skin. Here we see God showing that he is the true healer. These people were coming to Paul as he was working and looking for healing (handkerchief and apron were working garments).

“Ephesus was known to be the magic capital of Asia Minor…Henceforth it would be troubles, travels, and trials for Paul.” - Ben Witherington

Why would God allow for healing like this up to Ephesus and then lead Paul into more than a decade of imprisonments and an eventual martyrdom?

Ultimately, Paul wasn’t doing his work to perform tricks, to become a superior magician. His ministry existed to create eternal life change in others — sometimes with signs and sometimes with sufferings.

Today’s reading: Acts 18:1-22

“Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you.” - Acts 18:9-10

So much happens as Paul enters this place called Corinth. It was set up for economic success — sea trade routes, east and west — land trade routes, north and south. Many people in, many people out. It was also infamous for its sexual perversion.

Here Paul finds the Italian power couple, Aquila and Priscilla — his partners in business and ministry.

Paul is again rejected by the leaders in the synagogue...

By a spectacular gesture (shaking out his cloak so that not a speck of dust from the synagogue might adhere to it) - F. F. Bruce

Yet not everyone rejected the Gospel that day. We see here the only two people Paul baptized in Corinth (see 1 Corinthians 1:14) — Titius Justus and Crispus (synagogue leader).

It is ironic that the church in Corinth started next door to the synagogue in the large home of Titius Justus.

May you also hear from Jesus that you are not alone — it is time to speak out for him!

Today’s reading: Acts 17

“For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” - Acts‬ ‭17:28‬

To what lengths are you willing to familiarize yourself with those you want to reach with the Gospel of Jesus?

Here we see that Paul probably quotes the Cretan poet Epimenides (who brought reform to Athens) and the Greek poet Aratus (315-240 BC). Why would he quote these two guys when there were so many Old Testament passages he could have used?

One word: connection.

As soon as he makes these two quotes, the crowd at the Areopagus probably leaned in.

This definitely wasn’t the monotheistic Jewish crowd in Acts 2, and he wouldn’t be able to reach them the same way.

Perhaps we need a new way of connecting with those we’ve hit a dead-end when it comes to sharing our faith in Jesus.

Before we are there to baptize, we are there to learn. When we learn about those we want to reach, we earn the right to share about the UNKNOWN GOD, and we make Him known.

Today’s reading: Acts 16:16-40

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” - Acts 16:30

The witness that Paul and Silas had laid down for the Philippian Jailer was one of epic proportions.

They were unlawfully (as Roman citizens) stripped, beaten, and imprisoned. Then, in one of the most surprising reactions to suffering in the Bible, they are found to be singing praises to Jesus at midnight. There is power behind praise in the midst of pain. It isn’t just a coping mechanism. It is an involving of the Almighty God in the midst of your chaos.

What is your reaction to suffering? Bitterness? Hatred? Denial? These barely bring temporary relief. Worship has a way of bringing permanent peace to any and every situation we may find ourselves in.

And it is a witness. A witness so powerful that it can bring a jailer to the point of belief, repentance, and baptism.

May we worship in order to win those who have yet to say yes to Jesus!

Today’s reading: Acts 15:36-41, 16:1-15

“Come over here and help us.” - Acts 16:9

After the First Missionary Journey, Paul and Barnabas had plans. As God would have it, some of those plans didn’t materialize. First of all, they couldn’t agree and had to separate. Then the Holy Spirit frustrated their travel plans into Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). If you see the map of their travels, it is wild how the Holy Spirit kept them along the northern track.

Jesus had a wealthy woman in mind, the first convert in Philippi. The response of Lydia is what we should be praying for as we share Jesus with others:

“Father, please open their hearts.”

Tomorrow we will see even more confirmation as to why they were on a fast track to Macedonia.

Do we have a loose enough grip on our plans to allow the Holy Spirit to send us into a different and more fruitful direction?

Paul and Silas are currently loving their accommodations in the large home of a successful businesswoman. Yet they’ll soon be in a much different place to spend the night.

Today’s reading: Acts 15:1-35

“Stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God.” - Acts 15:19

We see in Acts 15 that there were some Pharisee-Christians who were trying to blend the law of Moses with the law of freedom in Jesus. Paul and Barnabas “argued forcefully and at length” with these false teachers (15:2), but it wasn’t enough. They knew they’d need to get confirmation from the Apostles and Elders Jerusalem.

The resolution to this issue (vs. 20) may not seem like much of a resolution to us, but it was a game changer for all Gentile Christians moving forward.

Ben Witherington says it well, “The issue was venue over menu.”

The prohibition here (Paul unpacks it more in 1 Corinthians 10:7-28) has to do with an avoidance of pagan temple feasts that were happening all over the Mediterranean world. They would eat meals sacrificed to the idols and engage in sex with temple prostitutes.

Now we see why the Gentile Christians were encouraged (15:31). These were things they had already repented from! Unity was intact.