“Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas and Simeon, who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene and Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.” (Acts 13:1)

The church at Antioch was Paul’s “home” congregation.  It is the location from which he, Barnabas, and other traveling companions would set out and return to after Paul’s many exciting and profitable journeys.  As far as historical congregations go, Antioch ranks right up with the church in Jerusalem in terms of its impact and influence.

Notice that this is a congregation with multiple teachers and leaders.  They could afford to have Paul and Barnabas set apart by the Holy Spirit to travel the globe without fear of failing or crumbling without their mighty backs to shoulder the load.  Antioch had a deep roster.  Many capable pillars held together a high-functioning group of God’s people.  This is the way God intends.  Dysfunction in churches is much more likely when one individual becomes the central focus and role model that all others look to.  Congregational success resides on the shoulders of a multiplicity of God’s people all serving as God’s fellow workers.  Cultivating such leaders and opening doors for others to step in and fill roles is integral to a local church being all that the Lord wants it to be.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 12:24-13:12

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world.  And this took place in the reign of Claudius.” (Acts 11:28)

I find it fascinating that the same God who supernaturally predicted the famine that would affect the whole world did not provide a supernatural solution for the famine for His people.  God warned them it was coming, but He left the church to prepare with their own strength.

Christianity is not meant to remove us from the difficulties of this life – it is meant to instill within us the values to be the helpers during those difficulties.  God didn’t send an angelic armada with food to stave off the famine – He sent His people to determine in their own hearts how they might relieve the suffering of others.

We ought to do as they did.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 11:19-30

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“Immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’” (Acts 9:20)

            We must pay close attention to the change of doctrine that accompanied Saul’s conversion.  Saul did not merely concede that Jesus was a good man, nor even that Jesus was a prophet.  Saul began to proclaim, with loud conviction, that Jesus is the Son of God.  He placed Jesus within the realm of the divine.  Jesus isn’t just worthy of discipleship; Jesus is worthy of worship.

            Evangelism is more than just following the ways of Jesus.  Goodness, mercy, honesty, self-control, and hosts of other beneficial character traits can be found in Jesus and imitated, but to imitate Him is not enough.  There are many good men and women who I imitate, and I expect you have role-models which you likewise follow.  Jesus cannot be merely one more good role model.  We must worship Him, publicly and privately, and proclaim Him worthy of worship… all mankind’s worship.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 9:20-31

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“…and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized, and he took food and was strengthened.” (Acts 9:18-19)

When Paul had gone three days without food or drink, the first thing he did was be baptized.  Don’t tell Paul baptism isn’t important.  Paul was more concerned about washing away the sins of his soul than sustaining his body.

He certainly found it to be necessary.  Paul’s behavior makes me think that perhaps the early Christians knew something about the importance of baptism the modern religious world has willfully forgotten.

When baptisms are scheduled out so they can be done quarterly or en masse or when baptisms are relegated to a convenient time and are based upon when the most amount of people can be there to view it, we have lost our way.  Baptism is not for show; it is for salvation.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 9:10-19

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing, and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.” (Acts 9:8)

            Saul’s blindness is a reversal of Jesus’ typical miracles.  Jesus healed the blind time and time again.  The gospels record at least seven specific instances when Jesus healed the blind that they might regain their sight.  Interestingly, the entire Bible never records anyone healing the blind other than Jesus.  He is the Light who gives sight to the lost and opens their eyes that they may see.

            Saul’s physical blindness reflects his eternal blindness.  The man who breathed threats against the disciples of Jesus thought he was doing what was right, but he was blinded by his Pharisaical ways and traditions.  Jesus just gave Saul’s body a few days to experience what his mind and heart had been doing all along.

            So, when did the scales fall off?  When Saul was ready to listen (see Acts 9:17-18).

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 9:1-9

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“Some devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him.” (Acts 8:2)

Don’t confuse Christian joy with never being sad.  Christians are often very sad.  When Stephen was martyred, the brethren loudly mourned him.  He was their friend and their brother, and they felt the loss keenly.

Christians are not always happy, but we are meant to be devoutly hopeful and joyous.  We store our treasures in heaven, and the moth and rust of this broken world cannot decay our eternal hope, but we definitely feel beat up and bruised down here in this world from time to time.

Our Lord was called the Man of Sorrows, so we do not fear sorrow as a weakness, and He wept, so sometimes we do, too.  Jesus was sad; He cried, but He also had a joy set before Him, and it sustained Him just like our joy sustains us.  We don’t fear the tears of this life; we just will not be defined by them.

“…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 7:54-8:4

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.” (Acts 7:51)

This verse is the entire point of Stephen’s message.  Every Old Testament detail and Israelite historical reference is leading to this point – when you reject the message of God, you reject God.

Resisting the Holy Spirit is not some mystical process that is difficult to divine.  It has nothing to do with speaking in tongues or seeing visions.  Resisting the Holy Spirit happens when we resist the message of the Holy Spirit… when our necks are stiff and unyielding to the direction the Scriptures point us… when our hearts are uncircumcised and no longer love the truth because it has become inconvenient.  When we resist the message (the Bible), we resist the messenger (the Holy Spirit).

I might add – Stephen’s explanation of resisting the Holy Spirit provides useful clarity to the issue of the sin against the Holy Spirit that Jesus said was unforgivable (see Matt 12:32).  We can be forgiven of anything if we will embrace the message of the Holy Spirit, but when we sin against the Holy Spirit and reject His message – there is no road to redemption left.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 7:42-53

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“Our fathers were unwilling to be obedient to him but repudiated him, and in their hearts, they turned back to Egypt.” (Acts 7:39)

            You don’t have to set foot in Egypt to give your heart to Egypt.  Ironically, the generation of Israelites who grumbled and complained in the wilderness about the journey to the promised land but longed for Egypt’s garlic and onions ended up seeing neither destination.  Never again would they see Egypt, and they would never enjoy the land flowing with milk and honey.

            That generation is a proverb.  They remind us of the danger of balking at adversity.  That generation believed turning back would fix the problem.  It never does.  Hard times are a part and parcel of the life of a Christian.  Faith requires sacrifice and cold nights on a lonely, narrow way.  If your faith is hard sometimes, you are doing it right.

But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 7:30-41

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“It was at this time that Moses was born…” (Acts 7:20a)

Moses was born when children were being left to die, exposed to the elements.  Moses entered a world where mothers saw their baby boys killed.  Moses was fearfully and wonderfully made, knit within his mother’s womb, at a time when nothing seemed wonderful, and everyone was fearful.  The Egyptians made the Israelites’ lives an unending cycle of despair and pain.  Slavery was an endless future for the nation without any hope in sight.

It is into that world that Moses’ mother and father welcomed their baby boy.  I can only imagine their heartache as they saw their beautiful child for the first time… but Hebrews tells us they didn’t just have heartache; they also had faith (see Hebrews 11:23).

The world needs more people like Moses’ mom (Jochebed) and dad (Amram): parents who feel the heartache of a dark world but aren’t afraid to raise their children in opposition to it.  The foundation of Moses was found in Amram and Jochebed.  Their faith became his.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 7:20-29

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“As the time of the promise was approaching… there arose another king over Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph.” (Acts 7:17-18)

There is a pattern seen throughout the Scriptures, and it is a pattern you likely see reflected in your own life of faith – as the promises approach, so does the opposition.  There are likely multiple reasons for this pattern.

#1 – The devil fights hardest as the clock runs out.  Before the blessings come is the time when he is most likely to find you at your weakest, most worn down, and most easily tempted by doubt.

#2 – This is how promises work.  Promises like “all things will work together for good” (Rom 8:28), “love never fails” (1 Cor 13:8), and “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb 13:5) exist because of the times where it seems like everything is turning out rotten, love has failed, and God has left.  The very nature of promises are for the times when all we have is His word to sustain us.

Trust the promises; resist the devil.  God is good all the time.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 7:11-19

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision