Tag Archives: Acts

Jeremiah 7

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In Jeremiah 7, we read some challenging words that God sent Israel through Jeremiah. Israel had been relying on the physical presence of God’s temple as a means of salvation, while themselves committing all sorts of acts. God’s house had “become a den of robbers”, a place where people “trust in deceptive words”. Israel had refused to hear God’s prophets, “when I spoke to you persistently you did not listen, and when I called you, you did not answer”. As a result, God would cast Israel out of his sight. He specifically told Jeremiah, “do not pray for this people … and do not intercede with me”.

God had given Israel a command when bringing them out of Egypt, “Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people … but they did not obey or incline their ear”. Yet in this sad state, God still offered Israel hope. “For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds … then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever.”

This same offer of hope extends to us. In Acts 3, Peter told the people “repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out”. If we follow this advice, listening to God, answering when He calls, then we too can inherit the land promised to Israel’s fathers forever.

Acts 25-26

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In Acts 25-26, we find a good example of how providence works. Paul had previously been told by the Lord, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” Paul uses that knowledge in Acts 25, taking the opportunity to appeal to Caesar. He knew that would result in him being sent to Rome, to testify of the gospel.

The same idea applies to us. We’ve been called to reflect God’s character, to preach the gospel, but we haven’t been instructed on a specific time or method. That part is up to us, but we can be confident that doing so is fulfilling God’s request of us. Paul uses every opportunity to preach, even in court when falsely accused of capital crimes.

In Acts 26, Paul recounts how he used to zealously persecute the believers he now represented, and his conversion. Paul was “speaking true and rational words” about events known throughout the world. Even Festus, the Roman governor of Judaea, would have been well aware of Jesus and the Christians. “For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.” Paul was not afraid to preach to those with the power to put him to death, how much more willing to preach should we be?

Deuteronomy 25, Acts 20

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Deuteronomy 25 details a number of miscellaneous laws, including Levite marriage and fair weights. Moses gives the Amalekites as an example of those “who act dishonestly”, and as such “are an abomination to the Lord your God”. The Amalekites would be punished, their memory forgotten once “the Lord your God has given you rest from all your enemies around you, in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess”.

Moses reminds Israel of their future, and the promise God had made to Israel. They were going to inherit a land, given to them by God, along with the rest they would afterwards experience. I like the way this verse is tucked away in the middle of a long detailed list of laws. It reminded Israel of the reason they were keeping these laws.

Sometimes in life it is easy to lose track of the big picture, of the reason we’re living a particular way, and looking forward to our inheritance helps remind us of the hope God has provided. When Paul met with the elders from Ephesus, he also reminds them of their inheritance. “therefore be alert… I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

Deuteronomy 19, Acts 10

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Deuteronomy 19 describes the cities of refuge, places that Israelites could flee after accidentally killing someone. There were initially 3 cities designated on the west side of the Jordan (Bezer, Ramoth-Gilead and Golan). After Israel conquered the Canaanites on the east side of the Jordan, 3 more cities were assigned as cities of refuge (Hebron, Shechem and Kedesh). These are listed in Joshua 20v7-8.

The cities of refuge provided protection, but only under specific circumstances. The accidental murderer had to flee immediately, since relatives of the now dead person could pursue them and avenge the death at any time that the accidental murderer was outside the city of refuge. This process is a shadow of salvation offered through the sacrifice of Christ. There is a specific method (“no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”), and we are to remain in Christ for our whole lives. Through Christ, God offers grace and mercy that the Law did not – God is not waiting outside to murder us when we sin and temporarily leave the covering of Christ.

In Acts 10, Peter explains to Cornelius the incredible covering offered through Christ. “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power… to him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name”. Peter also explains that this incredible gift is available to all, “God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him”. What an amazing God we serve!

Acts 9

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In Acts 9 we read of the conversion of Saul, a dramatic change of focus. While on his way to persecute believers in Damascus, Saul is blinded and rebuked by the words of Jesus. A dramatic but familiar story. His campaign against Christians had begun with the stoning of Stephen, and had escalated to Saul approaching the high priest for authority to persecute believers.

Saul was blind for 3 days until he was healed by Ananias, during which time he fasted. As soon as his sight was restored, Saul was baptised. He didn’t wait to have a meal, starting a new direction in life was the top priority for him. After being baptised and eating, Saul remains in Damascus, proclaiming in the synagogues that Jesus was the Son of God. He was encouraged by the bewilderment people expressed at his change in message, and “confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ”.  It affected them so much they plotted to kill him.

I think the lesson for us is the passion Saul demonstrated in whatever he was doing. Once zealously persecuting believers, then when redirected he zealously preached the gospel, “preaching boldly in the name of the Lord”. We too should be passionate and zealously proclaiming the hope of the gospel, and the great message of hope it offers.

Ecclesiastes 7, Acts 5-6

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Solomon writes “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.” The crucial part of serving God is not the lack of sin, but rather the attitude towards it and the way we act after it has happened. Solomon had set out “to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness”, and discovered that “God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes”. Solomon had tried to gain wisdom through his own intellect, but discovered only the vanity of life. “I said, I will be wise, but it was far from me”.

In Acts 5-6, Jesus’ disciples were sharing true wisdom, without care for their own safety. Despite being “strictly charged… not to teach in this name”, Peter and the apostles answered “We must obey God rather than men”. They risked their lives to spread the gospel message that God had exalted Jesus, “to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins”. They even rejoiced“that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name… they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.”

Such passion and zeal is an encouraging example to us in a world filled with apathy. The 12 disciples resolved to “devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word”. Let’s follow their example, and make God’s word the most important thing in our lives.

Deuteronomy 10-11, Acts 1

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In Deuteronomy 10-11, Moses continues to summarise the history of the Israelites. He describes the way he received the 10 commandments, and alludes to the idolatry the Israelites were committing while Moses was in the mountain. Yet Moses says, “The Lord was unwilling to destroy you. And the Lord said to me, Arise, go on your journey at the head of the people, so that they may go in and possess the land, which I swore to their fathers to give them”.

Despite Israel’s unfaithfulness, God was going to keep His promises to the forefathers. God was looking for a response from the Israelites, “to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul… you shall therefore love the Lord your God and keep his charge.” Moses goes on to describe the promised land, the benefits of serving God, and the punishment for turning aside to other gods. This warning needed to make an impact, “therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and your soul”.

God’s love was demonstrated in a more perfect way through Christ, who, although currently in heaven, “will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven”.

Deuteronomy 26, Acts 21-22

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Moses reminded Israel of the commitment they’d made to serve God.  “You have declared today that the Lord is your God, and that you will walk in his ways, and keep his statues and his commandments and his rules, and will obey his voice. And the Lord has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments… and that you shall be a people holy to the Lord your God.“

This is the hope that Paul also proclaimed to the Gentiles. He was so passionate about this message that he was prepared “not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus“. This level of passion and commitment to God is an example for us, to live as people holy to God, constantly preaching by word and example.

Acts 14-15

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The second lame man to be healed in Acts is in Acts 14. This man had never walked, but in an instant he was healed and able to walk.  Paul describes the source of this miracle as “a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them”. Further evidence of God’s existence and mercy could be found in “rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness”.

Although this miracle is one of many in Acts, it highlights God’s mercy and power.  While it takes months for us to learn to walk, this man could walk immediately.  God’s arm is not short that it cannot save. Paul later declares that “a door of faith to the Gentiles” had been opened, extending the offer and knowledge of God’s mercy to us.

Like the Gentiles of Paul’s day, we look forward to a time when God “will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it”. While we wait, let’s seek God, and demonstrate in our lives that we have been adopted into God’s family, surnamed by His name.

Acts 13

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In Acts 13, Paul delivers the gospel message to the Jews in Antioch. “we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus… through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses“.

This promise and forgiveness is also available to us.  Freed from being servants of sin, let us become servants of righteousness, developing “fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life“.