Acts 9:1-22
Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He took anyone who belonged to the Way, take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
Saul's confrontation with Jesus, on the road to the old Syrian capital, Damascus, marks a turning-point in the history of the early church.
The story is told three times in Acts: once, here, by Luke, and twice by Saul/Paul himself.
Never has any conversion brought a more radical change. The blinding light leaves Saul sightless for three days, with nothing to do but think.
By the time Ananias reaches him, Saul the persecutor has become 'Brother Saul' - a man who will suffer much for the cause he tried to stamp out.
His immense energy is given at once to preaching Jesus as Son of God and opposition begins.
God said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
Why?
The Way: The church was known by this name before the people of Antioch invented the new name 'Christian'
Tarsus: A university city with a population of half a million; meeting-place of East and West, Greek and Oriental.
Ananias is an honest disciple of Jesus so God said to him in vision. And Ananias followed the command of the Lord, placing is hands on Saul and praying.
How?
The chosen one from the Lord is the instrument of the Lord, every Christian is the chosen one to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Create in me a pure heart
Acts 8:14-40
Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Simon was rebuked by peter for his heart is not right before God.
Philip proclaimed gospel to the people in Samaritan, Peter and John was sent to Samaritan,because Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them.
Philip listen to the message from Angel "Go south to the road - the desert road- that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." So he started out and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians.
Candace: The title of the queen mother who ruled the country on behalf of her son. The king himself, defiled as the child of the sun-god, was considered too holy for such secular.
Both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
It is Philip's power which draws Simon, and he covets the power to convey the gift of the Spirit, needing Peter's stern words to set him right.
Why?
Every believer has the Spirit of God- see Romans 8:9 1 Corinthians 12:13. But there is special significance in the visible sign of the coming of the Spirit- given when the apostles officially recognize these members of the despised enemy nation as equal citizens in God's kingdom.
At the height of Philip's flourishing Samaritan campaign God calls him away to meet the need of an individual. Eunuchs were barred from the Temple, but God knows this foreigner is ready to receive the Good news about Jesus.
Motivation; heart is right or not before God is more important than what he is or what he has done.
How?
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Simon was rebuked by peter for his heart is not right before God.
Philip proclaimed gospel to the people in Samaritan, Peter and John was sent to Samaritan,because Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them.
Philip listen to the message from Angel "Go south to the road - the desert road- that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." So he started out and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians.
Candace: The title of the queen mother who ruled the country on behalf of her son. The king himself, defiled as the child of the sun-god, was considered too holy for such secular.
Both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
It is Philip's power which draws Simon, and he covets the power to convey the gift of the Spirit, needing Peter's stern words to set him right.
Why?
Every believer has the Spirit of God- see Romans 8:9 1 Corinthians 12:13. But there is special significance in the visible sign of the coming of the Spirit- given when the apostles officially recognize these members of the despised enemy nation as equal citizens in God's kingdom.
At the height of Philip's flourishing Samaritan campaign God calls him away to meet the need of an individual. Eunuchs were barred from the Temple, but God knows this foreigner is ready to receive the Good news about Jesus.
Motivation; heart is right or not before God is more important than what he is or what he has done.
How?
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
Monday, May 5, 2014
God's plan beyond our mind
Acts 7:46-8:13
You who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.
Stephen said "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Lord, do not hold this sin against them" When he had said this, he fell asleep. He said the similar words as Jesus did.
Great persecution broke out against the Church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. Crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said.
Simon the sorcerer himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
Why?
The present generation has rejected the Messiah himself. Stephen's answer to the charges about the destruction of the Temple. A permanent building to 'house' God was never more than second-best.
The prosecuting witnesses, by law, had to cast the first stones though in other respects this was little more than a lynching私刑. The 'young man' Saul was probably in his 30s. He appears here for the first time, sharing the responsibility for Stephen's death.
The attack seems to have concentrated on Stephen's fellow-Hellenists(Greek-speaking Jews), leaving the apostles free to remain in Jerusalem.
This attack let many Jesus followers break out to other cities and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
How?
Great signs and miracles attract people's attention, but more important is the gospel which lead us free from the sin, and have the eternal life. It is needed before people heard the gospel.
You who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.
Stephen said "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Lord, do not hold this sin against them" When he had said this, he fell asleep. He said the similar words as Jesus did.
Great persecution broke out against the Church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. Crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said.
Simon the sorcerer himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
Why?
The present generation has rejected the Messiah himself. Stephen's answer to the charges about the destruction of the Temple. A permanent building to 'house' God was never more than second-best.
The prosecuting witnesses, by law, had to cast the first stones though in other respects this was little more than a lynching私刑. The 'young man' Saul was probably in his 30s. He appears here for the first time, sharing the responsibility for Stephen's death.
The attack seems to have concentrated on Stephen's fellow-Hellenists(Greek-speaking Jews), leaving the apostles free to remain in Jerusalem.
This attack let many Jesus followers break out to other cities and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
How?
Great signs and miracles attract people's attention, but more important is the gospel which lead us free from the sin, and have the eternal life. It is needed before people heard the gospel.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
(*HS)History is His story, the story of Jesus Christ, our savior
Acts 7:1-45
Moses had said to Israelites,'God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.'
Stephen's lengthy defence takes the form of a review of the nation's history.
The court knows the facts, but the interpretations is revolutionary.
Israel of old rejected the prophets from Joseph and Moses onwards. The present generation has rejected the Messiah himself.
Why?
A round figure for a generation but also a number with special significance, making each new development in the history of God's mighty acts.
God allows people to suffer the consequences of their wrongdoing.
Joseph said that Jesus is the prophet mentioned by Moses, but their ancestor did not listen to the words of Moses so as today they rejected Christ.
History is His story, the Jesus Christ' story, let people cann't reject Jesus Christ is the Lord.
How?
From the history of Christ - the Bible to know the savior Jesus Christ. And through the Holy Sprit to read Bible.
Moses had said to Israelites,'God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.'
Stephen's lengthy defence takes the form of a review of the nation's history.
The court knows the facts, but the interpretations is revolutionary.
Israel of old rejected the prophets from Joseph and Moses onwards. The present generation has rejected the Messiah himself.
Why?
A round figure for a generation but also a number with special significance, making each new development in the history of God's mighty acts.
God allows people to suffer the consequences of their wrongdoing.
Joseph said that Jesus is the prophet mentioned by Moses, but their ancestor did not listen to the words of Moses so as today they rejected Christ.
History is His story, the Jesus Christ' story, let people cann't reject Jesus Christ is the Lord.
How?
From the history of Christ - the Bible to know the savior Jesus Christ. And through the Holy Sprit to read Bible.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Full of the Spirit and of wisdom and has good repute
Acts 6:1-15
Twelve apostles said "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty."
They chose seven, these they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.
Some set up false witness accused Stephen and seized him. Stephen sat in the council, his face was like the face of an angel.
Two left a permanent mark on the young church: Stephen, a powerful preacher, the first martyr, and Philip the evangelist.
Stephen is charged with blasphemy and brought before the Jewish Council, just as Jesus was. He seems to have been among the first to foresee the inevitable break with Jewish worship which the new teaching entailed.
Why?
Church needs share the mission as teaching, serving people.
God's servants require full of the Spirit and of wisdom. It is the right men.
Prayed and laid hands on the servant is blessing from God and give authority to them.
Stephen not only serve the table but also full of grace and power, no one could withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.
How?
Serve the Lord needs good repute and full of the Spirit and of wisdom.
Twelve apostles said "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty."
They chose seven, these they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.
Some set up false witness accused Stephen and seized him. Stephen sat in the council, his face was like the face of an angel.
Two left a permanent mark on the young church: Stephen, a powerful preacher, the first martyr, and Philip the evangelist.
Stephen is charged with blasphemy and brought before the Jewish Council, just as Jesus was. He seems to have been among the first to foresee the inevitable break with Jewish worship which the new teaching entailed.
Why?
Church needs share the mission as teaching, serving people.
God's servants require full of the Spirit and of wisdom. It is the right men.
Prayed and laid hands on the servant is blessing from God and give authority to them.
Stephen not only serve the table but also full of grace and power, no one could withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.
How?
Serve the Lord needs good repute and full of the Spirit and of wisdom.
Friday, May 2, 2014
Proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ
Acts 5:29-42
"Leave these men alone! let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God", a Pharisee named Gamaliel who said to high priests and rulers.
Peter and apostles never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Gamaliel: A well-respected leader of the Prarisees, Paul's teacher.
Theudas story: the resistance, headed a protest in AD 6 against paying tax to Rome.
Why?
Threats, imprisonment, even the lash(鞭打), are of no avail against the power of God.
Apostles and Christians were witnessed of these things that God raised Jesus from the dead, so his kingdom has existing for more than 2000 years. and will be forever.
If it is from men origin will be fail, but from God will greater. No one can against the Lord.
How?
Continue preach the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
"Leave these men alone! let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God", a Pharisee named Gamaliel who said to high priests and rulers.
Peter and apostles never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Gamaliel: A well-respected leader of the Prarisees, Paul's teacher.
Theudas story: the resistance, headed a protest in AD 6 against paying tax to Rome.
Why?
Threats, imprisonment, even the lash(鞭打), are of no avail against the power of God.
Apostles and Christians were witnessed of these things that God raised Jesus from the dead, so his kingdom has existing for more than 2000 years. and will be forever.
If it is from men origin will be fail, but from God will greater. No one can against the Lord.
How?
Continue preach the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Tell the people the full message of this new life
Acts 5:12-28
The apostles healed many peoples with sick and tormented by evil spirits who was brought from the towns around Jerusalem.
The high priest and all his associates who were filled with jealousy.
The apostles were persecuted but the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. He said " Go, stand in the temple courts, and tell the people the full message of this new life."
The captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this. For the jail securely locked but when they open them, they found no one inside.
Having brought the apostles, be questioned by the high priest. "you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."
Why?
It was like the days of Jesus in Galilee all over again, so many were being healed by the apostles.
No wonder the Jewish authorities grew jealous of their enormous influence. Their swift deliverance from prison and the angel's command further convince the apostles of their mission.
The apostles openly held the Council responsible for Jesus' death, and they fear reprisals報復.
Church and Christian should be have influence in the community around them.
How?
How is the influence of the churches and Christians to the society in this generation? Forgive us, O Lord, please restore us and let us bravely tell the people the full message of this new life.
The apostles healed many peoples with sick and tormented by evil spirits who was brought from the towns around Jerusalem.
The high priest and all his associates who were filled with jealousy.
The apostles were persecuted but the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. He said " Go, stand in the temple courts, and tell the people the full message of this new life."
The captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this. For the jail securely locked but when they open them, they found no one inside.
Having brought the apostles, be questioned by the high priest. "you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."
Why?
It was like the days of Jesus in Galilee all over again, so many were being healed by the apostles.
No wonder the Jewish authorities grew jealous of their enormous influence. Their swift deliverance from prison and the angel's command further convince the apostles of their mission.
The apostles openly held the Council responsible for Jesus' death, and they fear reprisals報復.
Church and Christian should be have influence in the community around them.
How?
How is the influence of the churches and Christians to the society in this generation? Forgive us, O Lord, please restore us and let us bravely tell the people the full message of this new life.
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