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Acts

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Trained To Be Moved By The Spirit

Acts 10:44-48

The Apostle Peter was on a training course.  God was teaching him that Jesus had come to save everybody who would believe in Him, not only Jews (Acts 10:28).  It was a difficult transition for the devout leader of the apostolic group.  Like the others, he had been brought up to believe that only Israelites could belong to God's people.  Yes, non-Jews could be included if they converted, but otherwise Gentiles (everybody who was not a Jew) would always be excluded.

Responding to Criticism (1)

Acts 11:1-8

Peter's visit to Cornelius' house was a landmark in the history of the church (Acts 10:23-48).  For the first time a group of Gentiles had heard and responded to the gospel message, been filled with the Holy Spirit and then had been baptised in the Name of Jesus.  You might have thought that all the apostles and new Christians would have been thrilled, and were praising the Lord.  No.  Instead, they were horrified, and criticised Peter.

Responding to Criticism (2)

Acts 11:9-14

Peter's visit to the home of the Gentile, Roman centurion, Cornelius attracted criticism from the church in and around Jerusalem (Acts 11:2).  They believed that only the Jews were God's people and so Gentiles were excluded unless they first became Jews.  But God was doing a new thing.  Anybody could receive eternal life if they believed in Jesus (John 3:16).

Responding to Criticism (3)

Acts 11:15-18

Peter had been called before the church council in Jerusalem (Acts 11:1-2).  They were alarmed that the apostle had abandoned his traditional Jewish belief … that God was offended if His people visited Gentiles in their homes (Acts 10:28).  They felt that Peter's behaviour had dishonoured the Lord.  So, he explained how it was all the Lord's idea, and he had only been obedient.  The result of his preaching about Jesus was that the Holy Spirit filled them, just as He filled the disciples at Pentecost (Acts 2:4).

Out Of The Comfort Zone

Acts 11:19-21

Stephen's martyrdom was not a tragedy; it was all part of God's plan (Acts 8:4). The new believers realised that they were no longer safe in Jerusalem: the honeymoon of the church was over (Acts 2:47). Friends and relatives could not be trusted, and the religious police (organised by Saul) imprisoned people who trusted in Jesus (Acts 8:3).  But the uncomfortable disruption experienced by the church was part of God's plan to bring the gospel to the world.

Encouraged And Encouraging

Acts 11:22-26

As the church grew, the leaders in Jerusalem wanted to safeguard the gospel from corruption, and to prevent the new congregations from falling into the hands of false teachers.  At the same time, because so many new and unexpected things were happening, the apostles needed to understand what God was doing.  So, when they heard about the rapid church growth in Antioch, they sent Barnabas to find out what was happening.

Practical Spiritual Insight

Acts 11:27-30

Luke's primary purpose in Acts is to describe how the gospel was spread, and how the church grew.  However, many other things were also going on, which affected the church.  This prophecy by Agabus is an example.  At this time, there was no 'New Testament' such as we have to instruct the church.  So, Jesus appointed apostles to define what should be taught.  In addition, the church recognised that God had gifted some people with the ability to be prophets, evangelists, pastors or teachers (Ephesians 4:11-13).

Persecution and Prayer

Acts 12:1-5

Much historical background is available on King Herod Agrippa 1, a corrupt ruler of Israel with an equally corrupt family history.  Suffice it to say that he was neither respected in Rome nor Israel, and he sought whatever opportunity he could to gain popularity and cultivate his ego.  It was now acceptable to persecute the church and so Herod joined in, arresting some of the church leaders including the Apostle James.

Divine Intervention

Acts 12:6-10

Insecure Herod Agrippa 1 had recently gained public support for killing James (Acts 12:1-3).  Now he also wanted to kill Peter so he put him in prison until after the Jewish feast of Passover, lest the Jews would be offended by a public execution during their sacred festival – like Jesus a few years previously (Matthew 26:3-5).  Meanwhile, the church was praying earnestly for Peter's safe release (Acts 12:5).  What would happen? Well, Peter's work was not finished, and Jesus had promised that he would live to an old age (John 21:18) - so God intervened.  

Failing To Receive God's Answer

Acts 12:11-15

God had miraculously released Peter from prison (Acts 12:6-10).  It all happened so quickly that he had little time to take it all in.  But by the time the apostle was walking through the silent dark streets of Jerusalem, he realised what the Lord had done for him.  The Lord's intervention was not just a personal relief; it was a manifestation of His power in frustrating the murderous ambitions of King Herod and the religious leaders.  Then he went to Mary's house where the church people were meeting.

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