TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 6:1-15; 7:54-8:3
Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. - Revelation 2:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
In his commentary on Acts, Ajith Fernando writes, “The story is told of a Christian martyr smiling as he was being burned at the stake. His persecutor . . . asked him what there was to be smiling about. He replied, ”˜I saw the glory of God and was glad.'” Consider also John and Betty Stam, Moody Bible Institute graduates, who were missionaries to China and were martyred in 1934. Shortly before his death, John wrote, “Take away everything I have, but do not take away the sweetness of walking and talking with the King of Glory!”

Such was also the experience of Stephen, who was full of the Spirit and wisdom (6:3), faith (6:5), and God's grace and power (6:8 ). Not surprisingly, such godliness encounters opposition, this time from the Synagogue of the Freedman, descendents of freed Jewish slaves taken earlier by the Romans. Like the Sanhedrin with Peter and John, these synagogue members were no match for Stephen.

Unable to defeat Stephen in debate, they secretly drummed up false charges against him, specifically blasphemy against Moses and God. Apparently, Stephen had been elaborating on Jesus' teaching that He, not the temple, was the true place where God met with His people (see John 2:19-22) and that He Himself fulfilled all that the law had anticipated (see Matt. 5:17-18). Such truths infuriated the Jewish religious leaders.

There couldn't be a greater contrast between Stephen's face (like an angel) and the faces of the Sanhedrin (like ferocious wild beasts)! While they snarled and stoned him for blasphemy, Stephen looked upward, beholding Jesus in glory, standing to welcome him to heaven. The many parallels between Stephen's death and Jesus' crucifixion show how closely Stephen followed Jesus. Stephen prayed for Jesus to receive his spirit, just as Jesus prayed to the Father. Stephen also prayed for forgiveness for his murderers. Stephen's death is tragic, yet his witness had a profound impact on others, especially one man, Saul.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Take time this weekend to read through Stephen's speech (7:2-53)—the longest one in Acts! He stressed two key points. First, God often worked redemptively outside the Promised Land, and thus worship of God is possible outside the temple. Therefore, Jesus' teaching about the temple is consistent with God's actions in the Old Testament. Second, the Israelites repeatedly rejected God's appointed leaders and God's commands. So, it's the Jews, not Stephen, who have spoken (and acted) blasphemously.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 8:5-25
Jews do not associate with Samaritans. - John 4:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
Most people associate the words Jew and Palestinian with images of tanks and bullets. The picture of Messianic Jews calling their Palestinian brothers and sisters caught in the crossfire of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to encourage them or to donate food and money is quite different. Yet despite the deep hostility between these groups, the gospel's power is greater. Says Salim Munayer, founder of the reconciliation group Musalaha, “There is an opportunity for reconciled Jews and Arabs to be an example . . . to the whole Israeli society.”

For many, reconciled Jews and Palestinians are hard to imagine. That's what it must have been like when the Samaritans received the gospel. A huge divide existed between Jews and Samaritans. Samaritans were viewed as worse than Gentiles because they were “half-breeds.” They were considered heretics because they rejected the Jerusalem temple and only accepted the first five books of Moses as Scripture. Only the gospel could breach this great divide.

Because the Samaritans already had an expectation of a messiah, Philip used this foundation to proclaim the Good News. As we've seen, the gospel's advance is accompanied by signs and wonders. Because the occult was extensive in this area, it's not surprising that numerous exorcisms occurred (v. 7). But Philip wasn't the only one performing wonders. A magician named Simon had quite a following. Yet whereas Philip preached the kingdom of God, Simon was apparently preaching the “kingdom of Simon.” It's hard to know at what level he believed (v. 13), but his response to Peter's rebuke (v. 24) suggests that he'd never really accepted Jesus as Lord.

The hardest part about today's passage is understanding why God delayed giving the Holy Spirit to the Samaritans until Peter and John arrived. Luke gives no indication that anything was lacking in Philip's sermon. Instead, delaying the outpouring of the Holy Spirit assured the Samaritan believers that they were full participants in the early church with the full blessing of the Jerusalem leaders.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It's interesting to notice that Peter and John follow Philip's lead by continuing to evangelize Samaritan cities on their return to Jerusalem (v. 25). This should encourage us that powerful advances for the gospel are not always initiated by church leaders. In fact, many racial reconciliation efforts are at the grass-roots level. As we continue our study in Acts, prayerfully ask the Spirit to show you ways that you can help bring down the walls that still divide the body of Christ, whether they are ethnically or economically based.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 8:26-40
Without faith it is impossible to please God. - Hebrews 11:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
After listening to a sermon one Sunday, Queen Victoria wondered if she could be absolutely sure that she was saved. Unfortunately, her chaplain couldn't give her such assurance. This became known to a commoner named John Townsend. After much prayer and consideration, Townsend wrote a letter in which he urged the Queen to read John 3:16 and Romans 10:9-10. A few weeks later, he received a reply from Her Majesty confirming the assurance that she'd received from God's Word.

Centuries before, the Lord also used another humble servant to bring salvation to another high-ranking official. Yesterday we saw how the gospel breaks down ethnic barriers; today we see how social and economic barriers are similarly eroded. We also see God's care for both entire cities as well as one individual.

Directed by an angel, Philip traveled from northern Samaria to the southern area of Gaza. We have no idea what Philip thought about this, but his obedience was immediate. Out in the desert, Philip met a very important official, the Ethiopian Secretary of the Treasury. Ethiopia at this time included modern southern Egypt and northern Sudan and was considered the ends of the earth (see Acts 1:8 ).

A eunuch at that time could refer to a castrated male or a high court official under a female ruler. If this official were a Jewish proselyte, then the latter is likely; otherwise, he would have been prohibited from entering the temple (see Deut. 23:1). He was also educated because he was able to read. (It was customary to read out loud at that time.) And he was well-off; only wealthy people could afford a chariot.

Most importantly, however, he was teachable. When queried by Philip, he welcomed the opportunity for instruction. Using Isaiah 53 as a springboard, Philip shared the gospel with this man. The eunuch's immediate desire to be baptized is heartening. Clearly, here's someone who had been supernaturally prepared for the gospel!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's passage offers helpful guidelines for evangelism. First, Philip's bold witness to the eunuch followed his obedience to the Spirit's prompting. In other words, we shouldn't wait for boldness before witnessing—it comes when we're obedient. Second, Philip began with a question that opened a door. He allowed the eunuch to express a need and to invite discussion. Questions can be powerful tools of evangelism. Finally, he used Scripture to explain the Good News. At some point, we need to get people into the Bible.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 9:1-31
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. - 1 Timothy 1:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
In his autobiographical work, Surprised by Joy, C. S. Lewis describes how the Lord persistently “closed in on” him. “You must picture me alone. . . night after night, feeling . . . the steady, unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet. That which I greatly feared had at last come upon me . . . I gave in and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed; perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England.”

As influential as C. S. Lewis's conversion has been, John Stott rightly notes that “Saul's . . . is the most famous conversion in church history.” In fact, Saul's conversion is recorded again in Acts 22 and Acts 26.

Somewhere along the 150-mile road between Jerusalem and Damascus, the one who was going to stamp out “the Way” was instead stamped forever by the Lord Jesus. Notice the organic connection between Jesus and His body in the question, “Why do you persecute me?” To persecute believers is to persecute Jesus Himself.

Having met the risen Jesus, it was time to start meeting His body, beginning with a devout believer, Ananias, who understandably had reservations about meeting Saul. The Lord's assurance to Ananias (v. 15) revealed His purposes for Saul: to carry the name of Christ before the Gentiles and to suffer much for that Name. Ananias's assurance to Saul was also profound—placing his hand on Saul, he called him “Brother.”

Saul's characteristic zeal found its intended goal in his passion to preach Jesus, to the astonishment of many! But evidently not everyone was excited, and the first of several murder plots was hatched.

From Damascus, Saul went to Jerusalem where the disciples were also understandably hesitant to receive him. In an echo of what happened in Damascus, Saul was once again protected by believers from another murder plot. Clearly, Saul had become part of the body of Christ!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Even though Paul's conversion was the most famous in the church's history, two powerful lessons from his experience apply to all believers. First, Saul shows that clearly no one is beyond the Lord's reach! We should never give up praying because God is able to reach even those violently opposed to Christianity. Second, we may not all suffer as much as Paul did, but we must never forget that suffering is a normal part of the Christian life. Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, “Suffering . . . is the badge of true discipleship.”

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 9:32-43
The church . . . was encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord. - Acts 9:31
TODAY IN THE WORD
People naturally thought James Fraser was headed for fame and success. An extremely gifted musician, it was no surprise that he decided to pursue music, although he graduated from London University in engineering. Yet Fraser eventually felt called to bring the gospel to the wild border region between China and Burma. “What a waste of talent and training!” exclaimed many. Little did people know that the Lisu language is one of the world's most tonal, using about 20 different tones. Only someone with Fraser's background could ever have succeeded in learning Lisu well enough both to share the gospel and to devise a Lisu writing system.

It's easy to think that highly gifted people should have high profile ministries, but today's passage records a gifted woman whose ministry was devoted to unnamed, needy individuals. We also see Peter engaged in the “hands-on” pastoral work of “visiting the Lord's people,” giving us a glimpse into his day-to-day ministry. During his travels, however, two miracles occurred, paralleling ones performed by Jesus. The account of Aeneas reminds us of Jesus healing the paralytic in Capernaum (see Luke 5:17-26).

From Lydda (about 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem), Peter traveled 10 miles further to Joppa, now a suburb of modern Tel Aviv. This was a largely Gentile area—notice that the Jewish Tabitha was also known by the Greek name Dorcas. In both languages her name meant “gazelle,” a fitting image for this dear woman. Considering how many lives she had touched, it's no wonder that her death was so grieved. We don't know if those who sent for Peter were expecting a miracle, but the account of Tabitha parallels the account of Jesus raising Jairus's daughter (see Luke 8:41-56).

The effect of both miracles was the same—many saw and believed. By preaching or by miracles, the book of Acts chronicles the unstoppable spread of the gospel!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In many ways, Tabitha is a model disciple, “always doing good and helping the poor.” Tabitha's example challenges us to consider that for which we want to be remembered. Imagine being famous for our kindness or for helping the poor! Not everyone may be a gifted seamstress, but there are countless other ways we can minister to the needy, including making and serving meals, helping with home improvement, or just lending a sympathetic ear. How might the Spirit use you to show Christian kindness?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 10:1-11:18
My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. - James 2:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
In his commentary on Acts, evangelist Ajith Fernando describes the Maltose people who live in a mountainous area of India. Without access to water, bathing was very difficult. The tribespeople often smelled so bad that outsiders avoided them. Mortality rates were so high that extinction was a real danger. Remarkable changes, however, came when missionaries reached out and lived with the Maltose. By 1996, more than one third had become Christians. Better hygiene has led to higher mortality rates. Yet this barrier was crossed with a high price—some of the missionaries died from diseases common among the Maltose.

Some prejudices seem almost impossible to overcome—even for the apostle Peter. Today's long passage divides into seven scenes. In scene one (10:1-8), a devout, God-fearing Gentile, Cornelius, has a vision in which he is commanded to seek out Peter in Joppa. In scene two (10:9-16), Peter also has a vision, in which he sees the animal world divided into clean and unclean. As a devout Jew, Peter would have been repulsed by the idea of eating anything unclean. But the vision represented the four corners of the earth and a humanity divided between Jew (clean) and Gentile (unclean).

Scene three (10:17-23) brings Cornelius's servants to Peter. To invite these Gentile men into a Jewish home hints at the radical work that the Lord was about to do! In scene four (10:23-33), Peter finally meets Cornelius and his household. Scene five (10:34-43) records Peter's first proclamation of the gospel to Gentiles.

Remarkably, even while Peter was still speaking the Holy Spirit came upon this group (scene six, Acts 10:44-48). These were hearts prepared for the gospel! In Acts 11:1-18, we see how hard it is for old barriers to come down. But once the Jerusalem church heard all that Peter had to say, they, too, were convinced that even Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The reality of the Gentiles becoming believers was nearly impossible for some in the early church to grasp. But what about us today? Are there people we consider beyond the gospel's reach? For some, the thought of the gospel transforming Muslims is hard to imagine. For others, gang members may seem out of reach. Yet there's no barrier the gospel cannot overcome! Ask the Spirit to use today's passage to show where you need to be challenged in this regard. Pray for openness to those whom you might consider hopeless.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 12:1-25
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? - Hebrews 1:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
The End of Spear is the moving account of five missionaries martyred in Ecuador in 1956, written by one of the martyr's sons, Steve Saint. Years later, Steve and his family spent several years among the Waodani, the people who killed his father. During this time, Steve learned from Mincayani, one who participated in the massacre, about the presence of angels escorting the young missionaries into glory: “We saw them. Your father saw them, too. Shining ones!”

There are numerous other accounts in history of angels ministering to believers, including today's passage. The Herod we meet here was Herod the Great's grandson. He spent his youth in imperial Rome, and, as a ruler, was anxious to remain in Rome's good graces. He was also eager to please the Jews, because Jews objected to the Herodian mixed ancestry. Thus, when Herod saw that beheading James pleased the Jews, he wanted to kill Peter too.

This account is filled with irony. First, while the Jews were celebrating Passover, a preacher of God's final act of deliverance through Jesus Christ was languishing in prison. Second, Herod took extraordinary precautions so Peter couldn't escape, yet the power of Herod's prison was no match for the power of prayer and an angel! Notice Peter's profound faith—the night before his likely execution, he was sound asleep. Notice also the irony that, despite their fervent prayers, the believers in Mary's house couldn't believe their prayers had been answered! (The comment about Peter's angel indicates the common Jewish belief in guardian angels.)

It's possible Herod left Jerusalem for Caesarea out of frustration over Peter's escape. We get a glimpse into his true character from the flattery used on him by the desperate representatives of Tyre and Sidon. Herod's death (in A.D. 44) is also recorded by the Jewish historian, Josephus. Both Luke and Josephus indicate that Herod died because he received glory intended only for God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It's natural to see God's sovereignty in events such as Peter's miraculous rescue. Yet what about James? Or the five missionaries in Ecuador? Is God still sovereign in these events? The martyrdom of Steve Saint's father and his colleagues eventually opened the door for the Waodani to receive the gospel. God is no less sovereign when circumstances turn out differently than we would like. A good example of this is the book or video End of the Spear, available in local Christian bookstores.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 4:18-22; 9:9-13; 28:19-20
‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. - Matthew 9:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
Some have called the Bible, “God's Instruction Manual.” By that, they mean that it's here we find all the knowledge that we need. True, the Bible is an inexhaustible source of wisdom, both the Old and New Testaments. The notion of the Bible as “instruction manual,” however, can reduce the richness of Scripture to just life principles. The Bible is more accurately described as a narrative. It is the story of a personal God working actively in the lives of men and women. The names of individuals and families (even the genealogies!) of the Bible aren't incidental, but central to the gospel story.

Our stories from Matthew today show how people matter to God. We find Simon and his brother, Andrew, fishing on the Sea of Galilee. We meet James and John, the sons of Zebedee, in the boat with their father, preparing their nets. Behind the tax collector's booth sat Matthew. Each of these men seems to us very ordinary, yet the stories themselves are intimate and personal. We encounter these men, busy at work in the course of a normal day, not as pawns in God's story, but real human beings with names and families and jobs.

In Matthew 9, Jesus shared a meal with His disciples at Matthew's house, and Matthew's house was soon overrun by curious friends and colleagues. These men weren't normally well received by the ruling religious right of their day. They were despised as Jewish traitors, regarded as corrupt sell-outs. But interestingly enough, they felt comfortable enough to join Jesus for dinner. They didn't sense the rejection they faced elsewhere. Here, with Jesus, was a place where they were respected and valued.

Jesus reproved those who criticized Him for keeping company with sinners. The Pharisees preferred religious rules and regulations. To them, Jesus insisted, “I desire mercy.” Mercy is not abstract; it is particular and personal. He turns our attention, not to what we do as much as whom we love. In essence, He underscores the centrality of relationship in the gospel.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The gospel call is clearly set forth in Matthew 28: “Go and make disciples.” As people of the gospel, our lives should look like Jesus' ministry. Our calling is to get to know sinners, learn their names, care about their lives, and in the context of that relationship, reveal to them Who is Jesus Christ. The programs and evangelistic events of churches or other organizations shouldn't supplant the kind of loving relationships that we as believers must establish with an unbelieving world.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 13:4-14:28
Pray . . . that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly. - 2 Thessalonians 3:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
At first glance, Lake Itasca isn't all that impressive. The 1.8-square-mile lake looks like many other glacial lakes in northwestern Minnesota. The lake's outflow is crossed by only a few stepping stones. Yet remarkably, this small stream marks the source of the mighty Mississippi River, winding 2,340 miles south to the Gulf of Mexico. In many ways, the spread of Christianity is like the inauspicious beginning of a great river.

Cyprus, Barnabas's birthplace, was a natural place to start. The team began by preaching in the local synagogue, a pattern they followed wherever they went. Along the way, they encountered a Jewish sorcerer, Bar Jesus. Apparently, he was like a court astrologer to Sergius Paulus. Yet the gospel is no match for occultic powers, and the combination of miracles and preaching (13:12) persuaded the first known convert from the upper levels of Roman society.

From Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas sailed to the coast of modern Turkey and traveled inland about one hundred miles. We're not told here why John Mark left them in Pamphylia, but we'll hear more about this later. Once in Pisidian Antioch, Paul began by preaching in the synagogue. His long sermon (13:16-41) overviews Israel's history, showing how it points to Jesus Christ, David's greater Son. Opposition from the Jews, however, became the opportunity for Paul to offer salvation to the Gentiles. Yet with the spread of the gospel came increased opposition, forcing Paul and Barnabas to move on to Iconium, some ninety miles away. Once again, Paul's preaching in the synagogue was followed by severe opposition, forcing the team to flee further east. Neither Lystra nor Derbe were important cities in the Roman Empire, yet we'll see later that one important convert came from Lystra.

Today's passage also shows a great balance between evangelism and follow-up. Notice that the team retraced its steps (probably at some risk) to ensure that the newly planted churches were strengthened and well-established.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Twice now in our study, we've encountered a long sermon tracing Israel's history. Clearly, this was essential for sharing the gospel with Jews. Yet many Christians mistakenly believe that the Old Testament isn't important for them. This is too bad, because knowing how God worked with His people in the past helps us understand how He works now. We're part of the ongoing story of God's redemptive work! This month, use the speeches in Acts to help you learn about this essential part of God's Word.

[Soldier4Christ]

To the Remotest Part of the Earth

God never intended us to stay in the nest.

After feeding us His Word and indwelling us with His Holy Spirit, God tells us to spread our wings and go into the world. We remember that in Jesus' last physical appearance to His disciples, He instructed them to “Go and make disciples.”

Although I imagine some of them would have preferred a safer choice at this tumultuous time, the Lord's message was clear. They were not to remain a secret club at the foot of the cross or stand watch at the door of His empty tomb, but to make disciples of all nations. This would involve going and spreading His gospel message to “the remotest part of the earth.” Jesus commissioned His followers, “You shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth (Acts 1:8 ).”

Each fall, we welcome a new group of students to Moody Bible Institute. They come to us from across the United States and the globe. Their desire is to study God's Word—to spend four years focusing their minds and hearts on the truths of Scripture. Why? Not to remain at school in Chicago, but to go into service, to cross oceans, to carry God's message of truth to the remotest part of the earth.

Each October, we pause our normal class schedule for a week to focus on missions. Several hundred missionaries arrive on campus, stay in the dorms, and hold workshops with our students. These veteran missionaries share first-hand experiences from the field.

During Missions week, the historic Torrey-Gray auditorium is transformed with flags from the nations draping the balcony, reminding us of our global concern. But an even greater transformation begins within our students. Their minds are challenged by the needs of the world; their hearts are burdened for the lost. They end the week by making commitments to go, to serve, to be Christ's witnesses around the world.

The book of Acts is filled with dramatic transformations of individuals who responded to God's commissioning. Consider Saul, a man determined to destroy Christianity, until God literally stopped him in his tracks, blinding him and causing him to really see (Acts 9). Or Stephen, the first martyr, who “gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55).

What about you? Are you willing to make disciples? Are you willing to go? Or are you comfortable in the nest? Your field of service might be in a foreign country or down the block. It might involve preaching before a crowd or sharing Christ with a neighbor. But if God is in control, the results will be no less dramatic.

The Lord wants you to follow Him and “make disciples.” At some level, it involves “going.” Whether the “remotest part of the earth” is overseas or across the street we are to share Christ. Maybe it's time to get out of the nest.

[Soldier4Christ]

The Spirit of Acts

The early church assigned the title Acts of the Apostles to Luke's description of the establishment and early development of the church. They might easily have titled it the Acts of the Holy Spirit. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is one of the dominant themes in Luke's book. According to New Testament scholar Donald Guthrie, the events outlined in the book of Acts mark the inauguration of the age of the Spirit. Guthrie writes, “The whole development of ideas in the early history of the Christian movement is dominated by the Holy Spirit.”

Luke's theology of the Spirit highlights two aspects of His ministry to those who belong to Jesus Christ: empowerment and confirmation. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to tell others about Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8 ). The early chapters of Acts describe how those who weeks earlier had denied Christ and fled from His enemies, were subsequently transformed into bold witnesses. Luke also shows how the Holy Spirit confirmed their testimony with signs and wonders. Consequently, Luke's perspective on the Holy Spirit is more descriptive than didactic. As Guthrie explains, “As compared with the Epistles there is less reflection on the role of the Spirit but more on the actions of the Spirit.”

Failure to recognize this distinction has resulted in confusion about the ministry of the Spirit, leading some to conclude that the signs and wonders described in Acts should be normative in the life of every believer. This does not appear to be the case. The miraculous actions of the Spirit were primarily intended to confirm the testimony of the Apostles. Even in the book of Acts itself, signs and wonders play a more prominent role in the beginning of the book than in the later chapters.

The Holy Spirit is the source of miracles, but the greater part of His ministry to believers does not involve miracles. John Stott notes that many of the gifts that believers receive through the Spirit are quite ordinary: “There is nothing miraculous about the gifts of teaching and encouraging, giving money and doing acts of mercy.” All these are the work of the Spirit as well. We should not let our interest in the unusual work of the Spirit cause us to miss out on His ordinary work in the life of the believer.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 15:1-35
I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? - Galatians 5:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
Imagine that you're interested in becoming a Christian and you ask a respected church member what you should do. You're told: “Get rid of everything in your wardrobe that isn't white. Stop sleeping on a soft pillow. Sell your musical instruments. You cannot, if you're sincere about obeying Christ, take warm baths . . .”

Sounds crazy, doesn't it? Yet it's an actual quote from a second-century Christian leader! The temptation to try to earn one's salvation has plagued the church from the beginning. During the first century, some Jewish believers were telling Gentiles interested in Christianity that they had to be circumcised to be saved. The core doctrine of justification by faith alone was at risk.

This threat was so serious that the church called the first church council to settle the question. The council began with Peter's recollection of Cornelius's conversion (see Sept. 13). Peter's insistence that both Jews and Gentiles were saved by faith, not Mosaic Law, shows how far Peter had come in understanding God's grace. The next speakers were Barnabas and Paul, who recounted all that God had been doing among the Gentiles. The final speaker was James, the half-brother of Jesus, who had become a prominent leader in the Jerusalem church.

James appealed to Scripture to support what Peter, Barnabas, and Peter had been testifying. Quoting from Amos, James understood that the restoration of David's tent pointed to the resurrection of Jesus and the inclusion of the Gentiles into the people of God. The four recommendations that James suggested had nothing to do with salvation, but rather concerned issues that would be offensive to Jewish believers on the part of Gentiles. The letter was sent out to promote unity between Gentile and Jewish believers.

The letter was to be delivered by two representatives to confirm the letter's authenticity and to make it less impersonal. Notice the wisdom of sending a Jewish believer, Judas, and a Greek believer, Silas.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Bible scholar Lloyd Ogilvie writes: “The struggle for faith alone never ends. It's a part of our own inability to accept a gift. And deeper than that, we want to be loved because of what we do for God.” The second-century church's legalism may be laughable, but what about our own rules? For some, it may be smoking or drinking alcohol. For others, it may be body piercings and tattoos. It's wise to avoid certain behaviors, but we must never confuse doing—or not doing—something and salvation by faith alone.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 15:35-16:10
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. - Proverbs 16:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
After his first term as a medical missionary in Ethiopia, Dr. Tom Lambie (who became the personal physician of Emperor Haile Selassie) returned to Philadelphia and received a lucrative offer to join a successful medical practice. Dr. Lambie had decided to accept the offer, when one night he had a dream. In it, a foul leprous hand arose out of the heart of Africa: “Take that hand!” he was ordered. Nauseated, even in his dream, he reluctantly took the hand. And as he did, it became the pierced hand of Jesus, leading him back to his calling to Ethiopia. How remarkably the Lord leads His people!

Following the time in Jerusalem, Paul was eager to visit the churches established on his first missionary journey. It's here we learn that Paul viewed John Mark's departure from Pamphylia (Acts 13:13) as a desertion. It's painful to read about the sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, although elsewhere we find they eventually reconciled (see 1 Cor. 9:6 and Col. 4:10). The immediate result of their dispute was the formation of two teams, one that returned to Cyprus and another that returned to Syria and Cilicia.

Paul's decision to have Timothy circumcised has been harshly criticized as contradictory with the decision made in Jerusalem not requiring circumcision of Gentile converts. Yet Paul's action showed wisdom, not inconsistency. Although Timothy's father was Greek, his mother was Jewish. To remain uncircumcised would have hindered Timothy's ability to minister to Jews. Notice also that Timothy was already a believer, so his circumcision had nothing to do with his salvation.

Eager to move on, the team continued traveling west, probably intending to visit Ephesus, but they were prevented by the Spirit. They then tried to go north, but were again hindered by the Spirit. Paul's vision of a man urging him to come to Macedonia was the supernatural means God used to bring the gospel to Europe.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Paul writes, “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some” (1 Cor. 9:22). Although Timothy wasn't required to be circumcised, doing so was essential for effective ministry. Similarly, we might need to do things that aren't required so that we can share the gospel. For example, we might have to wear long-sleeved clothes when ministering to those who find bare arms offensive. Or we might avoid make-up or be clean-shaven among those for whom such customs aren't permitted.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 16:11-17:15
The Lord opened her heart. - Acts 16:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the 1930s, American missionary to India, J. Waskom Pickett, wrote about “mass movements” in which entire communities came to Christ simultaneously. He noted that where individuals were knit into families and communities, effective evangelism must focus on the whole group. Each person still had to make an individual decision about Jesus, but Pickett discovered that few conversions occurred apart from the family or community. We see similar “mass movements” in the New Testament where entire households come to faith (see Sept. 13).

Because there was no synagogue in Philippi, God-fearers met beside the river, just outside of town. The first convert, Lydia, was likely a widow and was probably wealthy, as the purple dye she sold was very valuable.

What a stark contrast between Lydia and the slave girl! To understand Paul's rebuke, we need to know that “God most high” also applied to Zeus or the Egyptian goddess, Isis. Philosophers called “the way of salvation” the release from fate. Any association between the gospel and the demonic couldn't be tolerated.

We don't know the circumstances of the other prisoners, but they had probably never heard fellow prisoners singing in the night, nor had they experienced an earthquake that set them free! Notice that the jailor's concern was “What must I do to be saved?” Now notice how clearly Paul stressed salvation by faith alone!

As Roman citizens, Paul and Silas never should have been treated as they were. Yet Paul's concern wasn't for himself; a dangerous precedent would be set for the Philippian church if such arbitrary treatment were tolerated.

From Philippi, Paul and Silas traveled to Thessalonica. Once again, some Jews stirred up opposition. City officials would have been anxious to avoid any trouble. After Philippi and Thessalonica, the Bereans' reception of the gospel must have greatly encouraged Paul.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Although Berea was a small town off the beaten track, its inhabitants exhibited an approach to Scripture that remains a model for believers everywhere. They received Paul's message about Jesus with eagerness and examined the Bible to see if what he said was true. This week, consider taking notes during the Sunday morning sermon so that you can do further study when you get home, or listen to a daily Bible study via podcast or radio for another opportunity to examine the Bible.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 17:16-34
I will not give . . . my praise to idols. - Isaiah 42:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
In August 2004, thousands of spectators converged upon Athens to watch 11,099 athletes compete in the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad. Visitors and athletes alike delighted in such famous sights as the Parthenon and the Agora. Yet one ancient visitor had a much different reaction to this city. Instead of relaxing, he was agitated. Instead of beautiful buildings, he saw countless idols. His heart burned that the Lord God was denied His rightful praise and glory.

Paul's “strange ideas” caught people's attention. Epicureans sought a life of tranquility, free from pain, disturbing passions, or superstition. Stoics tried to live in harmony with nature and rational principles. Intrigued, these philosophers brought Paul to the Areopagus (meaning “Mars Hill”), a common location for public debates.

Altars to unknown gods (v. 23) dated back six centuries before Christ when a plague struck Athens. Fearful that some god was offended, people erected altars to “unknown gods” to end the pestilence.

Notice how Paul took advantage of this “open door.” First, he proclaimed that God could indeed be known through the visible display of His creation. Moreover, He created all humanity and directed the course of human history (v. 26). The correct response to the true God wasn't temples and idols, but repentance (v. 30). Although God had been patient, He would not allow the sin of idolatry to go unpunished forever.

It seems that Paul intended to say more, but was cut off by the crowd when he mentioned resurrection. Epicureans denied any possibility of resurrection, and others thought that bodily resurrection was abhorrent.

Some have criticized Paul's speech because it lacks references to Scripture or Jesus. Yet this was a thoroughly pagan crowd. He had to begin by establishing the existence of the One God. Moreover, he must have talked about the Cross at some point because he talked about the Resurrection. In any event, at least two people repented and received Christ as a result.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We can learn a lot from Paul's time in Athens. First, notice Paul's flexibility. In the synagogue, he urged those with a religious background to a complete understanding of God through Jesus Christ. On the street, he shared Christ with those with no Bible background by beginning with what all humans have in common—being created by God. Second, notice that Paul avoided two common extremes: he neither refused contact with other religions, nor gave uncritical approval in an attempt to earn favor.