Studies in Acts
The posts listed here are studies in the book of Acts
- Being a Witness for Jesus Wherever You Are – Acts 1:8 (7/4/2017) - Jesus' call to be his witness isn't just something expected of the first generation of believers. His call is to all who have experienced him.
- They’ve Had too Much Wine – Acts 2:13 (3/21/2022) - Those unwilling to believe dismissed Pentecost as just too much wine. How like our world today in rationalizing away unwelcome truths.
- God’s Plan and Human Choice – Acts 2:23 (4/29/2019) - God has a plan for your life that takes into account all of the choices you make. God uses human choice to accomplish his plan for our lives.
- Death Could Not Keep Him – Acts 2:24 (4/21/2019) - Celebrate the empty tomb and risen savior today! Be thankful that his victory over death is ours as well. Death could not keep him, or us.
- God has made Jesus Lord and Messiah – Acts 2:36 (7/5/2017) - Regardless of who you think Jesus is, God has made him both Lord and Messiah. And your response to that is of the utmost importance.
- Jesus: Lord and Christ – Acts 2:36 (11/25/2013) - As Peter declared, Jesus is both Lord and Christ. But each of us have to examine our own lives. Is Jesus truly my Lord?
- The Example of the Early Church – Acts 2:42-47 (9/3/2012) - The example of the early church provides us with a successful template for being the church today. Be devoted to God and the body of Christ.
- They Devoted Themselves – Acts 2:42 (7/5/2018) - What can we learn from the earliest church? They devoted themselves to the Word, to prayer, and to fellowship. What would happen if we did that today?
- No Silver or Gold. But What I Have, I Give You – Acts 3:6 (7/8/2017) - While there is nothing wrong with giving money to the needy, how much better is it to give of yourself. It could make an eternal difference.
- Transforming Ordinary People – Acts 4:13 (11/8/2022) - Being filled with the Holy Spirit can transform ordinary people into spirit-filled believers who can accomplish great things.
- Time Spent with Jesus Changes Us – Acts 4:13 (7/9/2017) - Is the time you spend with Jesus obvious in the way you live your life? It should make a drastic difference in the way we live and speak.
- Which Is Right In God’s Eyes – Acts 4:18-20 (7/9/2018) - How do you respond when people challenge your right to share your faith? Peter and John responded that it is better to do what is right in God's eyes.
- Who Should We Follow? – Acts 4:19-20 (12/2/2013) - We are often faced with a choice of who we should follow. God. Or the crowds around us. When they are in conflict, always follow the Lord.
- Speaking With Great Boldness – Acts 4:29 (2/28/2022) - As believers in the Lord Jesus, we have the best news in the world. And we should be speaking out with great boldness to share the gospel.
- Great Fear Seized the Church – Acts 5:11 (7/7/2021) - In the early day of the church a couple died after lying to God. And great fear seized the whole church. I wonder what would happen today?
- The Cost of Obedience – Acts 5:29 (7/11/2018) - Before taking a stand for Christ, be sure of your obedience. Don't confuse your own thoughts with his direction. And be willing to pay the price.
- Counted Worthy to Suffer for Christ – Acts 5:41-42 (7/10/2017) - Rather than complain when we feel slighted as Christians, we should learn to rejoice in suffering for the name of Christ.
- Resolving Dissension in the Church – Acts 6:1-7 (7/11/2017) - While resolving dissension in the church will not guarantee growth. But allowing it to fester will insure that growth does not occur.
- Forgiveness Is An Expression of Love – Acts 7:60 (7/12/2017) - Stephen sought God's forgiveness for those who where killing him. Forgiveness like that is truly an expression of love for other people.
- Following God’s Call – Acts 8:26 (7/16/2018) - Would you follow God's call out into the desert? Especially if you are leaving an exciting work? Be willing to follow wherever God leads
- Are You a Follower of the Way – Acts 9:1-2 (7/14/2017) - The earliest church called itself 'the Way'. The way to life, the way to truth, the way of Jesus. Are you a follower of the way?
- Being Faithful in the Small Things – Acts 9:10-12 (7/23/2018) - The example of Ananias teaches us that being faithful in seemingly insignificant ways can have a tremendous impact on the lives of others.
- Even On the Gentiles – Acts 10:44-46 (2/24/2014) - Who are the Gentiles in your life? The ones that you would be amazed to see come to Christ? Is there anyone you would not share Christ with?
- God Has Love, Even for the Gentiles – Acts 11:18 (6/15/2020) - In the world of the New Testament, Gentiles were non-Jews, outside of God's love. In your world today, who do you consider to be a Gentile?
- First Called Christians – Acts 11:26 (7/16/2017) - The believers were first called Christians in Antioch. If our communities would to coin a new name for us today, what would it be?
- Unexpected Answered Prayer – Acts 12:15 (7/17/2017) - Are you ever surprised when God answers prayer? Those praying for Peter's release sure were. How often am I surprised at answered prayer?
- Seeking God’s Direction – Acts 13:2 (7/21/2017) - How do you seek God's specific direction for your life or church? Try worshipping, fasting and prayer. It worked for Antioch.
- Forgiveness for All Who Believe – Acts 13:38-39 (11/17/2022) - Through the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross, forgiveness of sins is available for all who believe and put their trust in him.
- Why Does God Allow Suffering? – Acts 14:19 (7/30/2018) - While we might not understand all the reasons we, and other godly people, suffer, we should continue to trust him, even while we are suffering.
- We Must Go Through Many Hardships – Acts 14:22 (2/14/2022) - I want life as a Christian to be easy. But Paul tells me that I must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.
- Saved by Grace Alone – Acts 15:11 (7/23/2017) - Salvation is wholly a work of God; nothing I can do can add to what Christ does for me. It is by grace alone, through faith, that I am saved.
- God Can Use Our Failures – Acts 15:37-41 (11/20/2022) - It is unfortunate that we so often divide over disagreements and disputes. But God can, and will, use even those to accomplish his purpose.
- Responding to a Beating with Worship – Acts 16:25 (8/2/2018) - When you face challenges because you are a Christian, rather than complain, worship God. And never forget that others are watching your reactions.
- Believe in the Lord Jesus – Acts 16:30-31 (7/24/2017) - What must I do to be saved? Paul's response to the jailer was to believe in the Lord Jesus. There is nothing I can do. Just surrender your life to his working.
- Examining the Scriptures – Acts 17:11 (7/25/2017) - Is the Bible your authority in spiritual matters? Can you use it effectively? Do you examine them to verify other truth claims?
- God Made All the Nations – Acts 17:26 (3/7/2022) - In God's sovereign plan for creation, he made all of the nations that exist, or have existed, for his own purposes.
- Responsibility for Sharing the Gospel – Acts 18:6 (7/26/2017) - How much responsibility do I bear for the lost that I encounter but do not share Christ with? Am I a faithful watchman, giving a warning?
- Are You Known as a Disciple of Jesus? – Acts 19:15 (10/21/2019) - Do the people, and evil spirits, around you know you as a disciple of Jesus? Or is your life no different than that of the rest of the world.
- How to Change Society – Acts 19:26-27 (7/27/2017) - We can most effectively change society through the gospel of Jesus Christ, rather than trying to legislate morality.
- Repentance and Faith – Acts 20:21 (7/28/2017) - Paul's primary mission was to call people to turn to God in repentance and to have faith in our Lord Jesus. Should we not follow his example?
- Faithful in Running the Race – Acts 20:24 (8/15/2018) - Are you running the race that God has laid out for you? Or are you distracted by the cares and concerns of life? Strive for the finish line.
- Innocent of your Blood – Acts 20:26-27 (6/29/2020) - Paul has a significant message for teachers. Only by teaching the whole will of God can we be innocent of the blood of those we teach.
- Willing to Die for the Lord Jesus – Acts 21:13 (7/29/2017) - How committed to faith in Christ are you? Are you ready to be bound, and to die for the name of the Lord Jesus?
- Avoiding a Beating – Acts 22:25 (7/30/2017) - As believers in Jesus we should expect to suffer. But if we can avoid a beating, while remaining faithful to Christ, then do so.
- Follow Through on Commitments – Acts 23:12 (7/31/2017) - How often do we fail to follow through on commitments we have made? Wouldn't it be better to count the cost first, before committing?
- Fearing the Consequences – Acts 24:25 (8/1/2017) - Why do some people reject the God of the Bible? Could it be a fear of being accountable to him and the resultant consequences?
- A Dead Man Named Jesus – Acts 25:19 (8/2/2017) - The world may see him as a dead man named Jesus. But praise God he is alive and well, and is at the right hand of the Father.
- The Promised Hope of Israel – Acts 26:6-8 (7/28/2021) - The hope of Israel centers around Jesus the Messiah and what he did. All of the Law, the Prophets and their promises find fulfillment in him.
- Demonstrating Repentance – Acts 26:20 (8/3/2017) - Paul's message to all who was listen was to repent and turn to God. And then demonstrate their repentance with their actions.
- A Gracious Answer to Prayer – Acts 27:23-24 (8/20/2018) - Can you expect an answer to prayer? I believe so, although not always what you expect. Our prayer can make a difference.
- Ever Hearing But Never Understanding – Acts 28:26-27 (12/6/2022) - Unfortunately, "ever hearing but never understanding" often describes our Bible reading. Read instead with a mind open to the Spirit.
- Paul’s Prison Ministry – Acts 28:30-31 (8/27/2018) - Paul spent two years under Roman arrest. But his prison ministry was fruitful. Don't let your circumstances keep you from serving God.
