the work continues…as does the opposition (Acts 6:8–15) There are two kinds of conflict in the church: (1) internal (Acts 6:1–7) and (2) external (Acts 6:8–15). Sin is the root cause of both. While internal sin occasionally pops up, it is external...
How do you know if someone is a true Christian? In the old covenant, adherence to the 613 commands of the Torah marked the people of God. In the new covenant in Christ, self-giving love (i.e., holiness; Christ-like love) empowered by the Holy Spirit...
Text: ACTS 4:1–31 The Promise of Persecution (Acts 4:1–4) As the apostles are faithful to their calling and function in the Holy Spirit, more and more people are being saved. Their faithfulness and the transformation of hearts and lives will create...
The whole story of the cross is about the mission of God. “Mission” means to send or be sent. God the Father sent God the Son (advent), and God the Son sends God the Holy Spirit (Pentecost), and God the Holy Spirit sends the Church into the world...
Salvation is not about us, it’s about Him. The story is His. God is the main character in the story of our lives, as he is the main character in the story of creation. He rescues us for a purpose. ACTS 1:1–5: In the first book, O Theophilus, I have...