To the very end, Paul maintained his approach to evangelism, going first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. We leave Paul still under house arrest, and without learning whether he spoke before the Caesar, died in prison, was beheaded, or was released so that he could eventually travel to Spain, to later return … Continue reading Acts 28. →

Paul will get to Rome. It just wasn't going to be easy. I wonder how Luke felt, along for the ride.

There are a couple of lines in this passage that are ironically famous: 28 Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.” (Acts 26:28 NASB) 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” (Acts 26:32 NASB) I also want to highlight this statement of … Continue reading Acts 26. →

The trials of Paul continue in this chapter. They won't be concluded in Palestine until chapter 26. This started in chapter 21. This is significant part of the book of Acts. In contrast, Paul's ministry in Corinth was about a year and a half and is two paragraphs in Acts. I have some ideas about … Continue reading Acts 25. →

Well, Paul isn't killed, but he does end up in prison for two or more years. At the heart of the injustice Paul receives are fear and greed. 24 Some days later, when Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.25 While Paul was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the … Continue reading Acts 24. →

In this chapter, we learn that Paul is clever (wise?). 6 Then when Paul noticed that part of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, he shouted out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead!” 7 When he said this, an argument began between the Pharisees and the … Continue reading Acts 23. →

My thoughts this morning are centered on the conflict in the Middle East which we see demonstrated in this chapter of Acts. The crowd listened quietly to Paul's defense of his actions to the Jews until the end: 21 “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’” 22 The crowd … Continue reading Acts 22. →

I know I'm a quirky reader of the text sometimes. All of this activity takes place in Acts 21, and I'm struck by this phrase: "... and there on the beach we knelt to pray."

These are the words of Paul that I want to capture as my own: "... my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."

Ruins of the temple of Artemis near Ephesus Paul spends a lot of time in Ephesus. Not without conflict. I find it interesting how Demetrius the silversmith manages to blend concern for money with seemingly pure worship motives. From the NIV: 23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, … Continue reading Acts 19. →