What is a church? – Part 14

This week I read Acts 24. Ananias, the High Priest, with some elders and a spokesman go to see Felix about getting Paul into their custody. They accused him of starting riots. Paul provides a defence against their accusations (24:1-21). Paul is kept in custody for 2 years, often conversing with Felix (24:22-27). A new governor, Festus, arrives. The Jewish leaders again try to get Paul in their custody. Festus askes … Read More

What is a church? Part 13

This week I read Acts 20, 21, 22, and 23. Chapter 19 ends with the riot in Ephesus. We start by reading Paul departing and traveling to Greece and then Macedonia and ending in Troas (20:1-6). While there Paul preaches all night, and Eutycus falls asleep at the window falls out, 3 stories, and dies. Paul brings him to life (20:7-12). We then get a lot of travel plans (20:13-16). In … Read More

What is a church? Part 12

This week I read Acts 17, 18 and 19. We start with Paul and Silas coming to Thessalonica. There they preach and some are saved. Some Jews cause an uproar is and start accusing a man named Jason who had helped them (17:1-9). Paul and Silas are sent to Berea, where they again preach, and many are saved. Jews from Thessalonica come and cause more problems. Paul again flees and goes … Read More

What is a church? Part 11

This week I read Acts 16. We start with Paul and Silas coming to Derbe and Lystra. They pick up Timothy there and take him with them (v1-5). They try and preach in many areas but are restricted by the Holy Spirit and Jesus. But are then called to Macedonia via a vision of a man calling (v6-10). They travel to Philippi, Macedonia. After a few days the meet Lydia, who … Read More

What is a church? Part 10

This week I read Acts 15. In this piece of scripture, we see that some believers from Jerusalem went to Antioch and started preaching that salvation had to be achieved by circumcision. This was troubling to Paul and Barnabas, and after debating these men, they went to Jerusalem to discuss it there. After hearing all sides, they come to a conclusion as to what is expected from the Gentile believers. This … Read More

What is a church? – Part 9

This week I read Acts 14. This is the 2nd half of Barnabas and Paul’s first missionary journey. Let us look at some interesting points in this Chapter. Barnabas and Paul are traveling and preaching. They only leave the places they preach when persecution comes, which means for their safety. Until they are in danger, they remain to make disciples. We see a healing in Lystra. This is again an example … Read More

What is a church? Part 8

This week I read Acts 13. This is the start of Paul’s missionary journey. We also see their strategy for preaching. Let us look at some interesting point in this Chapter. The church in Antioch is mentioned again. As a separate entity than that of Jerusalem While the church in Jerusalem has elders, we read that the church in Antioch has prophets and teachers. There are 5 in total. Prophets are … Read More

What is a church? Part 7

This week I read Acts 10-12. Before we look at the text in detail, I will summarize what happens. We start with Cornelius being a God-fearing man. He is instructed to send men to fetch Peter. (Acts 10:1-8). Peter is praying on the roof of a house he is staying at in Joppa. He gets a vision where a voice instructs him to eat of all the animals. Peter says he … Read More