Seeing the Story – The Acts Mission Verse

A single verse in The Acts of the Apostles contains the major themes of the entire book.

Posted by Church of Christ in Normal on Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Apostles as Witnesses

When the Apostles said, "We are witnesses", they referred to their own eye witness testimony.

Posted by Church of Christ in Normal on Tuesday, June 16, 2020

The Spirit Poured Out

When Peter announced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, it wasn't the first time his devout audience had heard of this. The promise of the Spirit was given multiple times, long before this event. What exactly was this promise?

Posted by Church of Christ in Normal on Monday, June 22, 2020

The Threat

Luke shows us that persecution didn’t immediately come in full force. As we see persecution begin to ramp up, we get to meditate on what it is that enables the Christians to overcome in the face of such threats.

Posted by Church of Christ in Normal on Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Who Killed Jesus?

Who killed Jesus? The question tends to assume that one particular Person is not involved. The book of Acts challenges us to see beyond human purposes.

Posted by Church of Christ in Normal on Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Stephen Speaks

If we read Stephen’s speech by only looking at chapter 7, we will hinder our ability to see the story in context. This is one example where reading larger portions of a book straight through will enrich our understanding of Scripture.

Posted by Church of Christ in Normal on Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Saul is in the Way

As we read through Acts, we see the mission carried forward in spite of increasing opposition. What will happen to the mission, however, when its most zealous opponent is mobilized?

Posted by Church of Christ in Normal on Wednesday, July 29, 2020

To the Ends of the Earth – Seeing the Story 8

When Jesus commissioned the Apostles to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth, was he merely speaking geographically? Isaiah, using the same phrase, spoke of Israel as a light to the Gentiles. The story in Acts carefully shows how the Spirit redirected the Apostles to preach Jesus’ name to Gentiles.

Posted by Church of Christ in Normal on Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Name-Calling – Seeing the Story 9

If you were insulted for the name of Christ, would you be able to take it as a compliment?

Posted by Church of Christ in Normal on Thursday, August 20, 2020

Peter's Rescue – Seeing the Story 10

When the apostle escapes, who gets the glory?

Posted by Church of Christ in Normal on Friday, September 4, 2020

Mission Updates – Seeing the Story 11

A good story has a shape to it. Luke very intentionally breaks his story into meaningful sections that we do well to pick up on.

Posted by Church of Christ in Normal on Wednesday, September 16, 2020

The Trajectory of God's Promises – Seeing the Story 12

How would Paul’s audience have understood the way he used Scriptures to prove Jesus is the Messiah?

Posted by Church of Christ in Normal on Wednesday, September 30, 2020

God Opened the Door – Seeing the Story 13

Seeing the story as Luke tells it means ignoring the historical divisions of Paul’s three missionary journeys and instead allowing the natural pauses in the book to guide us through the flow of thought. The focus of 13.1 - 16.5 is on the door of faith opening to the Gentiles.

Posted by Church of Christ in Normal on Wednesday, October 21, 2020