Thoughts from Acts

Acts 14:17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

God’s witnesses:

• The creation – Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1-6
• The conscience – Romans 2:4, 15
• The Christian – Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8

Acts 19:19-20 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Not until the books were burned did the word of God grow and prevail. I wonder what it is that’s keeping God’s word from prevailing in our hearts and lives. Maybe it’s time for a bonfire?

Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

There is a course this fall at DSB on How to Read and Study the Bible. Here’s a classic example of the principle of progressive revelation; that is, that God reveals truth over time, and earlier truth must be interpreted in light of later truth. In this instance, the quotation is found nowhere in the gospels. Of course, that doesn’t mean Jesus never said it (John 21:25). God just chose to include it later on down that road.

And if you’ll try it out, you’ll find it’s true. It IS more blessed to give than to receive.

Acts 22:4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

The term “the/this/that way” is used throughout the book of Acts in much the same way that “the faith” is used throughout the epistles – as a reference to Biblical Christianity in general. John 14:6 w/ Acts 9:2; 19:9; 19:23; 22:4; 24:14; 24:22.

Acts 25:6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.

Acts 25:17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.

Unless I’m missing something, here’s a glimpse at our rotten, sinful human nature. Without any delay? On the morrow? Really? Sorry, Festus; Agrippa might have believed you, but it’s God that you’ve got to worry about. And He’s pretty sharp on His record keeping (Revelation 20:12). He knows you delayed for more than 10 days, you liar.

Now, wait a second. Which of us isn’t guilty of the same? Bending the truth just a bit to somebody who would never know the difference, just to make us look better. Let’s read James 2:10 and Revelation 21:8, and thank God we have a Savior!