The first chapter of Acts is an overlooked text. That’s understandable because of the fireworks that occur in the second chapter when the Spirit is sent, Peter’s proclaims a mighty message about Jesus, three thousand people are baptized, etc.). Still, there’s a reason Luke wrote Acts the way he did and the first chapter isContinue reading “Speed Trap”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
Seeing The Other Side
We all know about the other side: the other side of a coin, the other side of the moon, and if you have more than one child, the other side of the story. The other side is a good thing. If we’re seeing just one side it means our perspective is fragmented, partial, and incomplete.Continue reading “Seeing The Other Side”
The Regret That Brings Life
After King Agrippa has heard Paul‘s defense (which seems to have struck a nerve with him – Acts 26:26-28), he tells Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar (v. 32). Perhaps he is faulting Paul’s strategy in appealing to Rome (he knows nothing of the plot againstContinue reading “The Regret That Brings Life”
The New Creation Of God
The book of Acts is Volume 2 of Luke. He tells us as much in 1:1 of Acts when he says that his first book was about “all that Jesus began to do and to teach.” Acts then is what the Jesus continues to do and teach through His body, the church. So we wouldn’tContinue reading “The New Creation Of God”
Teaching Is Fundamental
Teaching is fundamental to the kingdom of God. It is the transference of life-altering, relational truths about God and His kingdom. In Acts 11 the Jerusalem church hears about the establishment of a church in Antioch. Their response? They send Barnabas, one of their best men there. He reaches out to Paul and together theContinue reading “Teaching Is Fundamental”
Pointing Fingers Or Extending Hands?
Luke closes the book of Acts in somewhat of an open manner. He tells us that Paul “stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered” (Acts 28:30-31 NASB). While weContinue reading “Pointing Fingers Or Extending Hands?”
No One Gets To Stay Where They Are
Sometimes I think that when we congratulate people who are about to be baptized as disciples of Jesus on the wonderful decision they are making—we should tell them the rest of the story. That would be that becoming a follower of Jesus is not the end of change but the beginning. Following Christ means thatContinue reading “No One Gets To Stay Where They Are”
Looking For The Intersection
Whatever else we might see when we look in the mirror in the morning, we don’t see the Apostle Paul staring back at us. That’s because whatever self-illusions we might have, we don’t confuse ourselves with him. Neither did people in the first century. When you think about it, Paul was a very singular individual.Continue reading “Looking For The Intersection”
Living The Generous Life
If you did a word association with Barnabas, my guess is that sooner rather than later we’d come up with the word encouragement. We’d be on solid ground for that’s the way he’s introduced to us in Acts 4:36-37. There we’re told of a Cyprian Levite named Joseph given the name Barnabas which means sonContinue reading “Living The Generous Life”
Integrity vs. Image
Simon Chaplin saw the blue lights flashing in his rear view mirror, flipped a switch on the dashboard of his Peugeot and immediately smoke began billowing out from the car in finest James Bond fashion as he raced off. Chaplin had earlier filled a five-gallon bucket with diesel, stuck a pump in it and ranContinue reading “Integrity vs. Image”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 