June 7, 2023
“The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus” (Acts 5:41 NLT). Peter and some of the apostles were imprisoned by the high priest for continuing to preach in the name of Jesus. That night, an angel set them free from the prison
June 6, 2023
“The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13 NLT). Something extraordinary happens to ordinary people when they spend
June 5, 2023
‘But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene get up and walk!”‘ (Acts 3:6 NLT). Peter and John encountered a cripple asking for money on their way to afternoon prayers at the Temple. While many worshipers
July 11, 2022
DISASTER OR DIVINE OPPORTUNITY? Luke wrote how the people on the island of Malta welcomed them with kindness after their ship wrecked on its shores. It must have been a wonderful relief after the terrifying time they had at sea, being blown from Crete to Malta by a storm. The sailors had lost their ship
July 10, 2022
NEITHER SAILOR, NOR SOLDIER, BUT SERVANT OF JESUS When it appeared that Paul and the 276 people aboard the ship would survive the storm, he and his fellow prisoners were threatened by the soldiers. Yet, even in this, God protected Paul, giving him favor with the commanding officer. The storm, the sailors and the soldiers,
July 9, 2022
OUR INFLUENCE GROWS IN HOW WE FACE STORMS The Roman officer in charge of getting Paul and the other prisoners to Rome showed great favor to Paul, allowing him to travel with his friends, Luke and Aristarchus, and permitting him to go ashore at Sidon to visit friends and get personal supplies. However, his kindness
July 8, 2022
OUR EYE-OPENING ASSIGNMENT Paul gave his faith testimony before the Roman governor Festus and the last of the House of Herod, King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice. In his testimony, he shared the calling that Christ had given him. First, he was sent by Jesus (“I am sending you”). The Greek word for this
July 7, 2022
PAUL STANDS BEFORE THE POMP AND PROMINENCE OF ROME Porcius Festus was the new Roman governor over Judea. He replaced Felix who had been recalled to Rome by Nero. As a result, Festus inherited the case against the apostle Paul, which Felix had delayed, hoping for a bribe. Historians agree, that overall, Festus was a
July 6, 2022
DO YOU WEAR THE NAME OF THE NAZARENE? Some of the Jewish leaders who had accused Jesus before Pontius Pilate, now traveled to Caesarea to bring accusation against the apostle Paul before the Roman governor, Marcus Antonius Felix. This time, they hired a Roman orator and attorney named Tertullus to represent their case. He began
July 3, 2022
ARE YOU TELLING EVERYONE ABOUT JESUS? Paul gave his testimony and explained the calling that the Lord Jesus had given him to the rioting crowd in Jerusalem. Just moments before, many in the crowd had tried to kill Paul. However, the Roman guard was alerted and intervened, putting Paul in chains and taking him away.