Acts chapter 9:7-12: V7:  Those accompanying Paul are mystified – they hear a voice, but see no-one. This surely makes it clear that Saul does indeed see Jesus. V8-9:  When Saul gets up he can see nothing – the heavenly light has blinded him, and he needs to be led into the city, where for…

Acts chapter 9:1-6: V1:  Saul’s bitter hatred of Christ’s people – and of the very Name of Jesus ( see Acts 26:9.) knows no bounds. He seeks their death, and goes to the High priest… V2: … to ask for written authority to persecute believers in Damascus, to arrest both men and women to bring…

Acts chapter 8:34-40: V34:  The Eunuch asks whether the prophet is speaking of himself, or someone else. What an opportunity to speak of Jesus! Grace is at work in all that is happening here, preparing this man’s heart for the gospel, as He has many others since. V35:  Readily, Philip begins at that same Scripture…

Acts chapter 8:26-33: V26:  Now God speaks to Philip – the Angel of the Lord in the OT speaks of God Himself appearing to those He chooses, many believe the pre-incarnate Jesus –  can we say then that Jesus Himself now directs Philip to leave his fruitful ministry in Samaria, to go down to a road…

Read Acts chapter 8:20-25:   V20: Peter is angered by this mercenary attitude, but surely more at the unbelieving heart behind it. He tells Simon he will come under solemn judgement for this, and his money will perish with him. Perhaps we remember the parable of the “rich fool” in Luke 12:16-21. V21-22:  Then he tells…

Acts chapter 8:14-19:   V14-15: Hearing of the work in Samaria, the Apostles send Peter and John to seek to know if this is indeed of the Lord. Remember, it is a completely new departure, not yet endorsed by the Apostles. Is it truly a work of God’s grace? Peter and John are, it seems,…

Acts chapter 8:9-13:   V9:  We read of a man named Simon ( often referred to as Simon the sorcerer ) who has impressed and influenced the Samaritans, and claimed ” great things” for himself. His ” magic”, surely is the result of real but demonic powers. God’s Word warns us of the reality of…

Acts chapter 8:1-8:   V1:  Saul’s approval of Stephen’s “execution” is linked at once with a great persecution against the church, in which he is clearly involved ( v3 .) The immediate result is to scatter the believers out from Jerusalem, apart from  the Apostles. Was the persecution then especially targeted against ” ordinary believers”, thinking this…

Saturday 10 October:  Acts  7:55-60  V55:  Stephen himself, even as he is, before his accusers, is given a vision of heaven and of Jesus “standing at the right hand of God” – the place of honour and authority, but surely seen as waiting to receive His servant. V56:  He declares what he has seen –…

Friday 9 October: Acts 7:51-54: V51:  The long record of God’s dealings with His OT people, and increasingly their rebellion and disobedience, is abruptly brought to an end, to accuse  this generation of the same stubborn disbelief and refusal to heed the Holy Spirit their ancestors had shown. V52-53:  Their fathers have persecuted and killed the…