S – When they had appointed elders for them in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Acts 14:23 CSB
O – The pattern of faith and persecution continues. Yet, whatever city Barnabas and Paul preached in, they planted a church. They appointed overseers, often well-versed in scripture from the synagogues. The persecution was a catalyst to go to new places where it saw new faith arise. The church was growing.
A – I want to lead GFC well. I need to lead myself well so that I can do that for others.
R – Lord, help me to grow daily in my own personal relationship with you. Spending time with you in your Word, prayer and fasting are fundamental. Let me be in alignment with your Holy Spirit so that I can be led by you daily.
S – Paul and Barnabas boldly replied, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles.
Acts 13:46 CSB
O – Commentary:
It was necessary that the apostles go to the Jews first for a number of reasons. First, the coming of the earthly kingdom depended on Israel’s response to the coming of Christ (cf. Matt. 23:39; Rom. 11:26). Second, only after Israel rejected the gospel could Paul devote himself to the Gentiles. Third, the message of Jesus is fundamentally Jewish in that the Old Testament, the Messiah, and the promises are all Jewish
“Acts,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – God’s word is central to the formation of the early church to both the Jewish people and the Gentiles for salvation and relationship. The same holds true for the believer and non-believer. The word of God has not changed since its writings and brings life with God today.
R – Lord, thank you for your Word. I ask that it work in me today to bring me closer to you.
S – At once an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give the glory to God, and he was eaten by worms and died.
Acts12:23 CSB
O – God will not share his glory with someone else. Agrippa died shortly after accepting the praise of man. “Why him,” when so many others do the same thing and it goes unpunished?
A – There is a fine balance of walking in the confidence that God has gifted you to lead and do certain tasks versus arrogance that relies on yourself to accomplish things. When God is not given His rightful glory, watch out.
R – Lord, I submit to you. I recognize that you give me life today. All my gifts, talents and wisdom are from you as well. I align my purpose and will with your will as the direction for my life today. I give you all glory and honor.
S – When they heard this they became silent. And they glorified God, saying, “So then, God has given repentance resulting in life even to the Gentiles.”
Act 11:18 CSB
O – Commentary:
With Peter the saints recognized that the conversion of Gentiles was initiated by God and that they should not stand in His way. This response had two ensuing and significant results. First, it preserved the unity of the body of Christ, the church. Second, it drove a huge wedge between Church-Age believers and temple-worshipers in Jerusalem. Before this the common Jewish people looked on Christians with favor (cf. 2:47; 5:13, 26), but soon thereafter the Jews opposed the church.
“Acts,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – As believers, we should strive for unity even though we still will have differences. The enemy will constantly want to bring division. We must learn how to stay in unity even when we are in disagreement. We can agree on Jesus and salvation comes through Him. It is one thing that has not changed since His resurrection.
R – Lord, help me to remain in unity with those who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Help me to allow their difference from me to be something that doesn’t keep me from us being in agreement that Jesus is the only way to heaven.
S – Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, 35 but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him
Acts 10:34–35 CSB
O – Commentary:
These words of Peter were revolutionary. They swept away the prejudice and indoctrination of generations of Judaism. However, Gentile salvation certainly was a doctrine known in the Old Testament (cf. Jonah; Gen. 12:3). In the Old Testament the Jews were God’s Chosen People, the special recipients of His promises and revelation. Here Peter stated that God’s program was reaching out to the world through the church.
“Acts,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
* Note – The person who “fears” (reverence, awe) God is key to a relationship with Him. “Do what is right” is obeying His commands.
A – Paul is shifting hundreds of years of culture while staying true to the message of the gospel. Paul is doing this while he is shifting his own paradigm of thinking. We must be open to God showing us new things and be obedient to act upon them.
R – Lord, help me to see through your lens what is going on in the spiritual realm. You desire a relationship with all people. Help me to go beyond my own walls that slow that down. Help me to be led by you and obey your directions.
S – Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul said.
“I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Ac 9:4–6 CSB
O – Commentary:
But Saul the persecutor was about to become Paul the apostle of Jesus Christ! His background and qualifications suited him eminently for the work to which God had called him:
(1) He knew the Jewish culture and language well (Acts 21:40; Phil. 3:5).
(2) Because he was reared in Tarsus he was well acquainted with the Greek culture and its philosophies (Acts 17:22–31; Titus 1:12).
(3) He possessed all the privileges of a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37; 22:23–29; 25:10–12).
(4) He was trained and skilled in Jewish theology (Gal. 1:14).
(5) Because he was capable in a secular trade he was able to support himself (Acts 18:3; 1 Cor. 9:4–18; 2 Cor. 11:7–11; 1 Thes. 2:9; 2 Thes. 3:8).
(6) God gave him zeal, leadership qualities, and theological insight
“Acts,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – God uses every gift, talent and experience to bring Him glory. All of Saul’s traits were not by accident. God crafted a plan where the most zealous persecutor of the early church would become the most zealous sharer of the gospel in verbal and written form. He will do the same with us. Embrace all of your gifts, talents and experiences and ask God to use them for his glory.
R – Lord, I thank you that you have a plan and purpose for me. You crafted me in the womb and you hold all of my gifts, talents and experiences in your hand. I submit them to you that you would weave a story and an action plan for me. Help me to be obedient to your purposes today as led by the Holy Spirit.
S – Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison.4 So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the word
Acts 8:3–4 CSB
O – The result of this great wave of persecution was that all the believers … were scattered. Rather than having their enthusiasm dampened, however, they simply spread the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.
* Another example of God being “opposite” of what man expects – persecution brings shut down and demonstration. God scatters, spread more of the Good news.
A – This is high-level persecution. Yet, it forced the Gospel to move beyond Jerusalem. Shows that more than the disciples were sharing and ministering. Good seed produces good fruit. The result is salvation and the filling of the Holy Spirit.
* I will face challenges.
* I will move beyond my comfort zone.
* I will value others in my journey and empower them to grow in their faith.
* I will share the Gospel.
R – Lord, help me to face persecution and challenges with the resolve that I will honor you first. Let me do this in humility and with great courage. I yield the results to you.
S – They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Acts 7:58 CSB
O – This is a terrible event and Saul is witness to it. It emblazons him to become militant against Christians. At the height of his fervor, he will encounter God and have a radical conversion. Paul will transform the early church and write a significant portion of the Bible.
A – God works even in terrible events. God has a plan and a purpose for everything. Even in the most difficult and challenging circumstances, I have to trust that God is in it and will work it for my good.
R – Lord, help me to trust you in difficult times. Help me to know that you are using people and challenges to mold me into the man you want me to be. I want to grow through these situations to be closer to you and to demonstrate your love to others.
S- Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty
Ac 6:3 CSB
O – “Tables” – (trapezais) may refer to tables used for serving food or to money tables, that is, banks. Probably it was used here to refer to the place where funds and supplies were administered for the widows
“Acts,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
3 Qualities:
1. Full of the Spirit – are you actively growing in your faith and actions?
2. Wisdom – are you applying your learning and circumstances to growth?
3. Reputation – what are you known for?
A – This is a great template for leadership. Trust is one of the foundational tenets of leadership. Those you lead need to trust that you are worth following. Knowing that supplies and money were involved, the disciples needed to trust these men. Add the care for someone else’s spiritual walk and you have a tremendous responsibility to lead then and today.
R – Lord, help me to grow in all three of these qualities. Help me to grow in my relationship with you as your Spirit leads me. Help me to apply all that I am learning and experiencing so others may grow closer to you as well. Let these two grow in such a way that it gives others trust in my leadership.
S – So in the present case, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of human origin, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him
Acts 5:38–39 CSB
O – This is wisdom and practical application at a high level. It isn’t so simple to discern God’s role in things. Two strong concepts – if it is human origin, it will fail. If it is God, you can’t beat it.
A – The Holy Spirit and discernment are important as you navigate certain people, events or circumstances. God uses all of these to share his love with you and those who don’t know Him. The enemy uses the same to manipulate or alter the truth to confuse us. It is important for you to know and listen to God in these situations.
R – Lord, I submit to your leading. When facing people, events or circumstances that bring confusion, let me hear your voice and be led by you. I don’t want to condemn something that is part of your will. I don’t want to be misled by something that isn’t part of your will. Help me to hear your voice and direction clearly in these moments.
Just Add Water . Chris Bonham 