Introduction Paul and Silas -- who had separated from Barnabas and John Mark -- travelled to Derbe and then to Lystra, where Timothy lived. And Timothy is described as a disciple. In other words, he was a Christian, a believer. And Luke tells us in verse 1 that his mother was a Jew and a … Continue reading Acts 16(01–05) →

Introduction We've already spent three weeks on this chapter. You'll remember that there was a dispute in Antioch over whether or not believing Gentiles needed to become Jewish in order to be saved. Did they have to be circumcised like the Jews and obey all the law of Moses in order to receive the assurance … Continue reading Acts 15(22–41) →

Introduction We’ve already spent a couple of weeks on this chapter. Some men had come down from Judea to Antioch and began to teach that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was not enough for salvation. As well as believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, you had to be circumcised. But circumcision was only the … Continue reading Acts 15(12–21) →

Introduction We began to look at this chapter last week. Paul and Barnabas where in Antioch. And the church in Antioch always comprised both believing Jews and believing Gentiles. And they were getting on fine together, until some men came down from Judea and began to teach that believing in the Lord Jesus is not … Continue reading Acts 15(05–12) →

Introduction Back at the beginning of chapter 13, Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the church in Antioch to preach the good news about Jesus Christ in various places around the Mediterranean. And in the rest of chapter 13, and then in chapter 14, we read about the various places they went to and … Continue reading Acts 15(01–04) →

Introduction In recent weeks, we've been following Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. If you glance back to the beginning of chapter 13 you'll see that the Holy Spirit instructed the church in Antioch to set apart Paul and Barnabas for the work to which he, the Holy Spirit, had called them. So, … Continue reading Acts 14(21–28) →

Introduction We're following Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey. They were sent out by the church in Antioch and first went to Cyprus. Then they travelled to Pisidian Antioch. And then they moved on to Iconium. And at the end of last week's reading, in verse 6, Luke told us that they travelled from … Continue reading Acts 14(08–20) →

Introduction Last time we were looking at the second half of chapter 13. Paul and Barnabas had travelled to Pisidian Antioch. They went into the synagogue on the Sabbath Day and, after the reading of God's word, they were invited to speak to the people. Paul summarised the history of God's people up to the … Continue reading Acts 14(01–07) →

Introduction In verse 14 we read that Paul and Barnabas travelled to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath Day they went into the synagogue to join the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles in their weekly service of worship. After the reading of God's word, the synagogue rulers invited them to address the congregation and to preach the … Continue reading Acts 13(38–52) →

Introduction We noted the last time that the end of chapter 12 is really the end of the first half of the book of Acts. Chapters 1 to 12 focus on Jerusalem and on the Apostle Peter. But from chapter 13 on, the focus is on the Apostle Paul and his mission to the Gentiles. … Continue reading Acts 13(13–37) →