Author Archives: LauraMac

“…it is against our law…But God has shown me…” Acts 10:28 Peter was raised a Jew.  His Jewishness was ingrained in his culture religion, lifestyle, and traditions.  To be a Jew was to know and live the law.  And the … Continue reading →

 “At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.”  Acts 9:20 When the scales fell away from his eyes (Acts 9:18), Saul could see physically and spiritually.   He now spreads the truth … Continue reading →

“…Brother Saul….” Acts 9:17b When Ananias received instructions from God to go to Saul, he didn’t exactly say, “no” but he did remind God in verses 13 and 14 of Acts 9 that Saul was a persecutor of God’s people … Continue reading →

“For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.”  Acts 9:9 Paul’s Damascus Road experience was followed by a forced, three-day fast. Before his conversion, Paul (then Saul) was passionate, zealous, committed, devout, orderly, and steadfast.  … Continue reading →

“Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. Acts 8:30b When Philip encountered the Ethiopian reading from the Old Testament, he asked this leading question.  It was a perfect conversation starter.  His new friend responded with an openness to … Continue reading →

“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch…” Acts 8:26-27a The angel of … Continue reading →

When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages. Acts 8:25 Peter and John completed their mission in Samaria.  But the work God had for … Continue reading →

“When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.”  Acts 8:14 This passage seems to suggest that the “sending church” in Jerusalem is taking responsibility to visit the … Continue reading →

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Acts 8:4 After Stephen was martyred in Acts 7, the heat was turned up on the believers in Jerusalem.  As a result, “…all except the apostles, were scattered throughout … Continue reading →

“They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.  So the word of God spread.  The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly…”  Acts 6:7 When the apostles realized they needed help, they called … Continue reading →