Simple Answers From Biblical Truths
Acts 26:20 (CSB) — 20 Instead, I preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance. Ambiguity is one of the enemies of conviction, which is why the …
κύριος has a range of meaning from “Lord” (meaning “God”) to “Sir.” Which translation would you choose for Acts 10:4? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1Udo1ErsDQ Dr. Mounce examines Cornelius' response to the Angel of the Lord in light of how we should translate the κύριος (kurios). Because of the wide semantic range of this word, it isn't necessary to …
INTRODUCTION: Characters & Setting The apostle Paul’s first trial defense was made before Felix (24:2ff), who was a close friend of emperor Claudius (and later of Nero). Felix was formerly a slave, whom Claudius freed and appointed as procurator of Judea in 52 CE. Felix was known for exercising cruelty and harsh oppression in Judea. …
When Paul is brought before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem to provide his defense, Paul chooses to defend Christ rather than himself. He makes no mention of the Jewish charges being brought against him. He does not try to justify his ministry. He chooses to defend Christ by recounting the narrative of his conversion to demonstrate …
https://soundcloud.com/david-i-453005345/god-who-hears-acts-12-1-25 SETTING Our story begins by carrying forward the story that began in chapter seven with the persecution of Christians that broke out after Stephen was martyred, and advancing the narrative about what happened to those Christians who were forced to flee from their homes into Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. The apostle Paul came to …
SETTING AND REVIEW This is the final scene of Luke’s narrative about Cornelius and the Gentile Pentecost. READ ACTS 2:14-20 Peter preaches that God will “pour out his Spirit on all people”: They will prophesy They will have dreams They will see visions God will display wonders in heaven God will display signs on the …
https://soundcloud.com/david-istre/seeking-god-acts-101-43 SETTING: v. 1-8 Luke’s narrative of the Acts of the Apostles introduces us to an important character who will move Luke’s narrative forward into the redemption of the gentile world. Caesarea is of both practical and symbolic importance in the Acts narrative: Caesarea had been the provincial capital and place of residence of …
INTRODUCTION TO THE STORY There are two charges against Stephen: Speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God Speaking in Jesus’ name against the temple and the law His rivals stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes against Stephen and brought him to stand trial before the Sanhedrin. Stephen’s answer, in essence, responds …
https://soundcloud.com/david-istre/the-ministry-of-love-acts-61-15 INTRODUCTION Acts 6:1– 8:3 are an important transition in Luke’s account of the Apostles as he begins to turn from the early beginnings of the Church in Jerusalem to its maturing, growth, and spread throughout the known world. The significance of these chapters can be seen in the fact that the longest speech …
https://soundcloud.com/david-istre/acts-5-1-42 Ananias and Sapphira Sermon on Acts 5:1-42 Introduction Acts 4:32 (CSB) — 32 Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common. Attention to what authentic Christian community looks like: …
Biblical Reasons 