“But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.” (Acts 15:5)

It can be difficult for us in a different era and with a different cultural backdrop to understand how pernicious the circumcision question was.  The issue of circumcision was a vital connection to the Jewish law – all males were required to be circumcised according to Moses’ law.  To question the necessity of circumcision was to overthrow over a thousand years of historical precedent.

A modern equivalent for Christians today is hard to find.  Every tradition and custom of today is only in its infancy in comparison.  So, let us get to the heart of the matter.  The problem wasn’t circumcision – it was the requirement of circumcision.  Many early Christians practiced a variety of Jewish traditions from circumcision to keeping the feasts to avoiding unclean foods and behaviors… these were perfectly allowed.  What wasn’t allowed was binding these traditions upon the lives of others.  We are bound by Jesus’ law and no other.  We can have opinions about holidays or behaviors outside of the realm of Scripture (and believe me; I definitely do!)… but to require others act as we do in such areas is to place ourselves upon the throne instead of Jesus.

Christians are to be fanatically conservative about our adherence to what the Scriptures command and equally liberal in our acceptance of others who make different choices in areas of personal judgment.  If the Lord saw fit to not bind such things, we ought to curb our enthusiasm to create new rules where He has not.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 15:1-9

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“Through many tribulations, we must enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22b)

If following Christ is hard – you are doing it right.

If living by faith scares you sometimes – you are doing it right.

If “Jesus first” leads to sacrifices and losses – you are doing it right.

If kingdom ethics have caused you to be uncomfortable – you are doing it right.

If a God-guided conscience has forced you to make painful decisions – you are doing it right.

If the devil’s arrows have caused you to stumble or frustrated your progress  – don’t quit. You are doing it right.

The apostles never said it would be easy.  They just said it would be worth it.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 14:19-28

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“In the generations gone by, He permitted all the nations to go their own ways…” (Acts 14:16)

Why are there problems in the world?  It isn’t because of God’s ways; it is because of ours.  God permits all nations to go their own way and pursue their own freedoms and choices, but those choices have consequences.  We love our freedom, but we want it to be without cost, and that just isn’t reality.

This world is very dark and very broken at times.  That’s on us, not Him.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 14:8-18

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“Therefore, they spent a long time there, speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord…” (Acts 14:3)

Iconium was a divided city – Christianity was viewed with suspicion by at least half the population.  That sort of intense scrutiny would normally lead us to stay somewhere a short time… not a long time.  Why would Paul and Barnabas do the opposite of what common sense says?  The above verse gives us the answer – their boldness was tied to their reliance on the Lord.

When we are doing what God commands us to do (such as speak boldly about Jesus), we can rely on God to provide for and protect us.  We can rely on God because God is reliable.  His commands are trustworthy, and His support for us is dependable as we pursue those commands.  May your bravery this week be connected to the God who supplies you in His service.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 14:1-7

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul and were blaspheming.” (Acts 13:45)

The Jews were happy to hear Paul until they realized he was surpassing them.  Jealousy is the root of all sorts of problems because it leads us to focus on position in regard to others instead of in regard to truth.  Do I have as many rights, advantages, or achievements as this other person? If not, they must fail, so my light can shine brighter.  This is the logic of jealousy.

Love, on the other hand, finds joy in the success of others – especially when that success furthers good things.  Love rejoices in the truth, and it doesn’t seek its own.  It has been rightly said that comparison is the thief of joy.  Paul was the kinsman of these Jews, but his success led them to feel frustration, which led to undermining Paul’s success, which led to blasphemy against God.  Don’t let jealous rob you of the joy of unity with God’s people.  When one Christian shines, God is glorified, and we all ought to rejoice at that!

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:43-52

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay…” (Acts 13:36)

No matter how great or how humble, we all may only serve our own generation and then be joined to the ranks of ancestry.  Just like the earth revolves around the sun, there are seasons for each generation.  As one generation is rising up, another is dying off, while a third is in their prime.

We don’t need to change things forever; just do what good we can while we are here and do our best to serve our generation while we can.  It is a principle of nearness – don’t worry about what is far off; just do what is right in front of you.

It also is a good reminder that we each have a purpose in our own generation.  We have work that He has prepared for us to do.  You were not born in the wrong time – you were born in exactly the right time.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:32-42

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“But God raised Him from the dead.” (Acts 13:30)

Paul’s message to the Jews in Antioch Pisidia is a study of the contrast between two groups – God and man.  When God chooses, gives, removes, or raises up, it always turns out well.  God chose Israel, God destroyed the nations in the land of Canaan, and then He gave them the land to live in; God gave them David, John the Baptist, and most importantly, God sent Jesus and raised Him from the dead.

On the other hand, the people had to be “put up with” (Acts 13:18) for forty years in the wilderness, they asked for a king instead of following God as their king, they didn’t recognize Jesus, and they ignored the Scriptures – which lead to the crucifixion of the innocent Messiah.

When we lead, everything falls apart.  When God leads, even the darkest and strangest of turns lead to glory.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:22-31

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue officials sent to them saying, ‘Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.’” (Acts 13:15)

When Paul and his traveling companions came to Antioch Pisidia, they went into the synagogue and sat down.  Paul waited to be asked to speak before diving straight into his explanation of Jesus.  This example illustrates what Peter commanded, that we “be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you…” (1 Peter 3:15).  Paul waited patiently and preparedly for the door of opportunity to be opened and then he spoke, and that patience bore fruit because the end result was that the people begged to hear more the next Sabbath (see Acts 13:42).

There is room for tact and diplomacy in our sharing of the gospel.  It is the balance between being ready and being rude.  Can you imagine if Paul had walked into the synagogue and just started speaking, interrupting their regular service… I doubt the reaction would have been so positive.  There is a time to be silent and a time to speak (Eccl 3:7).  God expects us to be strategic, thoughtful, and prepared.  We need to pray for and use wisdom in our evangelistic efforts.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:13-21

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas and Simeon, who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene and Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.” (Acts 13:1)

The church at Antioch was Paul’s “home” congregation.  It is the location from which he, Barnabas, and other traveling companions would set out and return to after Paul’s many exciting and profitable journeys.  As far as historical congregations go, Antioch ranks right up with the church in Jerusalem in terms of its impact and influence.

Notice that this is a congregation with multiple teachers and leaders.  They could afford to have Paul and Barnabas set apart by the Holy Spirit to travel the globe without fear of failing or crumbling without their mighty backs to shoulder the load.  Antioch had a deep roster.  Many capable pillars held together a high-functioning group of God’s people.  This is the way God intends.  Dysfunction in churches is much more likely when one individual becomes the central focus and role model that all others look to.  Congregational success resides on the shoulders of a multiplicity of God’s people all serving as God’s fellow workers.  Cultivating such leaders and opening doors for others to step in and fill roles is integral to a local church being all that the Lord wants it to be.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 12:24-13:12

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world.  And this took place in the reign of Claudius.” (Acts 11:28)

I find it fascinating that the same God who supernaturally predicted the famine that would affect the whole world did not provide a supernatural solution for the famine for His people.  God warned them it was coming, but He left the church to prepare with their own strength.

Christianity is not meant to remove us from the difficulties of this life – it is meant to instill within us the values to be the helpers during those difficulties.  God didn’t send an angelic armada with food to stave off the famine – He sent His people to determine in their own hearts how they might relieve the suffering of others.

We ought to do as they did.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 11:19-30

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision