Having just mentioned the prayers, the signs of the apostles, and the church’s gatherings in the temple (Acts 2:42-47), Luke then focuses on a specific event concerning one sign, two apostles, a time of prayer at the temple, and a lame beggar. But why tell this story? First, this sets the stage for the next […]
One of the most convincing proofs that the risen Lord Jesus had poured out the promised Holy Spirit can be seen in the events following Peter’s sermon on Pentecost. Luke not only records that those who received Peter’s words were baptized were added to the church (v.41), but he also gives a comprehensive portrait of […]
Peter began his sermon on Pentecost by quoting the prophet Joel, explaining that God had finally poured out his promised Holy Spirit on all flesh. In these last days, whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But having mentioned “the name of the Lord,” he draws the attention of the Jews […]
One of the most fundamental truths of life is that no one escapes death. Scripture tells us that death came into the world because of sin, and death spread to all men because all have sinned (Rom. 5:12). But Jesus of Nazareth made an astounding claim: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes […]
In the tapestry that is the history of redemption, the threads of God’s awesome holiness and covenant love are woven together. This brings about a tension as we read through the Old Testament: How can God’s holiness and love coexist? How can a holy God dwell among a sinful people? The answer to these important […]
Over the course of redemptive history, there have been several pivotal moments that revealed who our God is and what his saving purposes are for the world. For instance, the giving of the Law at Sinai, the building of the temple, and the ascension of the risen Lord Jesus. However, before the final moment in […]
The ascension of the risen Lord Jesus and the sending of the Spirit are the two primary events in redemptive history that explain the incredible growth of the Christian church in Acts. However, between them, Luke includes the brief story of how another disciple was chosen to replace Judas as one of the twelve Apostles. While […]
Acts is the second volume of the orderly account written by Luke (Luke 1:1-4). The first volume was his Gospel account, in which he “dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day when he was taken up” (Acts 1:1-2). This implies that Luke’s purpose in Acts is to continue the […]
Psalm 86 is a prayer of David, the anointed king and judge of God’s chosen people, whose life was being threatened by the enemies of Israel (Ps. 86:14). In these final verses, he cries out to be delivered from the hands of the ungodly men who, by opposing him, stand opposed to the God of […]
