“And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47 ESV). The first-century church was marked by explosive growth. Around 3,000 became believers after Peter’s preaching on the day of Pentecost and after that the Lord continued to add to their number every day. According to the book
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 ESV). If Matthew 28:18-20 is Christ’s Great Commission, then Acts 1:8 is His Great Commission Strategy. In the former,
‘Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing’ (John 21:3 ESV). Some time after the resurrected Jesus had appeared to his disciples in Jerusalem, Peter decided to return to Capernaum and
‘Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”’ (John 20:27-28 ESV). Thomas didn’t see the risen Jesus when he first appeared. Even though Thomas had followed
“But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water” (John 19:34 ESV). The apostle John, who was the only disciple near the cross when Jesus was crucified, was also the only gospel writer who reported these final details of Christ’s death. Perhaps John made
‘Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”’ (John 18:36 ESV). When Pilate asked Jesus whether he was the king of the Jews,
“… So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel” (2 Samuel 15:6 ESV). Absalom was the third born son of David. His mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur (2 Sam. 3:3). He was the son and the grandson of kings. He was praised above all others in Israel for
“But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves” (John 17:13 ESV). What is this joy that resides in Christ? Isn’t it the continual, irrepressible joy that He shares in fellowship with the Father? As Jesus prayed in anticipation for
‘Nathan said to David, “You are the man!”‘ (2 Samuel 12:7 ESV). The Lord sent the prophet Nathan to rebuke King David for his sin with Bathsheba. Certainly, the focus of the story is on David’s sin and repentance, and God’s faithfulness and forgiveness. Yet, the prophet Nathan’s role in this story is worthy of
“In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 11:1 ESV). In the Spring, when kings go to war, David stayed home. Yet, he