Posts

"Blasting the Darkness" September 16 Readings: Acts 9

By
Image
  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Acts 9 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Acts 9 is one of the significant turning points in Scripture, especially those that do not have to do with the life of Christ. Of course, Christmas, the events of Holy Week, Pentecost - these are the greatest moments in history, but it was a significant day when the man from Tarsus was headed toward Damascus, breathing out murderous threats, and suddenly was on the ground, having been overwhelmed by a visitation from heaven. This was a unique and heavenly evangelistic effort. Normally Go...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Divine Appointments" September 15 Readings: Acts 8:4-40

By
Image
  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Acts 8:4-40 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     In Acts 1:8, Jesus gave the disciples his final word, telling them that after the Spirit's power came on them, they would be witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria, and then to the ends of the earth. The problem was that the disciples stayed in Jerusalem and showed no signs of moving the gospel outside of that city, even to Judea and Samaria (the ancient nation of Israel), much less the ends of the earth. That only happened when persecution fell on them in Jerusalem and people...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Faithful to Death" September 14 Readings: Acts 6:8-8:3

By
Image
  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Acts 6:8-8:3 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The brewing trouble between the disciples and the religious leaders spilled out into open war when one of the seven, Stephen, confronted Israel's leaders about their sin. In chapter 4, they were commanded not to preach; in chapter 5, the Apostles were beaten, but here the persecution went to the ultimate extreme, and Stephen lost his life. Ominously, the last few verses introduce us to a character who will become both the greatest enemy of the church and its greatest missionary - S...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Unstoppable" September 13 Readings: Acts 5:1-6:7

By
Image
  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Acts 5:1-6:7 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The resistance of the Pharisees, which began in chapters 3 and 4, is ratcheted up in the readings today. The disciples continued to testify to Christ despite the obstacles. That is one of the key themes of Acts - overcoming obstacles to proclaim Christ. There are three key obstacles encountered and hurdled here for the cause of Christ.  False Christianity - there will always be some who are inside the church but are not what they seem. Ananias and Sapphira sinned not by holdin...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Are You Spirit-filled?" September 12 Readings: Acts 3-4

By
Image
  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Acts 3-4  In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     In Acts 3 and 4, the Apostles take up where Jesus left off as they begin their ministry and their conflict with the very people who put Jesus to death. They committed a grievous sin! In the shadow of the Temple, they healed a man who had sat there year after year. The religious leader could toss him a coin now and again to assuage their guilt, but in the name of Jesus, these unlearned and ignorant men did what the honored leaders could not. They healed him. Having suffered in the...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Your Gap Is Too Big!" September 11 Readings: Acts 1-2

By
Image
  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Acts 1-2 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     And then it all changed! The story of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ continues as he works in and through his disciples who become the Apostles, taking the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth. Acts is sometimes called the "Gospel of the Holy Spirit," and it tells how the Spirit continued the work of Christ.  Acts 1:8 is not only a theme verse but also an outline of the book. Acts 1-8:3 tell of the spread of the gospel in Jerusalem, then 8:4 through chapter 12 are abo...
Post a Comment
Read more

"What Gives You the Right?" September 10 Readings: Matthew 28:16-20, (Mark 16:15-20), Luke 24:44-53

By
Image
  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Matthew 28:16-20, (Mark 16:15-20), Luke 24:44-53  In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     We come to the end of the Gospels in today's readings. Matthew's gospel closes with the great commission, our marching orders from the Savior. Mark's story of Jesus closes with a strange verse of that commission, including poisonous snakes and drinking poison. Luke jumps to the story of the Ascension of Jesus to heaven, which is where Luke picks up when he writes his sequel, the Acts of the Apostles. A note is in order about the textual dif...
Post a Comment
Read more