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We are studying these opening verses of Luke Chapter 1.Zechariah was a faithful priest in a day when there was not a lot of faithfulness around.I wonder how many people thought, “Look at that silly old priest going away to conduct a service - and say prayers - and preach something - a message - which no-one really wants to hear.”How many people might say that of us as we meet for Worship and Prayer week by week?

Ignore it - forget it - overlook it - let people say what they want.If you know you are right in the eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ, let people think and say…  ( Click for more )

Having completed the Book of ACTS, we now start a series of studies in the Gospel of Luke.Many people had been writing about Jesus and writing about the Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ. We have some of these writings. There were many rumours going around - many myths - many stories - many fanciful legends growing up.You can imagine!This invariably happens with someone unusual or famous.

Luke tells us, “I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning ….” Now, this is important.Luke wants to reassure people, that what they believe about Jesus…  ( Click for more )

We come finally to our last study from the Book of Acts. This is study 192. I can hardly think that it has taken me 192 weeks to go through the whole of Acts. I am reluctant to conclude because I have so enjoyed preparing these studies. Bible Studies – dry, dull and boring? Nonsense!

One of the strong messages arising throughout the Book of Acts is, nothing can stop the Gospel, and, no-one can prevent this Word from spreading.

Paul the prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ is now in Rome as Jesus had indicated a few years previously, and he continues to speak and preach…  ( Click for more )

As we come to these concluding verses in Acts Chapter 28, let’s recap on what we have been studying, remembering that recapitulation is a significant aspect of teaching. Nothing has really been taught until it is learned!

We have been reading of Paul arriving in Rome. Over these past weeks we have read the detail of that exciting sea journey - the accuracy of Luke's account - the way God spoke with Paul - how all 276 were kept safe - because of God's man, Paul.

We have read of the miracles on Malta - the journey to Italy - his being allowed to fellowship with…  ( Click for more )

Paul has finally arrived in Rome, Acts 28 verse 13, and after only three days, he is hard at work, using every available opportunity open to him. Paul called for the Jewish leaders in Rome. Why the Jews? He begins first with those who should be able to understand - those of his own background - those who believed in God. He had done this in all the various centres we have been reading of. He needed to know the position of the Jewish leadership. This was his method, and it remained unchanged, even after all that they had said about him and against him. This is God's pattern…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 28 verse 13, Paul finally reaches Puteoli in Italy, where he is met by some fellow believers, and is invited to spend a week with them. On his missionary journeys Paul was usually the first believer to visit a city or area. Now there are disciples of Jesus in so many centres.

Can you imagine what it must have been like during that week - for these disciples of Jesus Christ to have Paul with you for a week? Teaching you - encouraging you - speaking about these exciting 20 years of how Jesus Christ used him and led him and rescued him - and how he had been praying…  ( Click for more )

Acts 28:11f. After all we have we have been reading and studying over these past weeks, these verses might at first sight appear to be rather ordinary. They may even sound 'low key'. Jesus Christ had said - "Paul as you have witnessed for me in Jerusalem, so you will witness for me in Rome." And now, almost three years later, Paul arrives in Rome, which is, for him, a long way from Jerusalem.

God was not in a hurry, and Paul had a lot to do along the way, and many people to speak with and minister.

Behind this move of God in taking His man to Rome,…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 28:3, having been shipwrecked on the island of Malta, Paul helps gather sticks for the fire and a viper which had been attaches itself to Paul’s arm. The local people observe this incident and consider this to be an omen about what type of prisoner he really was, but Paul shook off the snake into the fire, and felt no harm.

The onlookers expected him to swell up suddenly and fall down dead - but as they closely observed and watched and waited - they witnessed no ill effects - and they began to say he was a god! Paul pays no attention to that comment either.…  ( Click for more )

We move into Acts 28. The exciting sea story is over - that dramatic breath-taking event has come to an end as everyone is washed up on the shores of Malta. The ship - the cargo - the precious grain - have all gone - but every life is preserved just as God had indicated through His servant Paul, during a time of prayer and fasting.

So many lessons - about men - and how men are closed to God - and closed to what God is saying - even when their very lives are in danger. Lessons about God - how He speaks and intervenes and reveals - reassures and guides - promises, and…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 27 we have been reading of this dramatic sea story which is so accurate in so many various ways. We have seen how this man of God’s life is rescued time and time again - and usually by the Romans - so that he could fulfil his mission for Christ Jesus in Rome - and - so that we can receive this reliable and authentic Word.

If God has promised to get you someplace, He will get you there, perhaps through courtrooms and prison cells and storms. "Through many dangers" If you are set on going where God wants you to be, you will arrive. It is not always…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 27, we are reading of this exciting sea story, where Paul is being transferred from Caesarea to Rome. The narrative is a masterpiece of accuracy. We saw how they sailed right into trouble, because they paid no heed to the man of God. They rejected the advice of the servant of Jesus Christ. They would not hear nor receive what was being said through the Apostle Paul - a man with a lot of experience - a man who knew how to listen to God and commune with God.

We took time to ask and answer that important question – “Is the Bible true?” - and this is…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 27 we are reading of this Mediterranean adventure where real danger threatens the lives of all 276 people aboard.The soft wind worsened and a storm arose and all the sailors could do was let the ship go.

Verse 15. Let it be driven along. Rejecting the advice which God gives can mean people are just driven along - even in a direction in which they do not want to go. Soon it is a tempest. The timbers were beginning to spring open – verse 17 - and to prevent the ship from breaking up, they passed ropes underneath the ship, to tie the ship together. This was…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 27 when Paul sailed just south of Cyprus, I wonder what was in his mind? It was in Salamis in Cyprus some 20 years previously, where he preached his first sermon on that first missionary journey. Did he consider what had been through during these intervening 20 years? We have read of the experiences he had had with men, and with the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ.

v. 10. There is a conference aboard that ship. Should we go on? Paul shared his concern and said, "No. It is far too dangerous. If we sail on just now, cargo, ship and lives will be at risk.…  ( Click for more )

We move on to Acts Chapter 27 - and to what turns out to be an exciting sea story - a Mediterranean adventure – and much more than a cruise.

The two years imprisonment for Paul in Caesarea are over. Nobody has been able to prove any of the charges against him, and nobody had the necessary courage to set him free. How very strange.

At every opportunity Paul has given his testimony - as to how he met Jesus Christ - and how Jesus Christ saved him from his sins - how God called him, anointed him, and appointed him - and how God used him over these past 20 years to…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 26:27, Paul having been invited to defend the accusations against him, gives his testimony with confidence and courage, and then he challenges King Agrippa. "King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do." Paul had done his homework. As soon as you become excited about Jesus some people think you are mad. Paul's career had gone. His life was at stake. Anything could happen, and yet, he continues to speak about Jesus.

The Romans and the Greeks had many gods, but religion was to be kept in its proper place, and there are many people like that…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 26:19, Paul speaks about how God gave him a vision, and he had NOT been disobedient. What Jesus told me to do I have done. What I am doing and saying now in this courtroom is simply my being obedient to Jesus.

Verse 20. I have gone everywhere calling men to repent, and to behave as though they have repented. This is why the Jews caught me in the Temple, and tried to kill me. Today I stand here and testify to small and great.

Paul was approaching the end of his life, although still with much work to do. Seek to approach the end of your life knowing that…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 26, we have the various trials of a man of God. They can be different - repetitive - changing - always the same to some degree - stemming from the same source through people - and strength from Jesus Christ through a variety of sources - and occasionally direct. We are reading of Paul being on trial for his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ - but in particular for his belief in the resurrection from the dead. There is no other faith in the world where a man could be put on trial for such a belief. Once you have met the risen Jesus - there is no doubt - no question -…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 26, when Paul is brought into that courtroom before King Agrippa and Governor Festus, he is invited to speak in his defence, and what does he do? He gives his testimony. What was the biggest change in Paul's life? The big change was this - he had been delivered from an exclusive religion - and brought into an inclusive faith - a faith that was open to all who believe in Jesus Christ. He had been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, and only Jesus Christ can bring about that transfer.

The sort of religion he had been involved in cut…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 25:23 Paul is brought into that courtroom in Caesarea where King Agrippa and Governor Festus have arrived with all their pomp to hear what this man of God has to say for himself. Festus spells out and delivers an abbreviated summary of these past two years.

There is a highly significant phrase in verse 25 - "I found he had done nothing deserving death". From this and various other passages, on the topic of capital punishment, we have no choice. It was God Who first introduced capital punishment. We see it referred to right through the New Testament.…  ( Click for more )

We are in Acts 25, where the setting is Paul, the servant and slave and apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, and he has been in prison in Caesarea on the Mediterranean coast. He has now been in prison for two years without a single charge against him being proved. How would we react if we were to find ourselves in that situation?

He has been a puzzle to Governor Felix, causing him fear and upsetting him spiritually, as the demands of Christ were presented so clearly and challengingly. Now he is a puzzle to Felix's successor - Governor Festus. Yes, committed disciples…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 25:6, Festus returns to Caesarea, having been in Jerusalem, and the trial of Paul begins all over again, after having been left to languish in prison for two years. I have been in Caesarea many times and it would not be a nice place to be left imprisoned and particularly when you had no idea how long this was going to last.

Some Jews come down from Jerusalem, making serious accusations against Paul, but unable to produce proof. Time does NOT change people. Time does not transform people. So often we have been tempted to think that time will soften people, and cool…  ( Click for more )

Acts 25:1. Paul, who has been so used to travelling, is now confined to Caesarea. This servant of Jesus Christ, who has been so used to the wide open spaces is now cooped up in a cage - a man who wanted with his every breath to tell the world about Jesus Christ and His Love and Mercy, yet, God allows people to keep him languishing in prison for two years - forgotten - out of sight - two years in prison without a single charge against him being proved.

Didn't that prophet Agabus prophesy this would happen? Ah but didn't Jesus also say something to His man? God will get…  ( Click for more )

We have swept through Acts 24 quite quickly to get the gist of what was happening to Paul in Caesarea - to sense something of the movement - and activity - and atmosphere - and the attitudes of various people. Let's take time to review what happened, remembering that recapitulation is an essential part of teaching. Paul the servant of the Lord Jesus Christ had been placed on trial yet again, this time in Caesarea. Tertullus is the Prosecuting Counsel - Governor Felix is the judge.

Prisoner Paul is in the dock - falsely accused - and Felix the judge knows it. Paul speaks…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 24:10, Paul, on trial in Caesarea is invited to reply to the accusations which have been made against him. Here we see a man of God who has a clear conscience in the presence of God, and before his accusers. There is no trace of bitterness - no trace of ranker - no self-pity. He does not appeal to feelings. He certainly avoids flattery. Paul keeps to the facts - declares the truth - and demolishes the charges.

He is specific - verse 11 - It was only 12 days ago, when I went up to Jerusalem to the Temple - to WORSHIP! Nobody found me arguing in the Temple, nor was…  ( Click for more )