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Acts 9:27-31. Saul of Tarsus the man who had set out to persecute the Church of Jesus Christ has been 'born again' to everyone's complete surprise. He has met the risen living Jesus, had his eyesight restored, was filled with The Holy Spirit, and baptised in water, then had something to eat.

He began to preach in Damascus, that Jesus is the Son of God. People were astonished and amazed. This, after all, was the opposite of the main reason for his visit to Damascus. Saul grew more and more powerful as he exercised his faith - this muscle called faith.

He baffled the…  ( Click for more )

Acts 9:26. Saul made his way back to Jerusalem, from Damascus. This was not going to be any easier to begin with. He tried to join the Christian fellowship there. Not only was this a hard test for Saul, it was also going to be a hard test for them. To begin with they would NOT accept him.

How would you react if you had tried to get into the Jerusalem Fellowship and someone had said - "No - No - we are not allowing you in here. We don't trust you. You are just a wolf in sheep's clothing - off you go - scarper!" Would that put you off the Church of Jesus Christ…  ( Click for more )

Acts 9:23-31. The enemy of God attempted to eradicate Saul of Tarsus as soon as he was born again and started preaching Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. There are times when he does attempt to rub us out - silence us - remove us - destroy our witness to Jesus Christ.

Saul is facing a violent reaction to his preaching in Damascus and he has to escape. Friends in his new found Fellowship help him to do this, and it is not very dignified. Sometimes we have to be prepared to lose our dignity to rescue our ministry and keep alive.

When opposition becomes real and fierce…  ( Click for more )

Acts 9 is so rich - in reality - in what is real - in testimony - in how the grace of God moves and intervenes and transforms men like Saul and Ananias.

We see how Jesus Christ can surprise a man who is NOT a disciple as well as a man who is a disciple. Chapter 9 teaches us how we come into the Church - into the Kingdom of God - and something of what we can expect after we come in - as it speaks about ministry and witnessing and suffering - the need to have a trusting friend - and taking risks. So much!

This violent, wounding, furious man has met Jesus Christ. He is in…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 9:17, Ananias goes in obedience to Jesus to minister to Saul, who has only been a believer for three days. Ananias was Saul's first Christian friend. They would never have come together if it had not been Jesus leading them. Ananias comes in - "Brother Saul" - what a transformation - from the ringleader of the persecutors to "Brother Saul". Ananias lays his hands on Saul explaining why he has come - SO THAT YOU MAY RECEIVE YOUR SIGHT - AND BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Let's sort out this eyesight problem. There was something like scales fell from his eyes,…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 9, we are looking at how Saul of Tarsus was confronted by the Risen and Living Lord Jesus Christ outside the city of Damascus and how he was totally changed and transformed. When he wrote later this he says that when we come to Jesus Christ, we become a new creation, and Paul certainly knew what he was talking about.

In our previous study, we left him in Damascus - blind - and spending 3 days praying and fasting. For three days he eats nothing, and drinks no water. Praying and fasting can create an atmosphere in which Jesus can speak. What is he praying? Can…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 9, we see the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ coming to a man who does not believe that Jesus is alive! Jesus meets Saul as he nears Damascus. He was out of Israel. Sometimes we have to get out of our own religious prejudices before we are able to meet the Living God. Sometimes we have to be broken or melted, before we are ready to believe in and follow Jesus.

Saul was a deeply religious man. Did he suspect that these disciples of Jesus might just be right? They were willing to go to prison and die for their faith, and if they were right, then all he had hoped…  ( Click for more )

When we come to Acts 9, the Church of Jesus Christ, which has around some 8,000 members, has been blasted out of Jerusalem by a wave of strong violent persecution. The situation is serious. The Church is on the move, but at that time I do not think people would understand what was happening, and we have hints of that in this passage. There would be questions - confusion - upset - disturbance - as well as suffering.

Remember what has been happening. Those in positions of leadership have gone out to preach Jesus Christ - crucified - risen - ascended - pouring out the Holy…  ( Click for more )

We remain with Philip, in Acts Chapter 8 and at verse 16 when an angel comes to him and speaks to him, "Go south to the road - the desert road - to Gaza." This is the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.

Philip is being removed from the scene of exciting revival to the wilderness - from the fertile valleys of Samaria to the desert - why? God says some strange things to us at times. God can ask us to do peculiar things at times, which can surprise us and make us wonder - "What are YOU up to?" Our gracious loving God does not mind us asking relevant questions. …  ( Click for more )

We are in Acts Chapter 8, and we saw how that wave of violent persecution, master-minded by Saul of Tarsus, got The Church of Jesus Christ on the move and out of Jerusalem. For some 3 or 4 months or so the Good News of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen from the dead and ascended, had been preached only in Jerusalem.

God was now using something which was not good - persecution - for good, and for His Glory, and for the spread and advancement of The Kingdom. We need to know this. Our gracious God can take what is not good, and use it to advance His Kingdom. The Risen Lord…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 8, we read of a most violent wave of persecution, which had the church running from the persecutors in Jerusalem. But, they did not run away from Jesus - or give up - or say - "This is proving too costly." They just got on with doing what Jesus wanted done - without thinking about it.

Some of our finest work can be done when we are on automatic - when we don't think too much about what we say or do - when we are being led and motivated by The Holy Spirit. The Gospel was now on the move for the first time. It is interesting to read that the leaders remained in Jerusalem,…  ( Click for more )

Acts 8 opens with such solemn words. "Saul was there giving approval to his death." It was Saul of Tarsus who gave the signal for these men to kill this dear disciple of Jesus. Stephen was so filled with faith, compassion and love, and so able to minister in the power of The Holy Spirit. Stephen was so forgiving, but now he is dead.

Why O Jesus? Why such a short career, and these religious persecutors are permitted to go on doing their painful work? We are confronted with many questions at times. As a direct consequence of Stephen's mighty ministry in the power of the Holy…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 6, we read of what happened when The Church of Jesus Christ grew at such a rapid pace. An internal problem arose, and the solution was to appoint seven people in authority, who had authority to do the job. These seven men were appointed by the apostles, with the laying on of hands and prayer.

This allowed the Twelve to continue to give themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word. They were not going to be diverted or side-tracked. One of these seven chosen was Nicolas, a gentile who became a Jew. He then came to believe in Jesus Christ and became a respected…  ( Click for more )

Do read these opening verses of Acts 6, because in this passage we learn lessons about the importance and centrality of Prayer, and not neglecting The Word of God.

The Church of Jesus Christ was growing and developing, and up to this time, it was pure, powerful and persecuted. Then a problem arose.

Have you ever found that? Everything just appears to be going fine, and suddenly there is an unexpected problem. What is the nature of the problem? How did the leaders deal with this matter, which was very real?

A murmuring arose. It can easily happen, and interestingly,…  ( Click for more )

We are reading the latter part of Acts 5 where the apostles had been imprisoned yet again. Crowds had been coming to receive help and healing from God, and the popularity of the apostles caused jealousy to fill the hearts of the religious leaders in Jerusalem.

When you serve Jesus Christ, obediently and faithfully, do not be too surprised when you are misunderstood. Around our world today, serious sore and painful persecution is the experience of many disciples of Jesus.

In Acts Chapter 5, Gamaliel tries to subdue the fierce anger of the courtroom, thinking that this Jesus…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 5:16, we read of crowds gathering around those men of God who were ministering in the love of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. At this time, they had suddenly become very popular with ordinary needy people. But this gave rise to jealousy among the traditional religious leaders in Jerusalem, who had rejected Jesus.

Serious consequences result when a man rejects Jesus Christ. The apostles are arrested and put in jail - not the ordinary people - but the leadership. There were no divisions, among the leadership, even when it came to going to jail.

That night,…  ( Click for more )

As we reach this middle section of Acts 5, I do ask you to continue to read the actual biblical text. We have been studying how The Church of Jesus Christ was birthed, and how God launched the Church into the world. We have studied the significance of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, when some day some 3,000 people came to believe in Jesus Christ, as they turned from their sins, were baptised (plunged) in water, and received the Holy Spirit.

Take time to check that your foundation is biblically sound. It is essential that our foundation is based upon the solid rock of the…  ( Click for more )

Having seen such a beautiful picture of a young pure powerful Church of Jesus Christ, suddenly the pendulum swings, and this is something we see often in The Bible. It is something we experience in everyday life too.

The scene changes, in Acts Chapter 5, and we read of another aspect of church life which is just as real.

We read of a husband and wife - Ananias and Sapphira. They sold a piece of property. Let's say, just to get the feel of what was happening, that they got £100,000 for it. They talked it over, and deciding to bring £60,000 and present…  ( Click for more )

In Acts Chapters 3 and 4, where Peter and John heal that lame man in the Name of Jesus Christ and preach that Jesus is Risen from the dead, they are imprisoned, put on trial, threatened, refuse to compromise their calling in Christ, and are released and return to the waiting Fellowship, where all those present launch out in prayer.

What had they been thinking? What went through the minds of the believers in Jesus, when they learned that both Peter and John were in prison?

It was now against the law to preach in the Name of Jesus, so they prayed in the Name of Jesus, and…  ( Click for more )

In , when Peter and John are released from prison, they continued preaching and teaching and healing in the Name of Jesus.

Jesus teaches us through the Scriptures to continue the work and allow the ministry of the Gospel to flow from age to age, until Jesus comes again. The command is clear - Go into all the world - Preach the word - Heal the sick - Minister to the needy - Feed the hungry - Set the prisoners free.

Not only is Christianity exclusive; it is inclusive. In Christ all can be included - rich and poor - black and white - learned and unlearned.

Throughout…  ( Click for more )

In our journey through the Book of Acts, we have studied that serious incident in Acts Chapter 4 where Peter and John had been thrown into prison, because they had healed that crippled man in his 40's, in the Name of the Risen and Living Lord Jesus Christ.

They were put on trial before the Sanhedrin, which included some of the wealthiest and most influential folk in Jerusalem.

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, is reasonable, respectful, in control, and factually and challengingly points to Jesus Christ.

It may have a 'romantic ring' about it to be on trial for…  ( Click for more )

In Acts Chapter 4, Peter and John are in prison.

They were seized and incarcerated in this Jerusalem jail, simply because a man in his 40's who had never walked had been healed, and they explained that the Risen and Living Lord Jesus Christ was behind the healing.

They are brought in before the religious authorities - that is, before the same people who had been responsible for crucifying Jesus. Jesus had been in this court. These 'judges' were the wealthiest and most influential in the nation.

If JESUS were alive, and this is now some 8 or 9 weeks after…  ( Click for more )

We move on to Acts Chapter 3, but let's remember the situation. At the end of Acts Chapter 2 there is such real fellowship in The Church of Jesus Christ, with a sharing of possessions as well as problems. They continue meeting in The Temple for worship, but breaking bread in the homes of other believers, and eating together. These disciples of Jesus are praising God, enjoying the favour of the people, and the Lord was adding to their number daily those who were being saved.

We see what happened when Peter and John ministered to a cripple - to a man who had never walked. He…  ( Click for more )

We are in Acts Chapter 2. Peter has been explaining what the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ has done in the Temple in Jerusalem when He baptised these 120 disciples in the Holy Spirit in fulfilment of what was promised. Those who listened were convicted of their sin and they ask, "What shall we do?"

People always want to do something and it is important that people do the right thing. Peter replies in unmistakably clear terms. He tells the people, who asked that vital question, what to do. Having come to believe in Jesus - Repent or turn to God - Be baptised in water…  ( Click for more )