Creative Space for Wanderers
Read: John the Baptist testified about Jesus, now he releases his disciples to follow the One he was there to proclaim. The voice in the wilderness points to Jesus and Andrew listens. We are introduced to Peter, Philip, and Nathanael in this section. There is some debate about Nathanael’s identity, but the model for discipleship …
Read: We are sure that John the Baptist is not the Apostle John, he’s not the one who wrote the Gospel of John, but the religious powers of his day couldn’t figure out who he was. John the Baptist was baptizing people at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan River and apparently attracting …
Continue reading “John: The Voice of One Calling in the Wilderness”
Read: The prologue to the Gospel of John is a profound statement that either leaves you in wonder for the rest of the story or drives you away shaking your head. I honestly don’t think there’s much in between. Every time I read these powerful words I’m in awe of the One, the I Am, …
For the next three months or so, we will study the book of John. The Apostle John adds a different perspective from Matthew, Mark, and Luke (known as the Synoptic Gospels). John includes stories that are not found elsewhere. He emphasizes the incarnation of Jesus as something we should wrap our minds around. The word …
Read: Wow! We’ve already come to the end of Luke’s amazing writing for us as he wraps up the book of Acts. The story began with the resurrected Christ challenging us to go and be His witnesses throughout the world and ends some 30+ years later on a high note that is still ringing today. …
Read: After the shipwreck, as Paul prophesied, they all landed safely on the shores of Malta. The Islanders were kind-hearted people that were definitely not Jewish and unfamiliar with Christ. Paul probably thought this was an amazing opportunity! Luke provides a firsthand account of the miracles on Malta which serve to ignite Paul’s ministry there. After …
Read: Luke invites us to join him on Paul’s voyage to Rome. The detailed account of this story is probably based on Luke’s experience with Paul on this journey. In the narrative, we read many nautical terms that demonstrate their familiarity with traveling by sea. I’ve heard sermons in the past from retired Navy Captains …
Read: This narrative begins with Festus talking to King Agrippa and his sister Bernice about an interesting case, i.e., Paul and the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem. Festus had a problem. He didn’t know how to write the letter to the Emporer, so he took the opportunity to ask Agrippa and Bernice for advice. King Agrippa …
Continue reading “Acts: King Agrippa and Bernice Hear Paul’s Testimony”
Read: Paul’s time in prison continued in Caesarea when Festus succeeded Felix. To properly understand what’s going on here, I have to try and think like the presiding governors of that time. As I consider the events of that time, the story makes much more sense. Paul appears to have access to information about continued …
Read: Part 4 of Paul in Jerusalem left us with the Roman commander completely in charge of the situation. There is no doubt that the authorities were handling the events here. Paul’s life was likely spared as a result of the commander’s rather audacious and timely reaction. The ensuing events through the end of Acts …