By Dr. Mark Scott The first internal challenge to the church had been put to rest (literally) through the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11). Interestingly enough though, the apostles were revered for their miracles, and the church grew (5:12-16). Luke continues the account of the early church by telling of the second external […]
By Mark Scott In Luke’s summaries of the earliest church, we see it at its best (Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37). The gospel was being preached, people were being saved, a congregation was being planted, communion was being celebrated, and giving was off the charts. Who would not want to be part of a church like that? […]
By Mark Scott Lots of things qualify as “acts” in the Book of Acts —miracles, speeches, encounters, persecutions, and even prayers. Prayer is an act. Persecution against the earliest church made prayer a red-hot act. This is the second prayer in Acts in which we are told the actual content of the prayer. In Acts […]
By Sam E. Stone During the past three months we have seen how various Old Testament prophets took God’s demand for justice to the people. We have considered Amos, Micah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah. Though their careers spanned several hundred years, they preached a single message: the nation’s relationship to God called for faith […]
By Sam E. Stone This lesson begins the final month in this quarter’s study about God’s desire for justice, as outlined by various Old Testament prophets. God expects his people to know right from wrong and then to do what is right. Justice is as serious a requirement for Christians today as it was for […]
