Living a Life Worth Living – Writings by Robin McKinley
The Book of Acts (in the New Testament of the Bible) is also called ‘Acts of the Apostles’. The author of Acts was Luke, who also wrote the Gospel of Luke.
Acts tells the story of the first Christians. After Jesus went up to heaven, they waited in Jerusalem. Then, God sent his Holy Spirit (Acts 2). The Holy Spirit gave power to the first Christians. So, they told the people about Jesus. The Christians explained that the people must confess their evil deeds to God. Then, they must invite God into their lives.
The first Christians did wonderful things by God’s power. Peter cured a man who could not walk by God’s power. God even cured ill people when Peter’s shadow went over them .
Many people opposed the first Christians. A Christian called Stephen did many wonderful things. But the rulers opposed him. They did not want him to speak about Jesus. So, the rulers killed Stephen. But Stephen was not afraid. He knew that he was going to heaven. Like Jesus, Stephen prayed for the people who were killing him (Acts 7:60).
But the number of Christians continued to increase. And new churches began in many areas, for example Samaria and Antioch. Soon, God taught Peter and the other Christians that God’s good news is for everyone, from every nation (Acts 10). So, they began to speak to people who were not from Israel.
Saul was a religious leader who opposed the first Christians. Saul even helped to kill Stephen (Acts 8:1). But God spoke to Saul on the road to Damascus. And Saul became a Christian (Acts 9). He travelled to many places, to tell everyone about Jesus (Acts chapters 13-28). Later, Saul changed his name to Paul. Paul wrote many books in the New Testament of the Bible.
The first Christians had many dangers and many troubles. But they trusted God. And they told people about Jesus in each place where they went. God was with them. God did wonderful things wherever they went. And boldly, they taught the message of the Bible.
An interesting event happened in Acts chapter 5. It relays a story to us about a man called Ananias along with his wife Sapphira. Throughout the Bible, God has revealed many devastating events. We find most of them in the Old Testament, but the New Testament has its share also. At the end of Acts … Read more
We don’t like the storms in our lives but we will all face them. Confronted with a storm, the Apostle Paul had to choose between trusting God or suffering the consequences. But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. Acts 27:22 It seems at times that … Read more
Have you given any thought to what God’s plan is for your life? First of all, let’s not confuse His plan for your life with His will for you. His will is that you spend eternity with Him. And through Jesus, He made provision for that to happen. God’s plan for you is the call … Read more
A Roman commander found out that a group of Jews planned to kill the Apostle Paul. To protect Paul he sent him to Caesarea to stand trial before Felix the governor. Paul planted many churches throughout the Middle East. He wrote a good portion of the New Testament. Yet he also experienced some occasions one … Read more
Have you noticed that sometimes people want to hear what you have to say? But they’re not interested in what you are saying. Paul experienced that when he was preaching in Athens. Paul’s arrival in Athens was probably an unplanned trip. First, though we’ll read our verse for today which came at the end of … Read more
When Jesus walked on the earth He taught that His yoke was easy and His burdens were light. I don’t think His disciples quite understood the gravity of that until after He ascended to heaven. Why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we … Read more
Do you know someone who you consider a true man of God? Or for that matter a true woman of God? Peter the Apostle became such a man, one that God used effectively in the early church. Most of us (because we are Gentiles) can be thankful for the obedience of both Peter and Cornelius. … Read more
The believers in the early church rapidly multiplied which also produced some rumblings of discontent. It is at this point we are introduced to Stephen and his short-lived story. Here’s what was happening. The Greek-speaking believers complained, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. So the apostles decided … Read more
Judas, one of the twelve, betrayed Jesus and ultimately committed suicide. To replace him the disciples proceeded first by determining the qualifications needed to be a good disciple of Christ. Then they came up with the names of two men who met their requirements. Joseph called Barsabbas and Matthias. Not knowing which of them to … Read more
Occasionally we’ll hear someone say, “a wise old man once said . . .” That’s what occurred in Acts 5. A respected Pharisee named Gamaliel in essence said, who can stand against the Lord? If it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!” … Read more