Acts: Go & Be Chapters 1-9Sample

What is this passage saying?

The apostles continue their ministry, and many people are healed. Again, more of them are thrown into prison: a pattern that we will continue to see throughout this book, but an angel of the Lord freed them in the night. When the guards went to search for them, the apostles didn’t just skip town to be free of the persecution, they are right back in the temple proclaiming the name of Jesus. Peter speaks out for the group when they are confronted about preaching when told not to, by saying we must obey God rather than men. He proceeds to again proclaim the gospel to his oppressors. We see the message of God starting to transform the pharisees, as Gamaliel speak to the crowd and says to stop what you are doing. If this is of men, it will fail but if it is of God, let us not stand against Him.

What is this passage teaching?

No matter what hole you feel like you may be in, God can get you out of it. Here we see them sent to prison, and an angel of the Lord busted them out. There is nothing man can do to stop the message of the Lord from getting out. God gave us His Holy Spirit and we see the results. Repentance of sin and belief in Jesus is what changes lives, and the pharisees (like many of us ) wanted power. What Jesus is asking for is repentance. He must be Lord of every area of our lives, not just the parts we are comfortable with giving. The message the apostles proclaimed was not about themselves and what they could do, it was about Jesus. Christ is the message: Him crucified and Him glorified.

How do I respond?

Christ is the message, and He is the sovereign deliverer. Repent and let Him rule all areas of your life.