Healing at the Beautiful Gate (Acts of the Apostles #7)

Christ Church - Moscow ID

Healing at the Beautiful Gate (Acts of the Apostles #7)

September 15, 2024 • Douglas Wilson • Acts 3:1–18

Faith in the power of Christ is not the same thing as faith in the power of faith. In this passage, Peter says explicitly that it was not through their own power or holiness that this remarkable healing was accomplished. Rather it was the power of the risen Christ who did it, using Peter and John as His instrument.

The Word that Grows (Acts of the Apostles #14)

November 24, 2024 • Douglas Wilson • Acts 6:1–7

We see in this passage the formation of the Christian diaconate. The noun for deacon is not used here, but the context makes it pretty obvious. There was a daily distribution of food to widows and some inequities in that distribution were causing problems. The Twelve said that they should not leave the diakonia of the Word (v. 4) in order to diakoneo tables (v. 2). The noun form is the word for deacon (diakonos). And what we can learn from this is the evangelistic potency of good church government.

The Honor of Dishonor, the Grace of Disgrace (Acts of the Apostles #13)

November 17, 2024 • Douglas Wilson • Acts 5:27–42

One of the more remarkable blessings that the presence of the Holy Spirit brings is the ability He gives to believes to suffer scorn gladly. This is a remarkable thing in the moment, but it also serves as a portent of what it is to come. It is a statement in the present and a sign for the future.

The Unchained Word of Life (Acts of the Apostles #12)

November 10, 2024 • Douglas Wilson • Acts 5:17–26

The Founder of the Christian faith, the Lord Jesus, was murdered by the authorities. This is a fact that cannot be emphasized too much. After He ascended into Heaven, the second generation of Christian leaders all found themselves in jail within a matter of just a few weeks. This should tell you something about the nature of the faith we profess.