Posts Tagged ‘Acts’
Trusting God
by Zeke Flores In chapter 2 of his prophetic book, Joel foretells of the events during Pentecost related in Acts 2. His concluding statement from that prophecy was that “it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered” (Joel 2:32). To “call on the name of the Lord”…
Read MoreThe Case of the Philippian Jailor
by Terry Wane Benton He wanted to know, “What shall I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). The simple answer: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ…and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). The details of why believe in Jesus, what to believe about Jesus, and how to express faith in Jesus followed. In other words,…
Read MoreThe Umbrella Nature of the Term “Faith”
by Terry Wane Benton One preacher (Stephen Whitsett) argued the following: “In the same way, it would be possible that Acts 2:38 is indeed communicating the fact that they were to be baptized “as the result of” or “because” they already had believed and in doing so had already received forgiveness of their sins (John…
Read MoreWas Acts 2:36 a Necessary Inference?
by Terry Wane Benton Peter presented many powerful points of evidence from the Jews’ own scriptures and eyewitness testimony in Acts 2:22-35, and he brought his presentation of evidence to a conclusive “therefore.” This word signals that he draws necessary inferences from the facts presented. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly …”…
Read MoreHow should the end of Acts 20:28 read?
Question: Dear Jeffrey, I re-visited the La Vista Church web page on the accuracy of the New World Translation and read the following: J. Acts 20:28 1. “Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of…
Read MoreJames, Peter, and I
by Matthew W. Bassford Acts 12 offers one of the great conundrums of the New Testament. In the first few verses of the chapter, the wicked king Herod Agrippa arrests and executes the apostle James, the brother of John. Shortly thereafter, he arrests Peter with the same intention. However, God sends his angel to rescue…
Read MoreWhy Did Paul Appeal to His Roman Citizenship?
by Doy Moyer Acts 16 tells us the story of Paul and Silas being arrested and imprisoned in Philippi. They sang praises while bound, others listened, and then an earthquake shaking the foundations set them free. Instead of running, Paul told the jailer, who was about to commit suicide, not to harm himself. We then…
Read MoreWho are the “them” in Acts 2:41?
Question: Since John’s baptism did not give people the gift of the Holy Spirit and the promise that we read about in Acts 2:38-39, did the ones who received his baptism receive the gift and the promise if they lived into the New Testament? Some in the church believe the “them” in Acts 2:41 includes…
Read MoreThe Charges Against Paul
by Doy Moyer Paul was charged with four things in Acts 24:4-7 Being a pest (a plague). Stirring up riots. Being a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. Trying to profane the temple. Paul’s answer to 1 and 2 was that he had not stirred up any crowds in the synagogue or temple and…
Read MoreDoes the grammar of Acts 2:38 mean that the gift of the Holy Spirit can’t be salvation?
Question: I believe the gift and promise of the Holy Spirit is salvation, but a brother in Christ has told me it cannot be, due to the Greek grammar of “shall receive” in verse 38 having “middle voice future tense”. He believes salvation cannot be the gift since the gift is future tense middle voice,…
Read MoreThe “We” Passages in Acts
by Matthew W. Bassford Like the other historical books of the New Testament, neither Luke nor Acts explicitly identifies its author. However, it is evident from the introduction to each book and the style used throughout each that both were written by the same hand. The first identification of this writer that we still have…
Read MoreMore Noble Minded
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/More-Noble-Minded.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 17:1-12 I. Paul came to Thessalonica, a city on the coast in Macedonia, to preach the gospel A. He started out in the synagogues as was his custom. 1. After three weeks of effort he convinced a few of the Jews, but large number of Greeks who had worshiped with…
Read MoreFor what purpose is God calling in Acts 2:39?
Question: I have a question on Acts 2:39. Quite a few brethren say that verse 39 speaks of two generations: To you (those there that day) and to your children (next generation) and contemporary with them, those who are afar off (Gentiles).” Some in the faith say the promise is Joel’s promise just mentioned, the…
Read MoreA Passage to Ponder: Acts 15:1-29
by Ken Weliever The Preacher’s Word Have you heard the old joke about the fellow who studied the Bible by letting it fall open and putting his finger on a verse for instruction and inspiration? The first verse he turned to was Matthew 27:5. It said, “Judas went out and hanged himself.” “Wait a minute!”…
Read MoreHow can my sins be forgiven without receiving salvation?
Question: Good day, Acts 2:38 says after obeying the gospel our sins will be forgiven and we will receive salvation (gift of Holy Spirit). Please expound on how my sins can be forgiven without receiving salvation. Thanks. Answer: “Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus…
Read MoreThe Rest of Stephen’s Sermon
by Matthew W. Bassford Acts 7:2-53 contains the longest sermon in the New Testament by anybody but Jesus. The speaker is Stephen, on trial for his life before the Sanhedrin, and he is accused of a number of crimes. According to Acts 6:11-13, he is accused of blaspheming God and Moses, speaking against the temple…
Read MoreThe Conversion of Saul
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ConversionOfSaul.mp3 by Jeff Hamilton Text: I Timothy 1:12-17 I. The path that Saul took from Judaism to Christianity can teach us a lot about what it takes to become a Christian A. It is a lesson that many need to learn by people caught up in denominational teachings. B. We will look at the events that happened…
Read MoreNotes on Examples of Conversion
Where Hear Believe Repent Confess Be Baptized Result At Pentecost Acts 2:14-41 Acts 2:38 Acts 2:38, 41 Forgiveness of sins Acts 2:38 Added Acts 2:41 Acts 3:12-26; 4:2,4 Acts 4:4 Increase in number Acts 5:14 Added to number Acts 5:42 Increasing in number Samaria Acts 8:4-8, 12 Acts 8:12-13 Acts 8:12-13 Ethiopian Eunuch Acts 8:30-35…
Read MoreIs Socialism a Biblical Concept?
by Matthew W. Bassford Much to my surprise, for the first time that I can remember since the Cold War, there is a flurry of national interest in socialism. As someone who is a student of history, this concerns me. As someone who is politically unaligned, I’m not sure what to do about it. I…
Read MoreWas Timothy’s father an Aramean?
Question: In Was Timothy’s father a non-believer? you said, “In the end, I think all you can state is that Timothy’s father was of Greek nationality.” But Acts 16:1 (translated from Aramaic Peshitta, based on Younan) says, “And he arrived at the medintha [city] Derbe and at Lostra. Now there was there a certain talmida [student]…
Read MoreHow do we know there was a church in Troas?
Question: I’ve always held the position that Acts 20:7 states “when the disciples came together to break bread.” But in my recent study, I’ve realized the Greek is actually Strong’s 1473, ημων – “we.” How is it, then, concluded that there was a church at Troas? I am not aware of any specific mention of…
Read MoreActs 2 and 3 and the Gift of the Holy Spirit
by Doy Moyer When you layout Acts 2 and 3, there are some great comparisons. Both begin in the same basic way (Men of Judea, Men of Israel) and contain at least these similarities: They start by clearing up misunderstandings and reference a direct act of God’s power (Acts 2:15-20; 3:16-18). They show how the…
Read MoreWhy is Stephen charged with blasphemy if Jesus did say that the temple would be destroyed?
Question: In Acts 6:14, Stephen is charged with saying that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place. How is this a false statement if Jesus was speaking of the destruction of the temple in Matthew 24? Thank you. Answer: The charge against Stephen was, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and…
Read MoreWere those who received the Spirit in Acts just the apostles or the 120 brethren?
Question: I was reading your article on who received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. You’re saying the 120 didn’t receive the Holy Spirit, but the Apostles only, is that correct? If so, my question is: Did they receive the Spirit twice? Because in John 20:21-22 Jesus breathed on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Please…
Read MoreActs 11 does not prove we can now eat pork
Question: You said we could eat pork and pulled Acts 11 out to debate your cause, but you see that that vision was talking about the Gentiles if you keep reading on. The Bible tells us to get the conclusion of the whole matter. Answer: In “Uncleanness,” I said: “While many of the items selected…
Read MoreWere there men, besides Paul, in the assembly where Paul met Lydia?
Question: In Acts 16:13 where the women had assembled on the Sabbath by the river, do you think that was a woman-only assembly, or were other men, besides Paul, there? Answer: Paul took Silas with him (Acts 15:41), Timothy also accompanies Paul (Acts 16:1-4), and at Troas Luke joins (the “we” in Acts 16:11). There…
Read MoreGreat Things from Acts 2
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/GreatThingsFromActs2.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWhat should be said to make the good confession?
Question: Before I was baptized, I confessed that I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and I still do. If you look at I Timothy 6:12-13, Paul says Timothy made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses and then says that Jesus made the good confession in the presence of Pilate. If…
Read MorePeter’s Vision and the Great Necessary Inferences
by Terry Wayne Benton Acts 10-11 Some brethren have erroneously concluded that direct command is the only way we can know the will of God for us. They attack or dismiss the idea of reasoning from statements, commands, examples, and drawing necessary inferences. But, I find it to be very obvious that God wants us…
Read MoreWas the term “Christian” originally a derogatory reference?
Question: By your teaching the disciples were first called “Christians” at Antioch of Syria, which is true; however, who at Antioch was calling them this term and why? It was a derogatory term toward them, my friend. Then again by King Agrippa, another pagan. Then one other time this name is mentioned by Peter only…
Read MoreDid the eunuch have witnesses to his confession?
Question: Dear Jeffrey, I have read some of the answers on your website related to the requirements of a valid baptism. You have mentioned a confession of your belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God is required, and in accordance with I Timothy 6:12, that confession should be made before “many witnesses”. My…
Read MoreDoesn’t Acts 12:4 mention Easter?
Question: A question I have is in Acts 12:4. What’s was the Scripture pertaining to when it mentioned Easter? “And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people” (Acts 12:4 KJV). Answer:…
Read MoreHow could the men at Ephesus be disciples before they were baptized?
Question: First of all, I would like to thank you for the La Vista Church of Christ website. I love how you attach a link to the Bible verses you quote. I have studied many of the topics you have and I have learned a lot. Thank you again! Second of all, I have recently…
Read MoreWhy did Peter say that perhaps God would forgive Simon?
Question: I a question for you regarding a scripture. It was a passage that you showed someone grappling with blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:22) I am sure I am misunderstanding or overthinking the passage, but…
Read MoreIs baptism unnecessary for salvation because every conversion in Acts doesn’t mention baptism?
Question: Hi. I received the below email and am having a tough time responding to these verses in regards to is baptism being necessary for salvation. I was hoping you might be able to help with these verses. Thank you Here are the places in Acts that you need to check out. Also, remember that…
Read MoreWhy did God tell Peter that the unclean animals were clean?
Question: Hi, I was wondering about something from the Bible: In Acts 10 when Peter is on a flat roof praying and then in a trance, he sees a sheet let down by its four corners from the sky, and then God tells Peter to get up, kill them, and eat them. Peter replies that…
Read MoreDoes Acts 2 justify churches helping the poor in the general population?
Question: In Acts 2 Christians were selling their property and giving to those in need. Were these individuals giving to individuals or individuals giving to the church and the church giving? If it was the church giving, were they giving to non-Christians or Christians only? I’ve heard this scripture used for the church giving to…
Read MoreCould Stephen be making Moses out to be bigger than life?
Question: I know from Acts 7 it is said that Moses knew he was a Hebrew prior to the burning bush event. What is your take on the possibilities that this was based on the Jewish tradition? Acts was written by Paul who was brought up a Pharisee and in the strictest Jewish tradition, could…
Read MoreDid Cornelius need to work before or after his salvation?
Question: Hello, I just wanted to say thank you for the sermons you provide online. I actually came across your web site this evening as I was searching for resources on Cornelius and his salvation, as I think his life greatly parallels many in today’s culture. I do have an inquiry from the 15th paragraph, which…
Read MoreHow could the men with Saul hear and not hear the voice?
Question: Can you explain the seeming contradiction in these verses from Acts? Acts 9:7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man Acts 22:9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake…
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