Bible Commentary On Acts 9
This chapter is a documentary of the dramatic and radical conversion of Saul of Tarsus, a zealous persecutor of Christians, who later became the Apostle Paul, very influential and renowned for his letters to Christians in his time and the present.- Acts 9 Vs 1 – 31
The latter part of the chapter contains the powerful move of the Holy Spirit in the miraculous healing of Aeneas (Acts 9: 31 – 35) and Tabitha(Dorcas) (Acts 9 vs 36- 42)raised from the death.
Reflections
There is no one too deep in sin that cannot be saved Acts 9 :1 -2. The vivid encounter with the Lord also emphasizes Paul’s subsequent fervor in preaching the Gospel and the challenges he faces as he transitions from a persecutor to a promoter of Christianity. Reading the narrative, I cannot but think about the High Priest
Key Scripture
Who are you Lord? Saul asked. And the voice replied” I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!
(Acts 9: 5 )
This incidence illustrates the Power of God’s grace to change hearts and redirect lives no matter the state of their heart.
Reading the narrative from the beginning of how Saul was fully backed by the High Priest and the Sanhedrin-(body of Jewish Religious leaders), armed by probably a stamped and sealed document for Christians to be executed.
Believers would have been terrified! But alas, Jesus stepped in, and made the aggressor the arrow – head of spreading the gospel to the non- Jewish nation.
One cannot help but wonder the amazing ways of God.
Lessons
Embrace Transformation
Just as Saul was transformed, we too can experience profound changes through Christ. No past is too dark for God’s light to illuminate.
Obedience to God’s call
Like Ananias, we should be willing to obey God’s call even when it challenges our comfort of understanding.
Boldness in Witnessing
Saul’s immediate proclamation of Jesus encourages us to be bold in sharing our faith regardless of our past or present circumstances.
Healing Power available
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and for ever (Hebrew 13 vs 8) is still in the business of Healing the sick (Aeneas)and raising the dead (Dorcas).
The anointing is present to heal and to be safe as in the days of the Apostles if only we will place a demand on the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
The Lord is still in the business of saving His people from Terrorists and Rulers of darkness. Just as he turned the narratives of the early Christians.
Healing is the Children’s bread!.
Prayer
Grant us grace to avail ourselves to kingdom work with boldness and purpose in Jesus Christ Mighty name!.
Bible Commentary On Acts 9
Theme: The Inclusivity of the Gospel Message, which God reveals is for all people, including Gentiles, not just Jews.
This chapter summarizes Peter’s defence of his actions in baptizing Gentiles to the church in Jerusalem, the establishment and growth of the church in Antioch where believers were first called “Christians” and a prophecy of a famine that led the church to send relief to Jerusalem.
Peter explains that God sent the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles just as to the Jews, showing His acceptance of all who believe, which silences his critics.
Key Points:
Peter Defends His Actions: Peter was confronted by the Jewish believers for eating with uncircumcised Gentiles when he returned from Jerusalem, so he defended himself.
•The Church in Antioch Grows: The followers of Jesus Christ were first called “Christians” in Antioch.
•A Famine is Foretold: A prophet named Agabus predicts a worldwide famine.
Lessons
•When we do the will of God, people’s criticism is inconsequential.
•The gospel message is for all and sundry because Jesus is the Saviour of the world. John 3:16.
Prayer
Father, thank You for sending us Your Son Jesus Christ to save us from sin and death and give us eternal life! We are eternally grateful!
Thank You, Jesus!
Bible Commentary On Acts 12
Today, we study the Book of Acts of The Apostles, Chapter Twelve where the church prayed and the Lord sent an ANGEL to facilitate the release of Apostle Peter from prison.
Reflections
“Prayer was made by the Church”
Key Scripture
“Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church”
(Acts 12: 5 )
Solving Life Issues
The Book of Acts chapter twelve highlighted a CRISIS SITUATION for the Church!
We hereby review THREE Approaches to Life Challenges:
1. Identify the “Challenge”
2. Possible Ways Out
3. Human v Divine Support?
The Challenge
Peter was arrested, kept in prison and faced possible execution!
Possible Ways Out
The church had some options to get the Apostle released:
1. Legal Defence
2. Protests/Riots
3. Prayers.
Human Vs Divine
Acts Chapter 12 verse Five recorded that “prayer was made by the church”- GOOD OPTION.
This implied that the church opted for DIVINE INTERVENTION.
Divine Intervention
Answer to prayers is a prerogative of Heaven!
Indeed, effectual fervent prayer makes tremendous power available!
(James 5:16)
In this instance, Heaven dispatched an ANGEL to the prison and Peter was FREED!
(Acts 12:7-10)
Lessons
1. Life challenges are REAL & COMMON.
2. Individuals, Families, Societies, Churches and Nations face Challenges.
3. We always have a choice to make at the VALLEY OF DECISION.
4. To attract divine Intervention, prayer is the key!
Conclusion
1.The Bible has recommended that “MEN OUGHT TO PRAY & NOT FAINT.”
(Luke 18:1)
2. We have a PRAYER-ANSWERING GOD.
(1 John 5:14)
3. Brethren, when Challenges threaten, chose to PRAY(Rom. 12:12)
4. When a church prays, CORPORATE POWER is made available.
Our Churches Need To Pray More!
Hallelujah!!
Prayer
Father, we thank you for the CONFIDENCE and ASSURANCE of Answer to prayers.
Grant us the grace to PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. Amen.
Bible Commentary On Acts 13
Acts 13:2 CSB
Key Scriptures:
Acts 13:2-3 NLT
One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”
So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.”
Matthew 9:15 NLT
Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast”
I Corinthians 2:9-10 NKJV
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” [10] But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God”
Acts chapter 13 to 28 focuses on the ministry to the Gentiles and the spread of the church around the world, with Paul replacing Peter as the central figure.
The event in Acts 13:2-3 also points to the first time FASTING is explicitly mentioned as a practice of the early church to seek divine guidance and direction in addition to
Prayer.
Different contributors to RACAD on have highlighted the importance of Prayer to us, and as such we will turn our attention to Fasting and its benefits as revealed in Scriptures.
The Lord Jesus, our good shepherd is committed to leading His flock. Moreso, as He has warned us that deception will be one of the signs of the end of the age.
Importantly then, in our serving God, regular periods of fasting and prayer should be observed in seeking God to individually guide us and lead us in the way to go (Ps 32:8),
so that we are not swayed or deceived into running a different race from the one God has called us into. His purposes though hidden from the natural eyes, are revealed to us by the Holy Spirit when we commit to seeking His counsel and obeying every instruction He gives us promptly.
In this chapter, the specific method engaged by the Holy Spirit to reveal His purpose for Paul and Barnabas was not highlighted to us.
However, today, we have the benefit of the complete Bible with us, guaranteeing that as we follow the principles contained in it, as illustrated with accounts of diverse characters who explored fasting and prayer at different crossroads in life,we can also triumph and sustain our victory.
Notable Examples include Jehoshaphat, Esther, Nehemiah, Daniel, to mention a few. They all engaged the Supernatural to compel the natural to cooperate with their missions/visions.
The Lord Jesus Himself emphasised the necessity of fervent prayer and the sacrifice of fasting as the foundation for strong, unwavering faith and for walking in Kingdom Power as shown in Matt 17:14-21.
The Twelve were sent out to preach, heal and cast out devils in His name (Matthew 10:7-8, Mk 3:14- 15), but they encountered a challenge when they could not cast out a particular demon . Jesus’ recommendation was Fasting and Prayer., as he said to them, “this kind doesn’t go out except with prayer and fasting”
Embedded in “this kind” are the various challenges we face in our journey to enforce God’s dominion mandate for our lives.
Over the years, it has been the practice in LFF, to declare a period of fasting and prayers for every major events. This provides us the enabling environment to practice and benefit from fasting.
These Benefits include:
– Favour with men (government’s,institutions, etc . Nehemiah 1: 1-4, 2:4-8)
– Victory over our formidable enemies (2 Chronicles 20:1-22)
– Divine Guidance and direction ( Acts 13:2-4)
– Grace for Completion of every good work.(Nehemiah 6:15-16)
It was during a period of corporate fasting and prayers that the Holy Spirit revealed the purpose to which Paul and Barnabas were called.
No person, apart from Jesus Himself, shaped the history of Christianity as much as the Apostle Paul in carrying the gospel from Jerusalem to the outermost parts of the world. He fulfilled this purpose as seen in 2 Timothy 4:7.
As we continue in this season of fasting and prayer, may we grow in sensitivity to the Holy Spirit as He reveals to us individually, the plans He has for our lives, may the Holy Spirit guide and direct us individually to the specific assignment He has for as part of the Living Faith Foundation larger mission of;
– Reaching the world in the power of the Holy Spirit
– Raising the men that are won and
– Ruling the world by empowering the men that are raised.
Finally, may God empower us with His enabling Grace to finish well. Amen 🙏
Bible Commentary On Acts 16
Theme : Joy In All Things
Acts 16 displays the beauty of Christian joy, that joy is not tied only to triumph in the faith but also defeat.
Introduction
Acts chapter 16 starts off with Paul and Silas embarking on Paul’s second missionary journey. Act 16 : 1
– The journey begins with them finding Timothy and training him up in the Gospel. ACTS 16 Vs 2 – 4
– Then they receive a divine vision from God directing them to Macedonia and then Philippi. Acts 16 Vs 10- 14.
Once they arrive in Philippi they meet Lydia, and she converts to Christianity and places her faith in Jesus Christ, and, not only Lydia, but also her entire household. After the church grows in Philippi, Acts 16 vs 14-15
– They are approached by an enemy of the Gospel, a demon-possessed slave girl. The demon is mocking the faith, and Paul expels the demon from the child. Paul and Silas up to this point have been immensely victorious.
– They have experienced personal discipleships, they have seen a divine vision, they are bringing whole families to Jesus, and even casting out demons. But, now they experience a defeat, or at least what most people would call a defeat. They are publicly beaten and then thrown in prison.
Lessons
– Even in defeat, when they are weakest, so they rejoice. Luke is trying to teach us that joy is not merely a reaction to good things experienced, rather, joy is a complete change of the heart and soul.
-True joy is to know and have Jesus Christ. To have Jesus Christ causes one to be joyful in all things, to know and love Christ is to know and love God. To have Christ is to have eternity.
So, this allows us to rejoice in the good and the bad! For in all things, whether sickness, persecution, defamation, financial decline, and even death, we have our savior, Jesus Christ by our side, and His Spirit in our hearts.
As Paul later writes back to the church at Philippi,- (Phillipians 1 vs 12 – 14, 4 Vs 4- 7) Hence, the popular verse in Christian circular – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4 Vs 13
– The entire meaning of “I can do all things through Christ” is tied to persecution and hunger. For when we are starving without food we still have the Bread of Life; For when we are thirsty and without drink, we have the fountain of Living Hope;
– For when we are cursed by the world, we have the Promise of the Holy Spirit. Let the Joy of Jesus Christ and the hope of the resurrection permeate your heart and soul. Let it change the way you live this week!-
Prayer
Lord, be my strength in every circumstance.
Nehemaih 8:10.
Help me rejoice no matter the situation, knowing you will never leave nor forsake me! Heb. 13 Vs 5.
Bible Commentary On Acts 18.
This chapter summarizes Paul’s ministry in Corinth, where he worked as a tentmaker and preached in the Synagogue, eventually turning to the Gentiles after facing opposition.
After Silas and Timothy joined him, he stayed for 18 months, supported by a vision from the LORD to continue his work.
The chapter also describes the case brought against Paul by the Jews before the proconsul Gallio, who dismissed the charges and ends with Paul travelling to Ephesus, where he left Priscilla and Aquila who later trained the eloquent speaker Apollos in the way of the LORD.
Key Points:
•Paul’s Time in Corinth.
•Travelling to Ephesus and Apollos’s Training.
Lessons
• If you meet opposition while preaching the gospel, do not resist the people. Just leave them and go to where the word of God is accepted like Paul did in verses 5 and 6.
• Listen to God and obey His instructions.
Prayer
Father, help us to be resolute in doing Your biddings in Jesus Christ’s Mighty Name!
Thank you, Jesus!
Bible Commentary On Acts 19
Today, we study the Book of Acts of The Apostles chapter 19, where “UNUSUAL MIRACLES” were recorded.
Reflections
“Miracles, Signs & Wonders”
Key Scripture
“Now God worked UNUSUAL MIRACLES by the hands of Paul, So that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil Spirits went out from them. (Acts 19: 11-12 )
What Is A Miracle?
Miracles are events whereby the NATURAL SEQUENCE is overided by the SUPERNATURAL.
Miracles are:
1. UNUSUAL
2. VERIFIABLE
3. SUPERNATURAL
4. ASCRIBED TO GOD
In Acts chapter Nineteen, HEALINGS & DELIVERANCES were recorded!
Value Of Miracles
According to Luke 5, 25-26 and Psalms 110 verse three, miracles corroborated the presence and power of God resulting in:
1. AMAZEMENT
2. GLORY TO GOD
3. THE FEAR OF THE LORD
4. WILLINGNESS TO OBEY/FOLLOW THE LORD
Great Commission
According to the mandate of Jesus to believers in Mark 16 verse 15, the following signs are expected to follow those who believe:
-Cast out demons;
-Speak with new tongues;
-Lay hands on the sick
“The Lord worked with the Disciples/Apostles as THEY WENT OUT & PREACHED EVERYWHERE”
(Mark 16:20)
Kfcmc & Lessons
The Power of God manifests in miracles.
The Early Church and Disciples activated the power through obedience to the great commission, evangelizing and STEPPING OUT
Miracles also endorse the work of ministry.
We thank God for the success of the KADUNA FOR CHRIST MEGA CRUSADE (KFCMC) – A testimony that Miracles, Signs and WONDERS ARE REAL & TANGIBLE in our Church_ LFF and an encouragement to the body of christ!
Lessons
The Process & workings of KFCMC demonstrated that MIRACLES – The Prerogative of God are TANGIBLE and REPRODUCIBLE when the requisite atmosphere and requirements are observed by the church:
1. Obedience to Divine Direction
2. Declaration of the Word of God
3. The Power of the Holy Spirit/Anointing
4. Faith
5. Corporate prayer & fasting
6. The Presence and the GLORY of GOD
7. Victory over the FORCES OF DARKNESS
We give God All the GLORY.
Prayer
(Greater Works)
Father, we thank you for Your Word that Empowered us for GREATER WORKS
(John 14:12)
We receive the Power and Capacity for GREATER MIRACLES, SIGNS AND WONDERS in our Churches, Ministries, Societies and Homes in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.
