New Testament Readings Week 6 (3rd – 9th October)
Monday 3rdOctober
Read: Acts 7 Stephen’s response to theSanhedrin’saccusationwas rooted in scripture and he gave an undiluted explanation from history as to whyGod wasn’t confined to the temple. Hesummed up his case by reminding them the entire universe and the earth is God’s Temple. The Sanhedrin was more interested in worshipping the Temple and its traditions rather thanthe God of the Temple (see Mt.23:16-22). Stephen finished by accusing them of‘resisting the Holy Spirit’ and missing the purposes of God, and murdering the Messiah! The Sanhedrinreacted angrily and yet as they stoned him to death, he prayed a prayer of grace on their behalf.
The boldness and grace which Stephen showed was a result of the Holy Spirit’s influence. Pray for yourself that you will receive the grace and boldness you need in the situations that you will face today.
Tuesday 4thOctober
Read: Acts 8Stephen’s death inspired Saul to start a campaignto destroy the church butit had the opposite effect and helped the church to grow as those who scattered took the gospel to the surrounding towns. Philip made a massive impact in Samaria, andalthough Simon the magician took notice and ended up being baptised and joining the Church,his heart was not changed. His motives for wanting the power of the Holy Spirit were egotisticaland his understanding was so flawed that Peter had to challenge him. The Church has always baptised people soon after they profess faith, and not waited for evidence of a changed life. Some people are on the journey of faith, but take time to have their lifestyle and attitudes changed.
Pray for people you know who have made commitments to Christ in the last few months, that their attitudes and behaviour will be brought into line with God’s standards and holiness.
Wednesday 5thOctober
Read: Acts 9Saul went and got his persecution of the Church approved by the high priest and set off for Damascus to put a stop to the church there, but Jesus intervened and gave him a completely different mission.Saul’s encounter with Jesus hit him hard. He was blind andmany questions filled his mind. Despite his anxieties about Saul, Ananias welcomed him as‘brother’ and prayed with him.This was a turning point for Saul andafter being filled with the Spirit and baptised in water, the transformation in his lifecaused considerable confusion
New Testament Readings Week 6 (3rd – 9th October)
Monday 3rd October
Read: Acts 7 Stephen’s response to the Sanhedrin’saccusationwas rooted in scripture and he gave an undiluted explanation from history as to why God wasn’t confined to the temple. Hesummed up his case by reminding them the entire universe and the earth is God’s Temple. The Sanhedrin was more interested in worshipping the Temple and its traditions rather than the God of the Temple (see Mt.23:16-22). Stephen finished by accusing them of ‘resisting the Holy Spirit’ and missing the purposes of God, and murdering the Messiah! The Sanhedrin reacted angrily and yet as they stoned him to death, he prayed a prayer of grace on their behalf.
The boldness and grace which Stephen showed was a result of the Holy Spirit’s influence. Pray for yourself that you will receive the grace and boldness you need in the situations that you will face today.
Tuesday 4th October
Read: Acts 8Stephen’s death inspired Saul to start a campaign to destroy the church butit had the opposite effect and helped the church to grow as those who scattered took the gospel to the surrounding towns. Philip made a massive impact in Samaria, andalthough Simon the magician took notice and ended up being baptised and joining the Church,his heart was not changed. His motives for wanting the power of the Holy Spirit were egotisticaland his understanding was so flawed that Peter had to challenge him. The Church has always baptised people soon after they profess faith, and not waited for evidence of a changed life. Some people are on the journey of faith, but take time to have their lifestyle and attitudes changed.
Pray for people you know who have made commitments to Christ in the last few months, that their attitudes and behaviour will be brought into line with God’s standards and holiness.
Wednesday 5th October
Read: Acts 9 Saul went and got his persecution of the Church approved by the high priest and set off for Damascus to put a stop to the church there, but Jesus intervened and gave him a completely different mission. Saul’s encounter with Jesus hit him hard. He was blind andmany questions filled his mind. Despite his anxieties about Saul, Ananias welcomed him as ‘brother’ and prayed with him.This was a turning point for Saul andafter being filled with the Spirit and baptised in water, the transformation in his life caused considerable confusion
in Damascus.After his strong defence of the truth about Jesus, a conspiracy to kill him arose from the Jews. Saul ran off to Jerusalem where the church wasn’t entirely convinced about his conversion.
What can you learn from Ananias’ attitude and willingness to be used by God? Pray for the people you know who are most against the gospel, that they may have a conversion experience that will turn their life around.
Thursday 6thOctober
Read: Acts 10 God intervenes in the lives of both Peter and Cornelius tomiraculously bring about His purpose to enable the Gentiles to experience the grace of God. Peter did something he never before imagined he would do by entering the house of a Gentile, and while he was preaching the Holy Spirit came on the whole group.The evidence that the Holy Spirit had been poured out is clear in verse 46: “For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God”. We can hardly imagine the change of thinking and attitude which Peter as a devout Jew experienced. Nothing but a dramatic intervention by God would have brought about such a change in him.
In what ways has God changed your thinking since you came to faith? What strongly held views would require a dramatic intervention of God in your life to change your attitude and understanding? How teachable and open to change are you?
Friday 7th October
Read: Acts 11 The news of Peter’s preaching to Gentiles in Caesarea had reached Jerusalem, so when he next returns to Jerusalem he is called to account. Peter’s gracious and honest response ended with a rhetorical question: ‘Who was I to think I could oppose God?’ No further objections were raised and they praised God that ‘even’ the Gentiles had received God’s grace. His promise to Abraham was being fulfilled (see Genesis 22), and those who had scattered in the wake of persecution travelled further north and the church grew further.
How do you respond when called to account for your conduct?How willing are you to respond to criticism or to honest examination of your behaviour?
For further study
1.Read the experience of another Saul, whose life was turned around in 1 Samuel 9:1-10:11. His experience produced only outward change but never really resulted in a heart change even though it initially appeared to do so.
2.Read Proverbs 27:1-6. Meditate on what it can teach us about our attitude to being held accountable by others.
in Damascus.After his strong defence of the truth about Jesus, a conspiracy to kill him arose from the Jews. Saul ran off to Jerusalem where the church wasn’t entirely convinced about his conversion.
What can you learn from Ananias’ attitude and willingness to be used by God? Pray for the people you know who are most against the gospel, that they may have a conversion experience that will turn their life around.
Thursday 6th October
Read: Acts 10 God intervenes in the lives of both Peter and Cornelius tomiraculously bring about His purpose to enable the Gentiles to experience the grace of God. Peter did something he never before imagined he would do by entering the house of a Gentile, and while he was preaching the Holy Spirit came on the whole group. The evidence that the Holy Spirit had been poured out is clear in verse 46: “For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God”. We can hardly imagine the change of thinking and attitude which Peter as a devout Jew experienced. Nothing but a dramatic intervention by God would have brought about such a change in him.
In what ways has God changed your thinking since you came to faith? What strongly held views would require a dramatic intervention of God in your life to change your attitude and understanding? How teachable and open to change are you?
Friday 7th October
Read: Acts 11 The news of Peter’s preaching to Gentiles in Caesarea had reached Jerusalem, so when he next returns to Jerusalem he is called to account. Peter’s gracious and honest response ended with a rhetorical question: ‘Who was I to think I could oppose God?’ No further objections were raised and they praised God that ‘even’ the Gentiles had received God’s grace. His promise to Abraham was being fulfilled (see Genesis 22), and those who had scattered in the wake of persecution travelled further north and the church grew further.
How do you respond when called to account for your conduct? How willing are you to respond to criticism or to honest examination of your behaviour?
For further study
1. Read the experience of another Saul, whose life was turned around in 1 Samuel 9:1-10:11. His experience produced only outward change but never really resulted in a heart change even though it initially appeared to do so.
2. Read Proverbs 27:1-6. Meditate on what it can teach us about our attitude to being held accountable by others.