Acts 9: Will You Suffer For Christ?
Verse of the Day: (V16) “For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
1. Slaughter (V1-9)
V1 “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,”
Saul was hated Christ, and desired to slaughter and exterminate all of Christ’s disciples or the Christians. While on his way to Damascus to arrest the Christians, Christ through a light from heaven questioned him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It was at that moment that Saul realised that Christ was truly the Son of God, the Saviour of the world.
V6 “And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”
2. Suffer (V10-31)
V15 “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:”
Christ told Saul that He had chosen him to be a vessel to preach His gospel of salvation to the Gentiles, kings and the people of Israel. Christ also told Saul that he would suffer much because of doing His work and will. Indeed, Christians, let us not be surprise and sad when we suffer for Christ’s sake. Christ assured Saul and all who love and preach His gospel that we shall certainly suffer for Him as well as reign with Him one day in heaven.
V16 “For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
3. Sick (V32-43)
V40 “But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.”
During the apostles’ time, before God’s word, the Bible, was completed, God gave the apostles the sign gifts of casting out demons, healing the sick and even raising the dead, as evidence that they believed in God and were from God. Today, we do not have these sign gifts because we have the Bible with us as evidence that we believe in God and are from God. However, we can still fast and pray for God’s power, promises and miracles to cast out demons, heal the sick and even raise the dead, if it is God’s perfect will and work.
V41 “And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to endure suffering for Christ’s sake.
Acts 7: Is God With You?
Verse of the Day: (V9) “And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph unto Egypt: but God was with him,”
1. God Was With Joseph (V1-19)
V9 “And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,”
Stephen was fearless when the false religious leaders were about to charge him with a death sentence. Stephen reminded them that God who was with Abraham, Joseph and Moses was also with him. Though Joseph’s brothers out of envy sold him into Egypt, yet God was with him. Through all the trials and troubles, God miraculously made Joseph to become the saviour of Egypt and the world, when he correctly interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and fed the people with corns he had kept for the past seven years. Subsequently, Joseph was promoted to be the most powerful ruler in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh.
V10 “And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.”
2. God Was With Moses (V20-50)
V30 “And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.”
Stephen reminded the false religious leaders that God was with Moses. Moses was a Prince of Egypt, a Somebody, for 40 years, until God humbled him for 40 years to be a Nobody, before God finally used him as God’s body for the remaining 40 years of his life. Throughout Moses’ life, God was with him, because Moses had faith and trust in God.
V36 “He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.”
3. God Was With Stephen (V51-60)
V59 “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Stephen was stoned to death as these false leaders not only refused to believe that he was God’s servant, but they also refused to repent of their sins and unbelief. Indeed, God was with Stephen as even in his last breath, he prayed to God to forgive his murderers!
V60 “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are with me as I trust and obey You.
Acts 8: Will You Believe in The Son Of God?
Verse of the Day: (V37) “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
1. The Word Of God (V1-17)
V4 “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.”
In spite of the great persecution, the apostles and their disciples continued to preach the word of God until the entire city of Samaria received the word of God. Without the great persecution, there might not be a great scattering of the disciples in preaching the word of God. Indeed, without great suffering, we will not grow in great faith and trust in our God.
V14 “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:”
2. The Gift Of God (V18-25)
V18 “And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,”
Simon, a professing believer, offered money to the apostles thinking that he could exchange them for the gift of God. He saw the apostles’ miracles and wanted to be like them, who would lay hands on the believers so that they received the Holy Ghost. Apostle Peter rebuked Simon and told him that money could never purchase God’s gift.
V20 “But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.”
3. The Son Of God (V26-40)
V32 “The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:”
God led Philip, a man of God, to approach a prominent Ethiopian eunuch who was reading the book of Isaiah. Philip explained to him that the prophet Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he wrote - He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. Jesus was the sacrificial lamb to be slaughtered so that His blood was shed for the forgiveness of the sins of the world. Immediately upon seeing a pool of water, the eunuch requested Philip to baptize him as he believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He knew that baptism was the first step of obedience for a new believer as it symbolised Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.
V37 “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Acts 6: Will You Obey God’s Word?
Verse of the Day: (V7) “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
1. Widows (V1-4)
V1 “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.”
As a result of the murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, that their widows were neglected, the 12 apostles appointed 7 men or deacons to take care of the widows’ needs. They knew that they must continue in prayers and preaching of God’s word, while the deacons took care of the widows. Today, we have pastors who will continue in prayers and preaching of God’s word, while the deacons take care of the church administration.
V4 “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”
2. Word (V5-8)
V5 “And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:”
When the apostles appointed 7 deacons to take care of the widows’ needs, they had time to pray and preach God’s word, and many people in Jerusalem believed and received Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, and the church grew in spirituality and number.
V7 “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
3. Witnesses (V9-15)
V9 “Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
Though Stephen, one of the 7 deacons, obeyed God and His word, yet the false religious leaders purposely disputed with him, and even framed him. They were never for God and His word, but only for themselves. Hence when they realised that their so-called spiritual power and influence with the people had greatly declined, they plotted Stephen’s death.
V13 “And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to always obey Your Word now and forever.
Verse of the Day: (V12) “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
1. Saved (V1-12)
V10 “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.”
Peter boldly declared to the false religious leaders that only Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified, and whom God raised Him from the dead, could heal the impotent man. Jesus Christ not only healed the impotent man, but would one day save his soul from fiery hell to pearly heaven, because he believed that Jesus is truly the Son of God.
V12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
2. Servants (V13-33)
V29 “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,”
Peter and John and the rest of Jesus’ servants or disciples became wise and bold, as they prayed and were filled with the Holy Ghost. They no longer feared the threats of the false religious leaders, and were determined to keep preaching God’s holy word to the people.
V31 “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”
3. Sold (V34-37)
V34 “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,”
Jesus’ disciples were committed to loving one another, and those with properties sold them, and gave the proceeds to the apostles who distributed them to those in great need. Today, we may not sell our properties to give to the church, but we can give part of our income to those in great need, be they in our church or community, so as to be an effective witness of Jesus’ love that they may one day come to the saving grace of Jesus.
V35 “And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that only You can save me from fiery hell to pearly heaven.
Acts 5: Will You Obey God?
Verse of the Day: (V29) “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
1. The Price (V1-11)
V2 “And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
Ananias and Sapphira his wife kept back part of the price of the land that they had promised to give to the church to help the poor and needy. They lied to God, and God spoke to apostle Peter who rebuked them for their lies and deceit, and both died before the church. Let us be honest and truthful, even though God may not take our lives, like the case of Ananias and Sapphira, but He shall surely discipline us for our lies and deceit.
V10 “Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.”
2. The Prison (V12-32)
V19 “But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,”
After the angel of God had miraculously opened the prison doors by night, and let Peter and the apostles out, they realised that God was indeed with them, and therefore, they must choose to obey God than man, and continue to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
V29 “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
3. The Pharisee (V33-42)
V34 “Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;”
God used a Pharisee named Gamaliel to refrain the people from arresting and casting Peter and the apostles into prison. Gamaliel explained to the people to let Peter and the apostles do their work in preaching God’s word, and if it was not God’s work, it would surely fail. However if it was indeed God’s work, it would be wise to leave them alone, because if they opposed their work, they were actually opposing and fighting against God.
V39 “But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to always be obedient to You and Your Word.
Acts 3: Who Kill The Prince Of Life?
Verse of the Day: (V15) “And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.”
1. Peter (V1-11)
V6 “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”
Though Peter and John could not give financial help to the lame beggar, yet they healed him in the name of Jesus, and led him to believe in Jesus, and to receive the greatest and best gift of God’s salvation. This was why the lame beggar walked, leapt and praised God.
V8 “And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.”
2. Prince (V12-18)
V13 “The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.”
Peter told the Jews that Jesus, whom they killed, had miraculously healed the lame beggar. Even though Pilate, the Roman governor, found Jesus innocent, yet the Jews, Jesus’ own race, wanted Him dead. In fact Jesus was crucified by every one of us because we have sinned against God, and Jesus was willing to die and pay the penalty of our sins. On the third day of Jesus’ death, He rose again, and His resurrection was witnessed by Peter and many of His disciples. This was why Jesus Christ was called the Prince of Life.
V15 “And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.”
3. Prophet (V19-26)
V22 “For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.”
Peter revealed to the Jews that Jesus Christ, was not only the Prince of life, but He was also the Prophet of God. Whosoever shall hear the words of Jesus Christ, the Prophet, and repent his sins, and believe in Him, shall have everlasting life with Jesus in heaven. However the souls who reject Jesus’ words shall be condemned and destroyed forever.
V23 “And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for sending Your Son, the Prince of Life, to die for my sins.
Acts 2: Will You Call Upon The Lord?
Verse of the Day: (V21) “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
1. Call (V1-21)
V14 “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:”
At the day of Pentecost many people from all over the world gathered at Jerusalem to worship the true and living God, Peter inspired by the Holy Ghost boldly preached to them that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved.
V21 “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
2. Christ (V22-40)
V36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Peter preached to the people that Jesus whom the Jews crucified was both the Lord and Christ. He taught them that God shall forgive their sins, save their souls and bless them with the Holy Ghost, when they shall call upon Him, repent their sins, and be baptized in His name. Indeed, baptism is the first step of obedience of a Christian. Baptism is an act of identification with Jesus’ death and burial as the Christian immerses in water, and of Jesus’ resurrection as he is being raised from the water to become a new person in Christ.
V38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
3. Church (V41-47)
V42 “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
The first church started by Jesus with His apostles and disciples grew in numbers and holiness. God grew His church daily as the people steadfastly and faithfully studied and obeyed His Word, encouraged one another, observed the breaking of bread to remember Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection and His return, and prayed for the salvation of souls.
V47 “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for saving my wretched soul as I call upon Your name.
Acts 1: Do You Have God’s Power?
Verse of the Day: (V8) “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
1. Power (V1-14)
V7 “And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.”
After His death and resurrection, Jesus showed Himself to His disciples, and told them that they would never know the exact date and time of His return on earth. However, Jesus promised them that He shall send the Holy Ghost to indwell in their hearts so that they shall have His power to be witnesses for Him to preach His Gospel of love, death, burial, resurrection and return, in Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria and the regions beyond.
V8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
2. Peter (V15-23)
V15 “And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
God convicted Peter, the apostle who denied Jesus three times, to be the leader of Jesus’ disciples as Peter led them in choosing a replacement for Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus. Though both Peter and Judas failed Jesus, yet only Peter truly repented of his sins, while Judas did not repent of his sins but instead he hanged himself out of guilt.
V16 “Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.”
3. Prayed (V24-26)
V24 “And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,”
Jesus’ disciples appointed Matthias to succeed Judas Iscariot after much prayer. They knew that only God could show them the replacement for Judas. Indeed, let us pray to God and wait upon His answer, as only He knows the heart of man and the issue of life.
V26 “And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I have Your power to preach and share Your Word.
John 18: Who Did Jesus Die For?
Verse of the Day: (V14) “Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.”
1. Die (V1-14)
V11 “Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?”
Jesus said to His disciple, Peter, to put away his sword. Jesus was ready to drink of the cup of crucifixion, and hence fulfilled His Father’s mission that He must die for the sins of the whole world. Even Caiaphas, the high priest, and the rest of the religious leaders, were plotting for Jesus’ death as they feared Jesus’ great influence over the people.
V14 “Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.”
2. Denied (V15-27)
V17 “Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.”
Though Peter declared that he would give his life for Jesus, yet when Jesus was betrayed and arrested, Peter denied Him three times before the people. However, this was the fulfilment of Jesus’ prophecy that the cock immediately crew upon Peter’s third denial.
V27 “Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.”
3. Delivered (V28-40)
V35 “Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?”
The chief priests and the religious leaders plotted to kill Jesus because their influence over the people had declined while that of Jesus had increased. However, they knew that they could not kill Jesus as He was well respected by the Jews. Hence they delivered Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor who had great military power over Israel at that time, to destroy Jesus. However, Pilate could not find any fault in Jesus, and hence he decided to deliver Jesus back to the Jews themselves. The Jews led by the religious leaders chose to crucify Jesus, instead of Barabbas, a robber. Jesus knew that His kingdom was not this world, but the kingdom of heaven, and that He must die for the sins of the whole world.
V36 “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that Jesus died for my sins so that I may live for Him.
