Category: Bible Study

“The disciples could not but be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.” —Acts 13:52 If you were persecuted and thrown out of town, what would you be filled with? Bitterness? Hatred? Fear? Or would you be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit? What if you were seized, led off to court, and lied about by false witnesses? (Acts 6:12-13) What would be the expression on your face? Would you be stoic, livid, or disturbed? “Throughout, Stephen’s face seemed like that of an angel” (Acts 6:15). If several people were grinding their teeth in anger against you and preparing...

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.” —John 14:1 Shortly after Jesus commanded His apostles not to be troubled, He was in agony. He prayed so fervently that “His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Lk 22:44). To be untroubled does not mean not to be in trouble. Jesus was in trouble with the authorities because of His obedience to His Father. To be untroubled does not mean to be without fear or agony. Jesus’ heart was broken. To be untroubled does mean to have faith in our heavenly Father and thereby to have a peace...

“He who partook of bread with Me has raised his heel against Me.” —John 13:18 In the time of Jesus, showing the bottom of your foot to someone was a sign of contempt toward them. Judas, in betraying Jesus, no longer considered Jesus his Master. Judas had committed to the service of new masters, the Sanhedrin. “No man can serve two masters. He will … be attentive to one and despise the other” (Mt 6:24). Therefore, Judas despised Jesus. By eating the Last Supper with Jesus, Judas showed the greatest contempt for Him (Ps 41:10), even if he outwardly appeared...

“Then, after they had fasted and prayed, they imposed hands on them and sent them off.” —Acts 13:3 When the early Church gathered for prayer, they did something before and something after. They fasted before praying. This freed them, “releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke” (Is 58:6). They were free to hear the voice of God, pray the prayer of faith, go up prayer-mountain, and move the mountains of the evil one (Mt 17:20-21). After they prayed, it was not that the people just went off; rather, they were sent off (Acts 13:3). The assembly at...

“My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life.” —John 10:27-28 When we talk to someone or walk into their life, we are talking or walking into the middle of something. God has been at work, and many things have already deeply influenced that person. We need to enter into that conversation and that life so as to fit into God’s plan. Thus, Barnabas walked into Antioch and immediately picked up on what the Lord was doing. “On his arrival [Barnabas] rejoiced to see the evidence of God’s favor. He encouraged them...