We read in the Scriptures of the spiritual prosperity of the early church. A great love prevailed in the believers so that they “had all things common” (Acts 5:32). The apostles gave “witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great grace was upon them all” (Acts 5:33). As a result, the “number ofContinue reading “Murmuring, Discord and Division”
Author Archives: randylivingston
Known by Our Doings
Before the Apostle Paul was converted, the Scriptures record that he was “a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious [to the church]” (I Timothy 1:13). He sought and received authority from the high priest in Jerusalem “that if he found any that were of the Way [Christians], whether men or women, he might bring themContinue reading “Known by Our Doings”
It is Better to Give
The Apostle Paul declared unto the Ephesian elders “I coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered to my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to rememberContinue reading “It is Better to Give”
I Am With Thee
In Acts 18, the Apostle Paul comes to Corinth to minister. The Scriptures relate that “he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath…and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ” (Acts 18:4-5). Evidently, the resistance of the Jews was so intense they not only “opposed” him, but “blasphemed” as well, v. 6., that Paul becameContinue reading “I Am With Thee”
God Answers Prayer!
Have you ever been tempted to give up on your prayers? Have you ever thought “What’s the point? Does God even care?” Every believer has been in that place and probably more than just once. Yet God throughout his word gives frequent encouragement to pray. We find such an instance of prayer in the recordContinue reading “God Answers Prayer!”
Finish the Course!
The book of Acts gives us the record of Stephen’s martyrdom. We know little of him apart from what Luke recorded. He was one of the deacons appointed to care for the widows in the church in Jerusalem by the apostles because he was “full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:1-6). The ScripturesContinue reading “Finish the Course!”
False Teachers Bring False Messages
Near the end of Paul’s third missionary journey, he “determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost” (Acts 20:16). Nonetheless, he desired to meet with the Ephesian elders to encourage them and bolsterContinue reading “False Teachers Bring False Messages”
Christ Builds His Church – the Ethiopian Eunuch
Jesus told his disciples “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Have you ever wondered what he meant by that? He obviously was not speaking of a building as we often make use of the term today (e.g., did you go to church?). What thenContinue reading “Christ Builds His Church – the Ethiopian Eunuch”
The Resurrection of Christ
In Acts 4 we have the record of the lame man healed through the ministry of Peter. The chief priests and elders, moved with envy against Christ, examined the apostles as to how this miracle was performed. Peter responded “Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we this day be examined ofContinue reading “The Resurrection of Christ”
A Salvation for All
Early in Paul’s first missionary journey, he and his company came to Antioch in Pisidia. Luke records for us that upon arriving they “went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day” (Acts 13:14). We read later in Acts that ministering the gospel first to the Jews was his custom. “Now…they came to Thessalonica, where wasContinue reading “A Salvation for All”
From the Chaplain 