johnmarkharris.net

Acts 14:22 Strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, ‘It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.’

click here for today’s passage

Ministry in Iconium (14:1-7): Paul and Barnabas preach effectively in the synagogue at Iconium, winning both Jews and Gentiles to faith. However, unbelieving Jews stir up opposition, dividing the city. When a plot to stone them emerges, they flee to Lystra and Derbe.

Healing and Misunderstanding in Lystra (14:8-18): Paul heals a man lame from birth, prompting the crowd to mistake them for gods (Barnabas as Zeus, Paul as Hermes). The priest of Zeus prepares a sacrifice, but Paul and Barnabas urgently redirect the people to the one true God.

Stoning of Paul (14:19-20): Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrive, persuading the crowd to stone Paul. Left for dead, he miraculously rises and returns to the city with Barnabas the next day before moving to Derbe.

Strengthening New Believers (14:21-23): After preaching in Derbe and making many disciples, they revisit Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, encouraging believers to persevere through hardships, appointing elders in each church, and entrusting them to God.

Return to Antioch in Syria (14:24-28): Completing their journey, Paul and Barnabas return to their sending church in Antioch, reporting how God opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

Acts 14 illustrates the resilience of Paul and Barnabas as they spread the gospel amidst miracles, misunderstandings, and violent opposition, emphasizing the necessity of enduring hardships to build and strengthen the early church, particularly among Gentile believers.

click here for the 2025 reading plan

Acts 13:2 As they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’

click here for today’s passage

Commissioning of Barnabas and Saul (13:1-3): In Antioch, while the church leaders are worshiping and fasting, the Holy Spirit calls for Barnabas and Saul to be set apart for a special mission. They are prayed over, have hands laid on them, and are sent out.

Mission to Cyprus (13:4-12): Sent by the Holy Spirit, they travel to Cyprus, preaching in synagogues. In Paphos, they encounter a false prophet, Bar-Jesus (Elymas), whom Paul confronts, resulting in his blinding. This amazes the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, who believes.

Journey to Pisidian Antioch (13:13-15): After John Mark leaves them at Perga, Paul and Barnabas continue to Pisidian Antioch, where they are invited to speak in the synagogue.

Paul’s Sermon (13:16-41): Paul delivers a message tracing Israel’s history, proclaiming Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises, and emphasizing forgiveness through His resurrection. He urges the audience to accept this salvation.

Mixed Response and Shift to Gentiles (13:42-52): The sermon initially draws interest, but Jewish leaders grow jealous, rejecting the message. Paul and Barnabas declare they will turn to the Gentiles, who rejoice. Opposition forces them out of the region, yet they leave with joy.

Acts 13 highlights the Holy Spirit’s role in launching the church’s mission beyond Jerusalem, as Barnabas and Saul (Paul) are divinely commissioned to spread the gospel, facing both acceptance and opposition, ultimately shifting focus to the Gentiles when met with Jewish rejection. This marks a significant step in the expansion of Christianity.

click here for the 2025 reading plan

Acts 12:24 But the word of God spread and multiplied.

click here for today’s passage

King Herod Agrippa I persecuted the church, executing the apostle James (son of Zebedee) and imprisoning Peter, intending to bring him to trial after Passover. While Peter is heavily guarded in prison, the church prays fervently for him. That night, an angel appears, awakens Peter, releases his chains, and leads him past the guards and through the city gate, which opens miraculously. Peter, initially thinking it’s a vision, realizes his escape is real and goes to the house of Mary (John Mark’s mother), where believers are praying. They are astonished to see him, and he instructs them to tell James (Jesus’ brother) and others before leaving. Meanwhile, Herod, enraged by Peter’s escape, executes the guards and later travels to Caesarea. There, after being hailed as a god by the crowd following a speech, Herod is struck down by an angel of the Lord and dies, eaten by worms, for not giving glory to God. The chapter ends with the word of God continuing to spread, as Barnabas and Saul return from Jerusalem with John Mark.

Acts 12 illustrates God’s sovereign power over human opposition, delivering Peter from prison and judgment while striking down Herod for his pride, affirming that no force can thwart the spread of the gospel. The chapter highlights the efficacy of prayer, divine intervention, and the resilience of the early church, showing that God’s kingdom advances despite persecution and human arrogance.

click here for the 2025 reading plan