In this passage the Lord Jesus blesses his disciples before ascending into heaven. He had appeared to his disciples after being raised from the dead. When He first appeared to them, He said to them, “Peace to you!” (verse 36)

In these verses we see the death of Jesus. Jesus was and is the Son of God, so this is a mysterious event, but it is the heart of the Christian faith. The cross of Christ is simple, yet the most profound truth in human history.

In Colossians 3:1-3, the apostle Paul writes: “If you then have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

The gospel is often set forth in that phrase, “the kingdom of God.” The kingdom of God is set up in our hearts, the kingdom of the Spirit of grace where Christ prevails over us to set us free from the law of sin and death, the tyranny of the devil, and corruption of the world.

In this story we are introduced to a couple named Ananias and Sapphira. We are told they sold a piece of property and lay part of the proceeds from the sale at the feet of the apostles to be used for gifts to the poor. However, they conspired to falsify the truth of the transaction.

This passage is much like the passage in Acts 2:42-47. It is a snapshot of the blessedness of the early church. The church is marked by joyful dedication to the Lord Jesus and generosity toward those in need. In Acts 4 however, the church is under threat of persecution for proclaiming the name of Jesus and his resurrection from the dead.

This passage begins with Peter and John giving a report to the church of what the chief priests and elders had said to them (verse 23). They had been given an unlawful command accompanied with threats for non-compliance: “you are not to speak in the name of Jesus (verse 18).”

We see the apostles Peter and John on trial in this passage. They are arrested after Peter (through the power of Jesus name) heals a crippled man. The arrest is not triggered as much from the healing as it is what Peter is saying. He is teaching a large Jewish crowd that Jesus of Nazareth, whom they crucified, is the promised Christ and has been raised from the dead (verses 1-3).

In this passage, Peter applies his sermon (verses 11-16) to the crowd of people who are gathered and astonished at a crippled man being instantly healed. Peter has already explained that the man was healed through faith in Jesus of Nazareth. He has also declared that Jesus is the promised Christ of the prophets, and that they are culpable in his death. Very weighty statements.

In this passage the apostle Peter delivers his second sermon. The setting is inside the temple complex at Solomon’s portico

In this passage we see the apostles continuing the Lord Jesus Christ’s healing ministry, which affirms that Christ is the promised Messiah, and that there is salvation in his name. The apostles encounter a crippled man asking for alms as they enter the temple complex.

In these verses Isaiah is looking ahead to the time when God’s people would be under Babylonian captivity. Here is a word from the Lord that speaks comfort to his people in that oppressed condition. These words extend to the church, to Christians in times of tribulation and affliction.

This past year was a difficult year for our country, our communities, our families, and the same could be said for people around the world. It was also difficult for the church.

If you were a Jew in Israel at the time of Jesus, you were waiting for the long expected Messiah promised in God’s word.

Isaiah 7:14 reads: “The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

When you think of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Biblical passages brought to mind may not include Isaiah chapter 11, but the first 9 verses are a glorious summary of the person and work of the Lord Jesus. It will bless you to become familiar with them.

As we near our annual celebration of the birth of Christ, we should reflect on how full the prophets in the Old Testament are of predicting the glory of Christ and his church. Isaiah is rich with themes of the majesty and mercy of the Lord to be revealed in the promised Christ who is to come.

The best estate our souls can be is in a right relationship with God. The Lord Jesus promised a new covenant in his blood to provide for us. It is a covenant of grace, Christ providing what is required by God for man to be accepted by God. It is also a covenant of mutuality, that is, as Christ makes himself ours, we also make ourselves his.

In his sermon the apostle Peter makes these vital points, viz. Jesus is the Messiah written about in the Old Testament. He has conquered death by his resurrection. He is now at God’s right hand, the King over all. He has poured out the Holy Spirit as evidence of his rule (and grace). He will be the judge of all men. 

The occasion of these words by Peter and John was a warning from the Jewish authorities not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. The apostles answered: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”