Testimony

Michelle

Michelle had never considered herself to be a particularly bad person, so why did she feel the need to repent?

‘For as long as I can remember, I have believed that the Bible tells the truth about who Jesus is. My parents were believers and our family went to church every week. My parents’ faith and lifestyle of ministry and service was always a household priority. My mum was unwell throughout much of my childhood, and her bed-based Bible reading, prayer life and unwavering faith was very noticeable to me. So too was my dad’s commitment to Mum and us children, and his trust in God despite Mum’s very difficult health circumstances.
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Growing Pains

Ed – Written on 20th March 2013

As I read through the Acts of the Apostles I realize I am dealing with a unique book in the Bible. Acts links the gospel accounts of Jesus to the ministry letters of Paul, James, John and Peter – in other words – Acts gives us an understanding of how the ministry that Jesus commissioned his disciples to do, turned out (at least in that first generation) as the first church of Christians was established.

One of the key themes that appears in Acts is ‘growth’. Look at this…

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Gospel Encouragement

‘You, Son of a …. ‘

How would you complete that statement – in an encouraging way or a cursing way?

On Sunday we met Joseph from Cyprus in Acts 4:36. This man was a man of encouragement. In fact, he had such an encouraging effect on people that Luke goes out of his way to identify him so readers would know who was being talked about – ‘Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement)’.

What does a man have to do, to gain such a good reputation among people, that he gets renamed in such a way that defines his character – ‘Son of Encouragement’?

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Gospel Growth

I am perplexed!

The Acts of the Apostles provides us as readers with an account of the development of the early church – the first Christian church. Acts 1 sets the context following the resurrection of Jesus and then gloriously recounts his ascension to the right hand of God. Acts 2 logically follows with the coming of the Holy Spirit as the apostles led by Peter start doing what they were called to do – proclaim Jesus.

Then Chapter 3 through to 6:7 hit us, and at first, seem to be a random assortment of events stuffed all together presumable for the readers benefit. Where is the logic that we have become so accustomed to from Luke?

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Gospel Facts and Gospel Response

Dear 5pm Church Family,

What is the gospel?

This seems like a basic question to ask such a learned group that we are at 5pm Church! I ask, not because I fear that we have got it wrong, but because I fear we are a risk of putting the cart before the horse!

Acts of the Apostles

We have started this ministry year with the Acts of the Apostles. There appears to me to be four overlapping themes underpinning the first section from Chapter 1 through to 6:7 – they are:

The ascension of Christ – now ruling at the right hand of God.
The coming of the Holy Spirit – enabling the apostles to proclaim Christ.
The witness of the Apostles – continuing on the ministry of salvation.
The growth of the Church – as many respond to the gospel.

The 5pm Church sermons over the last two weeks (and the next two) have/will touched on the sermons of the Apostle Peter – Chapter 2:14-39; 3:12-26; 4:8-12; 5:30-32. Allow me to make two quick observations.

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