How Does the Church Act?

N.T.#817 "How Does the Church Act?"

June 17, 2026 

Introduction to Acts

Background

This is the second book which is written by Luke, the physician and disciple of Jesus Christ. Luke was Paul's close friend and traveling companion, as well as personal physician. (Col. 4:14) some think Luke wrote Acts before the end of Paul's first Roman imprisonment instead of  after the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. 

Acts emphasizes that Jesus was Israel's long-awaited Messiah, shows the gospel is offered to all people, and the work of the Holy Spirit (mentioned over 50 times). (MacArthur)

We will be studying:

• the birth of the church at Jerusalem
• its persecution and espansion
• Peter and the beginning of Gentil Christianity
• Paul's three missionary journey
• Paul's final journey to Rome. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Luke wrote to Theophilus, a former Roman official of high rank. He was possibly a new convert who need to be grounded in Christ. Maybe Luke led him to the Lord. He was an example of humility and love so needed by the world and among God's people.

Jesus had shown Himself for 40 days after the resurrection to people. He spoke of things pertaining to the kingdom of God. (verse 3) His followers were to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (verse 8)

What are we to be a witness sharing? Jesus died on the cross as our replacement for punishment of our sins and rose from the dead to give us eternal life through faith in Him.  

What kind of witness are we? Are we loving toward others? Do we share our faith? How does the church act? Is it meeting people's needs?

Comfort, Peace, and Love

N.T.#816 "Comfort, Peace, and Love"

June 16, 2026 

Summary of John-Part 4 

Are you in need of some comfort and peace? Jesus has it to give.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have sad unto you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (14:26-27)

What are the new commandments Jesus gave us? 

• First, abide in Jesus. (15:7) Obedience to Christ Jesus means we are His friends.
• Love one another as He has loved us. (15:12) Jesus gave sacrificially for others.

Jesus warns us that the world is going to hate us believers in Jesus. He warns us 8 times. They will put us out of the synagogue, kill us. We may even experience loss of employment and rejection by our own family because we stand up against sin, stand for the Word of God, live differently. However, be of good cheer, Jesus has overcome the world. (16:33)

John wrote these things so we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and as we believe, we have life through His name. (20:31)

Friend, are you a believer in Jesus today? Your eternity depends upon it.

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The Way, Truth, Life

N.T.#815 "The Way, Truth, Life"

June 15, 2026 

Summary of John -Part 3

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (8:32)

Abiding in His Word gives greater knowledge of the truth and sets one free from sin, the penalty of sin through forgiveness. God's truth will have no effect upon you unless you accept it and believe it. Are we applying it in our life?

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.  (11:25)

Though we die physically, our soul will live on. Where will your soul live-heaven or hell?

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another. (13:34-35)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. (14:6)

The only way to heaven is belief in Jesus as Savior and son of God. There is no other entrance but through Jesus Christ.

As the way, Jesus is our path to the Father. As the truth, He is the reality of all God's promises.  As the life, He joins His divine life to ours, both now and eternally. (Life Application Study Bible)

He Is

 N.T.#814 "He Is"

June 12, 2026 

Summary of John-Part 2

What is the spiritual character of God? When the Samaritan woman encountered Jesus, she first saw a Jew, then a prophet, and finally the Messiah. (Falwell)

God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. (4:24)

She knew the Messiah was coming and called Christ. Jesus proclaimed to her that He is the Messiah. Many Samaritans believed on Jesus because of the woman's testimony. (verse 39) 

They said: We have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world. (verse 42)

Jesus had several witnesses to His claim: John the Baptist (5:33-35), His works (verse 36), the Father (verses 37-38), the Scriptures (verses 39-47). 

Peter had assurance: And we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ, the son of the Living God. (verse 69)

John wrote the claims of Christ to be the "I AM:"

• *bread of life (6:35) 
• *the light of the world (8:12; 9:5)
• *the door (10:7)
• *the good shepherd (10:11. 14)
• *the resurrection and the life (11:25)
• *the way, the truth, and the life (14:6)
• *the true vine (15:1).

Friend, it is not enough to know this about Jesus, but you must believe it in your heart. Have you confessed your sins and asked Jesus to forgive you and be your Savior?

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Everlasting Life is Available to YOu

N.T.#813 "Everlasting Life is Available to You"

 June 11, 2026 

Summary of John

Those of you who have been following along as I study the Bible know I like to review my highlighted verses in the book and important activities.

John dubbed himself as the "disciple whom Jeseus loved." He mentions it 15Three key words  times throughout his writings. He focused on the deity of Christ Jesus. His signs through miracles Jesus performed was evidence. John mentions 8 of those. Three key words which John uses are signs, believe, and life(54 times). John wrote this book so we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Also, there are 7 statements that Christ claimed as the "I AM."

John begins with an opening statement in verse 1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

Jesus existed with God as the Son and Creator of all things. He has communion and fellowship with God. This Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. (1:14)

John the Baptist was Jesus' cousin and proclaimed repentant of sin the people must do and believe in Jesus as Savior as Savior. Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (verse 29)

Jesus chose His disciples away from Jerusalem, away from the religious hypocrisy.  Among them were fishermen, a tax collector, a doctor, 

Early in His ministry Jesus proclaimed: Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.  (2:19) The religious ones killed Jesus, but He  arose from the dead three days later, just as He said.

The most proclaimed verse which John said is found in 3:16, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

We see the source of love is God, He extended this love to us, sacrificed for those He loves, and the result is our everlasting life.  Friend, have you trusted in this loving God as your Savior?

Do You Believe in Jesus Christ?

N.T.#812 "Do You Believe in Jesus Christ?"

June 9, 2026 

John 21-Part 4 

I believe God's Word is Truth. Jesus is Truth and The Word. What do you believe?

In verse 24, this disciple is John the author of this book. He testifies of those things which he wrote about Jesus are true. The elders in the church of Ephesus know it to be so. 

Early church history reports that after John spent several years as an exile on the island of Patmos, he returned to Ephesus where he died as an old man, near the end of the first century.(Life Application Study Bible)

John's writings are authentic because he was an eyewitness, one of the 12 and one of Jesus' closest friends. John wrote all of the words in this scroll, so it was written by one person, the same eyewitness. Every word contained in this scroll is truth. John was recalling events accurately under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. (Swindoll's New Testament Insights on John)

It is important that our words are truth. That is one of my reasons for having this blog, to share the Truth with others. Do you speak truth to others?

LET IT GROW 

John is saying in the last vers that this Gospel contains only a small sample of what Jesus did and taught. There are many other things that could have been written. If all were written down, then the whole world could not contain the books written. (Tony Evans)

John was selective rather than exhaustive in his testimony. (McArthur)

The gospel of Jesus Christ rests upon three pillars: His virgin birth, atoning death, and bodily resurrection. When faith falters, Jesus reveals Himself in love and through it to a triumphant faith. Though our love for Christ may fall short of His love for us, we should strive to equal his love. (Herschel Hobbs)

How do you believe Jesus is? Is He the Son of God, Messiah and Savior to you? Your eternity depends upon your answer.

LET IT GO

Repent of your sins, believe in Jesus, and be saved.

Faithful to the End

N.T. #811 "Faithful to the End"

June 8, 2026 

John 21-Part 3

LET IT GLOW 

Jesus told Peter he would have a long, useful life of service. (verses 18-19) Yet he would be crucified. Church tradition concurs that this is how Peter died. He requested being hung upside down, not being worthy to die like Jesus did. Peter was faithful to the end and brought glory to God through his death. Then the Lord calls Peter to a life of total commitment to Him. (Falwell)

What shall this man do? (verse 21)

What are we doing for Jesus? Are we showing people in our little world the love of Christ?

LET IT GROW 

Jesus' answer to Peter was, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? (verse 22)

 Peter inquired about John's future. Jesus rebuked Peter for asking. Peter had plenty of kingdom work to do without being concerned about John's future. It was none of Peter's business if John lived longer that he did. Just focus on your job for Jesus, Peter. That is good advice for us. We are to do what we are supposed to be doing for Jesus. Let Him manage others.

Then Jesus told Peter to follow Him. It was the same as Peter's original calling. Peter was martyred in Rome under Emperor Nero for his faith in Jesus Christ. 

All believers have been called to bring glory to God in whatever they do. 

We must come to terms with our limitations, our priorities, our imperfection. Peter blew it, but the Lord used him. He was catching me, tending the sheep, sharing the Gospel where ever he went.

LET IT GO 

Lord, You are in control. We follow You with confidence that you will us for Your glory. 

Prepare us to follow You in good times and bad times, at whatever the cost.