Bible Commentary

Acts is a book of adventure, telling the story of how the good news of Jesus Christ spread, all seen through the experiences of individuals like Saul and Silas.

The gospel is about changing the human heart, healing brokenness and spiritual life. Barnabas is a “son of encouragement.” a person who sees through God's eyes beyond the challenges.

“If only I had been there when Jesus surprised his disciples after the cross,” we say, “because that would be the ultimate motivation to change the world.” Let's think about that.

Without newspapers and bookstores, the first century populace depended on verbal stories. We have the story of Jesus recorded by four different gospels, each one telling the truth of God’s grace in their own voice, which offers us a broader understanding.

It is an American tradition to watch the impressive Macy's Thanksgiving Parade with all those giant balloons, floats, marching bands from across the nation, along with the stars of the show, Santa and Mrs. Claus. Who doesn't like a parade?

This story tears at my heart every time I read it. Why? Because its gripping revelation is like a mirror and I don't like what I see!

Paul, the theologian, is also the pragmatist who applies faith to the practice of being God's people in the real world. He finishes Romans 11 with words that may be sung as a hymn of salvation.

Paul is the writer of some of the deepest theological lessons in the New Testament. He could hold his own with the greatest philosophers of that day in Athens. Yet this man we recognize as a champion of Christ admits to his imperfections, his struggle to live by the example of Christ and his total trust in the grace of God.

Paul is sharing his personal story of how he found a new life within God's grace instead of endless rule-keeping and rituals. How does he tell it?

Over the next four Sundays we will be studying parts of the Apostle Paul's most comprehensive theological treatise, his letter to the church at Rome. So far as we know, Paul never visited the church at Rome, but his letter was so profound that it was circulated among all the churches.