The Tabernacle of David – Acts 15:13-18

This evening we review the theological aspect to James’ comments: He said: Peter said, Paul said, Amos said, God did and God knows. Peter described the salvation of the Gentiles to whom God had sent him. “Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the...

Those Who Have Turned – Acts 15:19-21

The first half of Acts 15 deals with the question of the salvation of the Gentiles. What is it that people who are raised in heathenism and idolatry must do in order to be delivered from their sins and received as sons by the most holy God? This is an extremely...

The Council in Jerusalem – Acts 15:2

For a couple of weeks, I have called the meeting described in this chapter “The Council in Jerusalem.” But I’ve done so with some degree of hesitancy. Having been raised in a Protestant church, the word “council” raises images within me that it...

The New Testament Prophet – Acts 15:24-35

Several years ago a preacher came to me with a grave warning about another pastor. I was told that this third person was a terrible heretic, a trouble-maker, and a potential a church wrecker. It was recommended that I have nothing to with the man. One of the things...

They Rejoiced for the Consolation – Acts 15:30-31

I need to correct one of my unthought-out comments uttered a time or two over the last couple of weeks: I referred to Silas or Judas reading the letter that their church had sent to Antioch. Even though these two verses are filled with half a dozen confusing pronouns,...

The Mystery of Providence – Acts 15:26-41

If we had a quiz this morning on the geography of the United States, I wonder how well we would do? If I asked you to name the capitals of the fifty states, how well you would do? If I asked you to visualize the location of the state of Rhode Island, would you get it...

The Quarrel – Acts 15:36-41

When medical students are learning their trade, they use two primary methods: First they study how things ought to be; They study text books about health and anatomy, and they examine systems that are working properly. But then they go on to also study disease and...

Timotheus – Acts 16:1-5

We are introduced in this chapter to one of the most delightful people of the Word of God. Unlike Elijah and Daniel, who appear larger than life, Timothy was a someone more like ourselves. He had his flaws, but they weren’t so large that we don’t want to associate...

Strong Churches – Acts 16:1-5

As I said this morning, every Christian sermon can be brought back to the cross. As we see in verse 5, the churches of Galatia were increasing daily. That means that people were being saved by the grace of God and being led of the Holy Spirit to join with other saints...

Stop and Go – Acts 16:6-12

The other day Judy and I were running some errands, and she was telling me a story about boots. Boots is not the name of a cat; Boots are a kind of foot-wear designed to protect people’s feet from rain and snow, And they are often made with a tread which keep them...