Tag Archives: Christian

An Incredible Story

Posted on January 24, 2025 by Don Merritt

Acts 7 The narrative of chapter six continues into chapter seven without interruption despite the chapter break: Stephen stands falsely accused before the Sanhedrin, and these false accusations have been made against him, probably at the prompting of his judges. … Continue reading →

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Stephen’s Story

Posted on January 23, 2025 by Don Merritt

Acts 6:8-15 Having mentioned his name for the first time in the previous section as one of the seven to be placed over the widows’ ministry, Luke now turns to the story of Stephen. It would appear that Stephen had … Continue reading →

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Widows’ Needs and Ministry Teams

Posted on January 22, 2025 by Don Merritt

Acts 6:1-7 As the early church grew rapidly, conditions required that steps be taken to meet the needs that arose in the congregation; in this text we see needs, responses to needs, and two all-time firsts. The main problem that … Continue reading →

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God’s Next Move

Posted on January 21, 2025 by Don Merritt

Acts 5:34-42 With the apostles standing before the Sanhedrin, having just infuriated everyone to the point of murder, something happens that is surprising to say the least. The greatest of the Pharisees in those days was a man named Gamaliel. … Continue reading →

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The Adventure Continues

Posted on January 20, 2025 by Don Merritt

When Peter and John had first appeared before the Sanhedrin (4:1-22), they were not guilty of any particular offense against the Jewish leadership, but this time they were guilty of continuing to preach Christ after they had been ordered to … Continue reading →

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God Is Rather Busy

Posted on January 20, 2025 by Don Merritt

Acts 5:17-26 While the followers of Jesus were filled with the Holy Spirit, the priests and teachers of the law were full of something quite different: jealousy. Consequently, they ordered that the apostles be arrested and thrown into jail. At … Continue reading →

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Glorying God in Culture: Redux

Posted on January 18, 2025 by Don Merritt

We Christians can be critical of culture; I include myself in this statement.  It is actually quite easy to be critical of culture since culture involves so many questionable things; especially present day culture.  We would be making a mistake … Continue reading →

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A Mixed Report

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Don Merritt

The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women … Continue reading →

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Too Cold to Snow- Redux

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Don Merritt

NOTE: With forecasts of record and near-record low temps coming to much of North America, including here in Central Florida, I thought it might be fun to re-post this from mid January 2016, when we lived in the upper Midwest. … Continue reading →

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The Curious Affair of Ananias and Sapphira

Posted on January 16, 2025 by Don Merritt

Acts 5:1-11 Two things are vital to the understanding of this most curious little affair: First, we must recognize that this is a part of the same narrative as 4:32-37. We must not be confused by the chapter break which … Continue reading →

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