Tag: Acts

Scripture Focus: Acts 17.16-21
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

Image Note from John: The image in today’s post is a picture I took of “The Apotheosis of Washington” in the US Capitol, painted in 1865 by Constantino Brumidi.

Reflection: Apotheosis of Politics
By John Tillman

The United States drinks deeply from Greek and Roman culture—perhaps more deeply than it does from Christianity.

The founders of the United States were undeniably inspired by Christian ideals. But they were also undeniably inspired by Roman power structures and Greek theological anthropology that separates body and spirit.

The United States, in many ways, is a Christian nation. However, the influence of pre-Christian Greco-Roman ideals is so strong that one could say with equal support that the United States is a Greco-Roman nation.

As I write, I am visiting friends in Virginia, near Mount Vernon, and I’m sitting on a bench on the National Mall in DC, where the very layout of the streets and the architecture speak loudly about Greco-Roman influence.

Imagine standing with me and Paul in the dome of the Capitol to my right. Looking up, we would see, painted on the cupola “The Apotheosis of Washington.” Apotheosis means the elevating of someone to a god-like status. Washington looks down on us as he rises into heaven, surrounded by female figures representing victory/fame and liberty. Imagine walking with Paul past the Washington Monument to my left to see Abraham Lincoln sitting on a throne in a temple.

After walking around Washington DC as he walked around Athens, Paul might say to us, “I see that in every way you are very religious!”

I am a very patriotic person but I would probably respond to Paul saying, “Hey, we don’t REALLY worship these men or this country.” We might say, “Relax, Paul, it’s metaphorical…” 

But metaphors shape our thinking and if I’m honest, sometimes the way patriotism slides towards holy reverence bothers me. The way the founding fathers (or current want-to-be leaders) are venerated as if they were apostles or Moses or Jesus, frightens me. The way some equate the inspiration of our founding documents to the inspiration of the scriptures terrifies me.

As traditional religion declines, politics is the newest, fastest-growing religion. Political parties are denominations and candidates are gods and apostles. We must beware the temptations of this apotheosis of politics.

Jesus is indeed a “foreign god” to us. (Acts 17.18) His kingdom is opposed to, not aligned with, any human government or party. He intends to bring down the exalted and exalt the humiliated and the humble. We must hold our patriotism and our political activism more lightly than our faith.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Morning Psalm
Why are the nations in an uproar? Why do the peoples mutter empty threats?
Why do the kings of the earth rise up in revolt, and the princes plot together, against the Lord and against his Anointed?… Psalm 2.1-2

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting
You are the Lord, most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. — Psalm 97.9

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Today’s Reading
Leviticus 21 (Listen 3:08)
Acts 17 (Listen 5:28)

Read more about The Seductive Idolatry of Politics
Politics is the idol we bring with us to church just as the Israelites worshiped Baal alongside Jehovah.

The Seductive Idolatry of Politics :: Readers’ Choice

Read more about Be Yoked to Christ, Not Politics
May no party or human leader be permitted to yoke us or Christ’s church to their cause.

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Scripture Focus: Acts 11.1-2
1 The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
4 Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story:…

18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.” 

Reflection: Listen and Change
By John Tillman

We’ve heard Peter defend himself to the Pentecost crowds when accused of being drunk too early in the morning. We’ve heard Peter defend himself before the Sanhedrin for healing a crippled man. But now we hear Peter defending himself, not to strangers or Romans or the powerful Jewish leaders, but to fellow Jesus followers!

These Jewish Jesus followers were incensed that Peter had eaten with the “uncircumcised.” He had done something that, according to their interpretation of the Bible and of Jesus, was unquestionably wrong.

Sometimes we must defend ourselves from those who should be standing with us. Sometimes those whose beliefs are the closest to ours attack us more often and with more vitriol than atheists or adherents to other faith systems. However, Peter’s confrontation doesn’t drag on forever like endless Christian-on-Christian attacks on Twitter.

First, Peter explained himself. But then, two things happened that rarely seem to happen today. First, the confronting parties listened to what Peter said. Then they changed their opinion about what he had done.

We can’t get too idealistic about the New Testament church. They were learning how to be the church following Jesus’ ascension. Many things went wrong. Like us, they had scandals, squabbles, and horrible errors. Church history after the canon of scripture includes even greater fights, arguments, and power struggles. There are heresies, councils, ex-communications, and according to tradition, at least one famous punch/slap thrown by Saint Nicolas.

The New Testament church had many of the same problems we do but they did at least one thing better than us by far. They listened to one another and changed. The apostles listened to the neglected Greek widows. And they changed. They listened to Barnabus about Saul. And they changed. The Jerusalem church listened to Peter about the Gentiles. And they changed. Peter listened to Paul when challenged about slipping back into hypocrisy. And he changed.

When was the last time you listened to a brother or sister in Christ…and you changed? I don’t mean abandoning the gospel or losing trust in the scriptures or compromising biblical principles… When have you listened and turned away from an idol? When have you changed your treatment of others? When have you apologized and made amends? When have you repented? When have you admitted you were wrong?

May we, when confronted with truth, be willing to listen and to change.


Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
Show us the light of your countenance, O God, and come to us. — Psalm 67.1

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Today’s Reading
Leviticus 15 (Listen 4:59) 
Acts 11 (Listen 3:59)

Read more about Cultivation Means Tending
Cultivation begins with destruction, but continues with tenderness and care…cultivated ground…is carefully controlled.

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Scripture Focus: Acts 10.36-43
36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 

39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” 

Reflection: Knocking on Heaven’s Door
By John Tillman

The time of Cornelius’ afternoon prayer and vision is the same time that devout Jews prayed. During his regular practice of prayer, God’s message came to Cornelius.

Even though he was a Yahweh worshiper, Cornelius would only have been allowed into the outer court of the Temple to pray. However, his acts of generosity to the poor and his devotion to prayer were better than the offerings of goats or bulls he might have made. Cornelius knocked and Heaven’s door opened. (Luke 11.9)

Peter would also have been in prayer and meditation when he was confronted by a vision in which God began to chip out of Peter’s heart the prejudices he held against non-Jews and the favoritism he held for his own race. God is still working in our hearts today to shatter favoritism and prejudice.

Tucked into Peter’s meeting with Cornelius is a tidy summary of the gospel that would be easy to overlook. We already heard Peter preach to faithful Jews. We heard him speak before the Sanhedrin. We heard him speak in the Temple. But now, Peter explains the gospel to an outsider…to a Roman Centurion.

Peter assumes Cornelius is aware of most of Jesus’ ministry, saying “You know what has happened…” Even an outsider like Cornelius would have heard of healings, rumors of rebellion, rumblings of riots, and the scandal of Jesus’ execution. More than that, Cornelius knew what it meant for someone to be killed on a cross.

It is important for us to remember that nearly everything that happened to Jesus happened in public. His teaching, miracles, fame, conflict with authorities, and death would all have been public knowledge and, in many cases, public record. What Cornelius needed, and what our unbelieving friends need today, is to hear the testimony that Jesus’ death wasn’t the end. All the evidence Cornelius needed was standing in his home, telling him that Jesus was alive.

Cornelius and Peter found the truth and freedom from sin by seeking God through prayer. Their prayers were invaded by the Holy Spirit. When has the Holy Spirit invaded your prayers to confront you? To call you to reach out? To tell you “there’s more.”

The key to evangelism is not better strategies. It’s prayer. The key to sanctification is not working harder. It’s prayer. If we are purposeful and consistent in prayer, when we knock, doors for the gospel will be opened.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Cry of the Church
Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again!
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Today’s Reading
Leviticus 14 (Listen 8:11) 
Acts 10 (Listen 5:49)

Read more about A Mutual Conversion
The conversion of Cornelius and company…God’s impartial love for all humanity impacted Peter…it also compels us as well.

A Mutual Conversion

Read more about Putting To Death Racial Hostility
The wellspring of the concept of racial equality is the cross of Christ.

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Scripture Focus: Acts 7.59
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Reflection: Our Good Friday—Guided Prayer
By John Tillman

Dr. Shadrach Meshach Lockridge’s poetic description of Good Friday has often been quoted but I recently attended a performance in which it was set to gospel music. (There’s no video of it, or I would link it for you.) 

Lockridge’s “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming” sits with us in the tension of seeming disaster, the pain of loss, and the feeling that everything has gone wrong.

Each of us may find ourselves in our own “Good Friday” experiences. Like Peter and the other disciples, we may see no hope and want to flee. Like the women and John at the cross, we may be powerless to do anything but weep.

Stephen was the first follower of Christ to face a more literal version of a “Good Friday” when he was put on trial for false accusations and killed for his testimony about Jesus. No matter what kind of despair we find ourselves in, we can know that Sunday is already here in our hearts, even if it hasn’t been fully realized on Earth.

Today, we close with a prayer reflecting on how Stephen faced his accusers by modeling himself after Jesus.

Our Good Friday
Lord Jesus help us to pattern our life after yours.
May we love the unlovable outcasts.
May we love our enemies.
May we speak truth that both challenges and comforts.
May we speak of sins to those who think themselves righteous and of mercy to those who know themselves to be unworthy.

We must carry our cross to follow you, so it seems we must have our Good Friday moments.
When we are insulted and attacked for good works.
When we are unjustly accused and humiliated for the gospel.

In our Good Fridays, Lord, help us remember that Sunday is coming.
That the humble will be lifted
That the meek will inherit
That the weeping will rejoice
That the days of our sojourn, our suffering, and our sanctification will come to an end.

We know that Sunday is coming for us because we are in Friday now and we are following your path.
Sunday is coming for us, because it came for you.
Resurrection is given to us, because we are in you.
Because you got up, we will get up.
Because you rose, we will rise.

We can hold on through the Fridays, Lord, because Sunday is coming.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? And are so far from my cry and from the words of my distress? — Psalm 22.1


– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Today’s Reading
Leviticus 10 (Listen 3:25)
Acts 7 (Listen 8:49)

This Weekend’s Reading
Leviticus 11-12 (Listen 7:20), Acts 8 (Listen 5:10)
Leviticus 13 (Listen 9:34), Acts 9 (Listen 6:05)

Read more about The Wrong People
God doesn’t just use the Stephens. He uses Tamars…Rahabs…Pauls…
If we’ll let him, God will use us, too.

The Wrong People

Read more about Much Given, Much Expected
If Abihu and Nadab were given much, how much more have we been given?
We serve a greater High Priest…we bear a greater responsibility.

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Scripture Focus: Acts 6.15
15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. 

From John: On Maundy Thursday, many Christians observe a ceremony of foot-washing in memory of Jesus washing the disciple’s feet as a model of service. It is fitting then that today we focus on Stephen, one of the church’s first servants, or deacons.

Reflection: A Jesus-like Life
By John Tillman

What does it look like to follow Jesus? To be one who devotes the pattern of their thinking, acting, and speaking to follow him? In two short chapters, Luke tells us.

In less than 2,000 words in the NIV, we read the life, ministry, and death of the church’s first martyr, Stephen. It’s shorter than your average online article. Nearly 1300 words are Stephen’s sermon to the Sanhedrin, so narratively, we have a 700-word story of a life patterned after Jesus.

Stephen’s life maps onto the ministry of Jesus. We can both observe and adopt this pattern.

Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit. Stephen’s faith was strong and he knew the scriptures well. We can make an intimate inner life of devotion, filled with prayer and scripture, our foundation. (Luke 3.21-22; John 3.34; Acts 7.55-56)

Stephen’s first ministry was serving outcasts and those hurt in a church controversy. He brought justice to an unjust situation, healing to those harmed, and restored the good name of the church in the process. We must serve the hurting and hungry for the sake of the gospel. (Luke 4.16-25; Acts 6.1)

Stephen performed “signs” among the people. We don’t know what kind of “signs” Stephen performed, but we know they were evidence of grace and pointed people to Jesus. We can be known for powerful, beneficial work in our community. God’s power must be used for his purposes, not our own. (Luke 4.2-4; Luke 9.12-17; Acts 6.8)

Stephen faced trouble boldly, but with grace and love. Even in his sharp critique of the leaders, Stephen held out hope and the gospel to them. And he forgave those who killed him. We can be both convincing and winsome. We can forgive our enemies and offer them God’s redemption. (Luke 23.1-4, 33-34; Acts 6.15, 7.59-60)

The pattern of Stephen’s life is the pattern of Jesus’ life and that pattern is the pattern of the cross. Not many Christians will face physical death for the sake of the gospel but we all must lay down our lives on the cross.

What would have to die in our lives for us to live according to this pattern?
…to be more devoted to scriptures and prayer?
…to serve the outcast and the hurting?
…to seek God’s purposes and rely on his power?
…to contend with grace for the gospel?
…to forgive our enemies and do good to them?

Stephen-like, Jesus-like lives will bring salvation to people and growth to the church.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting
Remember your word to your servant, because you have given me hope.
This is my comfort in my trouble, that your promise gives me life. — Psalm 119.49-50

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Today’s Reading
Leviticus 9 (Listen 3:18)
Acts 6 (Listen 2:35)

Read more about The Overflowing Plate
When tempted to add to an already full plate, know that it is wise to ask for help.

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Read more about Intimidating, Liberating Glory
When we know the forgiveness of Jesus, God’s glory goes from intimidating to liberating, from terrifying to electrifying.

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