Tag: Acts

Scripture Focus: Acts 14.11-17
11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

Reflection: Gods in Our Image
By John Tillman

When people say that humans create gods in our own image, I agree with them.

Human-created gods are easy to spot. They are like humans we know. There are strongman gods like Zeus, trickster gods like Hermes, and a host of other “types.” They mostly look like, think like, and act like us. They aren’t more holy, moral, or wise than humans. They are just more powerful. And with flaws and weaknesses like ours, they are more brutal. One slight brings destruction and curses. One slip-up brings unrelenting pain and suffering.

In Lystra, Paul and Barnabus are mistaken for Zeus and Hermes. Commentor, Conrad Gempf mentions a possible motivation for the crowd’s reaction. According to legend, a nearby town had failed to welcome Zeus and Hermes when they visited. Angered by this, the gods destroyed the offenders. With this story in the background, the cry, “The gods have come down to us in human form,” (Acts 14.11) seems less like a joyful announcement and more like a fearful warning. With gods like these, who needs monsters?

The best we can hope for from pagan gods is a balance of blessing and suffering—some light in the dark. “Perhaps good will hold evil at bay for a season. Perhaps, if we are vigilant, we can avoid offense or quickly make amends.”

Paul and Barnabus deny that they are gods and announce the true God, who is different than any the people know, yet has cared for them all this time. Jesus is a God-man unlike any in mythology. When sharing the gospel, beware of copying mythological ideas.

Jesus did not pretend to be human. He was. He was not a pseudo-human trickster god, conning the Father into loving humans. God does love humans. We are made in his image, not the other way around. The gospel reveals and resurrects this nature in us.

We need to share the gospel by emphasizing the “otherness” of Jesus. Our God is not like humans or easy to understand. He is merciful and gracious, yet punishes the guilty. Our best sacrifices do not appease. Our greatest arguments cannot overcome his wisdom. His gospel promises something completely different.

Jesus does not “restore balance,” or “hold evil at bay.” He completely destroys evil and, in the end, his light will banish all darkness. He will do this ultimately in the universe, but he will start in our hearts.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.
With his right hand and his holy arm has he won for himself the victory. — Psalm 98.1-2

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


​Today’s Readings
Isaiah 27 (Listen 2:16)
Acts 14 (Listen 3:54)

​This Weekend’s Readings
Isaiah 28 (Listen 4:49), Acts 15 (Listen 5:43)
Isaiah 29 (Listen 3:55), Acts 16 (Listen 5:53)

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Read more about Gods of Ruin and Ridicule
Our greatest temptation today is to worship the false gods of power, wealth, pleasure, and narcissism.

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Scripture Focus: Acts 6.1-7
1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

Reflection: Behind the Gospel
By John Tillman

New bands, businesses, church plants, countries, and other organizations start with idealism, purpose, and inspiration. But eventually, the world’s ugly realities set in.

Some friends and I used to joke about the storytelling formula of the documentary series, VH1: Behind the Music. Bands always started with hard work and a dream followed by their discovery and big break. Then somewhere around the third or fourth commercial break, conflict started. Jealousy, drugs, power struggles, or relationship problems threatened the band’s unity, quality, and career. Not every band had a happy ending. 

Sometimes Acts seems like a Behind the Gospel documentary of controversies and crises. The unfair food distribution is only the first big one. There are clashes of race, politics, theology, methodology, education, and ecclesiology.

Those who idealize the early church may think this is scandalous. “I thought the early church was supposed to be perfect?”

Leaders embroiled in church conflict might be tempted to despair. “If they struggled, what hope do we have?”

Those disillusioned by arguments and battles within the modern church may want to give up. “If it’s always been this way, what’s the point?”

“Does this mean conflict is just…normal? Is the church just another human institution? Are we a popular “supergroup,” that burst on the scene, had a few big hits and albums, went through bad seasons, and inevitably split up? Do we just move on and focus on our solo careers?”

Certainly not. We have what we need to overcome the world’s ugly realities.

I’ve always found it encouraging, rather than discouraging that the early church had conflicts. If they had no troubles, but we do, we have lost something. It would mean they had access to some supernatural unity that has waned, leaving us with dregs and drips. But that is not the case.

We still have access to the supernatural unity for which Jesus prayed. Through the Holy Spirit, the early church addressed conflict, creating systems and decisions that were both faithful to scripture and fair to all. Are we accessing what Jesus prayed for? Are we listening to the Holy Spirit or human voices of jealousy, power, and strife?

God’s perfect word shows us an imperfect New Testament church, and I’m thankful. We don’t have to live up to perfection or expect it from ourselves or our churches. But we should lean on grace, bear with one another, and bear one another’s burdens. (Galatians 6.1-5; Ephesians 4.2-3; Colossians 3.12-14)

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
No good things will the Lord withhold from those who walk with integrity. — Psalm 84.11

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

​Today’s Readings
Isaiah 17-18 (Listen 3:44)
Acts 6 (Listen 2:35)

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Scripture Focus: Acts 26.24
24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”

Reflection: Open Letter to Students of the Bible
By Erin Newton

To my fellow Bible students, theology readers, church historians, pastors, and professors—to all who take seriously the work of the Lord and the Word of God…

Grace and peace to you, as Paul would say.

The work, I know, is hard. The days are long. When our time is saturated with answering questions about life and faith, we give ourselves over to the strenuous task of gleaning wisdom. When we open a book or sit down to research, our minds are cultivated and poured out for others.

It takes extraordinary effort. We grow in knowledge, mature in ministry, and reshape our understanding of God and the world. Former assumptions are confronted, conflicting theories are presented, and we wrestle with never-ending questions.

In many ways, it can feel like we have lost our minds.

Festus certainly believed Paul was crazy. Was it possible? Had Paul delved too far into religious matters? Had Paul spent too much time talking to the people of “The Way” and read too much of the former prophets?

Paul was well-trained both professionally as a Jew and individually after his conversion. He experienced visions of heaven and Jesus spoke to him directly on the way to Damascus. If it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert, Paul was certainly an expert.

Festus was incredulous, but rightfully so. His logic was grounded in common wisdom, “Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body” (Eccl 12:12). He was spiritually blind and considered the gospel foolishness (1 Cor 2:14).

Paul, however, was no fool. He was no lunatic either. His life gave testimony of what his mind wrestled to understand. Paul had great learning but a greater ministry.

Let us not miss a real warning here: Great learning, unchecked and untethered, can poison the mind.

Paul was the student of students, the apple of a teacher’s eye. He was brilliant and eloquent, passionate and determined. He cross-checked the Scriptures and reasoned with logic. He was our role model for learning.

Yet he did more than write letters. He was knee-deep and in chains for the ministry. He was tethered to the church through evangelism, discipleship, and prayer.

Dear scholars, do not let your learning drive you mad. Pair your mind with your hands. Let us use our gifts of knowledge to be poured out for the sake of Christ.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Morning Psalm
Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; knit my heart to you that I may fear your Name… — Psalm 86.11

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

Today’s Reading
Numbers 3 (Listen 6:01)
Acts 26 (Listen 5:17)

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