Hello! Today is a fun day in our journey with Acts because not only do we see the first mention of a very special title for the church and believers but we meet a special character in Peter's life and an equally important character in the creation of the Bible. Do you have any guesses who that might be? No worries if not! As the Bible says, the light of Christ reveals all things. Let's begin by reading the word of God and letting it illuminate our minds and spirits.
Scripture to Read
Audio Bible
Questions to Consider
What does this reveal to you about God and the Holy Spirit?
Peter had to speak a difficult truth to a group of people that highly disagreed with his decision at first. Have you been in a situation before where you've had to do this? How have you reacted when faced with conversations like this before?
What about this passage speaks to you? Why?
- Commentary -
In our reading today we encounter Peter having to explain his actions to the central church in Jerusalem, whom upon reading seems to offer very little rebuttal. However, canonically we know that the Jerusalem church continues to struggle with this "new" faith of Jew and Gentile because Paul has to later reprimand Peter (also known as Cephas) in Galatians 2: 11 - 13. Additionally, we see an example of Luke's teachings being connected to the apostles later in Acts in a subtle nod when Peter is knocking on the door of Mary's household and when they don't answer at first he keeps knocking. Luke's account of this story has Jesus say these same things to the his disciples. (Luke 11:9) Next, we see a little canonical context/connection present in this section when the famine that ravages the community is mentioned and the churches all support one another during this time. The collection for the Jerusalem church is mentioned in nearly every epistle written by Paul, which you will see later on. So, that helps us to know that Luke's gospel was placed somewhat after Paul's epistles. Finally, readers that have been following at our live reads might be familiar with my explaining that Mark was written by a student of Peter's whom you meet today - John Mark. It's all starting to come together the closer we get to the end! :)
Prayer
Our prayer for today is written for Good Friday, the lenten holy day that commemorates Good Friday.
Almighty God, graciously behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen.