Reflection on Acts (Chapters 9-14)

by Elizabeth Etta

Acts 9:

Saul's conversion is a true testimony of God's grace. Saul was a persecuter of the church at the time. His encounter with the Lord, forever changed him. This chapter got me thinking about how we should not judge people, many of them are awaiting an encounter with Christ to transform them and when this happens, we should be ready to welcome them into God's family.

An encounter with Christ is truly life changing. Saul recognizes that he has been saved by the grace of Jesus and so filled with the Holy Spirit, he begins his mission by joining the other disciples and spreading the good news of Christ

Acts 10:

What stood out for me was Acts 10:34.

God shows no partiality but in every nation, anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.

Acts 12:

Pride comes before a fall.

Herod was a powerful king who was persecuting the Christians at the time. The bible said he did not give glory to God when the people were praising him calling him a God. He was struck down and in a humiliating fashion, was eaten by worms and died. A true attribute of every Christian is humility. We should try to outdo each other in service and give God all the glory for each and every one of our accomplishments.

Acts 14:

Paul and Barnabas continue spreading the good news. They performed miraculous signs but still some people refused to believe. At this time, Paul continued to perform miracles using the name of Jesus and here he healed a cripple. The people started to consider Paul and Barnabas as Gods.

In this chapter I am reminded about humility. The disciples did not take credit for the miracles but gave glory to God and used this as a way to witness to the people. Also this chapter brings to mind the fickleness of human nature and how important it is to stay guarded.

The same people who hero-worshipped Paul and Barnabas after seeing the miracle on influence by the Jews turned around and dragged Paul outside the city and stoned him to death.

This is a strong reminder that if we become proud in our successes in life, and work hard to gain recognition, money or whatever the reason for our success it is all pointless because people change. They are those that will be there to take over your position, other factors can come into play like illness, old age, accidents and if you don't have Christ? What do you have, what you measured as success will come to mean nothing. However if you boast, you can boast in Christ Jesus because that is constant.

Reflections

So far the Acts of the Apostles is about the exemplary lives of the early Christians. Like Fr. Vic says Church is not a building but it is the people that make up the church. We as members of the church must continue in the ways of the early church, building one another in faith. We are blessed to have StAY, a gathering where we can come together in prayer and fellowship like the apostles. We need to keep rejoicing and strengthening and praying for one another as we walk with God. This is so that God's spirit can move us to draw more people to Christ who is the only way and hope of our salvation.

Reflection on Acts (Chapters 5, 6 & 8)

by Elizabeth Etta

Acts 5:

Reading chapter 5 re-emphasizes that the wages of sin is death. It reminds me of the trap of the Devil especially in our world today which comes in the form of money, wealth and riches. The devil is out to deceive us that these things are more important than doing God's will.

This chapter also shows God's righteous anger. The Lord sees all that we do, all our sins and without confession and repentance, his wrath remain, as in the case of Ananais and Sapphira.

Also our leaders, our priests, our parents, they are God's representative on earth. Therefore we must respect them, because God can use them to either pronounce blessings or melt our justice according to his purpose.

Acts 6:

This chapter describes Stephen as a man filled with God's grace and power. This incited jealously among the Jews. As a result he was arrested and falsely testified against. Yet again he is bold, standing before the leaders and preaching. The elders are furious and they stone him to death. Stephen's life inspires us to live a Godly life. Stephen's story shows us that God is with us in life and in death.

There are always people who will oppose the Gospel, who think

Christians are deluded and unfortunately for them  (I am not being judgmental, just honest) unless they repent and accept Jesus as the Lord of their lives, they are condemned. This is the reason why we as Christians need to pray to the Holy Spirit for boldness to reach out to the lost. It is the same Spirit that was in Stephen and the disciples that is with us still today.

Finally, Stephen prayed that God does not hold the sin against them. It really is remarkable how Stephen followed the example of Jesus when he prayed, "Father forgive them" I believe it is because of Stephen's prayer that Saul was saved and had an encounter with Jesus and would later be used for His ministry.

Acts 8:

This chapter asks the question: "What is holding me back from experiencing the full grace and spirit of the Lord Jesus in my life:

The magician Simon of Samaria, was very powerful in the acts of magic as he performed many signs and wonders and the people paid attention to him saying that he must be using the power of God.

Many of us today, even Christians, are being led astray by signs and wonders. Some of us believe horoscopes, palm readings. It is important to ask in prayer that the things we see, we read, we hear, do not lead us astray and that we do not believe false teachings and consider them Godly teachings. It is only the Spirit that can reveal this to us.

Also we see that Simon had gotten baptized, but yet he wasn't fully convinced about God, he is still craving power, hence he tries to pay Peter and John for the power of the Holy Spirit. Most times we try to gain God's favour, maybe if I serve in church, maybe if I give more money to charity, maybe if I volunteer, etc then God will bless me. While these are all very important aspects of the Christian walk, we must not forget that our salvation is by the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

Another interesting part of Chapter 8 is that of the encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. The Eunuch is led to understand the scriptures by Philip and this leads him to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Eunuch did not hesitate to be baptized immediately.

God knows our hearts, if we truly want to know more about Him and His word, He is willing to teach us and extend His mercy toward all.

Dear Lord,

Help me to understand that Your desire is for my salvation and to not take it for granted. I also pray that You reveal the areas in my life where things may be holding me back from fully living my life according to Your will. Let me not be distracted by the things of the world, but continue to look to You for my sustenance.

Reflection on Acts (Chapters 1-4)

by Elizabeth Etta

Acts 1:

Many times we often find ourselves questioning God, wanting signs in our lives. This chapter puts things into perspective that it is not for you to know the signs that the Father has fixed by His own authority. This message tells us to put our trust in God whether or not we understand what it is that he is doing. After Jesus was taken up to heaven, the apostles and the women devoted themselves to prayer. How often do we devote ourselves to prayer? Is prayer part of your daily life?

Acts 2:

In this chapter the apostles received the gift of the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues as the spirit gave them utterance so that each person hearing them could understand them for they were speaking in their language.

Acts 2:17:

In the last days God declares, I will pour out my spirit on all flesh, your sons and daughters will prophesy and your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.....

We are in the last days.

Question for me: How often can I devote myself to learning God's word, to teaching others, to sharing & communion?

Acts 2:21: 

Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved: This verse has really encouraged me because so many incidents have happened in my life that I have lost count, instances where without a doubt the name of Jesus has indeed saved.

Acts 3:

Peter and John are walking into the temple and they healed a crippled man at the gates. Peter says "Silver and Gold I have none but what I have I give you, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk". In this chapter again brings to attention the power of the name Jesus. We experience the Joy that comes from knowing the Lord and the miracles that can happen through our faith in the name of Jesus. There is also a huge importance of prayer. Prayer for our family, prayer for strangers, for our friends. The power of prayer brings joy, hope and most of all it brings salvation not only for our souls but the souls of others.

Acts 4:

Chapter 4 is enlightening. The spirit of God gives a boldness for the disciples to continue to preach about Jesus. This boldness is still evident today as many Christians lose their lives or are imprisoned for their faith in countries around the world. Therefore we as believers must continuously pray for boldness to be able to stand up for our belief in Jesus in the most difficult of circumstances.

Lord may your Holy Spirit encourage us and give us the spirit of boldness to be able to stand for truth and justice and to never deny You, to never deny our faith when questioned.

Another standout is the believers who came together to pray. This is one of the many reasons I find StAY such a blessing and an encouragement. The fact that we put up our requests and asks our brothers and sisters to pray for us, this is exemplary of the Acts chapter when the believers prayed after hearing Peter and John when they were released from prison. So let us continue then to pray for one another and lift up each others requests to the lord and watch the Holy Spirit work in us.

Acts 4:12:

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.

So far in the first four chapters I witness two things. The power of prayer. Prayer is the fuel needed to keep the fire burning in our spirits and the courage to go forth and carry out God's will for us.

Also there is power when we call on the name of the Lord Jesus.