One big idea throughout the story of Acts is that you can’t stop the Gospel. The more the disciples proclaim the Gospel, the more resistance they face, the more that resistance is thwarted. You can’t stop the Gospel.

Mojtaba Hosseini, 30, was the leader of a growing underground church in Iran when he was sentenced to 3 years in jail. In an interview with Open Doors he said of his time in prison: “I prayed; that was all I could do... At first, they were prayers of repentance. I thought God was punishing me for my mistakes by putting me in prison... Then the Lord spoke to me.” He said: ‘Stop being selfish Mojtaba, it’s not about you; it’s about Me. Look around you.’” For the first time since being jailed, he began to truly look at people, attempting to see them as God does. “I saw poor people, people who had committed the worst crimes. People that felt so alone.”

Mojtaba began to share the Gospel with inmates but didn’t have a Bible. Fortunately the local Imam was so impressed by the Christian’s commitment to God that he began to smuggle in print outs from the Bible disguised as English lessons. Mojtaba translated them and gave out copies to inmates who wanted them. “I never prayed for God to release me from prison,” Mojtaba says. “I can serve God anywhere ... It doesn’t matter what situation I’m in. I can work in God’s Kingdom wherever He places me.”

While persecution and jail time may have tempted the Apostles and Mojtaba to stop sharing the Gospel, God intervened to ensure more people could hear it. The Gospel can’t be stopped! Where is he calling you to take it next? DB

1. Why are efforts to stop the spread of the Gospel so often thwarted?

2. What sort of things in your life discourage you from sharing the Gospel?

3. Who might God be calling you to take the Gospel to?

Unstoppable God, thank you that your Gospel can’t be thwarted. Thank you that the good news of Jesus has come into my life. Help me to be part of your unstoppable movement of mercy, grace, and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


Healing can be a tricky topic in the church but it doesn’t have to be. For some Christians signs and wonders are a thing of the past. On the other hand there are Christians who believe signs, wonders, and healings are the only mark of true Christian communities. Often healing can be theologised and spiritualised and become quite a contentious topic for Christians.

Luke, writing in Acts, wants us to know that the same healings and miracles that accompanied Jesus, were a part of the Apostle’s ministry as well. While Jesus healed people and the disciples saw people healed in Jesus’ name these healings are called ‘signs’ because they point to the bigger reality of the wholeness of the Kingdom of God. As the Kingdom of God breaks into our world we see people being made whole as they will be in heaven.

As the Kingdom of God breaks into our world and signs of God’s wholeness will become apparent. Like candles bringing light to a dark room these healings radiate the light of Christ. Sometimes this happens in seemingly ordinary ways with people repenting and growing as disciples, sometimes this happens in surprising ways with people being healed of illnesses. Followers of Jesus need to keep him at the centre of things; praying ‘your Kingdom come’. As we do this we will see bodies, lives, and communities healed and the Kingdom of God growing in our midst. Sometimes we’ll pray and people won’t get healed but that’s not because our prayers or faith is deficient. Healing is God’s work and he will do as he wills, our job is to keep drawing closer to him and encouraging others to do the same, God will do the rest. DB

1. What have you been taught about healing in the past?

2. What should the stories of healings in the Bible point us to?

3. How can we be part of God’s Kingdom work in our world today?

Living Lord God, thank you that your Kingdom is a place of healing and wholeness and fullness of life. Help me to draw closer to you and keep praying that your Kingdom would come and your will would be done in our world as it is in heaven. Amen.


As we wrestled with the account of Ananias and Sapphira yesterday, we were challenged as to why being a people of integrity matters as witnesses of God’s truth. Picking up from verse 11, in light of the swift judgement that fell on Ananias and Sapphira, we read that: “Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events”. Well it isn’t any wonder! If part of the point of the swift judgement was to serve as a warning, then it certainly would have been an effective one! But what exactly is it a warning against? Of course it is a warning against lying, but it is also a warning to not come under the influence of the evil one. Note that as Peter confronted Ananias, he not only perceives the sin, but also the subtle influence of Satan behind it. As sin is exposed, and judgement falls, the church is being warned to be on guard against the work of the enemy who seeks to deceive and to destroy. The same warning goes for us today.

In the letter of First Peter, we’re warned to be alert and of sober mind, for “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). As a community of believers seeking to make and mature disciples of Jesus, it would be foolhardy for us to think we are immune from such advances. What then are we to do? We must, also in the words of 1 Peter, “resist him, standing firm in the faith”. The community described in this passage were living in the most Christ-like ways, yet the influence of the enemy was also at work behind the scenes. What could be perceived as ‘minor infringements’ did not only have the potential to undermine their witness and damage the fabric of their community, but it also gave ground to the plans of the enemy instead of the purposes of God. So friends, let’s be on guard, taking our integrity seriously, and be willing to run fast to our forgiving God in confession. AL

1. What are the ways which most help you to ensure that you are on guard against the schemes of the enemy?

Almighty Lord, we thank you that on the cross Jesus defeated sin and evil. We thank you that when Jesus returns all evil will be destroyed. Please strengthen us that we will not be swayed by the schemes of the enemy, but instead live in accordance to your will and your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


In light of deceiving the community and lying to God about the nature of their gift, Ananias and Sapphira now face the consequence for their sin. Swift judgement falls on them both. This episode can leave us bamboozled and full of questions! We’d feel much more comfortable had the story resulted in their repentance, giving of what they had promised, and restoration to the community as changed people. But of course, that’s not what happened. Why weren’t the couple given an opportunity to repent? Was this sin deserving of death? Why does their deception seem to attract such an extreme consequence compared to sin committed by others? Did Ananias and Sapphira have a sincere faith or was it all just for show? Well, the short answer is that we just don’t know because we’re not given that information in the story. Given that we can be confident that God’s grace is sufficient to cover our sin and that all who trust in Jesus can receive forgiveness, what are we to make of this?

First, it’s abundantly clear that part of the point of the story is not only that all sin is against God, not only that sin always affects the church as a whole, but also we must face the seriousness of lying. So often in our culture and our world, lying isn’t considered that bad. Sure, there are some instances in which we think it’s terrible, but in many other instances we grade lies somewhere between ‘white ones’ and 'something else’(?). But as the people of God, the truthfulness of our words is of paramount importance. If the first followers of Jesus were perceived to be truthful only when it suited them, how could their witness of Jesus’ resurrection be received as reliable? If we are truthful only when it suits us, what would that do for the reliability of our witness? The reliability of the witness matters. More tomorrow! AL

1. What have been the ways in which deception by Christians has caused damage to Gospel witness?

2. Why is the quality of our integrity so critical for Gospel proclamation?

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times in which we have deceived others and you. Please forgive us. Please help us to be a people characterised by integrity in order we may be reliable witnesses of your truth. Amen.


Having heard about the generosity of this early Christianity community, we now get a glimpse of when things go haywire. In the brief snapshot of this Christian community, we’ve heard of the phenomenal way in which the believers were so of one heart and mind that they not only clearly proclaimed Jesus, but no one was in need because of their extraordinary generosity. There was a deep commitment to God that was practically demonstrated.

When it comes to the sharing of possessions, or proceeds from selling property, two examples are contrasted: Barnabas who gives all his proceeds, and Ananias with his wife Sapphira who hold something back. It’s not entirely evident what the members of the community had committed to, but it doesn’t seem like it was compulsory for all members to give everything. The issue wasn’t in the amount of the gift, nor necessarily a breach of commitment, but that they lied to the community by making out they gift to be something that it wasn’t. Ananias and Sapphira said that they had given all, when in fact they had only given some. The issue, which will have a dire consequence, is that they lied. The love of praise and the love of money, had caused them to deceive their brothers and sisters in Christ. Why was this such a big deal? (Other than the sin of lying of course!) Because, as Peter claims, to lie to their brothers and sisters in Christ, also meant that they were lying to God. Lying to their fellow believers, not only had the potential to undermine the fabric of their community, but was of great offence to God, for all sin is ultimately against him.

How seriously do we take our integrity with our brothers and sisters in Christ? Are we genuine and truthful? Or are we willing to lie to them, and God, in order to simply look good or hold onto what we value more than God? AL

1. Have you ever lied to a brother or sister in Christ? How might you repent of this and say sorry to them and God?

Heavenly Father, we are so sorry for not only the way in which our sin offends you, but also for the way in which it damages Christian community. Please forgive us and help us to be truthful, valuing your praise and our unity more and more. Amen.


Today we jump back to the end of Luke in order to be reminded of three key predictions that Jesus made. Namely, that (a) the Messiah would suffer, (b) that the Messiah would be raised on the third day, and (c) that this Good News would be proclaimed to all the nations. The followers of Jesus already knew that the first two predictions had been fulfilled, but now even only in chapter 4 of Acts, we also witness the fulfilment of the proclamation to the nations coming about. As discussed yesterday, one the key characteristics of the early church was the clear proclamation that not only did Jesus die and suffer for us, but also that he was victoriously raised from the dead! They were the living proof of the fulfilment of Jesus’ promise.

I’m not sure if you’ve ever considered it, but every time that we proclaim the Good News of Jesus, we are also participating in the fulfilment of his promise! If it was not already the greatest privilege to be certain of salvation and called children of God, how amazing that we also participate in God’s mission to the world. We all have different frontlines, places where we spend our time each day and week. How phenomenal to think that if we are willing, that God can use us in the power of his Holy Spirit to reach even the furthest corners of the globe. In our workplaces, homes, schools, universities, residential aged care facilities, sporting clubs, parks, cafes, hospitals, and every other place! May God embolden our hearts to not only recognise those opportunities, but also to act in the sharing of the best news that the world has ever known. AL

1. Where is your “frontline”?

2. Does God desire to reach your frontline with the Good News? How are you, in the power of the Holy Spirit, part of that story?

Gracious God, we thank you so much that Jesus died for us and rose again. We thank you for the great privilege it is to know you and be part of your mission to the world! Please help us to recognise our frontlines and use them to share your Good News. Please embolden our hearts and give us courage, as we participate in the fulfilment to reach all nations with your Good News. Amen.


The Apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and there were NO needy persons among them! If there were a set of characteristics which any church could long to emulate, this would be a worthy pair! Yesterday we heard of the way in which the believers shared their possessions because they were one in heart and mind. Today, in verses 33-35 we witness some of the outward effects of their oneness. Namely, that it helped them focus on continuing to proclaim the greatest news the world has ever known (i.e., that the Lord Jesus has risen from the dead) whilst also caring for people’s needs. Note that the picture of the community described is not necessarily that they had a systematic approach to meeting people’s needs (which is not always a bad thing), but that because the Gospel had so saturated their lives it caused them share everything together. Such was the fruit of their generosity.

I’m often astounded by the way in which when there is unity in the Gospel, that so many other things flow with it - generosity, sincere hospitality, clarity in proclamation, caring for others, and seeking out the welfare of those in need. And of course, we shouldn’t be surprised by this, because when we truly recognise Jesus as the Risen Lord, every other dimension of our lives should come into line with God’s good will and ways. The fruit described here are the natural outworking of a sincere trust in the Good News. The more confidence we have in the Gospel, the more that it will be evident in our lives in the power of the Spirit. The more we recognise the Lordship of Jesus, the more that the various facets of our community will come into line with him. AL

1. What do you think are the core characteristics of our church?

2. How have you witnessed people’s needs being met when there is unity about the Good News of Jesus?

Heavenly Father, thank you for the example of the early church and their great unity in the Gospel. Please grow a oneness of mind and heart in your church today by the power of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


It’s amazing how one verse can be so profoundly challenging! Whilst I’m not particularly attached to ‘things’ or possessions, the idea of sharing everythingstill makes me nonetheless feel very uncomfortable. In fact, the entire way of living described here is almost the antithesis of our Australian culture which is shaped by a determined individualism. Sure, we might share our things with our immediate families or our closest friends, but this seems like an absolutely radical way to live! This community didn’t just share a few things, or some things, or where there was need - but they shared every thing! How far did they go? To the point to which they saw nothing as their own (i.e., “no one claimed that any of their possessions was their own”).

Does this mean that we should rush out and setup a ‘commune’ for St Bart’s? No, not necessarilly. It’s important to note that whilst this group of believers lived in a very intimate community, that doesn’t mean that it’s prescriptive of how all Christians should live today. Indeed, whilst some of the very first Christians lived in this way, not all did (and that wasn’t necessarilly a bad thing!). Whilst we should absolutely be challenged by the sacrificial generosity displayed, what we should be even more profoundly shaped by is the reason they did it. They lived this way because all the believers were, “one in heart and mind”. Their unity in the Gospel and in the power of the Holy Spirit was so complete, that it didn’t just influence how they lived, but it completely shaped their lives together. AL

1. Does the idea of sharing everything that you have challenge you? Why or why not do you think that this is the case?

2. As brothers and sisters in Christ, how can we grow in oneness in the Gospel, so that it might continue to profoundly shape the way we live for God’s glory?

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your profound generosity to us and that you have held nothing back from us, not even your Son. Please help us to live generously that we might bring great glory to your name. Please also help us, in the power of your Spirit, to be of one accord that the Gospel might completely shape our lives apart and together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


Sometimes it’s helpful to be reminded of the awesomeness of God. Yes God is loving and yes God wants to be our friend, but God certainly isn’t cute or tame. In Psalm 2 nations are conspiring against God and trying to overthrow him. But God simply laughs and simple rebukes them. There is no force in the world mightier than God who created all things. Sure we humans often shake our fists at God, pretend he doesn’t exist, or isn’t powerful, but the Psalmist knows this is a pointless exercise.

In the second half of the Psalm we are treated to a conversation from within the Trinity. God the Father speaks to God the Son and we see the intimacy and unity of their purpose. The Son is an agent of the Father’s wrath and judgement and the LORD (God the Father) has made all the nations his inheritance.

The Psalmist’s advice in the face of this awesome God is simply ‘Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule’. When we truly understand the God of the Bible we realise his power and his glory and our need to honour and acknowledge him. So often we are sold a small god who we are told is our cuddly friend and needs our attention in order to work magic tricks to give us what we want. The God of the Bible is not like this and the Psalmist advises us to kiss the son (Jesus) or he will be angry and our way will lead to destruction. When we are reminded of how awesome God is we realise that we need to run to him and take refuge in him because there we will find the blessing of knowing his goodness and grace. DB

1. Who is plotting against God in the first half of the Psalm? Why is this such a pointless exercise?

2. What sort of things remind you of the awesomeness of God?

3. How can we convey the awesomeness of God to our neighbours and challenge the myth of a cute and cuddly small god?

LORD of all, thank you that you are more awesome than we can ever imagine. Help us to put our trust in you rather than conspire against you. Help us to take refuge in you, for the Kingdom the power and the glory are all yours. Amen!


The story of Acts is often told as a story of awesome growth, evangelism, and miracles but there is much more to it than that. After being scolded by the court Peter and John return to their friends. Rather than give up they do one of the most powerful things a person can do: PRAY! The prayer they pray is a gift to us because it shows us how we can pray when we face adversity.

First of all the disciples remind themselves of God’s power. They remember that the Lord is all powerful and is the creator all things. They recite Psalm 2 and remember that this isn’t the first time man has tried to defy God; a vain and pointless exercise. In our prayers we need to remember who we are praying to and all God has done.

Next the disciples explain their problem to God. God was with them the whole time and knows what happened but, the disciples are reminded of God’s sovereign power in their lives and his faithfulness to his word. As they do this they remember in v.28 that their circumstances aren’t outside God’s plan. As we lay our problems before God he helps us realise that he is in control.

The final thing the disciples do is they ask for help and call on God to act. These are actually the same thing because in order for us to serve God, he must be working through us. With their backs to the wall the disciples cry our to their sovereign God, they lay their troubles before him, they ask for his help and he answers. In adversity let’s never forget the power of prayer. DB

1. What other prayers in the Bible can help shape how you pray?

2. When have you seen God act and witnessed a clear answer to your prayers?

3. What principles can you take from this devotion to help you when you teach others how to pray?

Sovereign Lord, thank you that you are the creator of all things and nothing is outside your control. You are more powerful than all my problems. Help me to trust you at all times and see your burst into my world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.