From Stephen's martyrdom the Gospel begins to spread like a fire through the world. We are reminded that we must carry the Gospel with us always and everywhere we go.

The growing church at Jerusalem faces a problem with the potential to divide and even destroy their testimony. Through grace and humility the church and their leaders are able to work out the solution together for the good of everyone and the glory of God.

In this comedy of events that takes place while trying to stop the Apostles preaching the Gospel we are reminded that the Gospel can't be stopped and so we should never stop proclaiming the Gospel.

Not church is perfect but that doesn't mean a church can't be great and know the power of God. In the examples given of Barnabas and Ananias and Sapphira we see how God can make a church great even though it's full of sinful people. A great church is filled with great grace, filled with great fear of God and has a great testimony.

There is power in the name of Jesus! Not simply in the saying of it but in believing. The name of Jesus is powerful because of what He has done - died, risen and reigning. Faith in His name brings forgiveness, refreshment and blessing.

This is what God calls a church to be. A church that passionately desires to know His Word and that is steadfastly committed to each other in fellowship and prayer.