Who doesn't want to be liked? Who doesn't want to be thought of as wonderfully winsome and radically relevant by all people? It's a temptation for the church today, and it's been a temptation in the past as well. So, Jesus warns his disciples of it. What might it mean if everyone speaks well of you? Jesus compares this situation to the false prophets that went before, and he pronounces his "woe" upon them. But how does this square with things like the expectation that pastors are to "be well thought of by outsiders" (1 Corinthians 9:22) or Paul's method of becoming "all things to all people, that by all means I might save some" (1 Timothy 3:7)? In this episode of Bible Thoughts, Pastor Rusten looks at Jesus' warning and considers these questions.

Big Ideas

1. Dreams, visions, and angels
The primary way God speaks to his people is through his Word. However, at times, God uses dreams, visions, and angels to communicate with and instruct individuals. God used the angel Gabriel to announce the coming birth of Jesus to Mary. God used an angel in a vision to instruct Joseph not to leave his pregnant virgin fiancé. In this story, God uses both visions and angels to help Peter and Cornelius learn about the blessings of the Gospel.

2. Divine appointments
One of the things that stands out in this text is how God was at work in both Peter and Cornelius, arranging for their introduction and fellowship. God spoke to Peter three times in a dream. He also gave Cornelius a vision in which an angel appeared to him. Both of these unique experiences brought Peter and Cornelius together for a divine appointment which would prove transformative for the early Church.

3. God shows no partiality among those who trust in Christ
The encounter between Peter and Cornelius accomplished two important things. First, Peter brought the Gospel to Cornelius and, as a result, numerous Gentiles at Caesarea believed and were baptized. Second, God demonstrated to Peter that the ethnic divisions that had been part of Israel’s past history had been demolished in and through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:14-16). Believing Jews and Gentiles were now equals in Christ. Neither Peter nor anyone else could reject those to whom God had given his Spirit.

Study Questions
1. What is the significance of Peter’s vision? What did it mean for God to instruct Peter to kill and eat any animal?
2. Has God ever spoken to you or given you encouragement through a dream or a vision? What is the danger of trusting in dreams or visions?
3. The early Church, which was primarily made up of believing Jews, struggled to accept believing Gentiles as equals in Christ. Are there any believing groups or individuals that you struggle to see and accept as equals in Christ?

The doxology we often hear at the end of the Lord's Prayer, "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen," may not have been part of the original prayer. But it uses language that has calls back to a prayer of King David in 1 Chronicles 29. In this episode of Bible Thoughts, Pastor Rusten takes a look at King David's prayer and considers why we ought to pray doxologies.

Big Ideas

1. Like Jesus, like disciple
This story in Acts reads like a retelling of two of Jesus’ miracles found in the Gospels (Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:40-56). Jesus healed a woman who had been sick for twelve years, then brought a young girl back to life. In Acts, Peter healed a man who had been sick for eight years and then brought a dead woman back to life. Luke’s point seems to be that Jesus is continuing his work through his people. The similarities in the stories indicate that Jesus is at work through Peter. Remember that Jesus promised his disciples that they would do even greater works (John 14:12).

2. Wonders and faith
The wonders, signs, and miracles in Acts are never an end in themselves. Rather, they serve to validate the claims and teaching of the Apostles as they establish the doctrine of the early Church. Additionally, they play a vital role in the initial conversions of various communities. As God’s power is demonstrated through an Apostle in a particular region, the message is then believed and the mission moves forward (Acts 9:35 & 42).

3. Resuscitation vs. resurrection
While there have been miraculous healings mentioned in Acts thus far, this is the first instance of a dead person being brought back to life. It is a common mistake to call a miracle like this a resurrection story. Resurrection is far more than a return to life from death. Resurrection entails the giving of a new body that is immortal in nature (1 Corinthians 15:42-43). Only Jesus has experienced resurrection and received a new immortal body. The story of Tabitha in Acts is an example of resuscitation. She was dead, and her close friends knew it. Her situation appeared totally hopeless. However, some disciples reached out to Peter, knowing that, as an Apostle, God had done great and amazing things through him. By God’s power, Tabitha was brought back to life. Though not immune to the sorrows and ailments of life, she was granted more years of faithful service and acts of mercy. And consequently, many in Joppa believed in Jesus.

Study Questions

1. Take a moment to read one of the miracle stories listed in the first point above. What similarities do you see between Jesus’ miracle and Peter’s? What differences do you find?
2. What is the functional purpose of miracles in the book of Acts? How can we pervert the purpose of miracles and miss the point?
3. Why do you think we do not see miracles as frequently today as the early Church did in Acts?

In this episode of the The Blitz, Pastor Jon covers why the COVID vaccine mandates are 100% biblical.

Announcing a new podcast from Coram Deo Church! Doxological is an ongoing conversation about the crossroads of music, liturgy, and theology, and how they shape everything from the Lord's Table to the dinner table. In this inaugural episode, Pastor Ryan James and Brynn James ask, “Why do we sing together in corporate worship?” Ryan and Brynn explore how singing uniquely honors God, uniting, teaching, and transforming the Church as we submit to the Lordship of Christ.

Big Ideas

1. Jesus changes us
Paul’s story is a dramatic example of what is true about everyone Jesus saves. Paul experienced a radical transformation so extreme that other believers were reluctant to trust it. How could the man who persecuted Christians now be preaching the Gospel? There is only one explanation: When Jesus saves us, he also changes us. Through faith in Jesus, we are saved from the consequences of sin and its power over us. This freedom from sin is found only in Jesus and always results in a radically different lifestyle.

2. Faithful ministry often brings fierce opposition
Paul’s testimony and conversion served as a compelling example of the power of Jesus and his Gospel. He was also a vigorous Gospel teacher and preacher, which resulted in many people coming to faith in Jesus. None of this was welcomed by the Jewish leaders. In fact, as with Jesus, they sought to kill Paul in order to shut down the Church and its ministry. Though this type of extreme opposition is foreign to most of us, persecution is increasingly becoming a more normal reality for many Christians in our country. This is because faithful ministry is often met head-on with opposition from the world. Nobody is indifferent to the claims of Jesus.

3. Conflict outside the Church, peace within the Church
Twice in this text, Luke refers to murderous threats and attempts made against Paul. These threats were also intended to intimidate anyone who would support or agree with Paul and his ministry. Consequently, these threats, which were aimed at Paul, also hit the Church. However, the Church continued to experience peace and growth.

Study Questions

1. How did the Church initially receive Paul? What changed their position?
2. How has Jesus freed you from enslaving sins? What areas currently need growth in terms of obedience?
3. What, if any, opposition have you faced as a Christian? What elements of the Christian faith currently bring the fiercest opposition from the world?
4. How can the Church simultaneously face opposition and experience peace and growth?

In this episode of the The Blitz, Pastor Jon discusses some concerning comments from John Piper and Tim Keller and offers advice on what to do when your heroes say dumb things.