At first glance, this story seems unnecessary. Herod Agrippa has only just come on the scene, and already Luke narrates his demise? But there are fascinating contrasts between this story and the previous one—most interestingly, contrasting how the Church responds to Herod’s oppression and how the people of Tyre and Sidon respond. Ultimately, Herod’s power is nothing compared to God’s, and the Church continues to flourish in spite of opposition. So join us as we study “The Blasphemy” from Acts 12:20-25!

Pastor Joey answered rapid fire questions while under a time crunch for recording, and, of course, did a great job. Listen in to hear what others from our congregation are asking!

After following the action to Antioch, this week we’re back in Jerusalem. Public sentiment has turned against the Jesus Movement, and local authorities aren’t above capitalizing on public opinion to bolster their own political ambitions. With one apostle killed and another imprisoned, is the church in Jerusalem about to be destroyed? What will God do next to rescue his people? Find out as we explore “The Deliverance” in Acts 12:1-19!

Pastor Jeff speaks on the encouragement we can receive from Barnabus and learn more about the church in Antioch.

The good news of Messiah Jesus has spread beyond Jewish believers to the Gentiles, and now to the birth of a cross-cultural, multi-ethnic church in Antioch. That congregation becomes the center of gospel expansion to the Roman world. Why? What makes them so unique and important that we can learn from? Join us as we look at “The Church” from Acts 11:19-30.

Jeff and Claire stumble on new insight to the passage while having their conversation on the passage Acts 11:1-18.

We hear again that God welcomes Gentiles into the community of his people. Why does this offend the Jewish believers? What convinces them that God has done something they need to accept and adjust to? And what does that have to do with us? Join us this Sunday as we look at “The Report” from Acts 11:1-18.

Cut for Time is back from the holiday break! On Sunday, Pastor Joey promised he'd cover a few things he didn't have time to deep dive, such as speaking in tongues. Listen to his thoughts about the topic and more about what he didn't get to include in this episode!

When last we looked at the adventures of the early church, we were with Peter in Caesarea, on the coast, after he experienced a revelatory vision from God teaching him that no one is outside the reach of God’s grace. Immediately after, messengers from a Roman soldier named Cornelius showed up, saying Cornelius too had received a vision with instructions to get Peter! How does the story end? Find out as the church expands to “The Gentiles” in Acts 10:34-48!

When the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica about the return of Jesus in 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18, he didn’t bring up that particular teaching just because he thought it was a good topic for them to brush up on—he brought it up because belief in the return of Jesus is a profound comfort to us when we are facing loss and grief. This weekend we’ll suspend resuming our Acts series to spend Sunday morning finding comfort, that we may not grieve as those without hope.