As we finished Acts 8 last week, we came across Acts 8:37 which is either missing or bracketed in most of our English Bibles. Whether removed or bracketed, your bible will have a footnote explaining that some manuscripts don’t contain this verse. Using situations like this, some people claim that we cannot trust the New Testament because it has been copied so many times down through history that the original message has been lost. It is commonly put forth that there is no way that we can no for sure that the Bible we have in our hands today is what the Apostles actually wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Sunday we are going to show that this assertion is demonstrably false. We will explain how the text of the New Testament has been transmitted to us and show some examples of how we can be assured of its accuracy. We will use Acts 8:37 as a test case and show you all the information the "scholars" use examine its history of transmission. And we will even look at a few manuscripts.

I know this kind of presentation is a different than a normal Sunday for us. We are committed to expositing the Bible verse by verse and section by section through scriptural books. That is not going to change. The preaching of the word is the central element of the church’s worship. However, as we have come across Acts 8:37, this is a good time for us to back up and also examine God’s work in preserving and transmitting His word to us. We can have assurance (from the evidence) that what we preach from every Sunday, what we read from in our devotion time with God, and what we live by as the sole infallible rule of faith and practice for the church - is God’s word accurately transmitted through time from the pen of the Holy Spirit inspired apostles!

God providentially orchestrates a meeting between Philip and an Ethiopian Eunuch on a deserted road so that he might hear the gospel and be saved. In this we see God's care for one lost soul, God's providence in creating divine appointments for His witnesses, and the response of those given the Great commission. We are to be willing, prepared, and faithful witnesses

Acts has already shown us the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ going forth in Jerusalem. Last week in Acts 8, we saw the gospel going forth into Samaria in power because believers were scattered by the persecution which arose on the day Stephen was executed. As we continue in Acts 8:9-25, again we see the power of the gospel to overthrow all powers and authorities. All people worship. Even those who do not worship the one true God, worship something. And it is the gospel alone that conquers whatever rules over the hearts of mankind. For the people of Samaria, that place of prominent influence is taken by a magician named Simon. "They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” (Acts 8:10). But when the gospel comes through Phillip they turn to Christ.

The power of the gospel is so profound that even Simon himself jumps on the bandwagon. Simon, however professes faith but does not posses faith. When Peter comes to Samaria, he tells Simon that he has no portion in the gospel because his "heart is not right before God" (Acts 8:21) and counsels him to repent and pray for forgiveness (v.22). Simon didn’t desire salvation or Jesus. Simon sought for more greatness and power as he offers to buy the gift of God with money. As we examine this section of Scripture, we see that the gospel is indeed the power of God unto salvation, and that power is uncompromising. It cannot be bargained for or merited. All people must come the God on His terms and by His word.

Persecution breaks out in Jerusalem and the Christians are scattered from the city. As Saul ravages the church, believers flee to the areas of Judea and Samaria - and everywhere they go, they evangelize and proclaim the name of Jesus. Through all the persecution and suffering, God is using His people to advance the kingdom and make disciples.

Having paused our study in Acts in order to focus upon Christmas, this Sunday we will examine one of the most well-known prophecies of the Savior’s birth - Micah 5:1-7. When the wise men came from the east, asking Herod where the King of the Jews was to be born, it was this text that the chief priests quoted to show that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (See Matthew 2:1-6). Micah prophesied during a time of upheaval and fear in Israel. The Assyrians were conquering everything in their path and the people of Jerusalem were terrified that they would be next. Micah called the people to repent and turn to the Lord and he foretold the judgment that was coming. Yet in the midst of the doom and gloom, Micah also foretold a coming ruler - a Messiah who would be born in the tiny town of Bethlehem. He would be the shepherd of Israel and, Micah says, He will be their peace." Sunday we will examine how Jesus fulfills the prophetic picture that Micah puts forth. For those who seek peace, Jesus is the only answer. And that peace is what we celebrate in the coming of the Lord to Bethlehem. That peace is what the angels announced to the shepherds on that fateful night. That peace is our possession when we are united with Christ is salvation. For He shall be "our" peace - as Micah proclaims.

Jacob pronounces the prophetic blessings upon his 12 sons.

As Christmas quickly approaches, we will pause our study in Acts for a few weeks in order to focus our hearts on celebrating the incarnation of our Savior. God the Son took on the nature of man and was born in the likeness of a servant so that we might be reconciled to the Triune God. This Sunday we will also be led in worship by the children as they sing praises to our God and recite Scriptures testifying to His nature. As you prepare your hearts for worship, take a moment and read Luke 1:46-55. This is the song Mary sings as her heart is filled with praise, knowing that God has given her the blessing of bearing the Messiah. Her song is often called "The Magnificat" because the first word in the Latin text is Magnifies. She says, "My soul magnifies the Lord" and then breaks into a psalm of worship, thanksgiving, and rejoicing in who God is and for what He has done. As we center our thoughts on the birth of Jesus, our hearts should magnify the Lord. We should stand in awe of the glorious salvation that the Lord has given to us. Let us prepare our hearts to come together in worship of our King this Sunday.