Found in the middle of our Bibles is this beautiful poetic writing about love in all its intensity and passion. It is aptly named the Song of Songs, and this is a song we need to hear so that we will understand better the good gift of love that God has given to us.

This is another pivotal moment for the early church as we are told of the first Christian Martyr. Stephen speaks boldly about how we can know the true and living God through Jesus, and while those who opposed Stephen sought to stop his message, the result of his death was the gospel beginning to be scattered to the nations.

As the church multiplies, we see Satan attack the church as they struggle with internal conflict, distracting those whose primary call is to word ministry. We see however, that order is restored from Satan's chaos as faithful men are chosen to do the work of ministry among the church, allowing the Gospel to be proclaimed and lives continue to be changed.

Again we see that the apostles are arrested, and again warned to stay silent about Jesus. But despite threats and punishment the apostles continue to speak boldly about Jesus. Their boldness is a great encouragement and challenge to us as they not only endured but rejoiced at being counted worthy to suffer disgrace for  the name of Jesus.

In this reading today, we see the first episode of sin and deceit within the early Christian community. How will this impact the community? What will God do about it? We will see a warning as God still takes sin very seriously as well as an encouragement as he is able to overcome sin.

The early church had, through great threats of persecution, even greater gifts of God's grace at their disposal. They had been given direct access to their Lord through prayer and great power to preach the gospel. They were able to use their own possessions in service to God's Kingdom.

The church of Christ, which is only a few weeks old, will begin to suffer great persecution as allegiance to Christ leaves no room for any other belief system. With great boldness, Peter and John proclaim Jesus as the only name by which we can be saved.

We see an incredible act  of God's power in the healing of a crippled beggar, and not just in his body, but for his soul too. This brings an amazed crowd to hear Peter's explanations, followed by the gospel and calling sinners to repentance.. There is a great hope for all who turn to Jesus in repentance and faith.

The church in Jerusalem experienced great numerical growth in response to Peter's sermon, and in today's passage we see how they also grew into a community that was committed to the gospel and to one another, and they enjoyed the blessings belonging to the saviour. 

The strange events which accompanied the giving of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost caused many to be "amazed and perplexed". This leads to Peter explaining what was going on in the very first Christian sermon, and in it we'll hear the good news of salvation in Christ and the need to respond in repentance and faith.