Acts 29 - Where Do We Go From Here?

When I was asked to write this blog about Acts 29 I thought “sure, no problem”, but as my deadline approached I realized I that this subject presented some difficult questions without the easy answers.

The Book of Acts ends with the 28^th chapter without a lot of instruction or a detailed blueprint for the future of the early church.  It makes you wonder what was going on in the minds of the early church.  I can just imagine some of their doubt and questions ……..What do we do without leadership from the apostles?  How will we survive?  How soon will the Lord be returning? 

Personally, I’m a businessman with an accounting background.  I like to have an organized long-term plan, defined responsibilities, and a strategy for all possible outcomes.  But, as we come toward the end of another year I am again personally reminded that real life doesn’t work that way.  Loved ones are lost, families are broken up or scattered across the country, and our efforts at home or work don’t always result in success.

Today at GCR, I believe we have some of the same questions and doubts as the early church of Acts 29..…… How are we going to survive?  Where will our leadership come from?  What is God’s plan for our church?

It is my hope and prayer that our own 29^th chapter at GCR relies on God’s Word for our strategy, trust in our elders for leadership, and a cooperative willingness to follow God’s Plan.  I’m pretty sure that our chapter won’t be written exactly like we imagine or according to our individual plans.  But I know that we are a blessed people and God has a plan for GCR and we have a Savior that has provided the blueprint.  I believe we need to actively encourage one another with God’s Word and His Promises as we continue working together in the writing of the 29^th chapter at GCR.

God bless & Happy New Year!

- Richard Hatchett 

Cornelius

It’s interesting how someone can enter your life for just a brief period but can leave a lasting impact that isn’t forgotten.  That’s what Cornelius does when he enters Peter’s life in Acts 10.  He isn’t mentioned anywhere else in scripture but wow, what an impact.

I think of Cornelius as a strong, confident leader that has a quiet strength.  He was, after all, a leader of Roman soldiers.  When I think of centurions and Roman soldiers, compassionate is not the first word that comes to mind.  But that is how he is described at the beginning of the chapter.  It’s this description of him as a leader of his family and that he gave generously to the needy that separates him from the Roman soldiers that I think of at the cross.  It seems to go against the grain to be a Centurion in the Roman army and be a compassionate, God-fearing believer.  It’s his character that makes him a strong man, not his position or his uniform.

As difficult as it may have been for Cornelius to have faith in God because of his environment, it can be difficult for us today as well.  Many of us have environments at work and home, and have family and friends that push us to just be part of their world.  It may be hard to be different and take a stand for a life with Christ.  But this vulnerability and compassion of Cornelius to listen and believe the angel and Peter’s teaching  is his true strength.  I hope there is a little Cornelius’ character in all of us.

- Brian Free

Acts in Kenya

In this study of Acts, we have learned about some truly amazing things that happened through the power of the Holy Spirit.  As we read through all these amazing stories, it’s tempting to put them in a box on our spiritual shelves labeled, “Cool Things That Used To Happen.”  It seems like today, it’s a lot harder to find these kinds of stories.  I mean, Phillip just happens to be right where the eunuch is passing while reading a scripture prophesying the messiah?  Really?

But I believe that the stories in Acts are not there for us to marvel at what God used to do.  They are there to demonstrate to us the kind of awesome power that is at our disposal when we walk with Christ.  The problem with us “modern” Christians is that we have a hard time seeing these things happen in our world.  When we do hear stories of God’s amazing power at work, we are “amazed.”  But we shouldn’t be amazed that God is alive and active and working to redeem His creation.  It’s the entire story of the bible!

One of our problems is that we are so busy astounding ourselves with what WE can do, that we don’t leave room to see what God can do.  The amazing ingenuity of mankind that brings us technological advancements and modern conveniences can sometimes be a blanket over our heads that blinds us to what God is doing in the world.

Traveling to Kenya so much in the past few years has taught me a lot.  I am profoundly grateful that God chose me to be born where and when I was.  You often hear people who have traveled oversees say they now realize how blessed we are as Americans.  There are so many things we take for granted that bless our lives.  All this is true.  But when it comes to seeing the awesome power of God on display, it helps to be without all of the things that can prevent you from seeing the lost, broken people that God cares so much about.

In America, even our poor are wealthy in the eyes of the rest of the world.  When was the last time you read a story in the paper about American refugees, living unrecognized and uncared-for in a camp outside the city?  Yet in my few travels to Kenya, not only have I read about them, but I have had the privilege of meeting them, and hearing their story of how God actively orchestrated their physical salvation and spiritual salvation.

But not only is God still active in the world, He is using His body, His church, to do his work.  Our involvement in Kenya would not have happened without the church, both here and in Kenya.  There was no orphan’s work before the churches were planted there and there can’t be a continuing orphans work without them.  God uses people to do His work on earth, and His church to bring His people together.

Friends, believe me, the era of Acts is not over.  Acts is not a history as much is it a book of examples of how God was, and is continuing to move heaven and earth closer together through the power of His church.  Our God is alive, AND involved!  It just takes removing the blanket of our “modern” existence to see His glory on display right where He said He would be, in the eyes of His poor, hopeless, suffering children.  I hope during this time of focusing on our work in Kenya you get a peek from under the blanket of a God that truly cares.

- Tim Neale 

Philip & the Ethiopian

Acts 8 begins with Saul approving of Stephen being stoned to death.  Thereafter, persecution broke out against the church. Many fled from this persecution, including Philip, who went to a city in Samaria where he continued to proclaim the good news of the Messiah. Many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.  Philip would baptize those, both men and women, who believed in the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ.  When an angel of the Lord came and directed Philip to take the desert road, he did exactly that and encountered an Ethiopian eunuch.  The Ethiopian was in a chariot on his way home from Jerusalem attempting to understand the Book of Isaiah the prophet.  The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”  So, Philip approached the chariot and asked the Ethiopian if he could understand what he was reading and later translated the passage for him.  Philip continued on with the scripture and the good news about Jesus.  As they traveled together, they came to water where Philip would baptize the Ethiopian and would be suddenly taken away by the Lord.  Nevertheless, the Ethiopian continued on his way rejoicing.

In my eyes, there are so many themes to take away from this book.  What resounded in my mind and heart is the notion that God brings people in our lives for His very specific calling; and conversely, uses us in other peoples’ lives for that very same function of bringing people to the cross.  As it relates to my own life, I grew up in a dysfunctional family of divorce that never attended church together.  At the age of four, my father re-married and moved on with his ‘new’ family and left it solely up to my mother to raise all three kids.  It was later on in my adolescent years when I met my now-wife and we began dating.  Her family was like nothing I had ever seen before, but everything I had always wanted.  They were involved, loving, kind, welcoming, and, most of all, God-fearing.  At the age of 18, God sent ‘Philip’ into my life in the form of my wife’s grandfather.  This man loved life with an invigorating passion, loved his family with all of his might, and loved the Lord with all of his heart.  He did all this while living his life to the highest degree of integrity.  It was through his example and our subsequent friendship that drew me to the Lord and changed my life forever. 

For so many of us, whether we know it or not, God is using us as ‘Philip’ in someone’s life to bring them closer to Him.  For all we know, you may be the only Bible that person reads!

- Ryan Riddle

Acts 4

Peter and John had been preaching and teaching about Jesus and the resurrection, and had healed a cripple. The Jewish leaders wanted to know under what authority or name they were doing this. After Peter and John were arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin, Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and surprised the group with his answer. They were surprised because Peter and John weren’t educated but recognized that they had been with Jesus.

Acts 4: 13 - Now when these men saw how boldly Peter and John spoke, and perceived that they were uneducated and [even] ignorant men, they were quite surprised; then they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

Having been with Jesus for 3 years, Peter and John reflected His character. They might not have gone to the official Rabbi school, but they had been living with and learning from the greatest Rabbi of all. When it seemed Peter’s back was against the wall, he was filled with the Holy Spirit to answer the Sanhedrin with confidence and boldness. When we live and learn Jesus, we will reflect His character too. And others will recognize that we have been with Him. And when we are called to give an answer for our faith, we can call upon the Holy Spirit to speak boldly. 

- Eileen Guthrie