Acts Devotional Commentary [Acts 13:4-12] Barnabas and Saul On Cyprus

Paul and Barnabas Holding the Church at Cyprus

Saul and Barnabas On Cyprus Acts 13:4-12 4 The two of them [Saul & Barnabas], sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their … Read more

Acts Devotional Commentary [Acts 12:25-3:3] Barnabas and Saul Sent Off

Barnabas and Saul Sent Off Acts 12:25-3:3 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark. Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and … Read more

Acts Devotional Commentary [Acts 12:20-24] Herod’s Death

Arundel, Christ before Pilate and Herod, c. 1310

Herod’s Death Acts 12:20-24 Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s … Read more

Acts Devotional Commentary [Acts 12:6-19] Peter’s Miraculous Escape From Prison

Hendrick Terbrugghen, The Liberation of Saint Peter

Peter’s Miraculous Escape From Prison Acts 12:6-19 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side … Read more

Acts Devotional Commentary [Acts 12:1-5] James Executed and Peter Imprisoned

Strobel, Beheading of Saint James the Greater

James Executed and Peter Imprisoned Acts 12:1-5 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to … Read more

Acts Devotional Commentary [Acts 11:18-30] The Church In Antioch

Expulsion of the Jews in the Reign of the Emperor Hadrian CE 135

The Church In Antioch Acts 11:18-30 (NRSV) 19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen [had] traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. 20 But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, … Read more