Acts Devotional Commentary [Acts 8:9-25] Simon the Sorcerer

Mosaic showing Peter, Paul, Simon Magus and Nero

Simon the Sorcerer Acts 8:9-25 9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” 11 They … Read more

Acts Devotional Commentary [Acts 8:1-8] The Church Persecuted and Scattered

The Apostle Philip, by Albrecht Durer

The Church Persecuted and Scattered Acts 8:1-8 On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and … Read more

Acts Devotional Commentary [Acts 7:11-50] Stephen’s Speech To The Sanhedrin (Delivered by Moses)

Adoration of the Golden Calf, by Andrea di Lione

Stephen’s Speech To The Sanhedrin (Delivered by Moses) Acts 7:11-50 11 “Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our ancestors could not find food. 12 When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our forefathers on their first visit. 13 On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh … Read more

Acts Devotional Commentary [Acts 7:1-9] Stephen’s Speech To The Sanhedrin (The Patriarchs)

Fabrizio Santafede - St. Stephen the Martyr

Stephen’s Speech To The Sanhedrin (The Patriarchs) Acts 7:1-9 7 Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?” 2 To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran. 3 ‘Leave your country and your people,’ God said, … Read more

Acts Devotional Commentary [Acts 6:8-15] Stephen Seized

St Stephen before the Council

Stephen Seized Acts 6:8-15 8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue … Read more

Acts Devotional Commentary [Acts 6:1-7] Seven Chosen to Serve

Fresco of the Women, Catacombs of Priscilla

Seven Chosen to Serve Acts 6:1-7 6 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the … Read more