In Acts 21:17-23:11 Paul's gospel is on trial being judged according to its respect for conscience in relation to the non-essentials of ritual practice and the essentials of faith in Jesus and the resurrection.

Observe the Word

Acts 21:17-23:11 The Gospel's Respect for Conscience

In Acts 20:1-21:16, Luke ends the first movement of Part VI with a three-part defense of Paul's gospel ministry: a miracle of resurrection, a speech to partners in the gospel, and prophecies identifying Paul's coming trials as part of God's sovereign plan.

Acts 20:1-21:16 Defense by Miracle, Message and Prophecy

In Acts 19:21-41, Luke begins Part VI the final major section of the letter in which he provides a defense of the gospel by defending the gospel's messenger Paul. Each of the five movements in this part contains a danger avoided, beginning here with a riot.

Acts 19:21-41 The Defense of Paul and the Riot in Ephesus

In Acts 19:1-20, Luke completes Acts Part V with a focus on how the Kingdom of God, being established in Ephesus, clashed with the spiritual forces of darkness in that city.

Acts 19:1-20 The Holy Spirit and the Name of Jesus

In Acts 18:1-28, Luke continues to define and defend the gospel as Paul's preaching encounters Gentile culture with an emphasis in Corinth on the particularly new covenant expression of the local community of God's people.

Acts 18:1-28 Jesus Christ and the New People of God

In Acts 17:1-34, Luke uses the gospel's encounter with Gentile philosophy, politics and religion to highlight the Christian beliefs that God is the one true creator God and Jesus Christ is Lord and judge of all peoples.

Acts 17:1-34 Gentile Philosophy, Politics and Religion

In Acts 16:6-40, Luke begins Part V of Acts with a problem in Philippi that provides insight into the Holy Spirit's work in the life of a believer contrasted to the pagan experience of spiritism.

Acts 16:6-40 The Holy Spirit and the Powers of Darkness

In Acts 15:22-16:5, the apostles and elders in Jerusalem send a letter to Gentile believers urging obedience to certain commands. Why? This is a 2nd question of covenant issue.

Acts 15:22-16:5 The Jerusalem Council - 2nd Question

In Acts 15:1-21, the missionary expansion of the gospel among Gentiles forces the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem to address the theology of Gentile inclusion beginning with the first question of covenant.

Acts 15:1-21 The Jerusalem Council – 1st Question

In Acts 14:1-28, we consider seven strategic actions that help us understand the missionary ministry of Paul.

Acts 14:1-28 Paul’s Strategy – Iconium to Derbe and Back Again

In Acts 13:13-52, we consider in this unique example of Paul preaching in a synagogue the proclamation of promise fulfilled in Jesus and the response of both Jews and Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch.

Acts 13:13-52 Paul’s Speech in the Synagogue of Promise and Fulfillment

In Acts 12:25-13:12, from the church of Antioch gospel mission to Gentiles begins, being initiated and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 12:25-13:12 The Holy Spirit Initiates Gospel Mission to Gentiles

In Acts 12:1-24, two stories sharing the common factors of King Herod and an angel present for us the ongoing struggle between the power of man and the power of God.

Acts 12:1-24 The Power of God, the Power of Man, and Angels

In Acts 11:19-30, the first report of a church plant of Gentiles in the major urban city of Antioch provides a widow into an early, healthy Christian community suggesting principles to apply in our own communities.

Acts 11:19-30 The Healthy Christian Community at Antioch

In Acts 11:1-18, Peter reports back to the believers in Jerusalem concerning the events at Cornelius' household, raising questions for us about the modern day understanding of the gift of tongues and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 11:1-18 Cornelius’ Household and Speaking in Tongues

Bible teacher Michael Brent helps listeners interpret the Bible, currently teaching the Gospel of John with a focus on the nature of Jesus, the nature of faith and the nature of discipleship.