Acts 15&16 Notes:

Acts 15:1-21Paul and Barnabas heard news of the false teaching and instead of just complaining about it or ignoring it, they took action and confronted it so that it would not cause others to stumble. They didn't do it in a mean way either, they simply and calmly explained what God had taught them. 

Acts 15:5-11 This reminds me of the spiritual twist of Les Miserables. It shows the clear battle of the law verses grace. 

Acts 15:36-41 There were still sharp disagreements in the church even then. 

Acts 16:6-10 The spirit very clearly gave direction to Paul, making him unable to go places, and then he was instructed through a vision. 

Acts 16:16-24 Paul and Silas are put in prison because of a lie which the owners of the slave girl told because they were upset that because of Paul, the servant would not make them money fortune telling anymore. 

Acts 16:25-40 Look at how Paul and Silas react to being in prison. They sing hymns. That certainly is not the reaction you think of first when you hear about people in prison. Look how God uses their presence there for good! Isn't it amazing how God uses even things that would appear to be terrible, to work good!

Acts 13&14 Notes:

Acts 13:6 Man they sure end up meeting lots of sorcerers don't they. 

Acts 13:4 The Holy Spirit leads us today as well. He will tell us where to go based off of the talents He has given us! He is the planner, all we must do is listen and feel honored for being allowed to be a part of carrying out the plan!

Acts 13:6-12 The sorcerer had to suffer from blindness which is very similar to what Paul suffered through. It is not a coincidence that God uses Paul to administer this punishment. Paul had been through it, so he was probably very understanding of the situation. 

Acts 13:13-25 As I read this passage it struck me that Paul's style of speaking is very interesting. It is very focused on God, giving God the glory for everything in his speech. What if our everyday speech sounded like this? When I was at Liberty University yesterday, this same style of speech was used, it is often used at CYT as well. How would it change our lives if this became the normal way of speaking for us as individuals? 

Acts 13:38-39 Isn't it wonderful what He has done for us? No longer do we have to match up perfectly with the law, we have received His grace! (Sounds like the spiritual twist to Les Miserables to me!) 

Acts 14:1 In case you were wondering, like I was, Iconium is modern day Konya; it was an important crossroads and agricultural center in the central plain of the province of Galatia. 

Acts 14:1-7 No matter how many close calls with death these men experience, they still boldly proclaim the name of Christ! How would you react if you were almost killed because of something you said? Would you immedietly turn around and say it again, or would you shrink back into your shell?

Acts 14:8-20 Paul and Barnabas are greatly grieved when attention is turned to themselves for the miracle preformed. They wanted all the glory to go to God. Do we want the same thing? Even bette questions, do our lives show that we want the same thing? Also, Paul was stoned. That is by no means a pleasant experience, yet instead of running to hide, or trying to preach somewhere else, he goes back in to the same place where he was stoned. That was very brave. Would you be willing to go back to talk to people that left you on death's doorstep?

Acts 11&12 Notes

Acts 11:1-18 Peter has to explain his actions to the others. This shows that disagreement occurred even in the New Testament church. However, Peter kept cool, and did not get mad over it, he simply explained it just as God had explained it to him. So often we make arguments, and disagreements such a big deal. Maybe we should handle them a bit more like Peter did.
Acts 12:1-19 Another display of the great power of prayer in the New Testament church. Isn't it amazing how God provided for Peter in his time of need.
Acts 12:22-23 The punishment for not accepting Christ is very severe.

Acts 9&10

Acts 9:1-19 Saul's conversion is always amazing to read about! God was able to turn this man around from persecutor of The Way, to a follower of The Way! This section of verses reminds me of Genesius, and his story as well. Isn't it amazing how God uses the most unlikely of people to do His will?! Imagine the courage it took for Ananias to go to Saul.
Acts 9:20-31 Saul was very passionate after his conversion. He immediately risked his own life preaching in the name of Jesus. He did not lay back and be quiet about his faith, but was loud and insistent. He proclaimed the truth of Christ wherever he went. The disciples didn't believe Saul at first. Wouldn't it be really hard. But again this seems to be because the world teaches us fear. With God we are not given a spirit of fear. In His name we can go forth boldly and claim Christ as the savior of the world!
Acts 9:32-43 This first miracle Peter works he very clearly says that it is Jesus who does the healing. He does not even hint that any of the healing power comes from himself, but gives all the glory to God. The second miracle displays the power of prayer! Our God is quite amazing is he not!?!
Acts 10 I believe this chapter is hard to split up into smaller sections. It is an overall picture of God's love for each and every one of us, even those who appear to be lesser (the gentiles). We are all chosen by God and receive His spirit when we make our decision for Him. Isn't it so wonderful that He wants even us!!!

Acts 7&8 Notes

Acts 7:1-53 what is the significance of all the references which Stephen used in his answer to the high priest. Isn't it interesting that instead of trying to defend himself he makes a stand for Christ. He talks about what God has done throughout history, and never mentions himself even though we are told in the last chapter that the charges against him were made off of false witnesses. If someone said something untrue about you which would be your first reaction, to defend yourself and your innocence, or to tell the history of God?

Acts 7:54-60 Stephan's prayer as he is stones to death is very intense. He did not think I'll of those who wronged him, and even begged God to not hold that sin against them. Even under the influence of intense pain, this man is very spirit filled. 

Acts 8:1-3 This is our first glimpse into the life of Saul. This is the before picture in the befo and after sequence. 

Acts 8:4-8 Even as the church is being persecuted they teach the word. They do not shrink back and hide because of uncomfortable circumstances, but instead trust God completely, and are so in love with Him that they can't help but tell others about Him, even when it means endangering their own lives. 

Acts 8:9-25 What can we learn from Simon the sorcerer? His first attraction to faith was because of the miraculous signs the disciples were doing. Then he thought that money could buy Spirit. Do we ever make mistakes like Simon? If so let us repent and guard against such things. 

Acts 8:26-40 This passage show how God can work in the unexpected, and that His timing is perfect. Phillip trusted God to lead him to the eunuch, and God timed it perfectly to give Phillip the opportunity to share the good news with the man. Isn't God's timing so fantastic?!? In what ways could we trust God more because of what we have seen of His faithfulness and His perfect timing?

Acts 5&6 Notes

Acts 5:1-11 Ananias did not give everything to the cause of the church. He kept for himself and was selfish. It was this flaw in him that caused his death. If so severe a punishment played out today for this crime against God, how many of us would be alive? What are we holding back from giving to God?
Acts 5:12-16 The people around the early believers saw the power of God through these men. They even brought their sick to Peter, much like they did to Christ. It was not a secret that these men followed Christ. How many of your friends can say this for certain about you? Do those around you know that you are a Christian?
Acts 5:17-42 Look how God provided for the Apostles even when they were being persecuted. Also observe the attitude of these men. They were glad to be counted among those who suffer for Christ. Do we more often see that rejoicing in suffering spirit in our own lives, or do we simply resort to complaining about our situation.
Acts 6:1-7 The disciples once again are shown using much prayer to make a decision. They were devoted to spreading the message of Christ and made great effort to advance the case for Christ!
Acts 6:8-15 Nobody could stand up against Stephen because of his wisdom and the Holy Spirit by whom he spoke. Those who were against him had to resort to false witnesses to get him in trouble. Do we trust in the Spirit that dwells in us that much, do we daily seek the wisdom that only God can give?

Acts 3&4 Notes

Here are my notes from simply reading through Acts chapters three and four:
 3:1 They had a special time set aside for prayer (3 in the afternoon). What if we set aside a specific time each day to pray.
3:6-10 Peter did not have money to give to the crippled man which is what the crippled man was asking for, but he gave the man something so much more valuable. He gave him something that the man would not have even thought to ask for. How many times do we ask for something less that what God can grant us. We have such low expectations, but look here at Peter, he had very high expectations and trusted that in the name of Christ Jesus such a miracle could be achieved! What faith this man had! I think that much of this faith is missing in today's society.
3:12 Wow! Once again you can see Peter's faith and humility. And of course God's awesome power!
4:2 The Sadducees were disturbed by what Peter and the disciples were teaching. Whenever we take a stand for Christ then there will be people disturbed. The message of Christ is not comfortable, but challenging to the hearts of men. Taking a stand for Him is not going to be an easy task.
4:4 Despite the challenges Peter and John faced, and how they may have felt like failures for having been thrown in prison, they were far from it. The message which they preached was sown by the Spirit and the numbers of the church grew.
4:8-12 Peter was filled by the Holy Spirit. He did not have to worry about what to say in his time of need, for the Spirit provided him with words to defend his case for Christ. The defining part of these verses is that Peter was not relying upon his own strength to defend himself, but instead upon the strength of the Holy Spirit.
4:13-17 The men were amazed at Peter and John. They were unschooled men, and what they had done was beyond what anyone like them could ever have dreamed of doing. They were called to do what they alone could not do, but that through Christ, in His power, could be achieved. We are often called to things that we do not feel ready for, talented enough for, or simply are convinced that we will fail. It is in these situations that we must hand over the reigns to Christ, and let Him do His work in us. It is in these moments that we meet with real success because in our own power we are limited and frail, but in Him ALL things are possible. The people were not able to deny that what Peter and John had done was a miracle so in order to stop them they had to forbid them from doing things in the name of Jesus Christ.
4:18-22 Peter and John refuse to stay silent about their faith. It is so important to them that they do not care what trouble comes to them in their short lives on the earth, they only care that Christ's message is proclaimed to all the earth. How often to we think of preserving our own reputation above sharing our beliefs with others. Our hesitation to share Christ is another big difference between the church today and the church then.
4:23-31 Instead of simply disobeying their orders Peter and John went to their fellow believers and they prayed together. They prayed for strength, courage, and boldness to proclaim Christ to those around them. Instead of acting hastily their decision for Christ was made with great prayer, and they prayed with each other and for each other. The power of prayer in the early church is beginning to be a theme in this book. How can we include more prayer in our lives?
4:32 Once again the theme of unity is presented. Nothing belongs to one person, but as a family in Christ they are one.
4:33-36 The early church gave generously of all they had. Today we are so attached to our belongings. We would like to think that we would leave them behind if asked to, but we continue to cling to what is worldly and don't give generously to those more needy than ourselves around us. How can we be helping those around us who are in need?