Acts by James Rochford (2025)

God wants to make His will known to us. Some leading principles to discern God's will for our lives is to spend time in scripture, pray, look for converging leadings, seek mature advice, and determine if there will be a positive spiritual outcome from the leading. 

Prayer can be a difficult aspect of the Christian life. In order to have a thriving prayer life, we don't need to see the complete picture, see instant results, or have incredible faith. Instead, we simply need to pray and to persevere in our prayers. 

As Paul and Barnabas embark on their first missionary journey, Paul explains to people how Jesus fits into Old Testament prophecy, how Jesus fits into the history of Judaism, and how Jesus rose from the dead. From this passage, we can learn evidence for God, how to share this evidence with others, and know that people will have vastly different reactions to these truths, ranging from joyful acceptance to verbal and physical abuse. 

As Paul delivers a speech to explain evidence for Jesus as Messiah, he receives divided reactions. Some refuse to believe and become violent, while others joyfully accept God's message of forgiveness. 

Peter gives in to following the Jewish law and separates himself from the Gentiles. Paul publicly corrects and rebukes Peter, causing Peter to repent. From this, we learn that Christians should stand firm in the truth while also being willing to change our minds and repent when faced with biblical correction. 

As Paul and Silas go out on the second missionary journey, we learn several things from them about following Christ: God directs and empowers us to do His work, we will pay a high sacrifice for following Christ, and we will change people's eternities. 

Paul debates Christianity with the philosophers in Athens. As Paul presents various lines of evidence, there are mixed reactions to what is presented. Those who continued to ponder Paul's evidence came to believe in Christ. We see from this passage that God reveals Himself through intellect and thought rather than blind faith. 

Corinth was a city that seemed to have it all, yet many people still felt empty inside. God encourages Paul in Corinth by showing him that he is not alone, sending him fellow Christian workers, and protecting him from danger. 

In Paul's return to Jerusalem, he perseveres under many physical and emotional trials. Christians can learn to persevere by leaning on God's word, encouragement, and promises. 

As Paul stands on trial, we see three different responses to the gospel: refusing the gospel due to the inconvenience it may cause, refusing the gospel because it is the popular way to go, and refusing the gospel by putting the decision off for later.

As the book of Acts comes to a close, Paul faces a shipwreck on his way to Rome. Despite this suffering, Paul continues to be a light and proclaims the good news boldly and without hindrance. After the book of Acts, God continues to build His church through dedicated Christian workers who are willing to proclaim this good news to others.