Bent Oak Church

Peter's realization that God shows no partiality leads him to preach to Cornelius' household. While he speaks, the Holy Spirit unexpectedly falls on the Gentiles, filling them with tongues and prompting worship. This event showcases the inclusive nature of God's mission and the power of the Spirit in transforming lives. The hosts discuss how preaching and worship are intertwined, emphasizing that true conversion means active participation in God's work. They also remind listeners to remain open to the Spirit's interruptions in their daily lives.

Explore how Peter's unexpected encounter with Cornelius marks a pivotal moment for the early church as it expands beyond Jewish boundaries. Dive into the significance of Peter's vision challenging dietary laws and how God redefines who is clean and unclean. Discover the roles of God-fearers and the transformative power of God's presence in a Gentile home. This story prompts a reimagining of mission, urging us to recognize God's work in unexpected places, offering hope and inclusivity amidst contemporary anxieties.

Recorded between the dramatic scenes of Saul's conversion and Peter's calling to Cornelius are two unexpected miracles and a small detail about Peter's accommodations in Joppa. These stories play no major role in the plot of Acts, so why has Luke decided to place them between such major turning points?

As we continue to examine the conversion of Saul, we see his early ministry and the unique challenges he faced. In spite of new threats, the church continued to grow, and Saul found himself embraced by this new community. Luke records that a new peace came upon the church, a peace formed by their fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. 

Many are familiar with the famous scene of the Apostle Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus, but as we look closer at the story, we'll see how this conversion was really a calling and why all of our conversions to Christianity include a call to follow Jesus and participate in his kingdom work.

While Philip was leading the rapid growth of the church in Samaria, a messenger from God sent him far South on a desert road to meet an Ethiopian eunuch who was returning home. Read to explain the scriptures, the Eunuch not only received Christ but was baptised along the side of the road. We explore the power of the gospel and why it is good news for this man searching for God. 

The martyrdom of Stephen set off a larger persecution in the city of Jerusalem. We take a closer look at how the church responded, and God used even the persecution to spread the gospel far beyond the city of Jerusalem. 

The opposition had been growing in Jerusalem, even as the church continued to add new believers to its numbers. A conflict arose between Stephen and one of the synagogues. Through false witnesses, they dragged Stephen before the Jewish leaders, where he offered an insightful recount of Jewish history with a focused conclusion on Christ and his rule. 

As the church continued to grow, it faced new challenges. Questions about money and fairness began to form lines of division. The apostles called all the disciples together to address the issue. As we look at Acts 6, we get not only a warning about the divisions churches face, but also a model for how the church can navigate those challenges. 

The apostles and Christians continue to face threats. They had been commanded to stop speaking about Jesus, but they would not obey. Instead, they continued to meet in the temple and tell people about Jesus. And again, they found themselves arrested and threatened. But an unlikely voice provides a question that will frame the whole of Acts. "If these men are of God, you will not be able to stop them."