I hope that giving this explanation will be helpful for anybody who, like me growing up, doesn’t know what “going to church” actually entails. ...

The Holy Spirit's guiding brings Silas, Timothy, and Luke into Paul's life as he begins his second missionary journey. The Holy Spirit then prevents them from going to Asia and Bithynia, ultimately revealing through a vision given to Paul, that they are called to preach the gospel in Macedonia. ...

For every human being in the world today, there is no question more important than the one posed by the jailer in this passage, "What must I do in order to be saved?" There’s only one answer, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved."...

God is sovereign over planting churches, and over saving souls. He does it through the gospel being faithfully preached. God opens the hearts of some to respond with faith, while others reject the gospel because of the hardness of their hearts. Lydia did not open her own heart; the Lord opened her heart. ...

It is through baptism that we who have come to faith in Jesus dramatize what has taken place in our hearts. Baptism portrays the work of the Holy Spirit himself uniting us spiritually with Jesus and his atoning death on the cross. It also portrays our new spiritual life and our future resurrection life. ...

Luke tells us about a sharp disagreement between Barnabas and Paul that led to the disintegration of their close working relationship together as teachers and preachers. Even though they separated, Paul kept and had respect for Barnabas’ work and eventually found Mark useful for ministry. ...

Spiritual maturity requires standing firm on core gospel issues, but favoring love and unity over disagreement on non-essentials. There are times when conceding to others' consciences is right, wise, and loving. ...

Unity that compromises the doctrine of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone is destructive....

Paul and Barnabas return to the cities they preached in, not as evangelists, but as shepherds to organize the believers into churches with elders. ...

Paul urged the people of Lystra to turn away from vain sacrifices to gods and turn to the true living God. He knew his audience and spoke to them about God’s common grace in their lives. ...