Author: Robert Spiller

Married to Pam my wife for 57 Years, we have 2 married daughters and six grandchildren. In 1983 we were called into Christian ministry at Crossroad Christian Fellowship. After serving as pastor for 28 years I handed over this responsibility to Pastor Jon Sibley and continued to serve as an elder until August 2020. We both remain active members of Crossroads.

Peter is given an object lesson, What Jesus did on the Cross was for the whole Gentile world, as well as the Jewish world. Acts 10:1-23.

~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

Despite his devotion and his prayers to the one true God, and his charitable giving to the poor, Cornelius was an unsaved man who needed to hear the gospel. He believed in God but this did not make him a Christian! Sadly there are many today who attend church and believe in God who deceive themselves and others because association with Christian’s doesn’t make you one. Happily for Cornelius his prayers and actions were noticed by the Lord, who prepared Peter so that Cornelius and his household could hear and respond to the Gospel 10:1-2.

Peter while praying falls into a trance, it was while Peter was in this state of mind that God spoke to him through a vision of ritually unclean animals, and a voice from heaven insisting he should kill and eat. This was against his Jewish convictions and must of been extremely hard for Peter to understand 10:14

The Holy Spirit breaks into Peters musings and tells Peter not to doubt but go with Cornelius’s servants, “because I have sent them” Sometimes we can spend too much time before obeying God. With a few notable exceptions, most of those called by God to specific tasks responded quickly 10:19.

God answers the sincere prayers of those who seek Him, often by sending the right person and answer at the right time 10:4

We must always be open to letting the Holy Spirit change our long held wrong views !

A verse to remember

The voice spoke again, “ If God says something is acceptable, don’t say it isn’t “ Acts 10:15 N.L.T.

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Peter travels from place to place visiting the believers Acts 9:32-43.

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Pause for thought

Peters travels were a walk of faith. How the Holy Spirit directed Peter we are not told, but we can see how God put Peter in the right place at the right time 9:32.

The healing of Aeneas did not only bless Aeneas, but was a sign and wonder of the Lords power. This drew the inhabitants of the villages of Lydda and Sharon and many came to believe in Jesus 9:35.

Tabitha or in Greek “Dorcas” was a disciple of Jesus who made an impact in Joppa by her kindness to the poor. .She died while Peter was healing Aeneas and sharing the Gospel in Lydda. Peter was sent for and raised Tabitha to life! It is striking how similar this was to the raising of the daughter of Jairus by Jesus as recorded in Mark 5:41. Again the raising of Tabitha was a sign and wonder that drew a crowd and many believed in the Lord Jesus 9:42

Peter stays a “long time” in Joppa with Simon a leather worker waiting for his next assignment. Peter was a channel of Gods power. We can think to much of what we can’t do and too little of what Jesus Christ can do through us 9.43.

A verse to remember

The news raced through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord. Acts 9:42 N.L.T.

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Saul, Full of the Holy Spirit, hits the road running! Acts 9: 20-31.

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Pause for thought

Saul immediately began preaching about Jesus in the Synagogue, he didn’t wait before telling others about Jesus, nor should we!

Saul’s message was clear “Jesus is the son of God” he preached in the very Synagogue’s that the letters from the high priest were to be delivered, empowering Saul to arrest the Christians in Damascus., Saul was certainly expected by those in the Synagogue, but they were not expecting to hear what he was saying!

The more Saul preached, the more powerful his preaching became. Some suggest this was because Saul was well versed in the scriptures, but this is only partially true. The Holy Spirit the author of the scriptures had opened Saul’s eyes and heart ( revelation ) to the scriptures that all spoke of the coming Messiah, revealed as Jesus of Nazareth. Saul was a very strong character, however his strength now came from the indwelling Holy Spirit, despite his strong personality Saul always did as God directed, “ my gracious favour is all you need. My power works best in your weakness”. Saul was to write “for when I am weak ,then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

A verse to remember

The Church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it grew in strength and numbers. The believers were walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Acts 9:31 N.L.T.

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Saul See’s a Great light and Hear’s a Voice from Heaven. Saul is Born Again Acts 9:1-20.

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Pause for thought

God broke into Saul’s life in a spectacular way, very rarely will two Christian’s have the same conversion experience. The important thing is that we respond by faith to Jesus however God brings it about. 9: 3-6.

True conversion comes from a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, we are “born again” from above. We are brought from death into Life! Jesus described what happens when a sinner gets born again! Please read John 3:5-8.

Saul had been converted for three days before he was filled with the Spirit and commissioned, this was likely Saul’s baptism with the Holy Spirit 9: 17.

Saul’s conversion may be different from ours, but we must not limit God He can do anything in us if like Paul we are Spirit baptised and readily available to the Lord 9:20.

A verse to remember

He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “ Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” “Who are you Sir?” Saul asked. And the voice replied . “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” Acts 9:4-6 N.L.T.

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Hand Picked Fruit? Acts 8:26-40.

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Pause for thought

What do you think? Are you a windfall or a hand picked fruit? “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain” the words of Jesus, John 15:16. He chose us in Him before the Foundation of the world that we should be without blame before Him in love, Ephesians 1:4.

Philip was preaching to great crowds with much success 8:5-8 Yet he obediently did as the angel directed and went down to the road that ran through Gaza. Because Philip went where God sent him, he was able to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit telling him to run and join the chariot of the high Ethiopian official, who “just happened “ to be reading about the Christ from Isaiah 53:7-8 , who but the “author” of the very scripture was able to explain the scripture to the Ethiopian than the one who in dwelt Philip?

Philips obedience was equalled by the Ethiopian who 1 Asked for help to understand 2 was willing to listen to Philip as he explained the scriptures 3 Had an open heart towards God 4 Understood and obeyed.

The Lord chose Philip to bear fruit, and chose the Ethiopian to become a believer in Jesus Christ. Your experience will be different from the Ethiopians, he was an important official but he needed a saviour the same as yourself! All Gods children are chosen in Jesus, but it doesn’t stop there, All Gods children are called to be fruitful, please read John 15:1-17.

A verse to remember

Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, see here is water! What hinders me from being baptised? Then Philip said, said, “If you believe with all your heart you may.” And he answered and said , “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

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When Persecution Accomplishes The Purposes Of God. Acts 8:1-25.

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Pause for thought

God used the persecution that had arisen following the stoning of Stephen to drive the church out of Jerusalem, They were scattered everywhere preaching ( gossiping the gospel) 8:4 see Acts 1:8.

Philip was a deacon not an apostle, he was a man full of the Holy Spirit and faith 6:5 He had left Jerusalem because of the persecution and found himself in the city of Samaria. As he preached the gospel and did many miracles, this caused his hearers to listen intently to his message about the Kingdom of God and the person of Jesus. Many believed and were baptised in water 8:12

These Samaritan believers were born again believers they were indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Now through the laying on of hands by the Apostles Peter and John they received a new experience of empowerment as the Holy Spirit “fell upon them”. The Holy Spirit was now not only in them, but also on them, this was their baptism “in” or “with” the Spirit 8:15

There was a great move of the Spirit in Samaria, great joy! with many believers being added to the church. Where there is revival and Holy Spirit power, sins not repented of often come to light, as with Ananias and Sapphira see 5:1-11 so Simon the sorcerer’s sin was revealed when he offered money for the gift of God. Peter saw that Simons heart had been poisoned by bitterness and was bound by iniquity. Please note Peter gave Simon the opportunity to repent 8:22-24.

A verse to remember

And the Multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did 8:6. N.K.J.

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The Martyrdom of Stephen Acts chapter 7.

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Pause for thought

Stephen is remembered as the first Christian to give his life for the Lord, and the gospel. He is remembered for the Holy Spirits presence in his life, he was an outstanding leader, teacher, and debater 7:2

The High priest and leading Jews were outraged that rather than defend himself, Stephen went on the attack. speaking by the Holy Spirit he exposed their hearts for displaying the same rebellious spirit just as their ancestors had done when they resisted God throughout the history of Israel. They were uncircumcised in their heart and ears, they thought that because they had been circumcised they were OK. Outward ritual does not make anyone right with God, in fact according to this verse it can cause spiritual deafness 51. And a desire in the heart to return to Egypt and slavery 39

Stephen had been accused of speaking against the Temple 6:13, But he knew that God is not limited to living in Temples made of stone, but in hearts that are open to receive Him Isaiah 66:1-2.

Stephen’s life is a continual challenge to all Christians. Because he was the first to die for the faith, his sacrifice raises questions: How many risks do we take in being Jesus followers? Would we be willing to die for Him? Are we really willing to live for Him? ( N.L.B. foot notes)

A verse to remember

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily upward into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honour at God’s right hand. Acts 7:55 N.L.T.

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The Partnership of the Gospel, God directed Delegation . Acts 6:1-15.

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Pause for thought

Don’t get distracted from your God given task, the Apostles didn’t. Where there is church especially when it is growing, problems arise! On this occasion it was recognised by the Apostles as a genuine need to be addressed, and also they probably saw it as an opportunity to delegate and involve others in the work. They made it clear to the church that they were called to continually pray and teach/preach the word 6:4

This is probably the first recorded church meeting in the Bible Acts 6:2. The Apostles set the brief the men you choose must be of good reputation , full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. The congregation recommended seven men for Approval for ordination by the Apostles, note the absence of a vote! 6:5-6

Administration is not a lesser calling than Apostleship, the candidates must be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, wisdom is can be defined as the right application of knowledge Romans 11:33

The Word of God spread like the ripples on a pond, the gospel continues to spread as the Word is preached and Gods children each contribute. Your part whatever it is, is just as important and significant in spreading the gospel 6:7

Stephen was not an apostle, but was a man full of faith and power and did great signs and wonders. He was fast becoming a thorn in the devils side so it’s not surprising that he became a target. When witnessing for Christ we must never forget we are in a spiritual battle, we become targets so we should not think it strange if the devil tries to cause us problems , it simply shows the effectiveness of the Holy Spirits ministry at work in us. 6:11 and 1 Peter 4:12:14.

A verse to remember

Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Acts 6:7 N.K.J.V.

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Preaching the message of Life Acts 5:17-42

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Pause for thought

The Apostles had Angelic help escaping from the prison, this was repeated on other occasions Acts 12:7, 16:26, also in Acts 10:3, and 8:26, and 8:29 an Angel gives instructions to Philip and in 8:39 the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away to his next preaching engagement just a few just a few of the incidents where Angels ministered on behalf of Christians see Hebrews 1:14.

Acts 5 contrasts the disobedience of Ananias and Sophira and the obedience of the Apostle’s, the former were seeking praises from people, the Apostles determined to obey God and seek His praise ( I think any reward they might get was far from their minds) 5:29.

They were to preach “all the words of this life” (N.K.J) these instructions were directly opposite the words of the religious leaders of the day. Like today these are words of LIFE for dying men.

Ananias and Sophira lied to the Holy Spirit. When we preach we must preach what is true, “the whole gospel” then we can be sure of the Spirit’s help alongside John 15:26. For “He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness and judgement”John 16:8-11.

The Home Bible class ( not a modern invention) as well teaching as in the Temple courts was an important way for the early Christians to share their faith 5:42.

A verse to remember

And every day, in the Temple and in their homes, they continued to teach and preach this message “ The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus”

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The dishonesty of Ananias and Sapphira Acts 5:1-16

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Pause for thought

The church faced internal and external problems as today. Outside, the church faced the pressure of persecution, while inside was pride, dishonesty, and greed. All the while the Apostles didn’t loose their focus on spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. They didn’t cave in to the problems at all but the Holy Spirit made them stand firm. Problems wether within or without can be stepping stones in the purposes of God rather than stumbling blocks 5:12. See also Romans 8:28.

The account of Ananias and Sophia reminds us that Satan prowls around seeking whom he may devour 1 Peter 5:8 This couple were seeking to be noted for their giving, the proceeds from the sale of land that was theirs to do with as they pleased but when they lied to Peter that they were giving all the proceeds of the sale they were lying to God the Holy Spirit. We can’t be certain if these two were Christian’s if so they lost their lives but not their souls. or perhaps they were hangers on like those who now through fear dared not join the church 5:13.

In Mathew 6:3 Jesus said “don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” he is teaching that our motives for giving to God and to others must be pure. When in leadership I had no idea what members of the fellowship were giving, this was for benefit of all involved for obvious reasons. Best be a secret giver!

A verse to remember

No one else dared join them, though everyone had high regard for them. And more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord, crowds of both men and women. Acts 5:13-14. N.L.T.

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