Author: Administrador

How quickly things can change, and how differently people can interpret the same event! Last week’s reading from Acts 3 featured the people’s amazement at the apostles’ healing the lame man who had long begged for alms at the temple gate. They were so taken with the apostles’ miraculous work, they worshipped them. Yet Peter … Continue reading “Acts 4:5-12 Commentary by F. Scott Spencer”

The establishing, negotiating, and naming of power and acts of power is inherently political and very often religious. The Jewish leaders (including elders, scribes, the High Priest and those associated with his office) had held the apostles in custody overnight, and the following day they summoned Peter and John to interrogate them. Like the leaders … Continue reading “Acts 4:5-12 Commentary by Mitzi J. Smith”

When it comes to modern preachers, “boldness” may not inherently be a virtue. While no one wants a milktoast speaker, many of us associate “boldness” with religious voices too arrogant and unsophisticated for our liking. However, today’s first lesson features a “boldness” characterized not by volume but by the Spirit, which manifests itself at just … Continue reading “Acts 4:5-12 Commentary by Troy Troftgruben”

When the risen Jesus was exalted to God’s right hand, he poured out the Holy Spirit upon the early believers at Pentecost. The dynamic result included, among other things, that “many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles” in Jesus’ name (Acts 2:42). The same Divine Spirit that animated Jesus to do God’s … Continue reading “Acts 3:12-19 Commentary by F. Scott Spencer”

In Acts, the apostles perform miracles by the power of the God of the living, the one who created the world. Peter’s words, “Why do you marvel at this or why do you stare at us as if by our own power or religiosity we have caused him to walk?” (3:12) are indicative of the … Continue reading “Acts 3:12-19 Commentary by Mitzi J. Smith”

One of the primary themes of Acts, I am convinced, is the expansion of boundaries that separate individuals and group.1 We all know what it’s like to be part of a group. We share common interests, beliefs, commitments, etc. We are part of an in-group. Many among us have experience in being part of the … Continue reading “Acts 3:12-19 Commentary by Coleman Baker”

The summary statement at the end of Acts 2 says that in Jerusalem, “awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles” (2:43), and that Jesus’ followers “spent much time together in the temple” (2:46). The beginning of chapter 3 illustrates these statements beautifully. Peter and John are shown … Continue reading “Acts 3:1-26  Commentary by Elisabeth Johnson”

This passage in which Peter and John heal a lame man is the first scene in the Book of Acts after the story of Pentecost in chapter 2. Luke told us how the church was formed by the gift of the Holy Spirit and baptism and gathered around the apostles’ teaching and now moves on … Continue reading “Acts 3:1-10 Commentary by O. Wesley Allen Jr.”

Christians make their most magnificent claims during Easter. It is a bold thing to do, for the victorious assertions of the resurrection are not easily squared with the despair and violence that characterize human experience. This Sunday’s reading describes a state of affairs that looks extremely attractive, yet utterly unrealistic or beyond our reach. Its … Continue reading “Acts 2:42-47 Commentary by Matt Skinner”

In the book of Acts three major summaries connect narratives to miracle stories and miracle stories to narratives (2:42-47; 4:32-35; 5:12-16). These summaries provide a general picture of the activities the new believers engaged in when they congregated under the leadership of the apostles. Our text, 2:42-47, the first major summary, follows the massive baptism … Continue reading “Acts 2:42-47 Commentary by Mitzi J. Smith”