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Acts (Part Twenty-Seven)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Agrippa was knowledgeable about Jewish customs, so Festus brought him in to hear Paul's case, which lincluded his conversion and ministry.


Acts (Part Eighteen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

On Paul's second evangelistic campaign, he preaches in southern Turkey and western Greece. He tries to go north but is prevented.


Acts (Part Thirteen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

In Acts 13, the false prophet Elymas is cursed with blindness, providing the witness prompting the Proconsul Sergius Paulus to become converted.


Acts (Part Twelve)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul and Barnabas developed the church in the cosmopolitan city of Antioch, the location from where the term 'Christian' originated.


Acts (Part Eleven)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The conversion of Cornelius is nearly as pivotal as the original Pentecost because the Gentiles are given the same portal of salvation offered to Israel.


Acts (Part Twenty-Six)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul is brought before King Agrippa to make his defense. Paul gives his testimony and preaches the gospel. Agrippa is impressed but Paul appeals to Caesar.


Acts (Part Fifteen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Acts 15 focuses upon the Council of Jerusalem, discussing the controversial subject of circumcision and its relationship to salvation.


Acts (Part One)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The book of Acts could have been an exculpatory trial document designed to vindicate Paul and the early church, showing that Christianity was not a threat.


Acts (Part Twenty-Three)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul established his identity and credentials as a Jew in order to build a foundation from which to provide a logical defense of his 'apostasy'.


Acts (Part Twenty-Two)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul's insistence that a relationship with God could not be established by keeping the law did not lead to the conclusion that the law had been done away.


Acts (Part Nineteen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul encountered persecution but also saw his work bear fruit. He was driven from the synagogue, but paradoxically won over its leader, Crispus.


Acts (Part Twenty)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul's success at promoting the Way started to undermine the prosperity of vendors promoting the worship of Diana, leading to a riotous assembly in her temple.


Acts (Part Two)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our historical and theological roots are advanced in a polished, chronological narrative (Acts), perhaps designed as a trial document authored by Luke.


Acts (Part Sixteen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must always conduct ourselves with the long-term spiritual interests of others in mind, being sensitive to the conscience and scruples of others.


Acts (Part Ten)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The martyrdom of Stephen had the paradoxical effect of spreading the Gospel into Gentile venues, enabling individuals like Cornelius to be added to Christ.


Acts (Part Nine)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Stephen's martyrdom and his compassion on his persecutors, followed by the reaction against his brutal murder, resulted in a rapid spreading of the Gospel.


Acts (Part Twenty-Five)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Had Paul not appealed to Caesar, Agrippa (moved by Paul's testimony and convinced of his innocence) would have set him free. But God had other plans.


Acts (Part Fourteen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The people of Lystra and Derbe mistake Paul for Hermes and Barnabas for Zeus. When Paul convinces the crowds that he and Barnabas are not gods, they are rejected.


Acts (Part Seven)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Luke records the confrontation of the apostles and the Sanhedrin. Amazingly, the apostles found an ally in Gamaliel, a Pharisee and grandson of Hillel.


Acts (Part Twenty-One)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The phrase 'first day of the week' is used 8 times in scripture, but none does away with the Sabbath nor establishes Sunday as the 'Lords Day.'


Acts (Part Seventeen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul, by circumcising Timothy, demonstrates a reluctance to flaunt his religious liberty, preferring instead to exercise cautious conservative expediency.


Acts (Part Six)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The early church had confidence in God's sovereignty, realizing that no human authority could thwart God's power. This conviction gave them strength.


Acts (Part Five)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The witness of the apostles, particularly miraculous healings performed in the name of Jesus Christ, brought them into conflict with the Jewish leaders.


Acts (Part Eight)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Stephen points out that historically, God has dealt with His people without land or temple, but instead through deliverers, initially rejected by their own.


Acts (Part Twenty-Four)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

As Paul is miraculously rescued and taken to Caesarea, he uses every trial as an opportunity to bear witness to Christ, preaching the Gospel.


Acts (Part Four)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Peter, using the details of fulfilled prophecy, establishes the Messiahship of Jesus Christ and convicts the crowd of their culpability in His death.


Acts (Part Three)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Adherents to the Pentecostal movement try to mimic some of the superficial surface manifestations of Acts 2 rather than follow the teaching given on that day.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Two)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled His spiritual responsibilities and can now aid us in fulfilling ours, which includes keeping God's commandments.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The frightful conditions during the 1st century are typical of the times ahead. To weather these circumstances, we need the encouragement of Hebrews.


Facing Times of Stress: When God is Silent (Part Four)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Paul demonstrated inner peace during turmoil, showing consistency in times of instability and faith in God during persecution, fulfilling the role God gave him.


Hebrews as a Sermon (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Even as Hebrews prepared the first century church for persecution, so it is also relevant to today's church as it faces an increasing assault on God's law.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Three)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Hebrews was written to fulfill several needs of the first-century church. One of the most critical was to explain God's opening of eternal life to the Gentiles.


Was Paul a False Apostle?

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

One major aspect of walking the narrow way is to avoid extremes, polar opposites, and ditches on both sides of the road. C. S. Lewis warns us that Satan sends errors into the world in pairs—pairs of opposites, encouraging us to determine which is the worst and choose just the opposite. Protestant antinomian churches have …


Lamentations (Part One; 1989)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

An introduction to the book of Lamentations, focusing on grim hardships (similar to Paul's perils) Christians may face in the future.


Using God's Irrevocable Gifts for His Glory

Sermon by Mark Schindler

The apostle Paul's faithful companion, Luke the physician, demonstrated excellent stewardship of irrevocable gifts. Luke served to untangle much of Paul's convoluted verbiage, in which Peter expressed frustrated alarm that the untaught were twisting the meaning (II Peter 3:16). Luke had the gift of an investigative journalist, …


Where Did The Original Apostles Go?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The Scriptures are largely silent about the exploits of the apostles other than Paul. We have only general comments concerning their spheres of activities.


Facing Times of Stress: When God Is Silent (Part Two)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

What appeared to be a series of judicial set-backs for Paul was actually the outworking of God to place him before even higher levels of secular leadership.


Suffering Disgrace For Christ's Name

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We can always expect new challenges, including persecution, and must never be content with standing still, but must press on to spiritual maturity.


Where Is Your Ultimate Allegiance?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

When the laws of God conflict with the laws of man, civil disobedience is the only correct response, as was patterned by Peter, Paul, and the apostles.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Nine)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Book of Hebrews is a must-read for all members of God's church who seek the key for spiritual growth through a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ.


The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The days, months, and times of Galatians 4:10 do not refer to God's Holy Days (which are not weak or beggarly), but to pagan rites the Galatians came out of.


Paul: Grace, Law, and Obedience

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul's writings, because of their complexity, are frequently twisted to say that he was anti-law. By denigrating God's law, the unconverted set their own standards.