Contemplative Bible Reading

Acts 15:31 (New Living Translation) 31 And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message. The apostles and elders in Jerusalem had written a short letter to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. When received, the reaction was described above. The message was encouraging; there was […]

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Acts 2:37a (New Living Translation) 37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, Peter is speaking to a large crowd on the day credited with the birth of the church (so some say). At the end of talk, there is the reaction of the crowd. They all respond to Peter’s admonitions. But first, we have this description […]

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Acts 8:1 (New Living Translation) 1 Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. This is one of […]

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Acts 14:16-17 (New Living Translation) 16 In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, 17 but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.” Paul is talking to a group of […]

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Acts 11:2-3 (Christian Standard Bible) 2 When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, 3 saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” The above verses were written about the early days of the church, i.e., the followers of Jesus. There was a group of persons in the church known […]

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Acts 6:1 (New Living Translation) 1 But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. The church was born. Everyone was excited, cut to the heart, ready to explode, all in […]

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Acts 5:24 (Christian Standard Bible) 24 As the captain of the temple police and the chief priests heard these things, they were baffled about them, wondering what would come of this. The Apostles were teaching and healing and doing all sorts of things that drew large crowds of people. Filled with jealousy, the High Priest […]

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Acts 3:6 (New Living Translation) 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” This is part of the (hi)story of Peter healing a man who was lame. The man asked for […]

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Acts 17:27 (New Living Translation) 27 His (God’s) purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. Paul is speaking to the educated people in Athens. Paul is telling these smart folks about the God that […]

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Acts 5:12-13 (New Living Translation) 12 The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. Miracles […]

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