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Acts 27:13-44

RB
Randy Blacketer

“Call me Ishmael.” So begins the epic sea adventure Moby Dick, in which the conflict between humanity and the Leviathan symbolizes so many other conflicts. It’s a story that captivates us, as we have always been captivated by stories of voyages and adventures at sea. The adventures and exploits of Odysseus, doing battle with mythical…

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Acts 15:1-21

AP
Al Postma

I’m going to start with the obvious observation that talking about circumcision is not simply an abstract theological conversation. The core of the discussion might be theological principles that are rooted in the biblical story, but the consequences of it are painfully practical. In the case of people new to the faith, being informed that…

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Acts 28:17-31

AP
Al Postma

General Reflections: “Let me tell you about that pastor.” I’ve had a conversation with a pastor who was new to a church and I asked him what he thought about his predecessor. His reply: “I’ve never met the pastor, but I don’t like him!” As a new pastor, there were people who had shared their…

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Acts 8:14-17

Epiphany 1C

Stan Mast headshot
Stan Mast

This snippet of early Christian history might seem unimportant, slim fodder for a sermon, and a peculiar choice for this first Sunday after Epiphany, until we see its place in the larger story of the Christian church. Then we’ll recognize it as one of the great turning points in the Gospel mission. That, in turn,…

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Acts 20:7-38

BS
Bill Sytsma

Circumstances and Vision: In September, 2012, nine months after being named the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (a cancer of the white blood cells).  After coaching only three games as a head coach, Pagano took an indefinite leave of absence in order to undergo treatments at…

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Acts 2:1-21

Pentecost B

Scott-Hoezee
Scott Hoezee

Note: The Common Lectionary during Eastertide substitutes readings from Acts for Old Testament lections. Comments and Observations.  Like a lot of us, I have seen my share of people at wedding receptions, at restaurants, and at beaches who have had too much to drink.  My son and I ate at a Chicago steakhouse a couple…

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Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

Easter 7B

Scott-Hoezee
Scott Hoezee

Comments, Observations, and Questions to Consider Note: The Common Lectionary during Eastertide substitutes readings from Acts for Old Testament lections.  Pentecost hasn’t happened just yet and so maybe we can give Peter a break for an exegetical exercise that you simply have to assume would not pass muster in the average seminary Bible course.  Replacing…

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Acts 10:44-48

Easter 6B

Scott-Hoezee
Scott Hoezee

It sure was a lot easier to get baptized back then.   Last week we saw Philip spend a relatively brief period of time explaining to some Ethiopian a passage in Isaiah and next thing you know—at the stranger’s request no less—Philip is baptizing him and the man went “on his way rejoicing.”   Now in this…

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Acts 8:26-40

Easter 5B

Scott-Hoezee
Scott Hoezee

May I just ask a rather simple, straightforward question:  Where in the whole wide world did this Ethiopian fellow get a copy of Isaiah?? I mean, it’s not like he had downloaded it onto his Kindle.  It’s not as though while he was in Jerusalem he found it on the “remaindered scrolls” table at the…

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Acts 4:5-12

Easter 4B

Scott-Hoezee
Scott Hoezee

Comments and Observations If only the Common Lectionary had gone on just one more verse! Stopping shy of verse 13 deprives us from seeing one of the great passages of the Bible. Because it is there that the ruling authorities—who are seeking to hush up the apostles—find themselves powerfully impressed that the people doing all…

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