The church in Ephesus is now six or more years old and they are a mix of Jews and Gentiles. But they are also still in the midst of a pagan religious center. This is the city where the crowd…
Author: Eric Ross
Because of the Hope of Israel
Jesus appeared to Paul after he was imprisoned in Jerusalem in Acts 23:11 And the next night the Lord stood by him and said, “Have courage, for as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify…
The Progress of the Gospel
Paul lived his life for the gospel since he encountered the Lord on the road to Damascus. And now, after all of his missionary journeys, he went back to Jerusalem knowing this trouble was waiting for him. But Paul was…
I have Done No Wrong
Paul has been delivered to the Roman Procurator Felix in Caesarea after a plot to kill Paul is uncovered in Jerusalem. Felix was no stranger to rebellion from the Jews and was charged with keeping peace in the region. Paul…
But I Indeed Was Born A Citizen
Our citizenship matters. Where we were born and how we were raised comes with certain rights and privileges. Sometimes these rights are violated, even when we have done nothing wrong, as it was here with Paul. Paul has acted uprightly,…
The Brothers Welcomed Us Gladly
Paul is greeted “gladly” by the first group he meets as he arrives in Jerusalem but the welcome is not so warm as he meets with James and the elders the next day. Paul tells them of his success with…
Bound By The Spirit
Paul is led by the Holy Spirit to return to Jerusalem and he has been working in the Gentile Churches to bring a gift with him. This was not the first time Paul had brought a gift, but this time,…
Contend Along With Me in Your Prayers
Paul tells them again to, in Romans 15:2 “please his neighbor for his good, for the purpose of edification” and that they should, in Romans 15:7 “accept one another, just as Christ also has accepted you”. We are the members…
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ
There is a spiritual side of being a Christian and we may have angelic encounters, dreams, and visions and we certainly will be led by the Holy Spirit. And there is a future hope in being a Christian when we…
In All These Things
We Prevail Completely
There are challenges in this world because sin has subjected everything to a curse. This is seen in the the effort it takes to survive, Genesis 3:19 “By the sweat of your brow you shall eat bread, until you return…
So Also We May Live a New Way of Life
We have peace with God. We are known by Him. We can know Him in all of His goodness. Well, that is, those who have “been declared righteous”. But it seems too simple. And it is, “believe” as it says…
The Righteousness of God Through Faith in Jesus Christ
Most people have an idea, a concept of what it means to be good. From the beginning though, God has revealed himself first in the things he has made, and then the Jews were “entrusted with the oracles of God”.…
The Gospel is the Power of God for Salvation
Paul has been diligent with the people of the Corinthian Church, yet there are still some that challenge him for proof that Christ speaks in him. He doesn’t take the bait of defending himself, instead he tells them “test yourselves”.…
Proclaim the Gospel in the Regions That lie Beyond
There is a natural fleshly desire for power that operates in the world and we see it in government, religion, business, but Paul puts the focus on the work we have to do “according to our assignment”. He says “we…