Daily Devotion: The The Early Church - Faithful Witnesseses by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Acts 1:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." - Acts 1:8 KJV

The book of Acts may have ended, but the mission Jesus gave His followers did not. The apostles had witnessed the resurrection of Christ. They had received the Holy Ghost. They had preached in Jerusalem, endured persecution, crossed cultural boundaries, and carried the gospel farther and farther into the world. And now the responsibility of being Christ's witnesses continues with every generation of believers.

Daily Devotion: The Acts of the Apostles - Paul Arrives in Rome by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Acts 28:16-31KJV 

Key Verse:  "Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him." - Acts 28:31KJV

At last, Paul arrived in Rome. It had been a long and difficult journey. He had been beaten, imprisoned, falsely accused, threatened, shipwrecked, and bitten by a poisonous snake. Yet through every circumstance, God had preserved him and brought him exactly where He had promised he would go. But Paul did not arrive in Rome as a free man. He arrived as a prisoner.

Daily Devotion: The Acts of the Apostles - Paul Survives the Shipwreck and Reaches Malta by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Acts 28:1-9 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita." - Acts 28:1 KJV

Paul and everyone aboard the ship have survived the terrible storm and shipwreck, just as God promised. They discover that they have reached the island of Melita, commonly identified with Malta. The people of the island show remarkable kindness to the shipwreck survivors. They build a fire to warm them from the rain and cold. Paul, rather than simply standing by, gathers sticks for the fire. Then something unexpected happens.

Daily Devotion: The Acts of the Apostles - Paul Sails for Rome by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Acts 27:14-25 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me." - Acts 27:25 KJV

Paul is finally on his way to Rome. Jesus had promised him that he would bear witness in Rome, and now that promise is being fulfilled—but the journey is anything but easy. A violent storm strikes the ship. For many days, the passengers see neither sun nor stars. The storm becomes so severe that “all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.”

Daily Devotion: The Acts of the Apostles - Paul Before King Agrippa by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Acts 26:14-29 KJV  

 

Key Verse:  "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." - Acts 26:18 KJV 

Paul's accusers bring numerous serious accusations against him, but they cannot prove any of them. Paul calmly answers: “Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cæsar, have I offended any thing at all.” He recounts his former life as a persecutor of Christians, his journey to Damascus, and his encounter with the risen Christ. Jesus had not merely rescued Paul from his past. He had given Paul a purpose.

Daily Devotion: The Acts of the Apostles - Paul Before Governor Festus by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Acts 25:7-12 KJV

Key Verse:  "For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar." - Acts 25:11 KJV

Paul has now spent two years in prison under Governor Felix. Felix is replaced by Festus, and Paul's accusers immediately renew their efforts to have him condemned. They bring numerous serious accusations against him, but they cannot prove any of them. Paul calmly answers: “Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cæsar, have I offended any thing at all.”

Daily Devotion: The Acts of the Apostles - Paul Before Governor Felix by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Acts 24:15-27 KJV

Key Verse:  "And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." - Acts 24:25 KJV

Paul has been brought to Caesarea, where he now stands before Felix, the Roman governor. His accusers have made serious charges against him, but Paul calmly defends himself. He explains that his faith is not a rejection of the Scriptures. Instead, he believes “all things which are written in the law and in the prophets.” Paul also declares his hope in the resurrection. But when Felix later summons Paul to speak privately about “the faith in Christ,” Paul does something remarkable.