October 8, 2026 - Acts 9 (again)

When reading through the book of Acts, I always find myself wanting to slow down and savor all that Luke is reporting:  the story of Jesus’ appearance and instructions to his disciples, the events of Pentecost, and the growth of the church as thousands believed and were baptized!  Not only do these chapters afford us an amazing narrative of the early days of the church but they also provide such encouragement for today.  The Scriptures tell us that Jesus will build his church and that no power will be able to thwart that work (Matthew 16).  Fulfilling the promise to Abraham that his descendants (Galatians 3:7) will be as the grains of sand on the sea shore and as the stars of the heavens (Genesis 22), gathered around the throne in heaven will be “a great multitude that no one could number” (Revelation 7:9).  Luke tells us, “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up.  And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied” (9:31).  So it was, then, and so it will continue to be, i.e., God will send his gospel out into the world and he will call out his own and build his church.

Who are these like stars appearing,

these before God’s throne who stand?

Each a golden crown is wearing;

who are all this glorious band?

Alleluia! Hark, they sing,

praising loud their heav’nly King.

These are they whose hearts were riven,

sore with woe and anguish tried,

who in pray’r full oft have striven

with the God they glorified;

now, their painful conflict o’er,

God has bid them weep no more.   -- Heinrich Theobald Schenk (1719)